Chapter 118: The Clearing

Declan rolled his eyes, his gaze dropping to her hands.

She held a helmet, suggesting she was most likely planning to go for a ride.

"Where’d you put my helmet?" he asked.

"I said go away," she said, reaching to close her door, when a sudden blast of wind whipped her hair backward and forced her eyes shut.

When she opened them, Declan was nowhere to be found.

She searched down the corridor, only to hear some rumbling coming from her room.

She turned and froze when she saw him inside, and through the glass panel, she could see him in her bedroom, reaching for the helmet sitting in a glass case on the wall.

"You! You donkey! You can’t just enter a girl’s room like that!" she squealed as Declan raised an eyebrow.

"Why not? You come into my room every time."

He asked, leaving her at a loss for words.

"This... this is different."

"Don’t worry, I already got what I want," he said, stepping out with the other helmet, a blue one, in his hands.

It was the one meant for him.

"I already told you, I’m not interested in riding."

"I found you holding a helmet, though," he said.

"I... I changed my mind?" she said as she stepped out, watching as he gave a clear ’you sure?’ expression.

"I’m sure. I don’t want to go ride anymore," she whispered.

She couldn’t bear to stare into those eyes, so she turned away instead.

"So you want me to carry you, huh?" he said, and she immediately raised her head.

"What are you..."

"Fine," he said, and a sudden gust of air hit her, forcing her to shut her eyes.

When she opened them, her feet were off the ground and she was in his arms, held in a princess carry.

Her face turned completely pink, but before she could say anything, he dangled the helmet in front of her.

"Here, save yourself," he said with a grin.

She took the helmet and quickly put it on, tightening the visor to prevent her features from being seen.

The sight of her blush made him smile.

It was the first time he had seen that expression on her.

And he liked it.

The space for cars and bikes was just outside the academy building, and Declan drew a few glances because of the way he carried Evie, but he didn’t mind.

Even after he had walked past, several people glanced back, sensing that they knew him from somewhere.

"I... I can walk now," Evie said after they reached the space where the bike was parked.

’This will be a good time to throw her flat on the ground,’

Declan thought evilly, but he decided to suppress the impulse and lowered her gently instead.

Tapping a button, the bike emerged, its engine rumbling quietly.

He put on his helmet, expecting her to be the rider, but she remained standing.

"I’ve taught you how to ride before, so... I, uh, think you should ride this time," she said as Declan adjusted the glass section of his helmet and stared at her.

"You really want me to ride?"

NOD!

"You really, really sure? Just so you know, I’ve never practiced before."

NOD!

NOD!

"You’re really that confident, or are you really ready to... ride and die with me?" Declan added, watching her brow quiver.

"I’m not so sure about the die part. Just ride like normal. You’re a slow croach, anyway."

"Oh. Oh. Oh, I wouldn’t say that if I were you," he said, covering his helmet before taking his seat.

The first time he had sat on the bike, he had felt how heavy it was, but now, with his current strength, it felt lighter than a feather.

Evie climbed behind him, and they were off.

He was already aware of the spot, so he sped there directly.

The world had always been blurry on a Tron powerbike, but for some reason, the bike now felt so slow that Declan kept going faster.

Unknown to him, he was traveling incredibly fast, faster than even Evie dared to go.

Her heart raced loudly, fully aware that one crash could mean the end.

Yet she said nothing, simply hugging him tighter and tighter.

It was a strange feeling being a passenger and trusting the rider to carry you forward, a feeling she had detested for as long as she could remember, but today, she felt... safe with it.

The ride, though incredibly fast and dangerous, was peaceful.

So peaceful that she wished she could remain like this forever. But nice things, of course, never lasted forever.

The bike soon slowed, and she opened her eyes, finding that they had arrived at the snow alley.

It was a special place in the academy where it snowed constantly.

She loved it, and since Declan’s favorite season was also winter, he enjoyed it too, making this their spot.

She got down from the bike and looked ahead.

It was like a long valley of snow that extended far into the distance, and it was also somewhat dark, giving the place a cold yet equally cozy atmosphere.

Hmmmmmm,

Huuuuuuuuu,

The sound of a deep inhale and exhale came as she turned, finding Declan lying on his back and breathing deeply.

"Good to be here again."

He said it quietly with a soft smile, but that smile was quickly wiped away when a snowball slammed into his face.

"You little twerp!" he cursed, turning to the side to find Evie sitting nearby, molding a ball of snow in her hands.

"You deserve it," she whispered without smiling, and he could only sigh before replying,

"Yeah, I think so."

Silence stretched between them for a while before he finally broke it.

"Hey, you still mad?" he asked quietly.

Evie turned to him, her face scrunched up in anger, but when she met his quiet gaze, a flash of realization crossed her eyes, and she looked away without saying a word.

Still, Declan got his answer.

"I’m sorry. I was just..."

"Busy?" she completed, continuing, "Yeah, you say that many times."

"You don’t believe me?" he mused.

"I did once," she replied. "Until every call became shorter, and every time I ask for an outing... you’re busy."

"I know if you want something, you’ll make time for it. There’s no such thing as a busy excuse that lasts more than dozens of times."

"It sounds more like a way to say... No, I don’t want... yo..." Her voice broke, rendering her unable to finish.

She folded into her knees, and Declan stared silently for a while before sitting up.

He looked around.

There was nobody in the snowy area. It was simply too early, and the last place anyone would be at this hour was the snow area.

’It’s safe.’

The cane slipped from his sleeve and landed on the snow, catching Evie’s attention.

She lifted her head, her eyes fixed on the blue walking cane.

"You know, Evie, I can’t really deny..." he mused quietly, gripping the staff.

"I really told you off many times, saying I’m busy, and now that I think of it, that does sound like a dumb excuse."

"Even some of the second years are free enough to come out and bully the Newcomers sometimes."

"How could I be busy morning, evening, and night, not even able to go on an outing that doesn’t even last two hours once in two weeks with a friend?"

"Am I not a second year just like the rest?" he mused, reciting aloud the thoughts she probably had every time he turned her down.

"That’s why the only thing I can do now is show you why."

He said, and in the next moment, she watched as he rose to his feet, raised the cane, and stabbed its tip into the ground.

SHATTTTEEERRRR!

The sound was like glass shattering, strange and unnatural, especially since the staff was clearly metallic.

Evie’s shock deepened when she saw the staff split apart into hovering fragments, which swiftly began reconnecting.

She rose to her feet, her eyes widening as the pieces continued forming. Soon, an object stood before her, casting a large shadow.

It was a Mech.

The sleekest and most beautifully designed Mech she had ever seen.

The blue triangular lines on the Mech’s face appeared, resembling eyes as it stared down at Declan.

"Hello, Declan..."

"Hi, Ever."

"Ever?"

Evie called out in disbelief.

"I thought it was a fun name?" he said, and she rolled her eyes.

"What is this anyway?"

"Hey, Ever, this is Evie. A good friend of mine," he introduced her, and the Mech turned its gaze toward her.

...

Ever didn’t immediately reply, instead looking at Evie quietly before turning its attention back to Declan.

"May I have permission for a basic introduction?" it asked him, and he nodded.

"Hello there, Eva," it said, waving its hands, though the gesture came out strangely because its hands were so flat.

For some reason, Evie’s hands fell to her sides as she stood there completely enraptured.

"I am Ever, the first AI module created by Declan Ezra and now implanted into his first Mech creation, the Everlight Mech."

"It’s a pleasure to meet a dear friend of his."

"I... I can’t believe it..." Evie whispered, her breath catching as her heart thudded in her chest.

She turned back to Declan.

"You created a Mech!?"

"Yes. I did design one."

"How is that even possible? You’ve barely been in the Mech Institute division."

She moved closer to Ever, her fingers tracing the contours of the Everlight’s frame.

It was incredible, and the fact that the person who had designed it was standing just a couple of steps away only heightened her euphoria.

Then she paused, realization crossing her mind.

"Is... is this... why?" she asked quietly, and he nodded.

"Yes. I’ve been working on a Mech project during my free time."