Aura turned to look at him, drawn by the rare sincerity in his voice; even his usual grin had faded, leaving behind something surprisingly vulnerable.
"…We can be friends," she muttered, clearly reluctant but honest.
Fenix's face lit up with pure joy. Without hesitation, he threw his arms around her, knocking her off balance.
"Thank you!" he said, laughing.
Aura shoved him away with a scowl."That's enough hugging for now, you clingy moron," she snapped.
But Fenix just laughed harder and nuzzled his cheek against hers.
"I've never had a friend before," he said, almost too cheerfully.
"I can see why!" Aura growled, twisting and pushing at him harder now, her cheeks tinged red with embarrassment and irritation.
A month slipped by faster than either of them had expected. Despite Aura's prickly exterior, she and Fenix had become—undeniably—close.
"Good morning, sweetie!" Fenix called out, leaning casually against the hallway wall as he spotted Aura leaving her room.
Aura's expression twisted in horror."How many times have I told you not to call me that, you insufferable imbecile?!"
Fenix tapped his chin, pretending to think hard."Let's see... that makes it around—hmm—twenty-six times now?"
Aura stomped up to him, face inches from his."And you still have the audacity to do it?"
He stared into her furious eyes, biting back a laugh, his grin wide and playful.
With a sigh of exasperation, Aura turned away."Unbelievable," she muttered, marching toward class.
"You look pretty today," he added casually, bouncing along beside her.
Aura swung a fist at him without even looking. Fenix dodged like a pro, laughing.
"Ha-ha!"
"Cease your empty flattery—and go straight to hell!" she snapped.
"You say that like it's your personal mantra," he teased.
Aura scoffed, eyes forward."It is—when I'm talking to you."
Fenix clutched his chest dramatically."Oof. Brutal."
They entered the classroom together. Despite the month that had passed, their classmates still gawked. Seeing Aura with anyone—let alone someone she seemed to tolerate—was nothing short of shocking.
"Aura, I had the weirdest dream," Fenix said, plopping into the seat next to hers. "Wanna hear it?"
Aura said nothing, but her lack of refusal was invitation enough.
"I dreamt that you finally hugged me."
Aura froze for half a second, a faint blush brushing her cheeks."That'll never happen," she said, quickly turning her face away. But oddly enough, the idea didn't bother her as much as it used to.
"And then... right after, we were naked and you were saying stuff like, 'Yes!~ Harder, Fen—'"
"WHAT KIND OF DREAM WAS THIS?!" Aura shrieked, face exploding into full crimson.
Fenix burst into uncontrollable laughter, tears in his eyes. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair."I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"
Aura smacked his hand away, flustered beyond belief."Yeah, you better be," she muttered, furiously rubbing her cheeks.
Moments later, Ms. Emerald strode into the classroom with her usual dead-eyed disgust.
"Good morning... you detestable wastes of space," she announced.
Half the class got up and left right then.
Once the room had settled, she began distributing graded papers.
"Excellent work as always, Aura," she said dryly. "But don't delude yourself—just because you can regurgitate knowledge onto a sheet of paper doesn't mean you're any less of a worm than the rest of this class... bitch."
Aura clenched her jaw. She was used to Emerald's venom, but that didn't mean it didn't sting.
The teacher then handed Fenix his paper.
"Remarkable work," she said, with an almost admiring tone. "I'll refrain from insulting you today... since I find you quite attractive."
Fenix gave her a sharp, sarcastic salute."Thank you, ma'am."
As soon as she turned her back, he crumpled the paper and lobbed it into the trash.
"Creepy witch," he muttered darkly.
Aura chuckled under her breath, a rare smile tugging at her lips.
At 4 PM, it was time for M.A. Combat Class.
"Alright, who's first?" Cleaver barked, pacing like a wolf.
Aura and Fenix raised their hands at the same time and turned to smirk at each other like two rivals who couldn't wait to clash.
"Of course. The usual suspects," Cleaver sighed. "You other cowards could learn a thing or two."
He gestured them to the field.
Fenix loosened his tie and tucked it into his vest, rolling up his sleeves like a seasoned fighter. Aura slipped out of her usual clothing with efficient grace, revealing her streamlined combat gear beneath.
They took their places.
"And... begin!"
They collided with such force that the shockwave rippled through the room. Students stumbled back. Cleaver didn't flinch.
Aura struck first—fast and ferocious—but Fenix moved like smoke, dodging each attack with acrobatic ease. She swept low, aiming for his legs. He flipped backward, barely missing the blow, and returned with a sharp mid-kick to her ribs.
Aura brought her guard up just in time to deflect it. The exchange went on—faster and fiercer—until finally:
"Time's up!" Cleaver called. "It's a tie. Zero points each."
Both stood panting, flushed and satisfied.
"That was fun," Fenix said with a tired but contented smile. He straightened his clothes like nothing had happened.
Aura wiped sweat from her brow and got dressed in silence. Fenix followed her out with his hands folded behind his head, eyes turned to the ceiling.
"Alright! Who's next?" Cleaver boomed.
The other students, now less intimidated, stepped forward more willingly.
"Aura, can I hang out in your room until next period?" Fenix asked as they walked.
She paused before answering."...There's not much to do."
"I know," he said with a grin. "But it's quiet... and when I'm with you, I'm never bored."
Aura's cheeks flushed pink. She kept her head low so her hair could hide it.
"Alright... just don't make a mess."
Without warning, Fenix hugged her shoulders from behind."Thanks," he whispered.
Aura reacted instantly, her hand swiping through the air with a growl."I've told you—no touching!"
She slapped her cheeks, trying to calm her blush. Spotting her door ahead, she bolted for it.
"I can't help it," Fenix called out, laughing. "You're just too huggable!"
"Silence!"
"You're so warm," he added teasingly.
"Silence!" she repeated, fumbling with the key in her shaky hands.
"And really soft."
He was behind her again—too close—and as his cheek brushed hers, a soft sizzle crackled through the air.
Aura gasped, recoiling with a cry."Ah—!"
She touched her cheek, skin tingling and lightly burned.
Fenix looked horrified, more shaken than she'd ever seen him."I... I'm sorry," he whispered, trembling. "I didn't mean to— I thought I was getting better... but I hurt you. I burned you. I burned my only friend. And even though I—I really like you, I—"
Aura slapped him—not hard, but firm enough to stop his spiral.
"Hey. We're friends, right?"
He nodded slowly, ashamed.
"Then do you know what that means?" she asked, eyes fierce.
He shook his head.
"It means no matter what happens—no matter what—as long as I'm alive, I'll forgive you. Always. Got that?"
Fenix's eyes widened. His breath caught. Then a real, honest smile spread across his face—something soft and radiant, deeper than his usual grin.
"Thanks, Aura…" he said, barely above a whisper.
Aura grabbed his hand. He stiffened, heat rising in surprise. His temperature spiked, but she didn't let go—even as the burn began.
She winced, but stayed still.
"You're not hurting me," she whispered.
Not with this.