Chapter 267
Smooch (2)
IAM quickly said, "Just ignore that guy—he's obviously joking."
Natsuki looked back in his direction and replied flatly, "Yeah… I was planning to."
IAM let out a dry chuckle that quickly faded into an awkward quiet as they both turned their attention back to the search.
He knelt beside one of the lower drawers on his side, sliding it open with a soft creak. Inside were a few folded sheets, a glass cup, and an old academy pamphlet. He pushed them aside, checking underneath before closing it again.
Natsuki moved along the opposite side, quietly opening and shifting folded linens. Every so often, she brushed her hair back behind her ear, keeping her focus fixed entirely on the task.
IAM straightened, glanced at her, then turned back to check the small table beside his bed, lifting the platter of food and tapping the sides of the drawers again just to be sure.
The faint sound of shuffling filled the quiet room, the two of them occasionally glancing up, their eyes meeting for a brief second before quickly looking away and continuing the search.
IAM then thought to check underneath the bed, crouching slightly to lift the hanging sheets. On the other side, Natsuki seemed to have had the same idea, lowering herself with quiet precision.
Both of them leaned in at the same time, pushing past the fabric that brushed softly against their faces—until thud! their foreheads collided beneath the bed frame.
It wasn't particularly painful for Natsuki, who only blinked and drew back slightly, but IAM, who wasn't using his Avien immediately clutched his head, wincing. "Ow—your forehead is like metal," he muttered, rubbing the spot with a pained grin.
Natsuki narrowed her eyes.
"I was only joking," IAM said quickly, both hands raised in surrender.
Being so close, IAM could see every detail of Natsuki's face. Her skin was smooth and pale, almost luminescent in the soft light that filtered through the sheets. Her lashes were long, and the faint curve of her lips gave her an oddly delicate look. A few strands of her black hair had slipped loose, falling near her cheek, catching faint glimmers of light like silk threads.
Then a faint scent a drifted toward him.
It was then the two of them noticed, near the top of the bed, a pouch lying half-hidden against the sheets. Upon a closer look, it was unmistakably the one Natsuki had been searching for—the red-patterned pouch with the GlowUp brand stitched on it.
Natsuki didn't say a word as she shifted forward, ignoring IAM completely as she reached for it. The fabric brushed softly against her fingers as she pulled it free. Meanwhile, IAM backed out from under the bed, his shoulders brushing against the hanging sheets before he straightened up, dusting his hands absently against his clothes.
A few seconds later, Natsuki stood up as well, the pouch now firmly in her grasp. Her expression remained unchanged, but IAM could tell she was satisfied. Her gaze lingered briefly on the recovered item before turning back to him.
She looked up at him and said, "Thank you for helping me find it."
IAM returned a faint smile, shaking his head lightly as he replied, "It's no problem."
After he spoke, the silence returned once again. IAM tried to think of something—anything—to say that wouldn't sound forced. But before he could open his mouth, Natsuki suddenly spoke.
"I seemed to have misunderstood you." Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, trailing off near the end.
IAM blinked, caught off guard. "Oh? You don't think I'm a creep anymore?" he asked with a faint, unsure smile, hoping to lighten the mood.
Natsuki shook her head slightly. "No… not that." Her tone was firmer now, and it instantly made IAM's smile falter.
His expression stiffened as he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and a touch of unease, "Then… what do you mean?"
"I'm talking about that competition we had a few weeks back," she said evenly, meeting his gaze. "The one between our classes."
IAM's face turned solemn as he said, "Yeah… I have a faint… faint recollection of that… What about it?"
Natsuki held his gaze steadily. "I believe I may have jumped to conclusions after seeing you surrender without a fight. I… saw it as you disrespecting me."
IAM frowned slightly, the tension in the room thickening as she continued. "But now, upon a closer look, you weren't using your Avien then—you weren't using it at the combat grounds either, and even now when we bumped heads. But when we met at Hopastry, you were definitely using it…"
Her voice trailed off, and IAM felt a faint sense of premonition, a slow, creeping realization of where she was heading.
"So maybe… you had another reason not to fight," she said finally, her eyes locking onto his with a piercing intensity. "It was to hide something…"
There was a few seconds of silence before IAM finally spoke, breaking the quiet. "You're overthinking it… Haven't you heard the rumours? I'm a coward, and I'm only doing so to avoid being constantly challenged—"
"But you could do the same without not using an Avien. You are allowed to reject a duel with no consequence," Natsuki interrupted sharply, her tone leaving little room for argument.
IAM paused, knowing he had been caught.
"And…" her eyes flickered. "From the rumours I've heard… people are saying you're that sole survivor of the Hold…"
"Those are rumours that aren't even true," he tried.
"There must be a fire for there to be smoke," she said simply, her gaze unwavering.
She suddenly sighed, her voice softening. "Whatever the case, I didn't bring that up to interrogate you… I just wanted to say sorry."
IAM didn't respond with words; he only gave a small nod.
Without another word, she turned and began making her way toward the door. She paused for a moment, glancing back at him one last time, before closing it quietly behind her.
IAM remained standing in the room, letting out a low breath. "…She's scary…"