Caleus's anger didn't fade.
Instead, it turned into something cruel.
He took it out on someone who couldn't fight back—the girl in the wheelchair.
Her books were tossed across the floor. Her wheels were kicked. Her presence, mocked.
She didn't fight back.
She just stayed quiet, trying to gather her things with trembling fingers.
And then—finally—the supervisor on patrol arrived.
The bullying stopped instantly. Caleus walked off as if nothing happened, with that same smug grin plastered across his face.
The girl was left alone, quietly picking up the pieces.
Meanwhile, Asari was wandering the dormitory halls, silent and expressionless as always.
He held a slip of paper in one hand, the number printed on it bold and clear.
Room 789.
He didn't ask anyone for directions.
He just kept walking, eyes scanning every door.
Until—
Clack.
His footstep came to an abrupt stop.
A wheelchair had rolled into view from around the corner.
And sitting in it… was the same girl.
The one who had been bullied.
She flinched when she saw him. Then blinked.
"You're… Asari… right?" she asked, voice soft and nervous. "A-are you… looking for your room?"
Asari just nodded.
The girl's lips curled into a shy smile. "I… I can help you find it. T-this building's pretty confusing…"
Without waiting for a reply, she turned her chair and began moving forward.
Asari followed.
It was quiet.
No conversation. No awkward small talk.
But the girl didn't seem to mind.
Her name tag jiggled slightly as she moved, catching Asari's eye.
"…Aicha."
She looked up.
"H-huh?"
"Your name," he said. "It's Aicha."
Her eyes widened. Then she smiled again—smaller this time, but more genuine.
"Y-yeah… that's right. I-it's Aicha."
She wasn't used to people noticing her name.
Much less saying it.
They walked—well, rolled and walked—for another minute or two, until she stopped at a door.
"Here it is," she said, pointing. "Room 789."
Asari stared at the number.
Then, unexpectedly, he crouched down beside her wheelchair.
Aicha blinked in surprise as he reached into his pocket and pulled out something.
A small sticker.
Moon-shaped. Silver.
Without a word, Asari pressed it onto the side of her wheelchair.
"…There."
Aicha's mouth parted slightly.
She looked down at the moon, then back up at him.
"I-it's a… sticker?"
"A moon," he replied. "It suits you."
Her heart skipped.
She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because no one had ever done something like that for her. Not since she arrived at the academy. Not since she started being treated like furniture—there, but unseen.
"T-thanks for… that," she whispered.
Asari stood up and turned toward his door.
His hand paused on the handle.
"…Thanks," he muttered back.
Then he walked in, the door closing softly behind him.
Aicha remained in the hallway for a while, staring at the moon sticker.
Her fingers reached out, gently brushing over its surface.
It was simple.
But to her, it was more than just a sticker.
It was proof that someone had seen her.
That someone had noticed her existence, even just for a moment.
And for now, that was enough.