Expectation

Refusing to admit that he was looking forward to it, Tom felt time passing far too slowly. The books that had once engrossed him now held none of his attention. Glancing at the date on the calendar, Tom let out a faint sigh. One more day... Why couldn't it pass faster?

During Defense Against the Dark Arts the following afternoon, Professor Merrythought gave the listless child a strange look. She was rather puzzled that her well-behaved student had been distracted the entire lesson. "Ahem~ Enemy Trap can create the effect of a magical shield... concealing the caster... Tom~ Is there anything else you would like to add about this spell?"

The tips of his ears reddened slightly. Tom knew the professor was reminding him, and he swiftly searched his memories. "...Enemy Trap can also prevent those outside the shield from seeing or hearing the protected person. If the spell is cast well enough, it can even block scents..."

Professor Merrythought raised an eyebrow and nodded for the child to sit down. As for awarding points, hmph, it was already good enough that she was not deducting points for him spacing out in her class~ "Very good. Let's continue..."

At last, class ended. Ignoring the lackeys calling after him, Tom went straight back to his dormitory. He pulled out a sheet of parchment and began writing his essay. He refused to spend the holiday worrying about homework. This would be his first time alone with his senior.

At that thought, Tom irritably threw his quill onto the desk. Why was he looking forward to this so much?! What an infuriating person. "Hmph, I'm only doing this so I won't disappoint the professor's expectations!"

Silently picking up the quill again, Tom scratched away across the parchment, the corners of his mouth lifting in a rather good mood. Tomorrow was the day of their appointment. How wonderful~

Tom paced back and forth through his dormitory in irritation, quietly cursing that untrustworthy platinum-haired aristocrat. He had extended the invitation himself, yet he was already one minute late! A whole minute! Had he thrown aristocratic etiquette to the wind?!

Knock, knock.

The instant the knock sounded, Tom instinctively cleared his mind and calmed his wildly pounding heart. He slowly walked over and opened the door, then froze when he saw Abraxas.

His crescent-white formal robes were embroidered with dark gold threads, accentuating his tall, slender frame. His innate noble and refined aura made it impossible to look away.

Abraxas's thick, long lashes fluttered. His amorous peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly as he curled his lips into a smile and reached out to lightly flick the dazed child on the forehead. "Little Tom~ It seems you're very pleased with my outfit~"

Pressing his lips tightly together, Tom covered his forehead and took a small step back. Though he did not wish to admit it, the person before him truly made people lose themselves more easily than a love potion. "Tch, you white-haired peacock... Aren't we leaving?"

The older and younger boy arrived at the Astronomy Tower. Tom tilted his head to look at the person beneath the moonlight, at the gentle expression that no one else had ever seen, at someone who seemed like a god...

For some reason, Tom felt a little dejected. He withdrew his gaze, suddenly overcome by intense self-loathing. Dressed in his shabby school robes, was he truly qualified to stand beside Abraxas? Like a perfect painting ruined by a drop of ink, was he defiling someone like him?

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" Abraxas turned to look at him, understanding flashing in his eyes. With a soft laugh, he raised a hand and pressed down on Tom's drooping head. "We can't decide where we come from, but we can decide what kind of person we become. I'm looking forward to your future..."