Raegar nodded at Corrine and turned to leave, but her voice halted him. ''Rae, one moment.''
He faced her again, catching her gaze fixed on his lower half as he stood. She stepped closer, her tone sharp with curiosity. ''Why were you engaging in such behavior on school grounds? And with a Dark Fairy, no less?''
''Ehh, sorry we got excited,'' he admitted with a nervous chuckle. ''It's like something overtakes us, but we haven't taken that step thanks to Yuki.''
Corrine's expression flickered briefly, a subtle shift that drew Raegar's gaze. She quickly shook her head, as if to dismiss an errant thought, and offered a warm smile. ''Summer break is just two months away. I trust your family has plans to celebrate your seventeenth birthday in style?''
Raegar inclined his head, his tone thoughtful. ''Yes, Mother's planning something at home, though she mentioned it might shift. It all depends on Grandmother's condition,'' he said, a trace of concern threading through his words.
