Lumiel and Lady Nishia remained in the same hallway. Lady Nishia glanced at Lumiel with a furrowed brow, clearly confused.
"What is this guy saying? 'Who really am I?' Is he really just someone stupid?" she thought.
"Hoy, you there?" she snapped aloud.
Lumiel blinked, snapping out of his trance. "Oh, my bad. It seems I was spacing out for a bit. I'm really sorry. Oh, and my name is Lumiel, aged 14, a Citizen who lives in an apartment close by."
Lady Nishia blinked twice. "What is this guy on about? He just gave me his full information without any second thoughts. He's so nice, daring, and really c—"
Her eyes widened as she shook her head violently and scratched her scalp in a frenzy. "WHAT THE HECK IS IT WITH ME! WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO ME TO BE LIKE THIS!"
Lumiel tilted his head. "Um, Lady Nishia? Are you okay?"
Lady Nishia turned to him, cheeks bright red. "M-me? O-oh, I'm fine—I-I'm totally fine."
"I see, if you say so. By the way, Lady Nishia—"
Still flustered, she answered, "Y-yeah? What is it?"
With a big grin and joyful sparkle in his eyes, Lumiel asked, "Would you like to consider being my girl—friend?"
[AUTHOR SPEAKING: HE MEANT A "GIRL" FRIEND.]
Lady Nishia's face turned redder than a tomato. "What..." she whispered—and promptly passed out.
---
Lumiel called for help as staff rushed to take Lady Nishia to the infirmary. Meanwhile, Lady Nishia lay on the stretcher, still red-faced and muttering under her breath. "G-Girlfriend? M-me? H-his girlfriend...?"
---
Hours passed.
Lady Nishia slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurred. "O-ouch... What—where am I?" Her gaze settled on a figure nearby. "W-who are you...? Father...?"
"Lady Nishia, you're finally awake," Lumiel said, his expression soft and concerned.
Lady Nishia screamed as memories of the hallway incident hit her like a freight train. "Y-YOU! You Civilian! What did you do to me!? A-and where did you take me!? HELP! SOMEONE, HELP!"
Lumiel quickly raised his hands in defense. "Lady Nishia, I'm sorry for whatever I did. You just suddenly passed out, so I called for help, and they helped me bring you here. I'm only here because the staff are busy with the other examinees."
Lady Nishia peeked from under the sheets, her thoughts tangled. "Who is this lost puppy saying sorry for doing nothing wrong...?"
She then spoke. "Don't worry about me anymore. You can leave. I'm fine now."
Lumiel nodded, his voice soft. "Alright, if you say so. I'll leave you alone for now. Rest well, Lady Nishia."
As he turned to leave, Lady Nishia peeked again from the blankets. "Lumiel!"
He stopped. "What is it, Lady Nishia?"
Flustered, she looked away and mumbled, "Thank you... for looking after me."
Lumiel grinned. "You're welcome."
---
Three days later, all examinees were instructed to return for the results.
Lumiel walked home, the evening sun casting a golden glow across the city. A peaceful smile rested on his face.
He had made a new friend.
As he passed by a store with mirrored glass, his reflection caught his attention. The boy in the mirror was smiling—but behind him were faint, ghostly silhouettes. Silent, solemn... souls. They followed him quietly, almost unseen by the world.
A boy with a heart wide open.
And a burden quietly growing.
He kept walking.
He didn't look back.