Archive of Our Own

"Alright then everyone," Wolfgang Akire stands at the front of the classroom behind a podium, tapping a pen against the top of the clipboard he's holding. "Do we have any decided groups and activities for the school festival?" 

Many ecstatic hands raise, and individual suggestions arise from the classmates. The class president jots down the final decisions made, some students were contributing to their clubs and others wanted independent organizations made. 

Damon Maitsu's uninterest is legible in the way his head was resting in his hand, turned in the direction of the window to his left. He was going to be in some activity one way or another, so he was in no rush to participate in the discussion. 

Tap, tap. Damon doesn't turn his head, but looks in the direction of the one seeking his attention. He didn't even need to look at her, since the black and white coils from his peripheral were enough to confirm it was Eva Tsunaka looking down on him from the desk in front. He can already hear the question in her head.

He sighs. "I have no idea what I'll be doing." 

Eva tilts her head like a bird. "Hm." She hums looking around at the now bustling classroom. Unbothered by the fact that neither of them have any idea on what they'll be participating in during the festival, she looks to another Ultimate who sat at the desk right of hers. 

"I hate the smell of caramel." 

Damon looks up to Eva's face, soon looking in the same direction as her to see Ulysses Wilhelm snoozing away on his desk. 

"Doesn't his soulmate always have something caramel-like? I already took my scent-suppressant medication," The debater glances at her typical bothered expression. "What's the point of not taking it when he's always asleep anyway." 

Eva finally exchanges the look her friend made, pushing up her glasses. "I forgot."

"The English exam, was it?"

"Precisely." She looks low to her side, "I was refining my ability in pinpointing the themes and morals of—Uh."

Eva's halt in speech caused Damon to remove his head from his hand and find the origin of the interruption. He didn't expect the Tree Class' ball of sunshine to suddenly be inviting her warm presence at the two most kept to themselves. Their conversation was so unassociated with the class' that he didn't even realize most if not all of them had already left for their break.

"Hey you two!" Diana Venicia smiles. "Have you decided what you'll be doing for the festival yet?"

"We were discussing that." No they weren't, but Eva was no stranger to harmless lies. Damon didn't care to comment on their true lack of participation.

He quirks an eyebrow to Diana however, "Isn't it the president's responsibility to make sure we're all on the same track? Why are you doing Wolfgang's job?"

Diana sheepishly giggles, "It's not that at all, he's still managing the groups. I really wanted to know if you were already in a group since I would like to do an activity with you two!"

At that Eva and Damon turn to each other, knowing full well that the other hadn't really anticipated this invitation. But they telepathically agreed that they should have because of all the classmates they had Diana was the most likely to want to do anything with them. 

It was often that Diana would rope in any lingering outliers in the classroom and pull them in. If there was a classmate in the dumps, she would do her best to bring a smile to their face. That's what Damon notices anyway. He had the luxury of experiencing this treatment from her more than he'd ever admit. That's why he was always watching her. 

"Then, did you have any ideas?" Eva asks.

"Hmm.." Diana hums, bringing a finger to her chin in thought. "Well since it's pretty close to Valentine's Day, why not a love-themed dessert stall? Or if Valentine's is a little too much, it can be based on the coming cherry-blossoms! I heard the day that the festival is held the school cherry-blossoms will be in bloom and it'll look picture perfect. How does that sound??" She excitedly proposes, holding her hands together like a child sweetly asking for candy.

Eva smiles, a small chuckle emitted. "We didn't have any better ideas, so I'll take it."

Damon hasn't said a word and it already looks like it's set in stone he'll be participating in Diana's silly pinky idea. He looks at the two girls, both amused at the suggestion. It looks like Eva and Diana had already been getting along since they would sometimes be paired up for classroom chores. He huffs, "Yeah, that works."

The pink-haired girl lights up. "Okay! I'll report to Wolfgang when I next see him. Let's plan over tomorrow's lunch! Sounds good?"

Eva closes her eyes and nods. "We don't have anything better to do." Damon adds to her affirm.

He watches the cosmetologist giggle before departing off to spend her own break. His eyes followed her.

"Hey."

Damon looks at the raven haired girl. "What?"

He finds a slightly disgusted look on her face.

"Nevermind."

"..? What?"

"The courtyard vending machine again, right?" She pushed off the desk she was leaning on and trudged to the door. 

"...Yeah I guess." Damon sighs, stuffing his hands into his pockets, following.

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The day of the festival had come. In planning, it was determined that Damon and Diana would set up the stall in the morning, following with Diana and Eva working at the stand. If they need any help or switch shifts, Damon will opt in. It only came to this conclusion because they all realized that of the three of them Damon might not be the best suited for possible disruptions that may occur. Damon was a bit offended and offered to stand there the whole time the festival went on, but Diana insisted that she and Eva could handle the whole thing. He wasn't really keen on following through, but he doesn't mind the big break between helping out.

After a bit of working, Damon got the whole stall to be fully set up. There was heart shaped decor stringing across the ceiling. Artificial flowers sit beside the cashier and are tied to parts of the plexiglass that separates the customers from the sweets. Real cherry blossom petals had flown over and all around the stall. Overall it was really red and pink. When stealing glances at the others, Damon finds Diana well blended into Valentine's scenery with her sparkling eyes and hair. Befitting the chameleon shaped cuff she wears on her arms at all times. 

"Is that all?" Damon sighs in a sweat, finally finishing the display showing off the many delicious sweets hand crafted by Eva and Diana in the home economics lab. There were crepe cakes, cherry tarts, candied fruits, and more of the like. When Damon met with Eva after their morning baking session, although she didn't smile there was a glow to her face.

—"Are you not tired?" Damon asks. The mathlete looks at her friend with a bit of whipped cream on her nose, the debater points at his own nose to indicate it and she wipes it off immediately. Eva wraps a bit of her hair on one of her fingers, thinking back on the past hours she's spent with Diana. 

"I'm feeling quite fine." She turns up. "Diana's energy is contagious. We should be careful of her." Damon picks up on the joke and is left with his lips slightly agape. Clearing his throat he nods, "As long as you can withstand the rest of the day. Where's Diana anyway?" 

"She left. Can't really say where she is. I offered to clean the dishes and she said she needed some time to herself so I don't know." 

"Huh."—

Damon, knowing that the two had been up since early morning to make the treats fresh, was slightly bothered by this fact. Not concerned, to get that straight. It only bugged him a bit. Especially since he wasn't especially keeping tabs on Diana who had invited, planned, discussed, executed, and was planning to run almost the entire thing. 

A part of him felt a little bit guilty for not putting on enough weight, and a little pull in his chest at something. Was it confusion? or curiosity? He has never had any particular interactions with Diana that ever stuck out too much. Afterall she treats everybody seemingly the same. Even when Damon makes some off remarks, she continues to smile and take it all in with no damage to her empathy. 

None of it made sense to Damon. And the fact that they finally had the chance to have a kind of meaningful connection through an actual event and yet she remains disconnected from Damon…He isn't jealous. Diana seems excited, and so does Eva. If he can take the easy route of not contributing, he is sure he'll feel comfortable leaving it up to them. 

Diana dressed in a cute apron she picked out for herself and Eva pulled out two thumbs up. "Yup! I think we're all set. The festival should be starting in about 30 minutes. How about a break?" The girl raised her arm and leaned to one side stretching out one side of her body then switching to the other, a small squeal coming from her then a sigh of relief. 

The mathlete huffs, right after the drop of an empty box sounds. Wiping her hands against one another to get rid of the dust, "Yeah, that's a good idea." 

The Ultimate Debator takes a seat on one of the chairs they set up in the booth, looking up at Diana who had started rustling into another box she saved in the far corner. She stands back up, holding two airtight containers in both hands. 

"Eva and I made more than enough treats! We can have some as a snack while we wait for the doors to open." A blush fades across Diana's cheeks when she smiles even bigger. 

Was it that cold outside? Damon thinks, but he can tell she's actually proud of herself for making these. Whenever Diana was praised for something she'd tend to giggle and blush as a result. A similar indicator to that of a puppy wagging its tail. Damon stares in thought over her natural reaction before Diana blinks back wondering when he would answer. The boy notices this, only for a second does his eyes widen as his eye contact suddenly drifts off to the side. 

"Then we should make good use of your efforts." Damon rises from his seat, approaching the delighted Diana. She quickly nods, politely handing over the pink-tinted container to Damon. 

"Wanna guess what it is?" The girl chirps, a look of anticipation sparks her eyes. He can see it, but he looks away to not get too blinded. 

"Um..Let's take a look." He pulls open the lid and takes a peek at the true contents. He's met with what looks to be a slice of cake. Its icing was a light brown, a little chocolate truffle topped the center. 

He picked the slice up from a little paper plate at the bottom, surprised to see many many many layers to this cake. Cream filled the top and bottom of each layer, making it pleasing to look at. Just from holding the cake from up close, he can smell its flavor that would make sense with the light brown colors. 

"Is this supposed to be coffee-flavored cake?" He's never seen a cake so layered such as this however. Usually he'd find a section of cream, then a section of cake, and lastly another section of cream with the layers never going past five. But this one had at least ten if not more. 

He sniffs, the sweet scent of the cream filling him with a tinge of warmth. Was sugar that powerful a tool in baking? He's never had much experience with baking before, hence why he wasn't one of the members creating the items. 'Baked with love,' was a phrase he never put a second thought on because all it was was a fake, appealing motto for baked items packaging. Weird, but he suddenly resurfaced as a result of laying senses on Diana's dessert.

"Yes! It's actually a crepe cake. You look like you're looking at a completely new invention, Hehe." Diana giggles at him curiously examining the cake. Damon realizes this made him look like an idiot. A tint of pink matching the petals drifting in the breeze showed on his cheeks. "Diana.." That only made her smile even wider. He thought he was imagining things when catching Diana's cheeks deepening in color, but she had moved away from him faster than he could confirm with himself. It really must be that cold.

She approached Eva with the other container. They had a little chat that Damon didn't pay any mind to. Or rather he wasn't willing to listen in. They've gotten so close in such a short period of time. At times, in his thinking he can hear Diana's voice bleeding into his awareness. Her energy was at a high, as it usually was, but surprising for her who had already been working since early morning. 

Even after finding Diana after he met with Eva at the kitchen, she was speaking to teachers about the coming event in her usual extroverted self. Does she never run out of social battery? Or even physically, baking is not a necessarily breezy physical activity. If so she has incredible stamina, something Damon can come to respect. Finally he comes back to reality, spectating the two next to him. 

"I'm punctual being on time but I already noticed an aroma had already been in the kitchen from before I even entered," Eva started, she turned to Diana. "This is what you were doing before the time we agreed to even start right? All that about a head start wasn't all a lie but.." She looks down in her hands at the strawberry shortcake Diana made. A pair of hands suddenly cover both of Eva's, causing Eva to shoot her attention up at a pleased looking Diana. 

"It was all a surprise, I wanted to make it special for you guys! As long as it gives you the energy to get through today, that's all I've wanted." The honey-sweet words dripped from Diana's mouth. "Please don't feel conflicted about it, I was planning this for a while." 

It was clear that Eva was in a bit of shock, but she shook her head to wear it off. "I won't ever understand you Diana." A small smile cracks on her face. "We worked hard, so I'll have this." The pink-haired girl nods excitedly. Eva and Diana have been getting closer, and only will continue to be as they work together.

Damon knows they aren't underestimating him when they don't put him up at the cashier first, although he can't help but feel the itch to stay by their side and make sure it goes well. One mishap and he might have more on his hands than he'd prefer. But as much as he wouldn't like to be disrespected, he'll let them have their way and work until they need him. Besides he's already done the job he's been assigned when they thoroughly discussed the event. 

After the exchange the girls had that Damon paid attention to, Eva took a plastic fork and began to dig into her slice. But Damon isn't so hasty.

"Hey Diana." Damon's holding his own plastic fork, tapping it against the paper plate.

"Oh, yes?" She spins around to face the seated Ultimate with a ready-to-help stature. 

"Why don't you have this?" Damon holds out the piece of cake. Diana blinks and tilts her head as if a question mark appeared over her head. Suddenly he realized that it sounded like he was denying it after gratefully accepting her gift. Normally he wouldn't give a damn but since it was Diana..well he's not really sure himself. 

"I'm not rejecting it, it's just that.." He pauses, thinking before he speaks. "You might need the caffeine. Haven't you been working since the morning?" 

"Ah, that's what you mean." Diana holds her hand against her opposite arm and shyly beams. "I'm okay. You don't need to worry," Her eyelashes flutter weakly, fully opening in surprise. "If I need any, I'll make sure to have one of the other slices! You do know I bake those in full cakes, and not singular slices right? I have a lot more ready." Diana holds her hand to her lips, trying to stifle another one of her cute laughs. 

Once again, Damon feels like a fool. He didn't think of that. For some reason he automatically assumed this was made especially for him. Of course someone wouldn't bake to make a singular slice of cake. He had to share a piece of Diana's intention with everyone. "Right.."

The blonde clears his throat before taking a bite of his treat. The flavor of coffee filled his senses. Surprisingly the cream wasn't as sweet as he was anticipating it to be. Chewing, he notices how close this felt to the actual smooth feeling of drinking a creamy coffee in a pleasing dessert form. Diana holds her hands together and watches him eat on. It looked something like a hamster chewing on a newly discovered nut that tasted heavenly. She had witnessed an expression she had never seen on Damon's face before.

"I take it, you're enjoying it?" He was so busy enjoying every bite of the cake that he almost forgot that Diana was right there next to him. In his surprise, he quickly covers his mouth, using his thumb to wipe off any unanticipated cream in the corners of his lips. He nods while trying to get the current mouthful down his throat. 

"Hehe, alright then. It's time to get ready!" Diana tightens the bow tied behind her to secure the apron. "Are we good to go Eva?" 

"Yes." Eva discards her plate and fork, and ties her hair up. "Ready when you are."

"We'll call you when we need you, alright Damon?" Diana sends him off with an entrusting smile. Damon returns back a nod. He can never get used to her brilliance.

"People are approaching Diana." Eva voices as she starts moving around getting ready to greet the customers. 

"Coming! Damon, if you also need anything please do call us." 

"Alright alright I get it. I'll check back in later." 

Damon raises a hand as he leaves the girls to their own business running the stall. He walks off and into the soon growing bustling of the courtyard's walkways. 

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The Eden's Garden courtyard was bustling with students, friends, and family alike. Today's weather was rather pleasant for early February. With the romantic scenery of a bright blue sky and all the other Valentine's themed events, what's not to love? Damon was dressed in a light coat and a red scarf. Being able to watch his breath drift off into nonexistence br. He runs his hand through his blonde hair, aimlessly walking through the stone paved walkways. Trying his best not to think too hard on leaving the two behind, especially on Diana. 

Chatter and giggles pass Damon as he trudges on, wondering what he should do in the meantime. From a distance he can see many displays of clubs and activities. Since the winter marking period had just come to an end, everyone was scurrying to get into more extracurriculars and maybe even find some love so they'll have something to do during summer break. 

Damon never had such ideas. No intention to join any clubs, no intention to find new friends, nothing of that. He already busied himself representing the school's debate team. If he had any choice in the matter, he probably would've situated himself back in the classroom to study and prepare for his next debate. But he needed to be on standby…rather that's what he prefers at the moment anyway. They weren't allowed to bring any study materials to the courtyard at this time, so the most productive thing he could do was 'enjoy' the festival.

He kept walking, not many stands caught his attention. He wasn't especially hungry due to eating Diana's dessert. So none of the smell of funnel cake or yakisoba really appealed to him. The blonde pulls the scarf up his face, feeling the warmth of nuzzling into the soft yarn. His eyes peek open in a random direction to find a trinkets stand. 

Damon never cared for fashion, his parents had always told him what clothes to wear and he would follow through without question. Of course he would make sure not to wear mismatching socks or an uncoordinated uniform, but his parents weren't so incompetent to irresponsibly dress their son. As a result he was never fond of shopping for clothes or accessories. 

Regardless he approached the store in little to no direction. The stand was decked with many displays showing beautiful jewelry, a little sign set at the top of the counter reading "Hand-Made With Care. ♡" A girl with brown hair and a ponytail stood behind the counter. She was happily helping a couple next to Damon choose out a Valentine's day gift. This was probably for the best, Damon didn't really like being aggressively advertised sales. If anything it made him not want to buy anything.

He scans the selection, finding a lot of rings, necklaces, even some hair clips. Damon felt like he just walked into completely new territory. At first he thought of purchasing something for his mother, but his train of thought was being interrupted by the squealing girl next to him. He turns to the couple he noticed earlier.

"It's suuuper cute! I really love the color." The girl has her hand held out to the brown haired girl who had put a bracelet on her wrist. With every twist of her hand, the jewels hanging off the accessory shimmered in the winter sun. They were magenta tear drops that shone an iridescent blue, adorned with soft pink pearls throughout the thread. 

Due to her reaction, Damon's attention was soon brought to the girl's face. Her eyes sparkled, familiarly to him. Her hair was a baby pink and quite lengthy. Beside her stood her boyfriend who gazed upon her lovingly. Being next to them and watching them felt like a violation of some social etiquette. But watching the baby pink haired girl's delight wearing the little trinket reminded him of Diana. 

He turns away, 'What am I even thinking…' Damon sighs at himself, shoving his hands in his pockets. Naturally the image of Diana's precious smile comes to mind, her dainty hand holding her wrist up wearing the same bracelet. She's laughing because she's happy she received a gift. Damon starts to fidget with a callus on his finger. 'It's all in my head. That sort of gift wouldn't be enough anyway.'

"Hello! May I help you?" During his cloud of imagination, the couple have already departed and the ponytail girl had finished helping them and onto her next customer. He watches the happy couple trot off, an exhale of mist leaving his lips. 

"I was only browsing." Damon says in a low voice. The girl grins and nods, dipping under the stand's display to retrieve a new box. She brings it up and opens it, revealing the magenta tear dropped bracelet, probably intending to replace the just sold item. She notices however that Damon's eyes are intensely glued to the thing. 

She lifts the bracelet, moving it to the left. Damon's eyes look left. She moves it down to her right and Damon's eyes follow again. The girl snorts.

"Looking for a gift for someone?" She softly asks, picking up the bracelet from the little white box. Damon, still left in sort of a trance from his daydreaming, is delayed in response, shrugs. 

"Well it was pretty funny watching you intensely stare at the bracelet even during the exchange." 

The debater looks up. "It's nothing like that." Damon pauses, thinking if he should really be saying his thoughts aloud like this. "I'm reminded of somebody when I see it." 

The jeweler girl nods, "Why not get it for them then?" After examining the accessory herself, she pushes it up in front of Damon. "Take a closer look yourself." He's a bit hesitant because he feels like he's playing right into somebody's trap. 

But he ends up picking it up. Holding it against the sky, getting a really good look at the gem that caught his eye. It was really nothing like he's ever seen, not that he's ever paid much attention to jewelry in general. Holding the light and pretty thing, 

"Would you like it if you got this as a thank you gift?" He asks, the seller who he knows would obviously say yes to get the money, but he asks anyway.

"Hehe, I don't think it quite suits me." She retrieves the circlet from him and gently places it back in the box. "I can tell she will look really good in it from the way you gaze at it. If she's a good-hearted one, then already the thought is enough to be appreciated." 

"Hah." Damon scoffs. He wasn't sure how to reply to that. Does he really think this is enough? He was all busy concerning her health and here he is thinking of buying something that helps none of that. So much for being thoughtful. 

"I'll take it." He roughly says, to which the girl grins. Damon didn't care to ask for the price, all he imagined while pulling out his wallet was the smile she'd have at the end of the day. To be rewarded for her hard work. He feels like a fan to some idol. 

"I'll be happy to wrap it! Wait a moment please." Within a moment's time he's able to pay and take the small gift bag.

"Thank you for visiting." She sends her customer off, bowing for his patronage. 

Damon nods, turning around to burn some more time. But in that moment he feels a buzzing in his pocket. Pulling out his phone, his screen read 'Eva Tsunaka is calling.' He walks to the side of the pavement and picks up the phone.

"Hello—" 

"Damon." Eva firmly calls out from his device.

"Y-Yes? What is it?" 

"You have to come back. Quickly." 

Beep. Eva Tsunaka hung up.

"??" Damon, in confusion, grips the bag he was holding and spares no time to quickly jog back to the dessert stall the three of them were running. 

Did something bad happen? Eva doesn't usually sound alerted like that. How is Diana doing? She must be okay, right? She was able to shoulder it all. Maybe they have too many customers. But Damon finds those kinds of assumptions as wishful thinking. 

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"Eva you don't need to worry I only need a short break and then I can–"

"Damon will be here soon. Sit still." 

Huffing and puffing from the hasty jog he made to the stall, Damon approaches, witnessing what looked like Eva reprimanding Diana. The younger girl was sitting in the chair far back from the cashier.

Eva perks up as he draws in closer, not wasting any time at all she points to Diana, "She isn't feeling well. I'm going to take care of the sales for now." Damon approaches his seated classmate, watching the mathlete turn back around and greet more customers. "Come back after you've dealt with her."

"E-Eva…" Alike a puppy with downturned ears, the girl pouts like a puppy's human companion abandoning them for work. Eva did sound pretty impatient with Diana. She must've put up a fight of her own to stay working. She whips around to the blonde and looks up in desperation. "Damon! I'm okay really I–"

"Woah–! D-Damon!!" Diana threw her arm over Damon's shoulder, wrapping around his neck in sudden fear. She was completely shocked by the sudden lift off the chair. He had scooped her up from the chair, supporting her back with one arm and her legs with the other. 

"Eep–" Diana squeaks, when Damon adjusts his hold on her by pulling her up in a sudden motion. He was struggling to hold her, but only because he was never used to carrying a whole person. Even so..she was very much lighter than he expected. 

His arms were not the most stable so he'd sometimes have to adjust the way he held her, but he didn't compare to Diana's shuddering. Her body was pretty cold now that he realizes it, which only felt colder because he was starting to feel warm. Regardless, without a word he moved out the back of the stall's tent door, noticing an open window to the building located right behind the line of the festival's booths. 

A couple passerbys stared at the two, but Damon didn't give a damn. "Where are we going..?" Damon didn't answer, simply sitting on the window sill of the wide opening. "Can't we go through the normal entrance Damon??" She still went unanswered as he maneuvers to turn a 180, pulling his legs in through the window into an empty classroom one by one. 

Now in the warmer classroom, Damon pushes off the wall he was sitting against to approach a bench situated at the back of the room. Carefully, he sets down the girl on the long furniture. She helps herself onto the bench too, her legs barely listening to her still. Diana starts to rub the top of her thighs, giggling lightly. 

"Man, I'm so sore! I hope Eva will be okay." 

Damon rubbed the back of his neck, recovering from the hefty exercise that was for him. He doesn't really get why he felt the sense of urgency. Maybe he should've gone farther, brought her to the infirmary. But to be frank, he would've collapsed in the middle of the hallway if he had to go any farther. 'I can't be that weak..can I?' Damon sighs to himself. 

"I'm sorry…" Diana peeped, looking up at her bridal carrier. She feels a bit embarrassed that she could barely move, her friend had to bring her all the way inside in such a manner. She can tell that he wasn't anticipating doing that either. But away from the people and the rush, she suddenly felt the wave of fatigue and drowsiness envelope her. "I shouldn't have let you do that,"

"But thank you Damon." Her folded hands lay neatly on her lap, rubbing her thumbs together. She really didn't mean for it to be a big deal. Once again, she's realizing the consequences of biting off more than she can chew…

"Here." 

Diana turns up, face to face with a canned beverage being given to her. She politely accepts it with two hands, feeling the warmth of the small metal container. "What's this?" She turns the can around, trying to find a label indication.

"It's warm milk tea." Damon starts, pulling Diana's attention away from the offering. She finds that a white bag hangs from his wrist. It must've been there from before he returned to the stall. "Don't drink it too fast. I won't be able to bring you to the bathroom otherwise." 

Diana's puzzled expression adorns her innocent face, wide eyes and lips slightly agape. Until she understands, he's trying to tell her a joke. "Ah… Ahaha-!" Diana clutches the can of tea in her hand, her other wiping back tears. 

"I'll be going now. Eva needs me." 

The girl's hiccups of laughter die down, she sniffles seeing Damon turn his back to her and he starts moving back to the window he fantastically moved through. Before he jumps back out, he turns around and gives her what she read as a look of relief.

"If you need anything, call us."

With that, he rushed out and presumably back to help Eva run their dessert stall. In her state, she sat without much movement. Silently Diana sat next to a protruding section of the wall that even hid her from the sight of the hallways, allowing for a space to lean her head against. Diana drowned in the exhaustion that her body could not long catch up with. 

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"Thank you, please come again." Eva bows to the departing customer. 

"Customer service doesn't suit you at all." A joke calls out from behind her, she faces the familiar voice. 

The raven haired girl scoffs. "And bridal carrying a girl suits you? Please."

His first response was a sigh, "She pushed herself too hard. Why didn't you tell her to lay back?"

"You don't think I did?" The Ultimate crosses her arms, on the lookout for any approaching individuals. "You'd think she's an obedient girl, but that stubborn edge of hers can really get to me. Haa. Anyway, where did you put her?"

"I put her in the classroom behind us."

"That fast..?"

"..." Damon diverts eye contact from Eva. "I went through the window."

"..." Eva turns to Damon, parted lips suggesting she did not expect that. 

"She's fine. Let me do the rest of the work."

Eva pushes up her glasses, sighing away any judgement on the diabolical idea this boy had actually executed. "There's only an hour left and most are already leaving since the sun will be setting soon."

"Alright then." 

"I'll be leaving the moment we both clean up, I ditched the math team's advertising campaign for this so I need to report back. Please check back in on Diana after the fact." 

Damon scowled at her, squatting down to restock some desserts missing from the displays and to avoid her expectant request. Eva didn't sound so smug until a small smirk formed on her face. "I didn't need to ask that of you though, did I?"

"Whatever." He never liked to admit to finding Eva's probing funny. But it's true that for the rest of the hour he couldn't do much but wonder how Diana was faring. Her condition at the time was nothing to smile at.

Although Damon was never the kind to anticipate any notifications from his already desolate inbox, throughout the rest of the shift he'd pull out his phone and check to see if he missed anything. 

But time flew by pretty quickly, the sky was turning sour from the sun getting ready for bed. Once the student council announced the end of the festival and everybody's cheers indicated the start of wrapping up, the two were immediately in action. Eva and Damon quickly undid their decorations and packed their supplies. They were able to close up and bring everything back to their respective places in under twenty minutes. 

Eva waved Damon off, sending him a goodbye for Diana as well. He started off in the direction of the classroom located behind the stall they worked in. As he walked down the halls, he realized that he wouldn't be all that surprised if she had disappeared from where he last left her. 

She might've regained the strength to get up and go to the infirmary herself. Or someone helped her get there. It doesn't matter, what does is that he confirms as long as she's in the classroom that she is okay. The longer he walks down the halls, the more dark colors bleed into the golden hour. 

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After a bit of trekking, he finally finds the room he assumes is the one he placed her in. Nobody else was in the hallways, as most of them had gone home or were busy unpacking in storage rooms that tended to be two floors above the ground floor. The light from the halls blended into the dullness of the room, where the only other light source was opposite to where he was standing: the windows. 

Damon slowly rolled open the classroom's door, making sure not to make too much noise. He closed them behind him. Rays from the setting sun reached past two pairs of shoes, shadows cast from them stepped on by the Ultimate who seemed to have noticed the physical proof Diana was still seated on the bench. 

He made sure his steps were as quiet as mice's paws when coming up beside her. Damon had the intention of waking her up, holding out an arm ready to shake her up. Laying his eyes on the resting girl, whose hair was sticking to her lip gloss, the February breeze kissing her rosy cheeks, and the silly apron that she forgot to take off…Who was he to disturb the sleeping beauty. 

Damon steps closer to Diana, where he was already rather physically close to. He leaned down, using his outstretched hand to reach the hot pink strands that were glued to the glaze of her lips. His fingers twitched in fear of waking her up. Luckily he managed to push the hair away, gently tucking it behind her ear. He allowed such little force that some of the individual strands fell back down.

"Haah." Damon exhales in relief. He didn't wake her up! What a miracle. A dull shine in the corner of his eye caught his attention; It was the unopened can of milk tea that had already long gone cold. Damon stands back up to pick up the drink and take its spot next to Diana. 

He held out the can, rolling it about in his hand as a fidget. 'Diana has been sleeping for a while hasn't she? How long has it been…' Damon thinks to himself, not sure what the right decision is. A sudden beam distracts him, the sun glaring at his eyes directs his attention to the still open window. In realization, he looks back to Diana.

'It's been open this whole time. She's been sleeping in the cold…' Damon reaches back out, lightly grazing the back of his fingers against her flushed cheeks. Of course it felt as if he had just drifted his fingers across the surface of a thin frost. He rises from the bench and cautiously pulls the awning window down until the hissing of the brisk wind outside comes to a halt. Creating a silence in the classroom that Damon was no stranger to. 

He silently sits back down, continuing to simply exist and keep the weakened girl some company. Ever since acknowledging her, Damon never once thought of Diana as anything more than a naive girl. Someone who was weak and easy to push around. Although even if he's never had a meaningful enough encounter with her, anytime he's witnessed her around other people she was nothing but pure pleasure and strength. 

A smile is on everybody's face when Diana is involved, and she'd never back down on her ideals. To which most people agreed with and therefore garnered respect from many of their fellow classmates. To have the cherished star of the Tree Class sitting next to him, peacefully catching up on the rest she deserved for trying so hard, Damon couldn't come to feel any good from it. 

There was a jumble in his stomach. He's never felt so conflicted when being around someone he would expect to never give a damn about. Does Diana deserve to be sleeping in the cold, lying against a hard wall, in such a worn out condition? After all she's done for both Eva and Damon this time around, as she's done for many others. 

Damon lifts his hand that clutched onto the cords of the white gift bag. 'Why didn't she just work with anybody else?'...He places the bag on the unoccupied side of him, slowly but he suddenly feels something unordinary. A sweet scent brushes his nose, a kind of aroma one would find at a cafe. 

He turned around, to his left and his right. Damon brought the still unopened can to his face and sniffed it, wondering if some of it leaked out. Even if the milk tea happened to leak out, it wasn't a coffee-like drink. Damon rubbed the back of his neck, trying really hard to find the origin of this scent. It certainly wasn't him, or else he would've noticed way before he entered the classroom.

The blonde boy gradually settled down, realizing what it could truly be. He sits back on the bench, back enough that his back aligns with the wall. The top of his head connected with the wall, he was looking up at the ceiling. Wanting to keep up denying the possibility. However, it was difficult. He already took his medication this morning. And Diana smells exactly like the slice of cake he had earlier today.

Damon rotates his head in Diana's direction. In the gleaming light of dusk, he can finally answer his unresting inquiries that Diana really was a gem to him. She's someone he isn't, and someone he'd never strive to be. But she shone so much to him, he gave her permission to blind him. Leave him feeling comfortable in the company of a stranger. In fact, yearning for more when he knows that he doesn't deserve it after the events of today.

Damon starts to chuckle, but quickly loses the unstable grin. He presses the back of his hand against his closed eyes. "Man. I'm screwed," he mutters back to the warm sensation of sugar and caffeine he indulged his entire heart into. He honestly wanted to discard the beverage he bought her and throw the white gift bag out the window. 

"Umn.." A soft groan leaves the cosmetologist, she rubs her eyes open. 

"Damon..?"

"Diana." 

Damon shifts his body to see her, his typically resting face full of awareness when facing the awakening girl. "You're awake."

Diana doesn't lift her head from the wall, only turning it slightly in his direction. She's quite amused by his sudden reaction, "Ehehe,, you're acting like I've been asleep for ages."

He never thought he'd be able to hear Diana's 'morning voice.' It was pretty husky for her, who already had a rather low pitch to begin with. In the cold quiet of the otherwise empty classroom, her answer was warming to his ears. 

"The sun's almost gone, huh." Her eyes move to behind Damon where she sees the beautiful sunset outline the silhouette of her dear classmate a mesmerizing golden. Her smile never felt so untrue to how she felt. It was all of a smile she could share with her energy just coming back from slumber. 

Nevertheless, she gazes upon him with sincerity and a keen curiosity. Though, the silence shared between them after such a brief exchange left her feeling thoughtless again like she had gone back to sleep. Damon's lips part and seal, it looks to Diana as if he's looking to say something to satisfy the lonely moment. 

Diana reaches her hand over to the taller Ultimate, stretching far enough to sift her fingers through the ends of his short, stardust locks. She goes as far as to stroke the top of his hair, giggling at his reaction of surprise. Damon's inconsistent blinking, and occasional flinches caught her eye. She made sure to gently let the sunset leak through the matching threads upon his head, and to not alert the owner of such a kind look. 

"I really like how golden your hair is," Diana compliments, "Did you choose such a time to come wake me, so I could witness the height of your looks. You're really asking to be my model aren't you?" The girl couldn't help but giggle, pulling her arm back. "I mean, you must've paid Mr. Sun as your actor, right? Ehehe,,"

Damon couldn't say anything back. What was he meant to do? All he could register was the sickly sweet scent of her and again pretend like her kindness was something to borrow and not keep. Averting his eyes from her sly remarks, he didn't know how to follow up. 

"I didn't." A warmth reached his cheeks. "We happened to finish the stall before the sun set and you woke up when it finally did. Anyway," He really wanted to divert the fact that he wasn't able to handle sudden affection that well. 

The debater dips his hand into the bag next to him, pulling out and presenting a small white box with a little bow atop it to Diana. 

"Damon..What is this?" The cosmetologist held a clutched hand to her chest, unable to understand what he was showing her.

"It's yours. You can have it–" Damon shuts his eyes suddenly, immediately regretting the way he worded that. Inhaling to resay his statement, "I bought it for you."

"Huh, it's for me?" Diana receives the present, holding it as if handling a baby rabbit. Her hand lifts the top of the gift box, finally revealing the bracelet Damon purchased for her. Placing the lid under the box itself, she can see the iridescent shimmer of the crystal drops when the day end's light reflects off them. 

"Damon it's.." Diana's eyes glimmered like diamonds in the shadows of the window's framing, she picks up the accessory with care. "It's wonderful…Thank you." 

Even though she was drained of energy and couldn't tell what kind of smile she was wearing at that moment, she was dressed in the most precious smile Damon has ever come to witness. He couldn't stop looking, fortunately he was invited to.

"Will you help me put this on?" Diana raises her left hand for him. 

Suddenly, he couldn't control his reactions. Damon swallowed, he hung his head slightly, his eyebrows softened in the faint glow of the room. "Sure."

He picks up the bracelet, loosening the length of the bracelet. He makes sure not to graze his nails against her skin when fitting her small hand through the jewelry. Pulling two cords tightened the bracelet to the right size and it fit her perfectly. 

While he focused on putting the gift on her, she watched his rather serious expression. To her he appeared a little silly like a kid making sure to not mess up. She couldn't hold back another one of her childish giggles. 

Damon had finished and looked up to her, unsure as to what she was laughing at. "Did I not do it right?" 

"No, no. You did it right, I was only thinking to myself." Diana smiles a precious one, holding her wrist up adorned with the bracelet. Her dainty hand traces the pearls and magenta gems. "I'll cherish this forever."

Diana laughs happily. She laughs exactly how Damon imagined it when he first saw the bracelet at the jewelry's stand. He will also cherish this image of her for a long time. 

"Diana."

"Mm? Yes?"

"Why didn't you go to the festival with anybody else?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well," Damon starts, choosing to be careful with what he says, but agreeing with himself that no matter what, anything he ever says is never pleasing to be heard. "I wouldn't say Eva and I are the most appealing peers to work with. I can't even say that, you barely let me work with you two."

Diana sits up straight, holding her hand close to her chest. "I'm sorry…That's not what I meant I–"

"I want to know what you intended then."

Diana squeezes her hand, unsure of how to start. Damon can tell that she couldn't conjure up the answer so easily. He trusts that she didn't mean any malice, because everything she's done up until this point wouldn't make sense. 

A beverage she's seen once before greets her again. "Ah.." She looks at the milk tea, and follows it up to the face of the one offering it to her. The girl meekly smiles, mouthing a 'thank you' while accepting it in both hands. She took a deep breath, readying to give him the answer he deserved.

"I know you and Eva tend to be left alone." Diana looks up, still searching for the words she wants to express. "There was no doubt that the both of you would have little luck finding anybody else from our class to work with. So if you two were going to work together, why not add another hand?"

Diana smiles to herself. "That's not all,

"Seeing Eva make attempts at befriending some of our classmates, but being implicitly shunned when doing so bothered me. I wanted her to realize that people cared about her. I care about her, I wanted to be there for her, so I knew this was the perfect opportunity to show her, we can be good friends." 

The pink haired girl turns to Damon, "I'm successful in making her my new friend. We really bonded over baking and working together at the stall. She really needed a girl-friend and I'm glad she finally has one to turn to!" Diana traces the top of the can with her thumbs. "But when I notice you Damon, you tend to speak your mind..but that's all.

"I failed to find out what you wanted. That sort of dilemma is unfamiliar to me, but it's my fault for not approaching you first." She guiltily mutters, quickly composing herself right then. "I'm aware of your diligent studies and your tendency to work in solitude so,

"When I see you working so hard from such a distance, I ended up feeling a little lonely myself." Diana's level of sight wavers, he can see it's slowly lowering. "I had even thought, 'Damon might have fun if he's on his own then. I should do my best to make that happen.'" 

Her grip on the can she held with both hands tightens. "I wanted you to have a good time today." He can sense the figurative, downturned puppy ears on her again. As he expected, Diana was truly looking out for the two of them. She really was beyond him in so many ways.

"So that's how it was." Damon rasps, finally coming to understand her in a better way than before today. It still didn't feel right for him to settle for the coffee aroma lingering in the space between the two of them. There was so much more than he could have done for her. The least he can do is express that to her. 

Because it's Diana, it should be okay to let her in on these things. "I couldn't feel comfortable the whole day." Diana looked into Damon's emerald eyes, the ones that didn't look back. The academy's outdoor lamp posts flickered on, illuminating the classroom with a faint light.

"Diana, you did everything." He sighs, "There were too many questions in my head. I went back and forth on what was the answer. 'How is the booth running?' 'Will Diana hold up okay?' 'Isn't this unfair?' When Eva called I had a feeling it involved you." 

Diana's face only spelled out the most surprised girl on the block. She totally didn't expect this! It's exciting to hear him admit something of this regard. She's happy that he's allowing her to listen in on his thoughts. The girl is learning of an endearing side of Damon Maitsu…

"The point is, I couldn't stop thinking about you." Damon faces Diana, leaning in with a hint of frustration. A Diana that didn't anticipate this sort of advance from him, nervously clutches the milk tea he bought her. "Do you know what I've been having to deal with up until now?"

"N-Not a clue." The Ultimate peeps.

"Not only was there nothing I could do for you but feel irritated while I was on my own, there's that scent coming from you. One identical to that coffee crepe cake you gave me earlier today. You know what that means don't you?"

"Um..It could be from working all day and I somehow smell like that one dessert! Right?"

Damon huffs, pinching the bridge of his nose. The smell was really getting to him. "No Diana…" The moonlight's glimmer shines on Damon's cheeks, revealing a tinge of roses upon them. The boy struggles to admit what he needs to for her to understand.

"While you were asleep, I closed the window and the breeze had stopped circulation. When the air was still, the scent was so vivid I immediately imagined the slice of cake."

Upon realizing what that meant, Diana reached for a part of her hair, stroking it shyly. "Is that so.." She was nervous to look at Damon, but she knew she had to do something if she didn't want to keep him waiting. 

Diana placed a hand on the bench in the space between them, leaning into that arm. She moved much closer to Damon than he had to her today, quickly giving him a peck on the cheek. To which Damon had such little time to react, even him placing a hand on the area that she kissed was delayed out of pure shock.

"??....Diana?"

"Hehe. What's this about giving a girl a gift on the weekend before Valentine's?" Diana teases, a cheeky grin brightening her youthful face.

"You better be careful Mr. Debater!" She holds up a finger to lecture him. "Don't go around giving girls mixed signals, okay?"

"It was only meant to be a thank you gift…"

Damon could feel the heat flood his entire face, he was practically covering a majority of his face with his hand out of embarrassment for how red he was getting.

"How about we start as Valentines?" Diana proposes, popping open the drink and taking a short sip. "I promise to not overdo things next time, okay?" She wears her reassuring grin. "So, what do you think?"

"..." Damon sighs, his expression returning (mostly) to his normal resting expression. 

"I don't know what you're planning. But as long as you don't do anything stupid like this again, I can do that." He thinks for a moment on how to follow up now.

"Then," The blonde reaches for the hand of Diana's that wears the bracelet. Holding her hand gently, her hand facing down to his. "Diana. Will you be my Valentine?"

The girl with pink hair gazes at Damon, showing him another smile of pure delight at his simple words.

"Of course I do." Diana giggles after accepting him as her Valentine for the year. 

"I hope you'll take care of me for now then, Damon."

Damon nods once, then gives a small smile for Diana. 

"I'll do my best."