Chronicles of Forgotten Extra

"Why are problems so obsessed with me?"

Alden sighed, his crimson eyes still fixed on the door Amyra had just stormed out of.

Of all the places in this vast world—hell, in this whole damn cosmos—she could've gone… all the things she could've done… and yet she chose to barge into my room.

At this exact moment.

I mean, really, what were the chances?

Alden sighed again, imagining the endless misunderstandings brewing in Amyra's head after she walked in on Nyx hugging him while he was just patting her, for god's sake.

Well, I can't help it, can I?

He just shrugged, already plotting how to dismantle Nyx's hug bomb without waking her up.

He carefully reached for her hands wrapped around his waist, trying to ease them away one by one to free himself.

But the more he tried, the tighter her grip became as if letting go meant losing him forever.

"Damn it, woman," he muttered under his breath. "I need to sleep, you know… just let me go already.

His plan was simple.

Get free from her grasp, let her sleep on the couch and then finally crash in his own bed.

It wasn't even that late, really… but Alden was exhausted.

Not physically but he was just drained from all the drama today.

First, he learned about flight.

Then came a reunion he never asked for.

Then Nyx… crying in his arms.

And finally, Amyra walked in right at that exact, stupidly impossible moment.

He just wanted a moment of peace. A breath. Something quiet before the storm.

Because once the inter-academy tournament began, he knew rest would be nothing but a dream.

Especially if what he suspected about Jeremy turned out to be true.

Why couldn't a man just rest for once?

He let out another sigh.

His third one today.

And somehow… it didn't feel like it would be his last.

After a few more minutes of quiet struggle, Alden finally accepted the truth, there was no escaping Nyx's hug without waking her up.

And so… he gave up.

Defeated by a sleeping girl.

Again.

"You foolish mortal, just wake that girl and go after your wife already!"

A voice echoed in Alden's mind.

Who else but his ever-nosy spirit companion—Kyun.

But the words she said…

Wife?

Alden nearly choked on his own breath.

"Kyun," he managed after recovering, "where did you even hear that word?"

He sighed for the fourth time that night.

"And who," he added, rubbing his temple, "told you Amyra is my wife?"

Kyun went silent. For a few long, suspicious moments.

Alden frowned.

"Kyun…? You there?" he asked, voice flat. "You still haven't answered my previous question."

There was a pause.

Then, way too quickly to be innocent, Kyun replied, a little too fast. "What questions are you… talking about, mortal?"

Alden's frown deepened.

"Who told you Amyra is my wife?" he asked again, slower this time.

There was a pause, long enough to make him suspect she was scrambling for an excuse.

Then, in her usual casual tone she replied. "What are you talking about, mortal? And… What does wife mean?"

Alden could practically see her looking away, pretending not to know.

"Maybe you're too tired and starting to hallucinate, mortal," she continued smoothly. "You should rest."

A short pause.

"Just wake this bitc—I mean, lady up and rest."

Alden sighed for the fifth time that night.

It was definitely Amyra who had taught Kyun all this nonsense.

There was no other explanation for why his spirit companion was trying so hard to gaslight him right now.

But honestly… he was too tired to care anymore.

So he just stayed still, waiting for Nyx to wake up, so he could finally go and actually rest after all Inter-Academy was going to start tomorrow.

Could the day get any more dramatic?

…Probably.

With that thought, he closed his eyes and sighed again.

'I swear,' he thought tiredly,' if sighing this much makes me go bald, I'm haunting someone.'

—

Nyx's body felt light and her heart, even lighter.

She had just had the best sleep she could remember in a long, long time.

Memories trickled back… how she had blurted her heart out to him… to Alden, before falling asleep.

And more importantly, how vividly she could still feel his warm hand on her back…

how she could still smell that faint, sweet scent of him in the air.

Her body felt warm… too warm as if she were still hugging him.

She tilted her head, eyes still closed.

Huh…?

Then, all at once, she froze and her cold blue eyes snapped open.

The boy—Alden—was still there.

Standing exactly where she'd last seen him.

The morning sunlight spilled across his shoulders, making them look broader, steadier… and unreal.

She blinked.

She was still hugging him.

He hadn't moved. Not even an inch.

And it was already morning.

Her heart stuttered.

Has he been standing there all night?

For me?!

The thought sent a rush of heat blooming across her cheeks.

She felt a rush of an unknown feeling through her.

She couldn't name it.

Was it gratefulness?

Was it guilt?

Was it love?

Or was it just a sense of belonging?

She didn't know.

But she didn't care because she wanted the moment to last a few more moments.

She knew it was selfish—she knew—but maybe… maybe she could stay like this, eyes closed, for just a few more minutes.

Just a little longer, where everything still felt warm and safe…

But before she could close her eyes and pretend, his deep voice echoed.

"You are awake, huh?" It sounded dry.

Her breath caught.

How did he know?

Then his crimson eyes opened, calm, still and sharp as ever.

The whites of his eyes had turned faintly red, thin lines of blood vessels clearly visible.

"Good morning, Nyx."

His voice was low.

"Hope. You. Had. A. Very. Good. Sleep."

Each word dropped with deliberate pause and a smile followed.

Sharp and precise like the edge of a knife.

And for some reason, that smile sent a chill down Nyx's spine.

Did… I snore in my sleep?

—

✦ Author's Note ✦

Yeah yeah, filler chapter + bad schedule = rage combo 😭 But hear me out! I physically cannot write shallow emotions. Even if it looks like slice of life, I want every scene to feel like it matters.

I'll try to update more this month, but writing two books while being a college slave—uh, student—drains both my soul and motivation.

(Also, SOME of you don't even comment much. Hmph. 😤Okay, fine, that was a joke… mostly. 😂)

Anyway, I'll keep doing my best. The rest depends on fate… and my wife (college). 💀