Morning light streamed through the academy windows, gentle and warm—yet Jiwoon sat motionless at his desk, staring at his gloved hand.
Even when nothing hurt…
He still felt the weight.
That was when the knock came.
Two soft knocks. Then silence.
He didn't answer.
But the door opened anyway.
"You always leave it unlocked," Kaelya said, stepping inside.
She carried a small tray—coffee, toast, and something that looked suspiciously like a failed attempt at eggs.
Jiwoon raised an eyebrow. "That's brave."
Kaelya set the tray down anyway. "You need to eat. You didn't touch anything yesterday."
Before Jiwoon could speak, Vera stepped in quietly behind her.
"…I told her not to cook," Vera said dryly.
"You could've done it yourself, then."
"I'd rather fight an ancient beast barehanded."
Jiwoon blinked.
"Did you two… plan this?"
They didn't answer.
But the way they moved around the room—setting things down, straightening the corners of his blanket, checking the air vents like they had some excuse to be there—said enough.
Eventually, all three sat in the room.
Kaelya crossed her legs on the floor, leaning back against his bed.
Vera sat in the reading chair, silent but watchful.
Jiwoon… just sat.
"You both don't need to stay," he said softly.
Kaelya smirked. "Too late."
Vera's gaze didn't shift. "We're not here to save you. We're here… because you shouldn't be alone."
"We're not trying to fix you, Jiwoon," Kaelya added. "We're just here to stand beside you."
"Even if it breaks us," Vera whispered.
He looked between them.
For a long moment… the silence wasn't heavy.
It was warm.
That night – Jiwoon's room
None of them left.
Kaelya fell asleep against his side, arms folded.
Vera dozed off in the chair, her head tilted slightly, silver strands falling across her eye.
Jiwoon sat there, awake, watching them both.
"…The two beside me."
He reached out slowly, gently brushing hair from Kaelya's face, then Vera's.
"Maybe… I can carry this. If it's not just me anymore."