?

  The class filed out gradually, still discussing what they’d just learned. Mira collected the leftover handouts and stacked them neatly on the desk. She watched Adrian unplug the projector cable, his movements effortless and sure. There was a natural grace to him, even in mundane tasks, that she always found herself pausing to admire.

  When the last student left, he looked over at her. “So… did your class end early today, or are you just haunting random departments for fun?”

  “Finished, yeah. I was heading to the canteen when I got caught by Professor Ikeda, apparently he had an urgent appointment and needed someone to help distribute documents and keep things running in his absence.”

  “And you said yes, just like that?”

  “He looked stressed. And I am available. Why not?,” she said with a shrug, stepping beside him as they made their way out the door.

  They walked into the corridor together, the echo of their footsteps bouncing between tall walls and polished tiles. Being near him felt easy, comfortable.

  She turned toward him, narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion. “Now you. What are you doing in this university? You’ve been enrolled since sixteen, everyone knows that. But one day you’re a classmate, the next day you're a TA, and I’m starting to wonder... high-stakes government agent? Undercover prodigy? A double life? Secretly a cop?”

  Adrian exhaled through a sudden, helpless laugh, lifting one hand to cover his mouth.

  Mira smiled, charmed by the rare crack in his composure.

  “You always do this,” he said.

  “Do what?” she asked, trying to look innocent.

  “Say things no one else would ever say. With a straight face.”

  “Well, the world already has enough small talk.”

  He gave her a sidelong look, still smiling, eyes warm. But he didn’t answer her question. Instead, he said, “Your version sounds way more exciting than the real one. Thriller material. Someone should pitch it to a streaming service.”

  She nudged his arm with her elbow, enjoying the solid warmth of him beside her. “So you won’t deny it?”

  “I won’t confirm it either,” he replied lightly. “Who knows, maybe this is all just one long, expensive cover story.”

  They both laughed, the sound lingering comfortably as they reached the stairwell.

  “So,” Adrian asked, his voice neutral but attentive, “any big plans for the afternoon?”

  “Well, not really. Just homework. No class or anything particular.” She shrugged, checking her phone to confirm the open schedule.

  “Hmm. Well, I’m heading out to a farmer’s place up in the foothills for some material supplies. Fungi, mushrooms, that sort of thing. Not exactly the kind of mushroom-picking you mentioned the other day, but you might find it interesting, depending on how you look at it. Would you want to join?”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  His tone remained casual, leaving the door wide open for her to say no, but Mira stopped in her tracks, a spark of genuine delight lighting up her expression.

  "Really? Thanks for the invitation." She looked at him, touched that he thought to include her. "But... can I swing by my dorm for five minutes first? I need to grab something."

  "Sure, I need to go back to my room for a few things too. Five minutes works."

  The afternoon suddenly seemed to brighten with unexpected promise. She felt a flutter of anticipation as they headed back to their rooms.

  As they reached the door to Adrian’s room, he paused, turning slightly to face her.

  “By the way,” he said, his voice calm but practical. “This isn’t your usual mushroom farm. It’s close to the forest, so you’ll need proper clothes for it, long pants, nothing too light or short. And insect repellent, of course.”

  Mira paused, a rush of warmth flooding her face. His words instantly brought back the memory of the mosquito bite from last night, the one on her cheek. She touched her face, flustered but oddly touched that he remembered such a small detail. It was sweet, in a mortifying sort of way.

  “Thank you for being so thoughtful, Adrian,” she said, her voice soft.

  Adrian gave a brief nod, completely unbothered. “It’s nothing, really,” he replied with a small smile, seemingly unaware of the effect his attentiveness had on her. “Just don’t want you to be unprepared.”

  Mira nodded quickly, her heart beating a little faster. “I’ll be fine,” she added, trying to sound confident.

  With that, Adrian turned, pushing his door open. Mira watched him disappear inside for a second before turning to her own room, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

  ?

  Mira appeared just as Adrian was unlocking the sleek, midnight-black car.

  She wore an olive-green jumpsuit, practical, sturdy, yet stylish, layered over a long, fitted turtleneck sweater in soft cream. Her silver hair was brushed smooth, catching the glow of the overhead lights.

  The outfit had a playful, almost Mario-esque air to it, if Mario had long silver hair and a flair for fashion.

  Adrian, already sliding into the driver’s seat, paused for a split second. She saw his gaze catch on her, noting the bold flash of color and the look in her eyes.

  He didn’t comment, just a slight narrowing of his gaze, as if mentally approving, before turning his attention to the road.

  The farm sat a way out; with traffic, it would take at least thirty minutes.

  As they drove, Mira, unable to help her curiosity, let her fingers skim the polished console.

  "This is custom, isn’t it?" she observed. "It feels like… a government car. Or something out of a spy movie."

  Adrian’s grip on the wheel tightened, just for a fraction of a second.

  "It’s just a car, Mira."

  She didn’t buy that for a second.

  "You don't use this much, do you?" Her fingers traced the flawless dashboard as she spoke.

  "I don’t need to."

  "Then why have it?"

  Adrian kept his eyes on the road. "Emergencies."

  She studied him, captivated by the way he drove, fluid, confident, completely at ease. It was a good look on him.

  Then, with a sly smile, she added, "I feel like I should be honored. How many people have ridden in this thing?"

  "Including you?" Adrian stated matter-of-factly. "One."

  Mira nearly choked on air, her heart doing a strange little flip in her chest.

  "Wait, seriously? No one else?"

  "Why would there be?"

  "I don’t know, friends? Dates?"

  His mouth hooked into a taunting half-smile. "Why? Are you jealous?"

  Mira scoffed, "Of your car? Please."

  Adrian chuckled but said nothing, letting the comfortable silence stretch between them.

  The road curled and dipped through the hills, lined with trees slipping into autumn, rusted gold, deep amber, and burnt orange brushing past the windows like a moving painting.

  She sat in the passenger seat, hands clasped lightly in her lap, half-watching the scenery and half-watching Adrian in the periphery.

  How did she end up here?

  Thirty minutes into the hills, toward a forest-side farm for fungi research, this wasn’t on her week’s plan. Yet here she was. Sitting in Adrian Vale’s car.

  Mira shifted slightly in her seat, unsure whether to feel awkward or amused. Everything about this was so... casual. The kind of casual that made her question the universe’s idea of coincidence.

  Somehow, it didn’t feel strange being next to him at all.

  ?