Setting: Nighttime. SAIJOHKU's abandoned old library grounds. A special training mission pairing one student from Class A and one from Class B to track down a rogue corrupted spirit. Olivia and Asher got assigned together, to both of their dismay…
ASHER: (arms crossed, standing stiffly beside Olivia on the roof)
"This is a waste of time. I could've handled this alone."
OLIVIA: (balancing on the edge of the rooftop, playful smirk)
"Right. Because Class A kids are born with GPS for corrupted spirits?"
ASHER:
"Class A kids aren't reckless."
OLIVIA: (shrugs, still teasing)
"And Class B kids aren't afraid to improvise. Big difference."
(They both fall silent as the wind picks up, carrying a faint distortion in the air—like something's whispering just outside reality. Olivia narrows her eyes. Asher instinctively steps a little closer.)
OLIVIA:
"You feel that?"
ASHER: (nods, serious now)
"Yeah. It's close."
(Suddenly, a shadow bursts from the nearby tower, lunging toward them. Olivia reacts first, flinging a glowing thread of energy that pierces the shadow's chest. It staggers, but then multiplies.)
OLIVIA:
"Oh, fun. It splits."
ASHER:
"Get behind me."
OLIVIA: (raising an eyebrow)
"No offense, but I've got better things to do than play sidekick."
(She launches forward, sliding under a lunge and flipping back up, her eyes glowing as she weaves light between her fingers. Asher groans, charges in to back her up. The two fall into rhythm—their precise strikes and her fluid weaving working in sync.)
(Finally, they trap the spirit. Asher pins it down with Echo Flame while Olivia sews a sealing stitch into the air around it. When the last stitch closes, the spirit lets out a wail and dissolves.)
(Silence. The tension shifts.)
ASHER: (breathing hard, watching her)
"…That was reckless."
OLIVIA: (smirking)
"Yeah, but it worked."
ASHER: (softly, almost annoyed)
"You always do that? Dive in like you don't care what happens to you."
OLIVIA: (serious now)
"I do care. Especially when someone I care about is in danger."
(Asher stares. The air between them tightens. Olivia's eyes flick to his hand—he were still holding her arm from when he pulled her back a moment ago.)
ASHER:
"You—"
OLIVIA:
"Yeah?"
(he lets go quickly, face turning slightly red, then turns away.)
ASHER:
"Forget it."
OLIVIA: (grinning, walking past them)
"You're lucky I think your awkward is kind of cute."
ASHER: (quietly)
"…You're lucky I think you're cute."
(Olivia stops walking. Smiles to herself. Doesn't say a word.)