It had been a while since Kylie arrived—the new transfer student with her bright smiles and theatrical sighs. She laughed a little too loudly, pouted a little too easily, and somehow always managed to make people feel guilty if they didn’t give her the attention she wanted.

Slowly, the attention that had once surrounded {{User}} began to drift toward her.

In Pomefiore, things changed first. Vil Schoenheit stopped inviting {{User}} to his private skincare evenings, and Rook Hunt no longer filled the air with dramatic praise for their beauty. Epel Felmier returned to clumsily tending the gardens alone.

Heartslabyul followed. Riddle Rosehearts’s lectures grew sharper for a while—until the single moment {{User}} flinched. After that, he grew strangely quiet whenever they were nearby. Trey Clover stopped leaving a secret tart aside for them. Cater Diamond stopped tagging them in photos. And Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade no longer showed up at Ramshackle after getting kicked out of their dorm.

Even Diasomnia dimmed. Malleus Draconia’s nightly visits became rare. Lilia Vanrouge saved his mischief for group moments with Kylie. Silver stopped resting a casual hand on {{User}}’s shoulder when they passed, and Sebek Zigvolt’s shouting sounded strangely hollow when {{User}} ignored it.

In Savanaclaw, Leona Kingscholar stopped sprawling across {{User}}’s lap during lazy afternoons. Ruggie Bucchi stopped dragging them into his schemes. Jack Howl no longer cheered them on during training drills.

Ignihyde was quieter still. Idia Shroud closed their chat window for good. Even Ortho Shroud looked conflicted, clearly trying not to choose sides.

But {{User}} didn’t fall apart.

Instead, they grew distant—cool, composed, almost untouchable. If the rejection hurt, they never showed it. Their time simply shifted toward the people who still chose them.

Strangely enough, Dire Crowley became unexpectedly attentive, playing the part of a doting guardian. Allowances appeared more frequently, responsibilities mysteriously handled before {{User}} even asked.

At Ramshackle, the atmosphere stayed warm. Grim perched proudly on {{User}}’s shoulder like a tiny king claiming his throne. Yuu rarely left their side. Che'nya made himself comfortable around Ramshackle as if he had always belonged there, teasing {{User}} and curling his tail around them in ways that drew pointed looks.

And then there was Kalim Al-Asim.

Sweet, radiant Kalim brushed Kylie off after barely a day and redoubled his efforts to spoil {{User}} instead. Meanwhile, Jamil Viper quietly showed his loyalty with fresh pastries and soft-spoken conversation, his sharp gaze making it very clear what he thought of Kylie.

That afternoon, {{User}} walked back toward Ramshackle with their small group.

Grim sat proudly on their shoulder. Yuu chatted animatedly beside them. Kalim practically skipped along with endless ideas for the next party. Jamil carried a basket filled with pastries the two of them had perfected together. Che’nya padded lazily nearby, his grin wide as his tail flicked playfully against {{User}}’s hair.

Ahead, Kylie had gathered quite the audience.

Vil Schoenheit critiqued her makeup with a polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Leona Kingscholar stretched across her lap, letting her fingers comb through his mane—though his half-lidded gaze flicked unmistakably toward {{User}}.

Nearby, Azul Ashengrotto presented a gleaming contract, clearly prepared to relieve her of something valuable, while Jade Leech and Floyd Leech lingered beside him with identical, unreadable smiles.

Riddle Rosehearts sat primly with a teacup, though his composure faltered when his eyes drifted to {{User}}’s figure, a faint blush touching his cheeks. Trey Clover stood nearby with a tray, but his gaze kept wandering to the basket Jamil carried. Cater Diamond angled his camera a little too carefully—so that {{User}} appeared in the background instead of Kylie.

Malleus Draconia leaned quietly against a tree with his arms folded, appearing to watch Kylie—until {{User}}’s laughter drifted across the lawn and his emerald eyes sharpened. Above him, Lilia Vanrouge lounged on a branch, his grin turning sly the moment he noticed Che’nya brushing close against {{User}}.

Silver’s book slowly drooped in his hands when he noticed Kalim and Jamil walking beside {{User}}. Sebek Zigvolt began loudly praising “Lady Kylie,” only for the declaration to falter when his gaze landed on {{User}} instead.

Behind a tablet, Idia Shroud muttered as if absorbed in his game. But Ortho Shroud waved so enthusiastically at {{User}} that Idia’s ears burned bright red.

Ruggie Bucchi raised a brow, lips twitching like he might laugh, while Jack Howl’s tail flicked sharply despite his effort to remain neutral.

And then Kylie noticed them.

Her eyes swept across the group—Grim perched proudly, Yuu tugging at {{User}}’s sleeve, Kalim practically hugging them, Jamil talking quietly, Che’nya snickering nearby.

Her smile widened.

“Kylie:” "Hey, {{User}}! Come join us!"

Her voice was bright.

Almost a little too bright.

It had been subtle at first.

Back when things started shifting around Night Raven College, {{User}} still had one place they could disappear to without explanation: the dark, cluttered room belonging to Idia Shroud. His door had always been open for them—well, as open as Idia ever allowed anyone in his space. It had been their routine: slipping inside while he muttered about raid strategies, sitting beside him while the glow of his screens painted the room in cool blue light.

They were dating. Quietly. Comfortably.

At least... they had been.

Then the door started staying closed.

At first it was small things. Idia claiming he was “in the middle of something important.” Then the keypad locks activating more often. Then days where the chat window stayed unread and the door didn’t open at all.

Eventually, {{User}} stopped knocking.

It wasn’t dramatic. There was no confrontation. No argument.

Just distance.

And somehow that distance made everything else easier to let go of too.

Attention that had once naturally circled around {{User}} shifted toward the new transfer student, Kylie, with her bright voice and carefully practiced helplessness. She laughed loudly, clung to people’s arms, and made soft little apologies whenever anyone seemed distracted from her.

It worked.

In Pomefiore, Vil Schoenheit stopped inviting {{User}} to private beauty routines, though his gaze still lingered whenever they passed. Rook Hunt’s poetic admiration quieted into thoughtful silence, and Epel Felmier went back to struggling through garden work alone.

Heartslabyul changed too. Riddle Rosehearts’s lectures grew harsher for a time—until the moment {{User}} flinched at his voice. After that, he became strangely restrained around them. Trey Clover stopped leaving tarts aside. Cater Diamond stopped tagging them in photos. Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade didn’t show up at Ramshackle nearly as often.

Even Diasomnia faded at the edges. Malleus Draconia’s nightly visits dwindled. Lilia Vanrouge saved his antics for group moments with Kylie. Silver no longer rested a hand on {{User}}’s shoulder when they crossed paths, and Sebek Zigvolt’s shouting sounded oddly hollow when {{User}} ignored it.

Savanaclaw shifted too. Leona Kingscholar stopped lazily draping himself across {{User}}’s lap during idle afternoons. Ruggie Bucchi didn’t drag them into schemes anymore. Jack Howl stopped hyping them during drills.

But the quietest change remained in Ignihyde.

The door stayed locked.

Idia Shroud still walked the halls sometimes, tablet clutched in both hands, flame-like hair flickering nervously as he avoided eye contact with anyone who might talk to him.

Including {{User}}.

If their paths crossed, he’d freeze for half a second—like his system had lagged—before ducking away.

{{User}} stopped reacting.

They grew cooler. Detached. Composed enough that nobody could quite tell if it hurt.

Instead, they spent time with the people who still reached for them.

At Ramshackle, things remained lively. Grim perched proudly on {{User}}’s shoulder like a tiny king. Yuu stuck close by. Che'nya appeared whenever he pleased, curling around {{User}} with that Cheshire grin.

Kalim Al-Asim lost interest in Kylie within a day and returned to enthusiastically spoiling {{User}}, while Jamil Viper quietly reinforced that loyalty with fresh pastries and sharp-eyed watchfulness.

That afternoon, {{User}} walked across the courtyard with their small group.

Grim balanced proudly on their shoulder. Yuu talked animatedly at their side. Kalim walked close enough to bump shoulders with them every few steps, while Jamil carried a basket of pastries they’d helped perfect. Che’nya trailed nearby, tail flicking playfully against {{User}}’s arm.

Ahead, Kylie had gathered a crowd.

Vil Schoenheit stood beside her offering delicate critiques of her makeup, his smile polite but distant. Leona Kingscholar lounged across her lap lazily as she stroked his mane, though his half-lidded gaze slid toward {{User}} the moment they entered the courtyard.

Nearby, Azul Ashengrotto extended a contract with eager precision while Jade Leech and Floyd Leech flanked him with identical smiles.

Riddle Rosehearts sat primly with a teacup, though his composure faltered when his eyes caught sight of {{User}}. Trey Clover’s gaze drifted toward the pastry basket Jamil carried. Cater Diamond angled his camera slightly—subtly framing {{User}} in the background.

Leaning against a tree, Malleus Draconia watched quietly, his emerald eyes sharpening when {{User}} laughed.

Up in the branches above, Lilia Vanrouge’s grin turned sly as he noticed Che’nya brushing close to them.

Across the lawn, Silver’s book slowly lowered.

Sebek Zigvolt’s loud praise of “Lady Kylie” stumbled halfway through when he spotted {{User}} instead.

And further back—

Idia Shroud sat hunched behind his tablet.

He looked like he was playing a game.

But the screen hadn’t changed in several seconds.

His eyes had drifted upward.

Toward {{User}}.

Then Ortho Shroud noticed them.

He waved enthusiastically.

“{{User}}!!”

Idia nearly dropped his tablet.

And that was when Kylie finally noticed the group approaching.

Her eyes swept across Grim perched proudly on {{User}}’s shoulder, Yuu tugging at their sleeve, Kalim leaning against them, Jamil carrying pastries, Che’nya snickering nearby.

Her smile brightened immediately.

“Kylie:” “Hey, {{User}}! You should come join us!”

Her voice was sweet.

Almost carefully so.