(Isabelle Kanmori’s POV)

“I did it! Yes! It finally happened!”

My voice rang throughout the courtyard where I had been cultivating and training for the past months, and at long last, I had broken through into the fourth stage of cultivation

A rush of exhilaration coursed through my veins as I let out a soft laugh, one that filled me with joy for reaching such a milestone.

And yet as I readjusted myself to my surroundings where Theitus and Altear were smiling in triumph at my accomplishment. There was still one thing that weighed on my mind.

Kazu.

He didn’t look very impressed as he sat there crossed legged with a hand against his cheek holding up his usual flat expression as if this were nothing, it wasn’t like I knew if he was actually glad about it or not, I actually couldn’t ever tell what he was thinking at times but somehow, I always felt like he was watching me, observing me, silent but supportively so.

However, I met his eyes with a glare as if I didn’t care about it in the first place, it wasn’t hard to miss his shift of attention away from me, before I was praised by Theitus and Altear, with loud congratulations and smiles of pride.

It made me feel better about myself. The thought of gaining Theitus's approval and being able to live up to his expectations. “I knew you could do it, Isabelle!" he exclaimed with a laugh as Altear patted me on the back.

The shy smile I wore didn't go unnoticed as Theitus only chuckled and patted me on the head as if I was still a child.

"Looks like it won’t be long till you obtain mastery over Zenki Ryu now,” Altear said with a soft giggle.

My cheeks began to flush red, "h-hey, you don't need to treat me like a child… He’s watching." I muttered under my breath referring to Kazu.

Altear only giggled in return and continued to pat me on the back, as if to emphasize that point. “Oh my? Your crush is watching, Isabelle?" she teased which caused my cheeks to grow redder than ever before and I could feel my heart beginning to pound.

"N-No, H-he’s not… I don't even like him like that," I exclaimed but that only caused both Theitus and Altear to laugh at my expense, which was more embarrassing than anything.

"Don't tease her so much, Altear," Theitus said between laughs before his gaze turned to Kazu who had yet to speak or even move for that matter. “Well, I do suppose we’ll end training for the day. after all, Isabelle's breakthrough is a big accomplishment,” Theitus said which was quickly followed by me recollecting my flustered state as the three of us seemed to reach Kazu’s side.

“It’s perfect timing too, I would have liked to take Isabelle out, to celebrate her breakthrough, but Me and Altear have some business to attend to and unfortunately we’ll be busy for the better part of the evening,” Theitus continued addressing us all. I was a bit disappointed by that, but I also couldn't blame him for it, Theitus and Altear often worked overtime on the reports Red Manes who operated on the mainland provided. So, it was understandable.

Theitus must have noticed my slight shift of disappointment because he patted me on the head with the laughter that always supported me. “Don't worry, me and Altear will make it up to you, Isabelle.” He said as a bright grin adorned his face, one I couldn't help but find a bit contagious.

But then Altear spoke up. "… Why don’t you and Kazu-Kun head to the Melody and Morsel tea house, Isabelle? I’m sure Kazu-kun is more than happy to celebrate your breakthrough," she said with her usual playful smile.

A rush of blood flushed to my face as my eyes went wide from such a suggestion, "what! W-wait, Altear, I don't think-" I muttered but was interrupted by Theitus.

“What do you say Kazu?” Theitus asked while he seemed to enjoy my embarrassment, only causing me to shoot a glance at Kazu with the expectation of him rejecting such a ridiculous idea. But instead, his amber eyes simply met mine giving it some thought, as if he hadn't noticed my obvious embarrassment.

"… if that's what you want to do, Isabelle, I don't mind," he said like it was the most normal thing to say, which left my heart racing.

"What?! Y-you Idiot, why would you say that!” I said to myself while I buried my face in my hands as Theitus and Altear erupted into laughter once more.

And yet Kazu still waited for my reply which I felt somewhat pressured by.

I only moved my hands from my face to look at him. "I-I mean, yeah… Sure," I muttered, feeling flustered and awkward about this whole situation considering I had ever gone out with Theitus and Altear, and as much as I wanted to be around them, I didn't like to be out in public.

Theitus and Altear both seemed to like my decision as Theitus placed his hand on my head. “That settles it then, I'll make the reservation, you two might as well go get cleaned up," he said with a smile as if he were setting up a date for us.

"… Theitus, you're getting too excited!" I said with my cheeks flushed and Kazu seemed to not mind a thing before Theitus waved us off.

"Hahaha, Alright, Alright. Well, Kazu, you do your best to keep Isabelle company, alright?" he said which only made my face burn more before I looked away feeling embarrassed and Kazu seemed to not even think much about it, he just got to his feet.

“It's fine, Theitus, I'll look after her," Kazu said as his amber eyes peered down at me before he began to walk towards the palace and stopping for a moment.

"Meet me outside when you're ready, Isabelle," he said before walking off leaving me standing there alone with my flushed cheeks and rapid heartbeat.

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Theitus and Altear were still behind me, and I could practically feel their smug looks behind me, “it’ll be good for you, Isabelle. Kazu and you should become closer, you know? After all, Kazu is someone you can depend on, it’s clear he cares about you even if he doesn’t show it. So why not try getting to know him a little better?" Theitus said as I could practically hear Altear smirking in agreement.

I couldn't help but find this all so awkward and I honestly didn't know what to do, but it was clear what they expected. A heavy sigh left my lips before I muttered to myself, "fine, I get it, I'll try" I said as I began to head to the palace to clean up and change, leaving Theitus and Altear to wave me off with their muffled laughter.

I still drug my feet to the baths of the palace, still feeling extremely awkward about the whole ordeal. The clothes I trained in slid from my body in front of the mirror that reflected my blushing face, and clear pale skin. My face grew redder at the thought of going to dinner with Kazu.

I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I had no idea how to act around him and it only made me more nervous.

The thought of Kazu seeing me in something more than just training clothes, caused my heart to race a bit more.

For a moment, when I stepped into the steaming waters of the baths, I took a moment to relax and gather my thoughts.

But it was only then when I realized the one thing.

Was I supposed to wear something special?

My thoughts only made my heart pound harder, and I wondered if this was a mistake in the first place.

My thoughts certainly didn’t stop there. I was constantly thinking of all the possible things that could happen. And for a brief second as my hand caressed my chest, I thought of what Kazu might look like under his clothes, a thought that both excited and embarrassed me that caused me to bite my lower lip while the heat from my thighs could be felt from within the bath.

“what is wrong with me…” I muttered under my breath as I sunk deeper into the hot waters as if to hide from my own thoughts.

It didn't take me long to finish cleaning myself and get dressed in a simple yet elegant vibrant fabric flowing loosely and swirled like a skirt. It wasn’t exactly something I was used to, but it was pretty.

It also wasn't anything too revealing, or fancy. So, I didn’t have to worry if Kazu was expecting something else. It was nice enough to be comfortable and still somewhat formal at the same time.

I glanced over at my reflection before I sighed and made my way to the palace entrance, where Kazu stood waiting for me to arrive.

“I'm ready." I said with a glance at the dark amber glare that seemed to take me in from head to toe, before his gaze met my own.

"hm, you look nice, Isabelle," he commented which was something I didn’t expect as I looked away and started to head to the door.

"t-thanks," I muttered while Kazu fell in line at my side and the two of us made our way down the stairs and to the plaza.

The two of us walked side by side, in silence. I didn't know what to say, and Kazu didn't seem to care if we continued through the chilled streets.

I felt awkward about the whole thing, but he didn’t. I wondered how he always acted so natural with everything, which caused some irritation to well up inside me.

And yet despite my thoughts and emotions, I found myself unable to say anything as we made it to the Melody and Morsel Tea house.

It was a small but quaint place and one I've been to with Theitus and Altear a few times before. It was still a welcoming sight from the chill air as we approached.

The buzz of conversations filled the air as we entered, as the fragrance of herbs and spices wafted through the air.

The two of us made our way to one of the few table that were reserved, with Theitus’s name written on the name tag on the table, as if to prove it was meant for us, still we took our seats.

It was already quite late in the evening so most of the locals filled this place, but their attention and a few whispers, didn’t miss the sight of me and Kazu.

Of course, it was clear who exactly they were looking at, the looks sent Kazu’s way were rather curious, and sometimes even awe mixed with a certain level of fear and admiration, while those that noticed me stared at me as if I wasn’t worth their time.

Kazu must have noticed these gazes as well because he gave an annoyed sigh as his amber eyes scanned the people around us before returning his gaze to me.

"Are you alright, Isabelle?" he asked but I shook my head and quickly swallowed down my nerves.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," I said as I looked down at my hands clenched at my lap.

Kazu only seemed to stare at me for a moment before he let out a sigh. "If you say so," he remarked before a waiter approached and greeted us with a bow.

I kept my head down as we ordered our food and drinks before the waiter left, while Kazu's gaze returned to the people around us.

“… what’s so special about this place, you don’t seem so happy about being here." he remarked as if he could see right through me.

My hands only clenched tighter as my head lifted, glad this insufferable silence had ended. "It's not that… it's just-" I tried to explain, but my voice seemed to go quiet in the buzz of the rest of the patrons in this restaurant.

“It’s just Theitus and Altear took me here a lot, that's all." I said with a sigh. "I-I actually like listening to the ballads here," I added quickly which caused Kazu's gaze to turn from the crowd to me.

"Really? ballads? Of what…” he asked seeming to actually be interested, which caused my heart to beat harder.

"Well, it's more like stories about Mythral and the various tales and songs about the Sovereign and his Guardians who watched over our city once," I said with a light chuckle, which didn't go unnoticed by Kazu.

"Is that so?” he asked before his gaze met the people around us, while his hand brushed his chin in thought. “… Theitus certainly doesn’t lack in history lessons,” he remarked which caused my own lips to curve with a faint smile.

"Y-Yeah, Him and Altear actually lived it if you believe that. They knew the Xiao and The Tian Sovereign, as well as the lived through the Great War between Mythral and the Seven domains," I said recalling the history lessons, I knew quite well.

Kazu seemed interested in every word I said which made me feel a little more comfortable about being here without Theitus and Altear.

"It seems Theitus and Altear have lived quite an interesting life,” Kazu remarked, before the waiter arrived with our food and drinks, giving us our meals and drinks before taking their leave.

My gaze wandered to the table as I took a sip of my drink, “they sure have, even if they don’t like talking about it… Theitus doesn’t even mention anything about the mainland, like he despises it or something,” I added before I began to dig into the food placed before us.

"Heh, he’s not wrong to do so, the mainland is full of fools and scum, that much is true. I was actually glad to get away from there." Kazu remarked as he took his first bite of food.

I however, stared at him a bit longer.

"I can't say I know much about that," I muttered as I placed a few pieces of food in my mouth, increasingly getting lost in his presence like no one else around us even mattered anymore. “…do you ever think of going back,” I asked.

Kazu only swallowed his food before his amber gaze fell onto me, “… is there any reason for me to? I feel free here and I’ve met some great people, Theitus, Altear… and you." he said as he took another bite of his food and his amber eyes pierced right through me causing my cheeks to flush. "I have no reason to leave Mythral," he added after a moment.

A small smile formed on my lips, maybe that was because he mentioned me, but still it was a nice thing to hear but I couldn’t think of a response to that, at least not until our food was gone. By that time Kazu sipped on his drink while I enjoyed mine.

While the two of us enjoyed our drinks, the lanterns that hung above our heads seemed to dim in a momentary lull in conversation and caused the crowds around us to grow silent. Kazu seemed to look around confused at this sudden hush.

And yet the attention I had on him found some humor in his half of a reaction.

"…They're starting," I said hiding my smile behind my cup, while Kazu turned his attention to the stage everyone had eyes on.