The cafeteria was filled with the usual buzz of students, trays clattering against tables, and conversations blending into one constant hum of activity.
Wind and Sea entered together, their friends already seated at a large table.
As they approached, Autumn and May's eyes locked, a quiet agreement passing between them.
The girls had successfully orchestrated their little matchmaking mission so far, and now they just had to watch their progress unfold.
Wind and Sea walked toward the table, both feeling the familiar awkwardness of the situation.
There were only two spots left at the table. And, of course, they were right next to each other.
Wind didn't even think twice. He just sat down, placing his tray in front of him with a casual air, as if it were completely normal for the two of them to be sitting next to each other.
Sea followed suit, slipping into the chair beside Wind without hesitation.
An eerie silence hung over the table. Everyone stared at them, unsure of how to react.
Usually, the rivalry between Wind and Sea was the centerpiece of any group gathering snide comments, glares, jabs that had become routine. But today was different. Neither of them argued.
Neither made any rude remarks. They simply ate, their focus on the food in front of them, though their awareness of the other was palpable
.
Autumn and May exchanged a glance, their smiles wide, but they tried to keep their excitement in check.
They had succeeded so far.
After a few moments, the silence was broken by the teasing voice of one of their friends.
"Wow. You two finally acting civil. Who knew it was possible?" he said with a grin.
Wind shot him a glance, but there was no sharp retort this time. Instead, he simply raised an eyebrow and continued eating, his fingers brushing against his water bottle as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
Sea, sitting beside him, gave a half-smile but didn't respond. The usual banter wasn't there—at least, not yet.
Autumn couldn't hold back any longer. She shot a high five to May under the table.
"Mission accomplished," she whispered with a grin.
Later that day, the sun shone brightly, and the University's Exercise activity was scheduled for some physical activities.
The students were excited, and the buzz of competition filled the air.
Everyone was looking forward to the event, but none more than the cupids, Autumn and May, who eagerly watched the scene unfold.
As the teacher called out the instructions for the day's exercises, there was a sudden wave of surprise.
"Alright, everyone, today we'll be doing laps, so please find a partner," the teacher announced. "Wind and Sea, you're together."
Wind froze. For a split second, his brain couldn't quite process the words. He looked over at Sea, whose expression mirrored his surprise.
Usually, they would've fought tooth and nail over something like this, each of them desperate to avoid being paired with the other.
But not today. Wind blinked and shrugged, meeting Sea's eyes for the briefest moment. There was an unspoken understanding between them there would be no argument.
They began jogging together. Side by side.
Wind's heart was pounding in his chest not from the exercise, but from the awareness of being so close to Sea.
He hadn't realized how much it would affect him. The rhythm of their footsteps matched, and their movements were almost synchronized.
It was strange. At first, Wind thought it was just a fluke, but when Sea's hand brushed against his, something stirred inside him.
A spark.
His stomach flipped uncomfortably, and he couldn't help but feel like there was more to this moment than just the physical act of jogging.
Sea seemed to notice the shift, and the smallest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He didn't look at Wind, but he could feel it too the strange tension between them.
Wind couldn't stop himself from smiling, feeling almost embarrassed by how he was reacting to something so simple. But he couldn't help it.
It was just… Sea. And Wind was starting to see him in a new light.
The laps seemed to go on forever, but eventually, they were finished. Wind slowed to a stop, out of breath, but feeling strangely energized. Sea, who had been just ahead of him, wiped the sweat from his brow, looking effortlessly composed.
"Finally," Sea sighed, stretching his arms above his head. He turned to Wind, a small grin on his face. "That wasn't so bad."
Wind nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He had no idea what he was feeling, but he couldn't help but feel a little more at ease in Sea's presence. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all.
After the exercise, the students were all gathered near the bleachers, stretching and chatting with their friends. Wind walked over to Sea, who had been sitting with his water bottle.
"Here," Wind said, offering him a water bottle with a small, nervous smile.
"You look like you need this."
Sea reached out for the bottle, and when their fingers brushed together, a spark of electricity shot through Wind.
He pulled his hand back quickly, but the feeling lingered.
Their eyes met for a brief moment. Neither said a word.
There was something in the air between them now a new understanding, but also an awkwardness.
They both knew it. The tension was palpable.
Autumn, who had been watching them from a distance, couldn't hold back her teasing any longer.
"If you keep staring at each other like that, you're going to fall in love," she called out, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Wind's face immediately turned bright red. He wasn't sure what to do or say, so he just looked away quickly, trying to hide his embarrassment. His heart raced.
May, always ready to add fuel to the fire, chimed in with her usual teasing. "Look at you, blushing. A tomato face."
While May and Autumn were teasing Wind, they missed the look on Sea's face. He had a slight blush and a smile with a mind of its own.
The entire group burst into laughter, and Wind was once again reminded of just how much they all loved teasing him. But this time, there was something different. He didn't mind it.
As they sat down to have some snacks, Wind whispered to Sea, "Hurry and eat. I have to talk to you."
Sea looked at Wind, confused but just did as he was told.
They hurried and got through their meal.
Wind suddenly sprang up and said, "We have to go, guys. Enjoy!" while running away holding Sea's hand.