The sky was pitch black by the time the festival finally wrapped up. The campus lights still glowed, casting bright spots over the crew busy packing up gear and tearing down the little stage in the middle of the field. Laughter and chatter floated around, even though most folks looked wiped out.
Robin stretched his shoulders and let out a long sigh after putting away his camera. "Finally done," he muttered.
Lyra nodded beside him, rubbing her sore neck. "Yeah... tired, but relieved."
Not far off, Alton—the event chair and student council president—stood in front of the last group of volunteers. He raised his voice to catch their attention.
"Alright, before we really call it a night, just one thing," Alton said. "Thanks for all the hard work, everyone. The festival ran smoothly because of you. Sure, we'll have some small stuff to go over later, but overall? Big success."
A few cheers popped up, while others just smiled, clearly exhausted.
Alton went on, "We'll have an evaluation meeting tomorrow afternoon, but for now, go home and get some rest. Oh, and if anyone's hungry, eat up. Don't want anyone dropping dead tomorrow."
Some quiet laughter rippled through the group. Then the brief meeting ended, and people started drifting off—some heading home, others lingering a bit more.
Robin glanced over at Lyra, who was still absorbed in her phone. Her eyes looked heavy, but she was trying to stay focused.
Without thinking much, Robin gently tapped her phone. "Come on, take a break."
Lyra sighed. "But there's still stuff to check..."
Robin gave her a lazy look. "You've been grinding since morning. Let the others handle the rest."
Lyra hesitated, then gave in. "...Alright."
Robin smiled faintly. "Good. Now, let's take a walk."
Lyra blinked. "Huh? Walk where?"
He shrugged casually. "Around campus. The night air's nice. Besides, you need fresh air before you call it a night."
She looked unsure at first, but then nodded. They stepped away from the noise, walking through the quieter parts of campus. Street lamps cast soft pools of light on the sidewalks, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of festival food lingering in the air.
Robin had his hands tucked in his jacket pockets, while Lyra crossed her arms, soaking in the calm.
"So," Robin finally asked, "think the festival was a success? Or did something fall short?"
Lyra paused to think. "I think it went well. No major issues, everything went as planned. Though there are a few small things we'll need to fix."
Robin nodded. "At least you won't be stressing over sponsors anymore."
Lyra chuckled softly. "Yeah, I learned my lesson."
Robin glanced at her and smiled. "Good."
They walked quietly for a bit, letting the peaceful night settle in.
Then, out of nowhere, Robin broke the silence. "So... about earlier."
Lyra, who'd seemed more relaxed, instantly stiffened. "What?"
Robin didn't answer right away. He stared ahead, searching for the right words. Finally, he asked something he probably shouldn't have.
"You've liked him for a long time, haven't you?"
The moment he said it, a knot twisted in Robin's chest. He wasn't sure why he asked—curiosity? Or maybe he needed to know. But he also knew it might upset Lyra again.
She stayed quiet.
But Robin saw her eyes shift. He knew exactly who was on her mind.
After a pause, Lyra nodded quietly. "Yeah."
Robin gripped his chopsticks a little tighter. He wasn't surprised—he'd guessed—but hearing it from her still felt... weird.
"I figured," he said softly.
Lyra sighed and tried to smile. "Do I look that obvious?"
Robin grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Totally."
Lyra buried her face in her hands. "Ugh, so embarrassing."
Robin laughed quietly, though inside he felt off. "Not embarrassing. Just... didn't expect you to hold onto it this long."
Lyra lowered her hands, her gaze distant through the cafe window. "I don't know either."
Robin stayed silent.
He could've asked more—why she never told Walter, how it felt keeping those feelings inside. But what would be the point?
Something inside him felt... annoyed. Not at Lyra. Not at Walter. But at himself.
Because when Lyra admitted her feelings for Walter, he realized something. All along, he'd hoped the answer would be different.
A few seconds later, he stopped walking. "How about dinner?"
Lyra frowned. "We already ate."
Robin crossed his arms. "That was just snacks. You need a real meal. You've worked hard all day, barely slept. If you don't eat enough, you'll get sick."
Lyra opened her mouth to argue, but Robin moved ahead. "Come on, let's get ramen."
She just followed, a small smile playing on her lips. Maybe this tiring night wasn't going to end so badly after all.
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The place was simple, warmed by soft lighting and wooden decor that made everything feel cozy. The moment they stepped inside, the rich aroma of broth hit them, making their empty stomachs grumble even louder.
They picked a table by the window. From there, they could see the streets growing quiet, with just a few students passing by, fresh from the festival. Lyra slipped off her jacket and leaned back, finally letting herself unwind after the long day.
Robin glanced at her and grinned. "You look exhausted."
Lyra sighed softly. "Of course. You must be tired too."
He shrugged, his usual relaxed expression in place. "I'm used to it. This is nothing new."
Lyra shot him a skeptical look. "Don't act all tough."
Robin just chuckled, saying nothing.
Soon their food arrived—two steaming bowls of ramen, piled with tender meat and half-cooked eggs that looked too good to resist.
Lyra grabbed her chopsticks, blew on the broth, and took her first bite. A relieved sigh escaped her lips. "Finally, some peace and quiet to eat."
Robin took a slow sip of his soup. "Must've been hard eating at the festival, huh? You were nonstop."
Lyra chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I don't even remember the last time I sat down before this."
Robin watched her for a moment, then spoke more seriously. "You've been working really hard."
Lyra blinked, surprised he noticed.
He went on, "Not just with sponsors or your role, but you're always checking on everything else too. Seems like you can't sit still until you know it's all good."
Lyra smiled faintly, twirling her chopsticks. "Guess it's just how I am. I can't relax if something feels off."
Robin smirked. "Yeah, I can tell."
They ate in silence for a while, savoring the warm ramen in the cool night. The café hummed softly with quiet conversations and smooth jazz playing from a corner radio.
After a bit, Robin set his chopsticks down and looked at Lyra more seriously. "So… what's next for you?"
Lyra frowned. "What do you mean?"
He leaned back in his chair. "The festival's over. The crew's done. After this, will you keep running like always?"
Lyra stayed quiet.
Her mind was still tangled with work, tasks, and endless responsibilities. She hadn't thought about what came next.
Robin's tone softened. "Maybe it's time you thought about yourself, too."
Lyra looked at him. "What do you mean?"
He smiled gently. "You've worked hard. Maybe now's the moment to figure out what you actually want—not just what you have to do."
Lyra was silent, pondering his words.
She was so used to moving nonstop, making sure everything went right. But when was the last time she truly stopped and thought about what she wanted?
Robin didn't wait for an answer. He picked up his chopsticks and took another bite.
Lyra smiled faintly. "Thanks," she said quietly.
He glanced her way and returned a small smile. "Anytime."
That night, they enjoyed their ramen without the weight of work, without festival worries—just two people finally able to breathe after a long day.
And maybe, for the first time, Lyra felt like someone really understood her.
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Lyra's phone alarm went off quietly, cutting through the early morning stillness. She cracked open her eyes, not really wanting to get up yet, but finally reached over to shut it off. Still half asleep, she pulled the blanket tighter around and closed her eyes for a moment, soaking in the warmth.
After a beat, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off the last bit of sleep. Slowly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and rubbed her temples—still a little fuzzy from the night before. It was a simple routine, but one she liked. After a few quiet seconds, she stood and headed for the bathroom.
Outside, the sky was brightening, the air still cool but fresh. Splashing cold water on her face, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Long days at campus and the festival had worn her down, but today felt different. No deadlines, no big events—just a chill day to enjoy.
She dried her face with a towel, letting her messy hair fall where it wanted. Nothing felt better than just taking this slow morning at her own pace.
In the kitchen, she switched on the kettle, waiting for the water to boil. She cracked open the window, letting the cool breeze drift in. The sky outside was a perfect shade of blue, calm and clear. No rush, no pressure.
When the water was ready, she brewed her favorite lavender tea, poured it into her best mug, and sat down at the table. She pulled out her phone to check the weather app. "Clear skies, 75 degrees," she muttered.
A small smile tugged at her lips. Perfect weather for a walk to campus later. This morning felt like a little reward after all the craziness with the festival.
Sipping her tea, she made a decision—not to dive into work or worries right now. Today was hers. Maybe she'd read a book or binge a few episodes of her favorite show.
After a light breakfast, she rifled through her closet for something comfy to wear. Nothing fancy—just something easy for a day with no big plans.
Ready to go, she paused by the door, took a deep breath, and stepped out feeling lighter—like for the first time in a while, she could breathe easy.
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The festival was over, and campus life slipped back into its usual rhythm. But for Lyra, something had shifted. She wasn't hanging out with Walter and Suzie as much anymore—not because she was avoiding them, but because her schedule had gotten busier, especially after officially joining the Student Executive Board.
Inside the secretary's office, Lyra sat quietly, sorting through documents just sent over by one of the divisions. She let out a soft sigh now and then, sipping the coffee cooling on her desk.
"Finally done," she muttered, stacking the scattered papers in her hands.
Mei, sitting beside her, peeked at Lyra's laptop screen and said, "Wow, since when did you become such a workaholic?"
Lyra glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I've always been like this. You just never noticed."
Mei chuckled and leaned back in her chair. "It's not that I didn't notice, but usually, you still had time to chill with your friends. Lately, you've been pretty busy."
Lyra paused for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe I'm just starting to realize I need to focus more on myself."
Adam walked in, carrying some extra documents, and jumped into the conversation. "Wow, so you've gone all serious after the festival? No more hanging out?"
Lyra shot him a half-serious look. "Not exactly. I just feel like I need to prioritize what really matters now."
Mei watched her curiously but didn't press further. She just smiled knowingly, as if sensing there was more to the story that Lyra wasn't ready to share. "Alright, just don't work yourself to death and forget to rest," she warned.
Lyra laughed softly, feeling lighter than before. "Don't worry. I'm still human—I need food and sleep."
Their chat drifted casually while they all kept their focus on their tasks. Lyra felt more at ease with her new pace: busier, more focused, and spending time with people who supported her, without dragging her back into feelings she thought she'd left behind.
But unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes watched from afar, observing how she had changed—though the reasons behind it were never openly spoken.
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Lyra sat at a quiet corner table in the library, her hands busy jotting down notes and organizing documents for the Student Council. Across from her, a few other members were also absorbed in their own tasks.
But her attention shifted the moment someone appeared nearby—Robin. Carrying a stack of hefty books, he headed toward the table they often shared when working together. Fresh off an offer to join the Student Council thanks to his solid performance during the festival, Robin looked ready to dive in.
"Hey, got room for me?" he asked, flashing a mischievous grin that hinted at his usual teasing.
Lyra glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "There's always room for you. But don't distract me—I'm trying to focus," she said with a half-smile, keeping her eyes on her work.
Robin dropped his books with a thud on the table. "Focus? That must mean something's wrong with the world if you can actually focus for once."
Lyra shot him a quick look. "Are you talking about me, or yourself?"
He chuckled and pulled out his laptop, arranging his papers. "Hey, don't think I'm just here to distract. I'm working too."
Lyra let out a small breath, shifting her gaze back to her screen. "Right, work, work... What're you busy with?"
Robin frowned at his laptop. "Comms assignment. Management won't get it. It's social media analysis and its impact on public perception."
Lyra blinked, surprised. "Your classwork is that intense?"
Robin smirked. "You wouldn't understand—comms work is complicated."
"I know that," Lyra replied, shaking her head. "But I'm pretty sure you'd rather tease than explain."
He laughed. "Just messing around."
They both settled back into their work, though Robin kept throwing light comments that made Lyra smile or roll her eyes. Still, something lingered in Robin's mind—since the festival, he'd noticed subtle changes in Lyra's behavior. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something was different.
As they neared finishing their tasks, Robin glanced at her. "By the way... you actually took my advice back then, huh?"
Lyra looked up, startled. "What? Which advice?"
Leaning back, Robin twirled a pen between his fingers. "About the festival—focusing on yourself, thinking about what you want... seems like it really stuck."
Lyra grew quiet, touched by his concern. "Maybe. But you don't really know why I changed, do you?" she murmured, eyes dropping back to her papers.
Robin chuckled softly. "Of course not—I was just shooting from the hip then. But if it helped, I'm glad."
She nodded slowly, glancing at the pile of books Robin brought. "Looks like you're busy too, real model student."
Robin flipped through the books, feigning annoyance. "Quit the jokes. I just want to finish this assignment."
"Yeah, yeah... I'm not trying to bother you," Lyra replied with a gentle smile.
Robin looked at her, feeling a bit relieved after their chat. A growing curiosity stirred inside him about what really pushed Lyra to change—and whether he could support her more. But for now, he was content to see her standing strong and more mature.
Before they parted, Robin tossed in one last playful comment, "Hey, don't forget to take breaks. Don't just work nonstop."
Lyra laughed. "Don't worry—I'm not turning into a robot."
They shared a chuckle, though a quiet tension hung between them, as if they both knew there were things left unsaid.
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*** TO BE CONTINUE ***