“Oh, no.”

After hearing Drea and Gaia’s story, Kalia burst into laughter.

The child who showed bravery in that danger was admirable, and Kalia’s heart fluttered at the recklessness of the child who jumped into such a dangerous fight.

Kalia sternly spoke while locking eyes with Drea.

“Drea, no matter how strong you are, you’re only 9 years old.”

Drea’s pink eyes, staring as if questioning why, dimmed slightly.

“You’re still too young to decide whether to jump into danger.”

“Yes…”

“Next time, before making a decision, you have to consult with me and Simon, understood?”

“Yes!”

“Good job, Drea. Really. Well done. Weren’t you scared?”

Finally, Kalia embraced Drea tightly and caressed her head.

Drea hugged Kalia with both cheeks turning red and smiled warmly.

If Shaik was the best in the world, Kalia Mama was the next best.

Sometimes, very rarely, Kalia was even better than Shaik.

‘Kalia Mama!’

Drea buried her face in Kalia’s lemon-colored hair and tightly embraced her in her strong arms, making the white flowers she had plucked shine even brighter.

Drea’s first adventure at the age of 9, especially her first adventure for Shaik, ended wonderfully in Kalia’s embrace.

Drea played around with Kalia to her heart’s content and then looked at the sleeping Shaik.

‘Thank goodness.’

Shaik, who fell asleep inside a cluster of white flowers that Drea had spread open by lifting her skirt.

His jet-black hair sparkled in the sunlight, and his face, still slightly flushed from the unfulfilled heat, was lovely.

Although he usually had a face that only spoke mean words like ‘Go away,’ ‘Don’t bother me,’ ‘I don’t like it,’ he looked docile only when he was asleep.

He’s so beautiful. Why is he always so prickly only with her?

While gazing at the peacefully sleeping Shaik, Drea suddenly thought of something and spoke to Kalia.

“Mama, if Shaik wakes up, you must not tell him that I saved him with that flower!”

“What, why not?”

“Because… Shaik doesn’t like flowers. I don’t want to tell him that I did something he dislikes.”

Kalia had a look of pity on her face as she listened to Drea’s hesitant words.

Perhaps due to a trauma from when she was very young, Drea hadn’t touched flowers since then.

Occasionally, as a Kalia who knows the beauty of a pretty flower tree with a sidelong glance, Drea seemed too pitiful to Kalia

‘I should give that guy some mental education when he wakes up.’

He was very kind to his other family members, but he seemed unusually harsh towards Drea.

Despite the family’s numerous indirect warnings, he refuses to listen.

‘Hmm… Could it be that he really dislikes Drea?’

Kalia felt a pang in her heart.

Then her face became serious.

She wished that both children wouldn’t get hurt in any way.

After observing Shaik’s improved complexion after taking the flower, Kalia returned to her room feeling more at ease.

However, she couldn’t fall asleep easily that night.

* * *

Late at night.

Drea quietly opened the door to Shaik’s room.

Thanks to the Nocorium she had obtained, Shaik’s fever quickly subsided, and by nightfall, it was barely 37 degrees.

The family was relieved by Kalexia’s words, saying that he would probably feel much better after a good night’s sleep.

When Drea saw Shaik’s improved complexion upon returning, she was startled but woke up in the early morning.

‘I should check if he’s really okay.’

Stepping lightly, she entered the room.

The fragrant scent of Nocorium flowers filled the room.

Amidst that, Shaik, who was peacefully sleeping while bathed in moonlight, came into view.

‘…His fever has really gone down. Thank goodness.’

Drea kneeled on the floor and gazed at Shaik’s face, who was lying on the bed.

Seeing his relaxed forehead and the sound of his breathing, a smile naturally formed on her face.

“Don’t be sick, Shaik.”Leaning her chin on her clasped hands, Drea whispered to Shaik with a gentle voice.

It was the first time Shaik had fallen into such a deep sleep as well.

It seemed like a lot of his energy had been drained.

With courage, Drea reached out and gently brushed Shaik’s hair aside.

Drea, who had been gazing at Shaik for a while, found herself uttering words she had never spoken before.

“…You’re a bit strange, Shaik.”

Her hand, as she gently brushed his hair, was still cautious.

“Why do you always seem so distant when I look at you?”

Shaik lived with empty eyes, as if he could disappear at any moment.

Others might not notice, but Drea, who always looked only at Shaik, could tell.

When they made eye contact, Shaik would furrow his brows.

Why is that? Do you really dislike me? Could it be that you find me repulsive?

Sometimes, she felt a pang of sadness towards her distant companion, who would quickly distance himself even with a little approach. But she couldn’t dare to express that feeling.

He was too precious. Too lovely.

How could she dare to express her sadness to Shaik, who looked so beautiful just by looking at him? Her heart raced…

“…I wish you would smile more, Shaik. Do you know how wonderful it is when you smile? It’s incredibly beautiful, like the world blossoming like a flower.”

The cheeks of the young dragon who spoke softly were tinged with a blush.

She had always said that Shaik was great, that he was the best, but this was the first time she had confessed it so directly.

It would be unimaginable if Shaik wasn’t asleep.

Though Drea was brave, she still had her own shyness.

“Look, Shaik. The world is full of such beauty. It makes me happy to see beautiful things… but not you? Huh? What should I do to make you happier?”

Drea’s murmuring voice was earnest.

No matter how sad or even occasionally resentful Shaik made her, Drea came back with the desire for him to smile more.

“If you become happier, will you play with me more? Will you smile at me just the same? Right?”

She imagined Shaik holding her hand and smiling warmly.

The center of her chest itched.

Even without spreading her wings, she felt like she was soaring high in the sky.

“From now on, your remaining life will be filled with happiness. I’ll… I’ll make it so, Shaik.”

My companion. My Shaik. Sleep well, see you tomorrow, us.

Drea quietly got up from her spot.

Just as she was about to turn around with cautious steps, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

“Eek!”

“You…”

“You woke up?”

She was so startled that her thighs trembled uncontrollably.

Drea almost stumbled and sat down, but she gathered strength in her legs and turned to Shaik.

Shaik looked at Drea with drowsy, half-opened eyes.

Although his face seemed devoid of strength, the grip on Drea’s wrist was strong.

“Haah.”

Shaik let out a heavy sigh.

For a boy’s sigh, it felt unusually heavy.

“You… don’t dare to… save me recklessly…”

“…”

“Don’t make assumptions.”

Drea’s eyes widened at Shaik’s words.

Looking at Shaik, who seemed annoyed, Drea’s expression turned gloomy.

“Don’t make assumptions. How could you say something so harsh…”

Drea pushed her lips forward, turned her head abruptly, and muttered.

“When did I…”

“Just now… I heard everything, you know?”

Drea’s lips jutted out in frustration.

Shaik stared at Drea with his half-opened eyes.

Having clearly felt that cold gaze, Drea remained silent. Shaik shook the hand he held, urging her to answer.

Unable to resist any longer, Drea responded.

“I don’t want to. I won’t listen to Shaik… You don’t even like me, even if I listen to you… Why should I have to listen to you?”

The words Drea spoke were courageous.

Although she had always been a fool begging Shaik whenever she saw him, today she revealed her true feelings.

Shaik looked at Drea as if he couldn’t quite comprehend her, momentarily lost for words.

Drea, who was glancing at Shaik, turned her head abruptly once more.

It was also at that moment that Shaik noticed a small wound beneath Drea’s chin.It was a small injury from the playful battles with Demetri.

Shaik’s expression froze upon seeing the wound that trailed down her fair skin.

The boy stared at the girl for a moment and then sighed.

“In that case… don’t go somewhere and get hurt, if you want.”

‘…Huh?’

Drea’s head snapped back at those words.

With a changed expression, Drea took another step closer to Shaik.

Then, she knelt down again, getting closer to Shaik, and asked.

“Why, Shaik? Do you not want me to get hurt? Are you worried that I might get hurt? Do you care about me?”

Whenever I say something…

Shaik looked at Drea with a momentary perplexed expression, then lowered his head without saying a word.

“It’s not like that…”

“It is. It’s true, right? You’re worried that I might get hurt, right? Shaik, I also like you.”

“Drea… just go. I’m tired.”

“Huh? Answer me, Shaik. Shaik…”

“Go. I’m going to sleep.”

“…Tsk, I was stupid.”

Drea muttered as she got up.

Meanwhile, Shaik tossed and turned, then turned his back and lay down.

Drea glanced at Shaik’s back for a moment, smiled mischievously, closed the door, and went outside.

Thunk.

Leaning against the closed door, Drea bit her lower lip tightly, still wearing a smiling face.

“…Tsk, you also like me a little, right? Shaik?”

Although she hadn’t heard a word of it, her heart thumped.

It felt as if she could fly in the sky.

Even if it’s slow, please love me a little more, Shaik.

I’ll wait.

After taking a deep breath, Drea ran through the corridor with light steps, as if walking on clouds.

She shyly imagined getting married when they grew up.

* * *

‘When does that Black Dragon appear?’

Shaik thought idly as he watched flower petals fluttering outside the academy window.

Since the entrance ceremony was still a long way off, the garden was bustling with freshmen.

It was a joint entrance ceremony for the Swordsmanship and Magic departments, so there were quite a few of them.

Shaik, who calmly observed it all, had already repeated the second year of his enrollment in the Academy, making him the top-grade student.

Most professors were reluctant to teach him because of his exceptional skills, but he continued his academy life at the request of Kalia and Simon, who insisted that he develop his social skills.

‘I’m sixteen now. I’ll be an adult soon… When will it appear?’

Despite not slacking off in training for even a day in preparation for the appearance of the Black Dragon, there was no sign of this peace being shattered.

No, it’s not like he wanted something big to happen, but still… It feels empty, or maybe he was just tired.

In this situation, even if it’s not the Black Dragon, he found himself wishing for something to happen, anything.

“Shaik-“

At that moment, a girl with white hair came running through the crowded central garden.

Drea, dressed in the uniform of the Magic Department, ran towards Shaik, waving both hands in the air.

Because of her recent training, where she focused solely on sensing magical power without using magic, she couldn’t fly over or teleport, but she diligently ran on her two legs.

Her bright smile resembled fluttering flowers, and at that moment, she tilted her head and smiled.

Drea, who was running only looking at Shaik, collided with someone and fell down.

“…I told you to be careful, you clumsy.”

Shaik involuntarily flinched and clicked his tongue as he lifted his upper body.

Drea looked apologetic to the person she collided with, not knowing what to do.

At that moment, the back of the person holding Drea’s hand and standing up pierced Shaik’s eyes.

Thump.

Even his heart dropped in that moment.

A familiar silhouette with long black hair tied up. Slender shoulders and even a kind smile.

Shaik, who unconsciously stood up straight, opened his eyes wide.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Anna’s smiling face, assuring Drea that she was okay.

His ears felt clogged due to his pounding heart.

“…Anna?”

The girl who resembled the one he loved in his past life was standing right there.