Aria shakes her head, still flustered from whatever Kai just told her. "No, nothing like that," she says quickly, looking at you with concern. "It's just... well, you should probably know." She takes a deep breath before continuing. "Kai mentioned something about what he saw inside the showers after PE class..."

Your heart sinks like a stone as she trails off, her eyes meeting yours pleadingly. You feel a sudden chill run down your spine.

Aria continues to look at you with an expression of worry and fear. "Midnight... I don't think we should tell anyone about this. It could get you in a lot of trouble." Her voice is quiet, almost trembling, but the message comes through loud and clear: she wants to protect you, even if it means keeping secrets from those who care about both of you.

You stare at her for a long moment, torn between your desire to be honest with everyone and your need to keep Aria safe.

You find a quiet spot away from the others, sitting down on a nearby bench while Aria paces back and forth in front of you, her hands wringing nervously. "Midnight," she finally says, taking a deep breath, "I want to ask you something." Your heart skips a beat as you wait for her to continue.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" she blurts out, her face flushing red with embarrassment even as a hopeful smile spreads across her lips.

Aria's eyes widen in surprise and then fill with tears of joy. "Really?" she whispers, hugging you tightly around the neck. "Thank you," she says, her voice barely audible over the rush of happiness filling your ears. You kiss her forehead gently before setting her back down on the ground.

"Of course, Aria. I love you." And with those words, a new chapter in your life begins.

You sigh and turn away from the emotional scene, feeling helpless in the face of such raw emotion. Maybe there's something you can do... You look around for Aria, spotting her sitting by herself at a table in the corner of the room. She notices your gaze and offers you a small smile in return before nodding slightly toward one of the empty seats at her table.

Taking a deep breath, you walk over to join her. "Hey,"

"Hey," Aria echoes, her voice small and quiet. You take a seat across from her, unsure of what to say or do in this situation. The silence stretches on for several long moments before she finally speaks up again. "Do you think... there's anything we could do to help?"

You hesitate for a moment, considering her words. Maybe there is something they can all do together to help ease the tension and pain that everyone is feeling right now. "I don't know," you admit honestly. "

"I hope so," you reply with a grin. "And I think the same about you, Aria. You're really talented and nice too." She blushes at your compliment, looking down shyly at her hands. You both finish eating in silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company before deciding to head back to your dorm room.

As you walk through the halls, you can't help but feel a sense of belonging here.

As you and Aria walk back to your dorm room, the halls are quiet but not empty. You spot Leo and Luna in the distance, deep in conversation near one of the sculptures. Their voices carry on the air, laced with laughter and teasing. It's obvious they have a close bond despite their predator-prey dynamic.

Aria glances over at them as well, a small smile playing on her lips. "They seem to get along really well," she observes thoughtfully. "I wonder how long that will last."

"Hey," you say finally, breaking the silence that had fallen between you. "I've been meaning to ask...how do you feel about moving in with me? I mean, if you want to." You hold your breath, waiting for her reaction.

Kiry looks surprised for a moment before a smile spreads across her face. "Really?" she asks, sounding hopeful. "You'd want that?"

"Of course," you reply quickly. "I mean...if you're comfortable with it."

Her smile grows wider now, and she climbs onto the bed to cuddle up next to you. "I'd love that," she says sincerely. "I don't want us to be apart anymore." She nuzzles your neck, her breath tickling your skin. "We could find a bigger room or something, if you want more space..."

You laugh and shake your head. "No, no," you say, wrapping your arms around her. "I don't mind sharing a little bit of my space with you."

"I know things are different between us," she says quietly, "what with me being a panther and all...but I really want this to work." She takes a deep breath, mustering up her courage before continuing. "Will you be my mate?" Her voice is barely above a whisper, but it carries across the room, echoing through your mind like a thousand bells ringing in unison.

The question hangs in the air between you for what feels like an eternity.

Her eyes widen in surprise before closing as she leans into your touch. For a moment, it feels like the entire room fades away, leaving only the two of you standing there in each other's arms. Then, slowly but surely, her body begins to relax against yours, and she returns the embrace just as fiercely.

As the music starts up again, you spin Kiry around on the dance floor, laughing and shouting over the music.