Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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"Uhmm...can I look now?" Hana raised her voice, turning back around.

Cecil gasped, startled.

Xue looked at Hana standing at the entrance, her eyes were squeezed close.

"Hana! Wh-what are you doing here?" Cecil questioned.

Hana opened an eye, peeking and once she noticed it was safe, she opened her eyes completely.

"I wanted to let you guys try my cooking! Ah, and ask questions about the sword mound expedition!" She chirped.

"Of course, Hana, come in!" Cecil beckoned.

Hana hurried into the courtyard, placing the porcelain plate on the table.

Cecil glanced at Xue, and their eyes met instantly. Cecil glanced away quickly, jogging to Hana's side.

Xue gazed at Cecil before looking down at his hands, rubbing his fingers together. There was a gentle look in his eyes, and an indiscernible smile tugged at his lips.

"Xue, come on over!" Hana called out excitedly.

Xue snapped his head up, joining Cecil and Hana at the table.

***

"If we run away, who is going to oversee the sparring session?!"

"Shush! They can handle it themselves!"

The teachers left the courtyard, not knowing that Hana was already in there, interrupting the sparring session.

"Why do we need to run away anyway?"

"Haven't you heard the rumours in the academy?" Eri hissed, smacking Gom on the back. "Xue and Cecil isn't aren't just friends anymore, they are lovers now. Lovers!"

"..."

"You should let them experience young love, we oldies shouldn't interrupt!"

"..."

"Oh nevermind, you never dated, what do you know?" Eri waved him off, walking away. "You always scare all the ladies off with your personality anyway."

Gom was speechless.

He may be a big burly man, but he has a romantic heart!

He never dated, but he has liked someone before!

"Eri, you...come back here! Take back your words!"

Eri winced, she forgot that this has always been a sore point for Gom.

***

The plate of food that Hana offered them were two small pastries. Since Hana enjoyed sweet things, the first thing she wanted to make was something sweet.

The pastry seemed to resemble fruit tarts, and the fruit tart was glazed in apricot preserves.

"It looks nice." Cecil compliemented and Xue nodded in agreement.

"Then you can try it! I just made it!"

They both looked up at Hana, and they could see a smudge of flour still on her uniform. Since she didn't want to dirty her own dresses, she wore the kimono-like uniform again. Nevertheless, Hana was beaming from ear to ear, and Cecil was glad to know the heroine enjoyed her time baking the pastry.

They took one tart from the plate, bringing it close to their faces. There was a faint fruity scent coming from the tarts, and Cecil was the first to open her mouth to try it.