❦❦❦
ONE by one, they passed out. Before long, the seats on the rooftop were occupied by what one could be forgiven for mistaking as corpses. Not all of them were small enough to slump over in their seats and sleep; the boys instead sank to the floor and used their seats to prop their heads.
“…I fell asleep.”
All Oriana could think was that she was glad it was summer, otherwise they might have all caught their death out here from the cold. When she and Yana returned to their room, their dorm mother would probably give them an earful about staying out without permission, but she wouldn’t skin them alive for it at least, so it was best for Oriana to resign herself.
She scrubbed at her eyes as she sat up, belatedly realizing someone had draped a robe over her. Not one, actually, but two—Vincent’s and Miguel’s. No wonder she’d found it so hot.
Yana was wrapped up in a blanket, sleeping soundly in the comfort of Azraq’s arms as he sat on the ground. The two were always practically glued to one another, so it didn’t strike Oriana as being any different than usual, but Yana would probably be surprised when she woke up.
For her part, Oriana had no intention of trying to go back to sleep. She thought it would be wrong to peep on everyone’s sleeping faces, so she instead peered up at the sky and zoned out in her seat.
“You’re awake?” Vincent asked, slowly pulling himself up and peering around. Instead of using a seat, he’d sprawled out on the brick floor and slept, so his body was stiff.
“Vincent? Good morning. Sorry, I guess I conked out at some point.”
“Nothing to blame yourself for. The meteor shower didn’t start until quite late. That said, I should be the one apologizing. I simply thought it would be too dangerous to lift you in my arms and try to carry you down the stairs.”
“Oh, no, no. It was fun doing this. Almost like a sleepover.”
“I figured you would say something like that.”
Vincent plopped himself down beside her. “Mm.” His voice slipped out even as he kept his mouth closed. He was probably trying to muffle a yawn.
It took a moment for her to finally realize that he was seeing her right after she had just woken up. She quickly combed her fingers through her hair, trying to groom herself. Vincent grabbed his robe and hung it over her head.
“With this, I can finally say I got to do a pajama party with you,” he said.
“Huh? This isn’t a pajama party.”
Vincent tilted his head. “Must you wear pajamas for it to count as a pajama party?”
“I would think so?” If it had the word pajama in the name, then they were probably essential to the concept. “Besides, I don’t think I’ve had a pajama party with anyone, have I?”
“In our past life, you threw a pajama party and invited every single person here except for me.”
“Whaaa? I’m sorry the past-Oriana was so heartless.”
“Indeed, she was,” he said resentfully, which contrasted greatly with how gentle his expression was.
Apparently, she’d successfully managed to respond to his joke this time. Happy, she beamed.
“Did you use your wish on Miss Mahathin and her bodyguard?” Vincent asked.
“You mean my wish on the shooting stars last night? No.”
Why Yana? Oriana wondered.
Her confusion must have shown on her face because Vincent forced a smile as he said, “Sorry. I simply figured you were probably concerned with how her trial would eventually end.”
Apparently he had been watching Yana and Azraq last night, after all. Oriana was surprised; she never knew he had any interest in Yana’s trial.
“I am concerned, of course,” Oriana admitted. “I don’t know what outcome would be the best for both of them, but I hope whatever it is, it’s something the two of them can be satisfied with.”
Whoever managed to beat Azraq, Yana would still be heartbroken. In which case, Oriana hoped for his undefeated streak to continue for even one more battle—that their time together might last even a second longer.
“Yes… I feel the same,” Vincent said quietly.
It made her happy that he showed such concern for her friends. She smiled softly at him.
“Sleepy… So sleepy… Sleepy…”
The two had been whispering as quietly as possible in hopes they wouldn’t disrupt everyone else’s sleep, but Miguel suddenly sprang to life, mumbling to himself.
“Sleepy.” He crawled over like a zombie and latched himself onto Vincent’s hip, clinging almost like an affectionate lover.
“Miguel, get off of me.”
“Sleepy…”
If he was that groggy, he should simply go back to sleep, Oriana thought, but Miguel stubbornly clung to Vincent.
“Miguel, that’s so adorable!” Oriana blurted out, trembling. “Not a morning person, I see.”
“Sleepy.”
Miguel was always so cool and collected, which was why this unexpected side of him made her heart squeeze.
Vincent grabbed his friend’s head, roughly tousling his hair. “If you’re not asleep, then wake up already.”
“Ugh, what’re you doing…” Miguel grumbled. His long braid was still tied at the bottom, but thanks to Vincent, the rest of it was now a messy rat’s nest.
“Miguel, come sit over here,” Oriana beckoned. “I’ll fix your hair for you.”
“Mm…” He tottered over, slipping in between the two of them before plopping down and slumping against Vincent. The latter scowled and shoved him back, grumbling about how heavy he was.
Oriana unfastened the lace pinning Miguel’s hair and used her fingers to comb through it. There were sprigs of it jutting out here and there, but his hair was still silky and beautiful. While she began braiding his hair from her seat, Miguel began nodding off again, his head jerking back and forth.
“Is he like this every morning?” Oriana asked.
Vincent nodded. “Well, for the most part.”
That had to be difficult to put up with for four whole years. Neither Oriana nor Yana had difficulty waking up, so other than Oriana being forced to participate in Yana’s yoga, their mornings were rather peaceful.
“Oriana, would you like some tea?” Vincent offered.
“Is there still some left? In that case, I’d love to have some once I finish Miguel’s hair.”
This whole situation felt a bit strange; waking up early and chatting, braiding Miguel’s hair, and having Vincent pour tea for her. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined this kind of day would come, and yet it felt so natural.
“Hey, Miguel, wake up. Miguel? The sun’s rising.”
Right as she finished tying his hair, the morning sun began peeking over the edge of the building. She had to squint as it gradually lifted itself from the horizon.
“It’s beautiful, Migue—” Oriana sucked in a breath midway through saying his name, caught by surprise when she gazed down at his face. The dawn’s light was reflected in his beautiful eyes, and from the edge of them, a tear glistened.
“It’s so bright,” he mumbled, sounding like a confused child.
“Y-Yeah, I guess it is, and I did bring it up out of nowhere. Sorry for waking you so suddenly.” Oriana pulled off the robe Vincent had draped over her head and used it to dab Miguel’s tears. He remained quiet, his ashen gray eyes averted from her as more tears fell. “Miguel? What’s wrong? Was it really that bright? Are your eyes hurting? Did something get in them?” Oriana was so panicked she shot off a dozen questions at him at once.
Miguel jerked his head, nodding. “Yeah, but it’s okay. The tears will help get it out.”
“What’s wrong?” Vincent asked. He’d left briefly to pour them some tea, but noticing something amiss, he returned. He hurried over to Miguel only to gape at what he was seeing. Miguel was always so difficult to read, so for him to be vulnerable and cry in front of them was almost impossible to believe.
“I had…nothing to wish for,” Miguel mumbled, sounding utterly discouraged. The tears were still falling even as he spoke. “I’ve already received so much, so…I’m plenty happy as-is.”
Oriana cocked her head and wiped his face.
“Did something happen?”
Vincent was totally in the dark about what had spurred this on, so he looked to Oriana for answers. Sadly, she wasn’t confident she could adequately explain it herself, which was why she instead peered down at Miguel and asked him. “He apparently got something in his eye…right, Miguel? Or is it just that you’re still half-asleep?”
“Hm. Did you have a bad dream?” Vincent asked his friend.
“Hey, look, it’s your beloved Vincent. Why not give him a big hug?” Oriana offered, motioning to him. Miguel eagerly launched himself, his arms squeezing tightly around Vincent.
“Urgh! Miguel! Are you trying to strangle me?!” Panicked, Vincent smacked his friend’s back hard, trying to coax him off, but the still half-asleep Miguel continued clinging. All the while, the morning sun continued casting its light on them in the background.