The sun was already sinking when the Colosseum finally began to empty. Tens of thousands of voices spilt out into the streets like a roaring river, laughter and chatter weaving into the night air. Lanterns lit the avenues, guiding the crowd past vendors who were still hawking roasted meats, chilled drinks, and tournament memorabilia.
Roy trailed behind Kieran, Tanaka, and Brock, hands shoved in his pockets, letting the noise wash over him without really listening.
"Look!" Tanaka's voice cut through, and he pointed up.
On the outer wall of the Colosseum, massive floating screens shimmered to life, displaying tomorrow's fixtures in glowing letters. One by one, names appeared, paired in bold against their opponents.
Kieran tilted his head up, scanning. "...There." His name blazed across the screen, lined up against 'Aurelian Veyl', a famous fencer from the Western Isles.
The crowd around them murmured, some even pointing and whispering with recognition.
"Ouch," Brock muttered with a crooked grin. "That guy's supposed to be a monster with a blade. Guess tomorrow's going to be fun for someone."
Kieran's expression hardened, but there was a faint spark in his eye. "Good. I'd rather fight someone worth my time."
Tanaka squinted further up the list. Then his jaw dropped. "...Wait, wait, wait. No way." He jabbed a finger at under his own name; it was 'Bicky Backy'.
Roy blinked. "...Bicky who?"
"Bicky Backy!" Tanaka almost shouted, half in disbelief, half in outrage. "He's from our school! You know him, the skinny guy who always brags about his uncle being a Sentinel and has hair that looks like a mop got into a fight with a crow?"
Roy stared at him flatly. "Tanaka, you just described half the idiots in our school."
Kieran actually let out a laugh. "Oh, this I've got to see. Honestly, who in their right mind would name their child that?"
The group fell into easy banter as they made their way down the grand steps of the Colosseum, blending into the sea of dispersing spectators. Excitement buzzed in the air; tomorrow promised duels of legend, stories that would echo for decades.
Roy let the conversation drift past him, his gaze scanning the crowd out of habit. That's when he saw her.
Solace.
She stood off to the side, near the base of a marble pillar, the evening light catching strands of her hair. She wasn't talking to anyone, though she looked as if she might've been waiting for someone. Then, her eyes caught his.
Without hesitation, she lifted a hand and waved, slow and deliberate. Almost playful.
Roy didn't break stride. He kept walking with the boys, his face unreadable.
Her smile dimmed slightly, as though she'd expected to see he wasn't beside them anymore.
Roy came to a stop.
Roy turned on his heel just enough to glance back and wave back.
Solace froze.
For the first time since she'd met him, the calm mask seemed to slip, and her eyes widened in genuine surprise. Then, slowly, her expression softened, her lips curving into a smile that gleamed like starlight.
Roy's face didn't change; his deadpan resting mask was as impassive as ever. After the briefest beat, he turned back around and rejoined the group without a word.
He still didn't like her, but leaving her hanging like that would have left a sour taste in his mouth that he'd rather not have.
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "...What was that?"
"Nothing", Roy said simply.
And maybe it was nothing. But deep down, a flicker stirred. a faint eagerness. Not affection, not longing. Just the restless itch of curiosity.
Because Roy knew one thing for certain. One day, he'd probably have to go against her, but until then, he almost looked forward to their next conversation.
That he didn't like.