She opened her eyes, unable to see amidst the blurriness..
To her left, stood Sévir and Percival.
To her right, stood Zephyr and Sanguinex.
"..Guys..?" she mumbled. Knowing they might've not heard it, she cleared her throat. "What are you guys doing here..?" it was faint, yet it was enough.
Sévir crossed his arms. "That Acheron guy nearly killed you. Suffice to say; we aren't pleased about it."
She turned to her right when Zephyr held her hand; an expression of deep worry in her face. "Ms. Minerva.. I'm so glad you're alright! I was so worried.."
"Just enough then she was about to bawl like a baby," Sanguinex snickered, "that's fine. At least I got to see Gros-whatever-your-name-is beat up–"
Zephyr turned to her with a sharp glare. "O-Okay.. I'm sorry."
Minerva's eyes widened in realization, sitting up in urgency. "What about the tournament!?"
"It'll be a while until Stepan goes for the next round. It's break time right now." Percival reassured her.
Sévir glanced at him and Sanguinex. "Well, we'll be getting some food. Zephyr, take care of Minerva." he grabbed Percival by the hand and pulled him out of the room. Sanguinex caught on and followed suit.
With the door closed, a tense silence loomed around the room. Zephyr let go and looked down.
"U-Uhm.." that was the best she could say. The weight of being in the same room with Minerva was too much for her to handle. I have to say something.. But what do I say!? her heart raced and she itched in uneasiness. I don't know how to address anything!
Minerva stared in silence; her stare burning holes through her head. Zephyr felt it even if she wasn't looking.
"Look at me," said Minerva, "say what you want to say."
With much hesitance, Zephyr's gaze locked with hers–now she was unable to look away.
.
"Why did you drag me out?" Percival asked in confusion.
"Give Zephyr and Minerva their moment–they'll need it." Sévir replied.
"Why? Did something happ–"
"Don't ask." Sévir cut him off.
.
"I noticed.." Percival spoke up, catching the attention of the two. "You don't seem too concerned about Minerva.. Aren't you guys lovers or something?"
As though he said something so taboo, Sévir and Sanguinex were quick to burn holes through his eyes.
"Hell no!" they replied in unison. Sanguinex hooked her arm under Sévir's
"He's mine! Only mine! Mine mine mine mine mine!" she exclaimed.
Sévir's glare turned to Sanguinex. "Huh? What are you talking about?" he pulled his arm off without warning. "I'm nobody's."
She put her hands on her waist and pouted. "Oh? But haven't we kissed like–I don't know, millions of times?"
"Shut it damn polymorph, you know they were only to replenish your mana.. They were nothing." his cold and dismissive reply stung her heart; it was a harsh truth.
Right.. I was the only one thinking they meant something. her shoulders dropped. She walked in complete silence afterwards.
Percival witnessed it all. That was cold.
.
"I'm sorry." an unexpected apology came out of Minerva's mouth.
"..Why are you apologizing?" Zephyr was to say the least, confused. She thought Minerva hadn't done anything wrong at all.
"You look up to me a lot, right? I just barely won the match earlier."
Zephyr shook her head. "I should be the one apologizing.. I was the one who lost terribly when I said I'd give you a nice show." she looked down again; the guilt grew in her heart. "I couldn't face you the whole day yesterday.. Because I felt like I just couldn't show my face to you after all that." her faint voice grew fainter.
Yet, Minerva just smiled and caressed her hair, much to Zephyr's surprise. "Don't feel sorry, the fact you stood against that sixth year as a third year for that long was already amazing."
"..Really..?" she looked up at Minerva's face again.
"Really. Sure, I was disappointed, but that's only natural," she leaned closer, brushing Zephyr's bangs away, "I wanted to see you stand on your own two feet–and you did!" a smile grew on her face right after.
Meanwhile, Zephyr's eyes grew teary.
"So don't beat yourself up because of this defeat.. You've done much more–much better than you think, and I'm very happy about that."
"M-M-Ms. Minerva.." she could no longer hold it, her voice broke and tears escaped her eyes.. She could not have expected such a positive and reassuring reaction from her mentor, and she couldn't help but lean in for a tight hug.
Minerva chuckled as Zephyr buried her face in her chest and let out tearful whimpers. She hugged her so tight, it's as if they were bidding farewell. Naturally, Minerva hugged and patted her back. This one's more fragile than I thought. she glanced at the mirror; it broadcasted what was going on down the arena.
It was a deadlock battle between two other academies, but she couldn't care less about them right now.