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It wasn’t Bernadetta’s sweater. It wasn’t even close. Bernadetta didn’t own anything made with yarn so thick or so yellow. Or anything this large. As soon as Bernadetta found the sweater in her laundry pile, she should have marched back to the clothesline and hung it up for the owner to retrieve. Stealing another student’s clothing, even by accident, could only lead to trouble.
Instead, she found herself tugging the sweater over her head. It was enormous on her, more akin to a blanket with arms than a sweater, and the head hole nearly exposed her shoulders. But it was warm. Bernadetta found herself sinking into her bed with a sigh, legs scrunched up under the long hem.
It could be her sweater for the day, she decided. Just one day. Winter had settled thick over Garreg Mach, and Bernadetta was having trouble adjusting to the temperature. One day borrowing this sweater and its warmth– then she’d give it back.
A week later, there was a knock on Bernadetta’s dorm door.
Bernadetta jolted awake. She had been reading by the window, wrapped up in the sun-yellow sweater, but had apparently dozed off at some point. What time was it? Had she missed class? Was this the Professor coming to drag her to detention? What if she had missed a test and the Professor was going to make her do it in front of everyone?!
Bernadetta practically ran to answer the door. Flinging it open, she stuttered over a dozen apologies– then her mouth snapped shut. “R-Raphael?” She managed through her shock.
Raphael grinned down at her. “Hey, Bernadetta! Sorry if I scared yah.”
“T-That’s okay.” Heart still in her throat, Bernadetta opened the door a little wider. “What do you need?”
“I’ve been trying to figure out whose this is,” Raphael said, holding up a small– well, small compared to Raphael– grey shirt. “I found it in my laundry this week and…” He trailed off, staring at Bernadetta. His eyebrows went up. “Is that my sweater you’re wearing?”
Bernadetta covered her chest as if exposed. “No! I mean! Maybe! Give me that!”
Ripping the shirt from Raphael’s hands, Bernadetta slammed the door. She quickly tore off the yellow sweater, pulled on the shirt, and opened the door again with her face burning. “Here! I’m sorry!” She thrust the sweater into Raphael before shutting the door for good.
Bernadetta groaned and rest her forehead against her door. What was she thinking, holding on to another student’s clothes for so long? It should have been obvious it was Raphael’s! Who else would have a sweater so big! And now he was going to tell everyone what a weirdo she was. Bernadetta the Clothes Stealer. That’s what all of Garreg Mach would call her until graduation. No, no! Should couldn’t let that happen!
Once again Bernadetta practically pulled the door off its hinges as she flung it open, intending on racing to Raphael and swearing him to secrecy by any means necessary–
Only to run into what felt like a brick wall.
Raphael was still standing exactly where Bernadetta had left him. He laughed when he saw her, a booming thing that threatened to knock snow from the porch roof.
“You can’t go around like that!” He said with a wave at her measly grey shirt. “Here. I can let you borrow it a bit longer if you want.”
And he held out the yellow sweater.
Stunned, Bernadetta took it, not even flinching when he laughed again. “That’s sure to keep you nice an’ warm! I’ll see you in class later, alright?” With a wave, Raphael left. The crunch of his boots on the frozen grass had long since faded before Bernadetta finally went back inside her room. She put the sweater back on and sat down by the window, book in her lap.
Strange– it was the same yellow sweater as a few minutes ago. But now it felt like a gift. It was warmer, softer even, knowing Raphael had wanted her to have it.
Sinking in her seat, Bernadetta ignored the blush on her face, and opened her book.