Closed mind, open sea, peaceful winds by the chore. Sulphurous and salty—a world rich with paint and seemingly lonely oceans—pale and blue. Along the tranquil sight, the sound of pen scribbles and keyboard strokes echo. Almost melancholy yet bright and colourful. 

 “Alum, you’re spacing out again…”

 A youthful. Cheerful. Most of all, a bright voice echoed and pierced to the depths. Muffled and slightly distorted, the spaced-out listener turned their head.

 “Hm? Did you say something?”

 The glances of silver and gold eyes met briefly, a soft yet wide grin reflected on the golden surface; additionally, a figure of a young man. His short blond and silver hair—as his eyes and handsome face reflected in the other youths' golden eyes.

 “You bored again?”

 “Can’t tell?”

 “As always, then?” the handsome youth remarked.

 With a wide grin, eyes slightly squint and playful. The youth leaned on his elbow and rested his chin on the palm, shifting his line of sight to the board.

 “Don’t you freeze? Feel a little cold or something?”

 “Not really. And you?”

 “Ugh… No matter how often I complain about it being a bit cold, you wouldn’t close the window, would you?”

 “Meh, it’s open just slightly. The others don’t complain, do they?”

 “Hey~. Don’t just shrug it off! Of course, they don’t. They don’t sit anywhere close to us, and would you care if they did?”

 “What do you take me for?”

 “Yeah! What do I take you for for me to tell you that?!”

 The youth turned and exclaimed, his protest not reaching as the other party softly smiled—chuckled even. But he couldn’t get rid of the soft smile on his friend's face and thus could not retort further.

 “Alum, you’re selfish, you know that?”

 “Never denied it. Did I? No-L?”

 “It’s Noel! And also, was that supposed to be a compliment?”

 “Aren’t you reading too much into it?”

 “—You two are getting quite rowdy, don’t you think?”

 Suddenly, a girl walked up to them. She glanced at Alum. The soft, somewhat warm smile had dissolved into that of indifference. His eyes were cold as they usually were—his demeanour changed in a flash as soon the girl approached. Her heart ached, squirmed and twisted.

 Why is…? No, it’s just who he is—don’t think too deeply about it! …It still stings a little. But how can Noel be so casual?

 “Oh, Miu…? You’re not hanging with the other girls today?” Noel voiced in slight surprise.

 “No? What? Don’t want me to tag along?” she pouted after some protest.

 She glanced at Alum, wondering if it would be bothersome. However, her initial beliefs were unfounded as he got up from his seat and closed the window.

 “I don’t mind.”

 Having heard his calm reply, her throbbing heart calmed itself. Feeling more relaxed, she smiled brightly. Her smile was filled with colour and depth, lightly shaded without distortion, pure, honest and captivating.

 “Then, let’s have lunch together!”

 Excited, Miu pulled Noel along, and Alum followed. The trio garnered stares, not because they were loud or obnoxious—perhaps. But most of them couldn’t help but look at Noel or Miu. Both had stunning looks, one handsome, the other pretty. Those stares were apparent to him. However, the stares he garnered were somewhat awkward, and they’d avert their attention whenever he noticed.

 Same old, not that it’s a bother. I wonder, why does Noel pester and drag me along? Because we’re friends?

 —

 After finishing their lunch, the three made their way to another seminar, but nothing drastically changed. It had a similar view to the ocean by the window. The only thing that changed was the elevation.

 “There he goes again, spaced out and looking at the ocean, looking all placid.”

 “Leave him be. It’s not like it disturbs the class.”

 Well, it’s what he always does, ever since the start a year ago? Still the same. I wonder why Miu seems more curious about them as of late. Does she have a crush on him? It doesn’t seem like it, though. Looking at her, I can tell she’s somewhat cautious, or am I reading it wrong?

 “Say, do you have a crush on Alum?”

 Noel’s question was a bit abrupt and out of nowhere. However, Miu wasn’t flustered. She was calm and collected, her head tilted slightly at the inquiry.

 “No? Why all of a sudden?”

 Hmm, so I wasn’t wrong? Well, I don’t know how Alum would respond if she did like him…

 “Nah, I was just curious,” Noel shrugged.

 Overhearing the two, Alum turned to them. They noticed that it was getting darker outside, and the sun’s warmth slowly faded. 

 “The seminar ended.”

 “Huh? It’s already been two hours?”

 Miu heaved a sigh at the comment and slightly touched her forehead with her fingers. “Don’t tell me you didn’t pay attention as well?” she inquired, sounding slightly annoyed.

 “I swear I did pay attention!”

 “Well, that’s great! Want a cookie?” Miu teased.

 “What? I don’t want it!” Noel exclaimed and stopped her from playfully poking at him.

 Her grin widened, showing her white teeth and pretty smile. Her eyes shifted to Alum briefly. “No cookie for you, Mister!”

 “…It isn’t like that.”

 “—I wouldn’t mind if I got one, though. You probably thought,” Noel teased and nudged Alum with his elbow.

 “…..”

*Giggles*

 At their banter, Miu couldn’t help but let out a small but adorable laugh. She captivated those who secretly watched—but Noel frowned at the sight.

 “What’s so funny?” Noel asked.

 “Noothing~,” Miu replied. “I just thought you two got along well.”

 “And you giggle because of that?”

 “Like, don’t you feel all smiley smiles when your heart is fluttery, fluffy and sparkly?”

 “I…have no idea what you’re on, but why the head tilt? Was it a question?”

 “You two are cute?”

 “I’m not cu—”

 Alum tried to say something, but Noel wasn’t finished with his childhood friend’s remark. “Tsk, tsk, tsk, Miu, some boys do not like being called cute, but when you say it like it’s a question, it sort of hurts, you know? Look at Alum!” he glanced at his friend, a stone-cold expression and indifferent eyes. “He’s… Look at me! I’m saddened, you know?!”

 “What’s wrong with you? I didn’t say that much, did I?” Miu questioned. Her eyes seemed a little hollow and cold as she glared at him. “Don’t you think so, Alum?” she suddenly added Alum into the conversation.

 “Nothing’s really wrong with him.”

 “Aluuu—” 

 “But I suppose he’s a bit strange,” Alum continued.

*Geh*

 As if being pierced in the heart and clenching his chest, Noel fell from his seat and crumbled under the desk.

 “Does…he usually exaggerate like this?” Miu voiced her concerns with a raised eyebrow while peeking under the desk.

 “Shouldn’t you know? You’re childhood friends.”

 “We are, but…he’s much calmer, normally. Is he int—”

 “I’m NOT!” Noel retorted from under the desk. “Why is your mind wandering there!? Huh!?”

 Miu crouched down to his eye level, with a grin from ear to ear, she said, “Aren’t you p…p….p.”

 With a blank stare, Noel asked, “Is it that hard to say that I’m popular?”

 “Njyhihi~ I was messing with ya, Mister Popular.”

 “…Screw you.”

 Acting slightly taken aback, Miu’s face flushed. Her rosy cheeks and ears showed the pink flush more clearly due to her pale skin. “H-How vulgar!” she cried—then, playfully winked and stuck out her tongue playfully.

 Around them, people stared; the girls went “Kyaa~” while some guys went limping with their heads down as if meeting oblivion.

 Being sensitive to the stares around him, Noel resentfully glared at Miu. “That’s not what I meant!” he exclaimed.

 “Hehe, I know,” she replied calmly.

 However, for some strange reason, her heart ached, twisted and throbbed again.

 What is this? I have this feeling yet again.

 Miu felt dizzy, and her breathing got heavier. Noel noticed, too. He had a serious look and stared into her eyes.

 “Miu, is there something wrong with you? I’m not joking right now, but you don’t seem to feel that well…”

 Unsure, Miu rested her head on the desk; more people seemed concerned but didn’t approach as Noel was already there.

 “I don’t know… My heart is achy, twitchy and twisty; it throbs a little strangely…”

 “…Does that happen when you look at Alum?”

 “I’m serious here!” Miu protested, even so, her cheeks slightly flushed.

 “Hm? You felt as if your heart had been stabbed and twisted? Do you feel a lingering dull pain in your chest as well? Any headache?” Alum suddenly butted in.

 Surprised, something rang in Noel’s head.

 All the things Alum mentioned… Didn't I feel that too just earlier…?

 “You should probably have it checked.”

 Alum didn't comment on it further, but Noel became curious. Why would Alum, of all people, be concerned about Miu? It wasn’t like he disliked her, but he would usually not mind anything concerning her or others.

 Perhaps…

 Before Noel could ask, a slightly older girl approached. Her eyes were golden like his, and her hair was black, smooth and silky. “Al~” she playfully called him by a nickname.

 “Hm? Emy? Is class over?” 

 “…I just ended class, Mister.”

 Alum chuckled. “I was yapping at you.”

 Preferential treatment… Both Noel and Miu thought.

 “Well then, see you two tomorrow,” Alum said.

 “You better pay more attention tomorrow, Noel. I know you have one of my classes,” Emely teased.

 Noel’s shoulder sunk as he sulked. “I…did pay attention,” he hushed under his breath.

 After teasing Noel a little, Emely made her way to Alum; there was no meeting today. Hence, she wanted to head back together with him, who usually had to eat out because he couldn’t cook…

 Huh? My heart suddenly became heavy, my vision slightly hazy, and my head started to throb. My legs feel weak…

 Having lost her balance, Emely stumbled. Fortunately, Alum caught her by the shoulder. “What’s wrong?” he voiced his concerns.

 But he soon realised something in his peripheral vision. What followed was a *thud* and everyone in the room had fallen unconscious. Flustered, he took a closer look at Emely, who was also unconscious. He gently laid her down on the floor and grabbed his phone, dialling the emergency number, but it wouldn’t connect.

 He briefly glanced at Emely; she seemed fine and was breathing soundly; he didn’t know what just happened, but if he had to guess…

 Is it related to the symptoms Miu felt earlier? I felt them, too…did everyone?

 He got up on his feet, but as soon as he did, he was struck by a wrenching pain. His lungs were about to erupt, and his vision became hazy. He pulled the door handle—nothing, it wouldn’t budge. He heaved a deep sigh, fought the pain, and made his way to Noel and Miu.

 It’s strange… It looks like they all fell asleep. But is it so simple?

 …she’s pretty, but it’s wasted on someone like me.

 Alum turned his attention toward the door again and stared at it. He took a deep breath, and a burst of energy enveloped him; with a loud echo and thud from his feet connecting with the floor, he dashed toward the door. With a little spin, his leg moved at incredible speed, and the kick connected with all that he had. Another loud and audible bang echoed throughout the seminar. The door did not budge, not even a little. The sound from the kick was strange as well. It was as if he wasn’t kicking a heavy wooden door.

—it’s strangely loud yet muffled. He thought.

 At first, when he reached the door and pulled on the handle, it budged but did not open; he didn’t think too deeply about it and waited for Emely. However, she collapsed along with the others; he tried again, but that time, it didn’t yield at all, and he was the only one up and kicking.

 If the door won’t work… He thought and turned his attention to the windows instead. He grabbed a chair and threw it with all his remaining strength, but the glass did not shatter or even scratch—it had the same muffled sound echoing. Feeling exhausted from moving just a little, he cursed himself.

 I suppose it’s my own inadequacy.

 Drowsiness came to him, whispering in his concision; his body was already heavy, and his head ached like he’d been shot by a gun. His heart, as if being torn a thousand times, throbbed and twisted. Having all his energy stripped away, he lay on the cold floor, still conscious; he crawled and made his way to Emely, taking her hand. Despite the throb in his head, despite the pain in his chest—it feels warm. He thought, and his eyes closed.