I am Just an Average Tamer

Kai gave a simple nod and turned away.

He moved through the corridor, boots echoing softly against the polished marble floor.

Passing through a side archway, he followed a slate path toward the annex marked "Depot-2 – Beast Provisions & Medical Supplies."

The depot was a sturdy, single-floor extension attached to the rear of the building.

The wide wooden doors were propped open, revealing a cool interior lined with supply shelves, storage crates, and labeled racks. Two workers were loading a cart with bundled sacks when Kai stepped in.

A woman in a dark-green uniform, probably depot staff, looked up from a ledger.

"Name?"

"Kai."

She scanned a small orb beside her, then gave a short nod. "Yeah, you've got an order. Wait here."

She turned, walking with practiced efficiency to the far wall where some labeled crates were stored.

Within moments, she returned, pushing a wooden trolley loaded with several items.

Two medium-sized boxes marked with the Academy Healing Emblem, the Advanced Beast Care Kits.

A smaller crate labeled with a silver stamp, the Standard Kit.

Three reinforced feed bags, plain brown ones stamped "Standard."

And others, deeper blue sacks, clearly marked as "Essecnce-Infused."

"All accounted for," she said. "You'll need to sign here."

Kai took the offered pen and scratched his signature onto the ledger.

"You'll need to administer the kits yourself, Advanced Kits include quick-use instructions. The essence feed can be portioned however you like."

He gave a short grunt of acknowledgment and began loading the packs into his storage bracelet.

When the last of it was packed away, he gave the woman a curt nod. "Thanks."

"Take care of your beasts," she replied, already turning back to her records.

Kai stepped outside.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows now, the heat mellowed by the gentle breeze sweeping through the open courtyard. With his supplies secured, he began walking back the way he came.

Just as Kai headed out of the Beast Taming Division and approached the main building's exit, he caught a familiar silhouette entering from the opposite corridor.

Lira.

They nearly collided at the intersection, both halting abruptly.

For a moment, neither said a word. Their gazes briefly met, and just as quickly, both looked away.

An awkward silence fell between them.

Kai cleared his throat softly, stepped to the side to let her pass, but she moved the same way. They paused again, then silently chose the same direction and began walking out of the building together.

The stone hallway echoed only with the soft rhythm of their boots.

They didn't exchange a word and was just walking quietly.

Their steps synchronized unintentionally, yet the air between them felt heavier than it should've.

[<Don't be an asshole, brat.>]

Kai's brow twitched at the panel hovering in front of him.

'What do you mean?'

[<Do you really want me to spit it out for you?>]

[<You're being a stubborn child. Just say it.>]

He clenched his jaw, gaze forward. His steps didn't slow, but his mind did.

He let out a deep breath.

And then, without turning his head, he muttered lowly, "...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you."

At the same moment—

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Lira said, almost overlapping his words.

They both stopped walking.

Silence stretched as their eyes slowly turned toward each other.

Kai blinked once. Lira opened her mouth, then closed it again.

A faint breeze rolled past them from the open archway ahead, rustling the edge of her uniform and tugging lightly at Kai's bangs.

For a second, they just stood there.

"What did you say?" Lira asked, after composing herself again.

"…You first," Kai said, the corner of his lip twitching.

Lira sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "No, you go."

He scoffed, just barely. "Still stubborn."

"You're one to talk."

A faint, awkward smile crept onto her face.

Kai tugged his hands back into his pockets, shifting his weight slightly."Ladies first."

Lira shot him a quick glance. "It's always like that. Why don't guys ever go first?"

"Tch." He clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes half-heartedly as he stepped forward.

"It's nothing. Just talking to myself."

She matched his pace beside him. "Yeah. Same here. Just talking to my bond."

A light silence settled between them again.

Kai's brow twitched.

He turned toward her. "You hungry?"

Lira didn't look at him. "No."

"Uh. Okay."

A pause, then.

"I usually drink tea at this time," she added, her voice softer now.

"Ah… yeah. My throat feels dry too. I think I'll have one myself."

Lira threw him a sideways glare and scoffed, "Well, suit yourself."

Without another word, she picked up her pace, boots tapping a little faster against the pathway.

Kai blinked, then exhaled through his nose and caught up, matching her stride as they neared the canteen courtyard.

They reached the canteen without another word.

The midday crowd had mostly dispersed, leaving behind only scattered groups and a quiet lull in the air.

Kai and Lira made their way to a corner table, that was out of the way of prying eyes and ears.

Both of them ordered the same herbal tea. Nothing much fancy, just something warm and simple.

A young maid brought the tray, set it down with a polite nod, then disappeared.

The porcelain cups sat untouched, steam curling lazily from the surface.

Neither of them moved or spoke.

Kai eventually leaned forward, fingers wrapping around his cup as he brought it to his lips and took a small sip.

"It's good," he nodded, setting it back down gently.

Lira didn't respond at first, only let out a soft hum, her fingers idly circling the rim of her own cup.

Then Kai glanced sideways at her. "Well… congratulations."

Lira arched a brow. "For what exactly?"

He gave a slight smile. "You became an ace, didn't you?"

She blinked, then set her cup down with an almost theatrical deadpan look. "You're saying that now?"

Kai chuckled under his breath, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Yeah, well… didn't get a chance to before."

Lira let out a sigh and shook her head. "Thanks."

Then her eyes lifted from her cup and lingered on him, as if studying him quietly.

"You've changed."

Kai turned slightly. "Hm?"

"You've even grown taller than me," she added, like it surprised her more than it should have.

Kai scoffed. "I used to tell you that I was the big man."

"You were the loud man," she shot back.

"And you were the short-tempered goblin"

Lira rolled her eyes and was about to retort.

But Kai added, before she could, "And you've grown colder now, huh?"

She didn't hesitate. "I'm not."