Chapter 12: Liam’s Lie (2)
The academy’s autumn festival preparations had transformed the eastern courtyard into a maze of colorful banners and half-assembled stalls. Students moved in coordinated clusters, hauling decorations and testing spirit-powered displays that flickered with unstable energy.
Rina knelt beside a wooden crate, carefully arranging paper lanterns that would line the main pathway. Her movements were precise, methodical—the kind of focus that came from needing something to occupy restless hands.
"You’re very thorough," came a familiar voice.
She looked up to find Liam approaching, carrying what appeared to be his assigned load of festival supplies. His eyes lingered on her for a moment—the way she knelt, the curve of her neck as she worked—before he forced his gaze to remain respectfully on her face.
"Someone has to make sure they don’t fall," she replied, returning to her task.
Liam set his crate down at a polite distance, though internally he wished he could move closer. "I’ve been thinking about our conversation the other night."
"Oh?" She didn’t look up, but her hands stilled.
"About your family. The library." He crouched beside her, careful to maintain appropriate space even as he imagined what it would be like to brush his fingers against hers. "I’m glad I could help. Your father sounded so relieved when you told me about the call."
The words hit exactly as intended. Gratitude bloomed in her chest, warm and overwhelming.
"I still can’t believe you did that," she murmured. "The amount must have been..."
"Don’t worry about the money." Liam’s voice was gentle, sincere. He wanted to reach out, to touch her hand, but he kept his hands clasped respectfully. "Seeing you happy is worth more than any amount."
Rina looked up then, meeting his eyes. There was something in his gaze—an intensity that made her heart flutter pleasantly.