All four of them headed to a nearby restaurant just outside the Academy’s ornate periter gates—a quaint but upscale place Leon casually recomnded, clearly accustod to its presence. The sll of sizzling butter and herbs wafted through the air as they approached, the soft hum of conversation already spilling from within. Despite its modest exterior, the place was bustling, filled with students taking advantage of the unexpected midday break brought on by the reassessnts.
Inside, sunlight poured through wide-pane windows frad by ivy-draped curtains, casting golden warmth onto the hardwood floors. The group was ushered to a large four-person table tucked neatly into the far corner of the restaurant—the only remaining space, as every other seat had already been claid by laughing classmates and gossiping upper-years.
As if by unspoken rule, Marcus and Victoria ended up seated next to each other, while Leon and Maria took the other side of the table. The arrangent seed natural—familiar, even—but to Leon, it was sothing else entirely. His jaw twitched ever so slightly, the corner of his mouth tightening. Though he didn’t say a word, the way his fingers tapped silently against the table’s edge betrayed a flicker of irritation he couldn’t quite smother.
The seating had definitely struck a nerve.
"Looks fancy... but I don’t really have money with ," Marcus muttered with a sheepish chuckle, his eyes scanning the nu printed directly onto the tabletop. "Left my briefcase back in the classroom."
Victoria barely glanced up, already perusing the dishes herself. "Don’t worry about it," she said lightly, lips curving into a soft smile. "I’ll treat you."
That single line caused Leon to freeze mid-motion, the nu before him montarily forgotten. His eyes flicked toward Victoria, and for the briefest of monts, his calm deanor cracked. He cleared his throat sharply, collecting himself.
"No need for that," he said with crisp assertiveness, cutting in smoothly. "I’ll pay for everything. Just pick whatever you want."
Marcus leaned forward with a grin that could only be described as devilish. His eyes glead with amusent as he clasped his hands together in mock reverence.
"If you say so," he replied, the mischief in his voice unmistakable as he resud scanning the nu—this ti targeting the most expensive yet delicious-looking item like a sniper picking his mark.
"I’ll have this," he said a mont later, tone almost too casual as he gestured toward a decadent steak glazed in honey-garlic sauce with truffle-infused sides.
Leon tilted his head ever so slightly, returning Marcus’s gaze with a smile of his own—cool, unbothered, and razor-sharp.
"Sure," he said, voice smooth like polished marble. "That won’t even harm my wallet."
Their eyes locked, a silent current of rivalry sparking between them like flint striking steel. Though neither said it aloud, the challenge was clear.
Victoria and Maria exchanged a look—bewildered, half amused, half exhausted. Neither of them had the patience to engage in whatever silent contest of egos was currently unfolding across the table.
"Let bygones be bygones," Victoria muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as she settled back and made her own selection from the nu, now generously covered by Leon’s apparent generosity.
Maria simply giggled, unfazed, and followed suit.
"I’ll just take the house special. I used to co here with my sister..."
Ti passed in a warm, lazy rhythm as dishes arrived one by one—each plated like artwork, steam curling into the air in fragrant wisps. The atmosphere relaxed as the group began eating, casual conversation flowing between bites. Victoria and Maria slipped into an easy exchange, their chatter soft and lodic. On the opposite side of the table, Leon and Marcus continued their light verbal sparring, tossing harmless jabs and sarcastic quips like kids fighting over who got the bigger slice of cake.
[Current Ongoing Routes:]
Leon Route (Unlocked)
Leon [Affection: Neutral 1] ( 2)
What...?
The unexpected system chi reverberated inside Marcus’s mind just as he took a sip of water—and imdiately caused him to choke.
"Aghhkk—" he gagged violently, slamming a fist against the table as water went down the wrong pipe.
Victoria jumped, concern flashing across her features as she leaned in. "Are you okay!? What’s gotten into you?"
Marcus coughed a few more tis before grabbing a nearby napkin and wiping his mouth, eyes wide with half-laughter and disbelief.
"I just witnessed sothing terrifying..." he muttered cryptically.
Without missing a beat, Victoria slapped the back of his head with an exasperated glare, reclaiming her seat as if nothing had happened.
"Don’t joke like that!" she huffed, her cheeks tinged faintly pink.
Maria burst into giggles, covering her mouth as she glanced at Leon. "Looks like they’re having fun..."
Leon gave a smile, but it twitched unnaturally at the edges. "You saying that makes feel worse..." he mumbled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Despite his attempts to laugh it off, his gaze kept straying toward Marcus and Victoria—too often to be casual.
Before long, the bell chid from across the city—a soft, resonating sound that echoed faintly even within the restaurant, signaling the end of the reassessnts and with it, their extended break.
"Well, guess that’s our cue," Marcus said, stretching his arms as he rose to his feet. He rubbed the back of his head where Victoria’s slap still lingered like a phantom sting. "I wonder where and Cynthia will be seated..."
Then, like an uninvited glitch in a peaceful mont, sothing pulsed in the back of Marcus’s mind.
[mory Sync Activated (Partial): Current Lesson will be Paired Battle Tactics.]
His body tensed.
In the ga... this was the mont—the first official affection event, where players could begin deepening their relationship with one of the core characters. The first ti choices began to truly matter.
And now? Marcus had a system. A living, breathing interface tracking relationships and emotions like stats on a spreadsheet.
He let out an awkward laugh, almost to himself, running a hand down his face.
Well... I hope I’m just overthinking it...
But deep down, he already knew better.
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