The night air was crisp and filled with anticipation as Cyrus led Leora away from the school grounds. Her curiosity was palpable, barely contained beneath her usual composed demeanor.
"Where are you taking me?" Leora asked, a hint of impatience coloring her voice.
Cyrus couldn't suppress the excitement in his reply. "Just a little while longer. Keep your eyes closed." His heart raced, hoping she would appreciate the surprise he had planned.
As they ventured further from the familiar confines of the school, the ground beneath their feet softened. Leora trembled slightly under her ever-present umbrella, casting a glance over her shoulder. The cool night breeze played with her golden hair, sending it dancing in the moonlight. The gentle sound of lapping water reached their ears, and a smile bloomed on Leora's face, transforming her usually stern features.
Cyrus felt his heart skip a beat at the sight. It was a moment of rare, unguarded beauty. "How did you know?" Leora asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she kicked off her shoes and stepped into the shallow water.
"You always wanted to swim, didn't you?" Cyrus replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "Jelly gave me a hand. That little girl knows a lot about this place."
He recalled his surprise when Jelly had first shown him this hidden spot. His thoughts had immediately turned to Leora, remembering her wistful mention of wanting to learn to swim with her father. While he couldn't replace that lost opportunity, he hoped he could at least help her fulfill this long-held wish.
"You haven't forgotten about that?" Leora asked, hesitantly dipping her toes into the cool water.
Cyrus shook his head, his voice soft but sincere. "I never forget anything that concerns you." He pulled off his shirt, revealing the dramatic changes his body had undergone. Gone was the soft belly, replaced by well-defined muscles - a testament to his growth and dedication since beginning his journey.
As he waded into the water, he continued, "Consider this a small thanks for all the times you've been by my side." His mind wandered to their encounter with the karmic monster, where Leora's presence had helped him regain his senses and escape. He remembered her nightly visits when he was sick, her curses a strange but oddly comforting show of affection. What had truly drawn her to him remained a mystery, but even as friends, the smile on her face made every effort worthwhile.
Leora crouched at the water's edge, her fingers trailing through the cool liquid. "You didn't have to, you know," she murmured, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.
Without warning, Cyrus dashed forward and plunged into the deeper water. He emerged, wiping his face and grinning broadly. "Are you ready to learn how to swim?" he asked, his enthusiasm infectious. "But first, you're wearing far too much. You can't swim like that," he added seriously. While he didn't particularly care for the queen, he had to agree with her on one point - Leora never dressed like a typical lady, always favoring men's suits. He couldn't help but wonder how she might look in a more feminine gown.
Leora glanced down at her attire, then back at Cyrus's smile. She shook her head firmly. "No way," she declared.
"Oh, come on, Leora," Cyrus cajoled. "Jelly helped me prepare the perfect swimsuit for you."
"No way," she repeated, her refusal even more vehement.
A mischievous smile played on Cyrus's lips. With a wave of his hand, a blue bubble enveloped Leora's body. Before she could protest, she found herself unceremoniously deposited in the middle of the water. Panic flashed across her face as she flailed her arms, struggling to stay afloat.
"Help me immediately!" she cried out, all composure lost in the face of her predicament.
Cyrus couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the usually collected Leora thrashing about like a novice swimmer. "Will you wear your swimsuit?" he called out, amused by her stubbornness.
"No way!" came the defiant reply.
"Then swim," he challenged, curious to see just how strong-willed she truly was.
As Leora's movements became more frantic, the water around her grew increasingly agitated. Her precious umbrella slipped from her grasp, slowly drifting away on the choppy waves. Cyrus watched as her eyes widened in dismay, desperately reaching for the retreating object. Unable to swim, she could only watch helplessly as it floated further away. The smile vanished from her face, replaced by a look of profound sadness that shook Cyrus to his core.
Without hesitation, he dove into the water, powerful strokes carrying him swiftly to her side. Gripping her by the waist, he swam back to the shore, his heart pounding with a mixture of exertion and concern.
"Hey, Leora, are you okay?" he asked anxiously as they reached the beach. She lay motionless on the sand, and for a terrifying moment, Cyrus feared the worst. He raised his hand, prepared to check for signs of life, when Leora suddenly jolted awake, coughing violently.
Relief washed over Cyrus, his tense muscles finally relaxing. "I..." he began, but before he could utter another word, a resounding slap silenced him. He accepted the rebuke silently, knowing he had earned it. The fear of losing her had been all too real. "I shouldn't have forced you. I'm sorry," he said softly.
Leora sat up, her gaze darting around frantically. Cyrus retrieved her umbrella from the water, and she snatched it back with surprising ferocity. Her reaction intrigued him, but he dared not question it, sensing the depth of emotion behind her actions.
They sat side by side on the shore, watching the waves rise and fall in the moonlight. Cyrus found himself lost in thought, finally confronting the undeniable feelings he had developed for Leora. Shouldn't he be happy, he wondered? After all, wasn't love supposed to be a magical feeling? Yet deep within, he felt a profound emptiness. A bitter smile played on his lips as he lowered his head.
They were like two different stars from two different worlds, he mused. The bites were already turning against him, and once he obtained the primordial canine, he would have to leave. Their paths would diverge once more, never to meet again, like parallel lines stretching into infinity.
Leora's voice broke the silence, pulling him from his melancholy thoughts. "It's not about the swimsuit," she sighed. "Sometimes I want to hate you for working with her, but I simply can't."
Cyrus tilted his head, studying her profile in the moonlight. "Sometimes I want to hate you for your inhuman treatment, but I simply can't either," he replied, a hint of humor in his voice.
"Looks like we're in the same boat," Leora laughed softly, the tension between them easing.
Cyrus held his breath, gathering his courage. Their time together was drawing to a close, and the primordial canine was nearly within reach. If he didn't act now, he might never have another chance. He had too many regrets already; he didn't want to add another. Clenching his fist, he called out, "Leora..."
"Mhm?" she responded, her gaze still fixed on the distant horizon.
"I think I'm in..." Cyrus began, his heart pounding.
Before he could finish, Leora stood abruptly. "Let's go," she said, turning back towards the school. "It's getting cold here."
"Cold indeed," Cyrus sighed, the words he had meant to say dying on his lips. He rose and followed the solitary figure walking ahead, her umbrella a stark silhouette against the night sky.
As they made their way back to the school, Cyrus couldn't help but feel the weight of unspoken words and missed opportunities. The warmth of the moment they had shared by the water's edge slowly faded, replaced by the cool night air and the growing distance between them. Yet even as they walked in silence, Cyrus held onto a glimmer of hope. Perhaps their paths weren't destined to diverge forever. Perhaps, like the ever-changing tides, their lives would find a way to flow back together someday.