The Extra is a Genius!?

Silence hung heavy after Selene's words.

Elena was the first to breathe again, brushing a strand of platinum hair behind her ear. "I already knew," she said calmly. "Noel told me after the Hunt. You confessed to him then, didn't you?"

Selene gave a small nod, her expression unreadable.

Elyra blinked once, her grey eyes narrowing slightly. "Wait—what?" she asked, the disbelief slipping through her usual composure. "You already knew?"

Charlotte leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands, a soft smile breaking the tension. "So that's what this is about! For a second, I thought it was some kind of duel challenge."

Elena chuckled faintly. "Please. We're not savages."

But Elyra didn't laugh. Her smile had vanished, and the air around her carried a faint sharpness. "Then let me ask something," she said evenly, gaze fixed on Selene. "Did something else happen between you two?"

Selene's hand tightened slightly around her wand, then she exhaled. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I know Noel," Elyra said. Her tone was quiet but pointed. "He doesn't let people that close easily—unless something changed."

Charlotte blinked, glancing between them. "Wait, are we… talking close like emotionally, or…?"

"Both," Elyra said flatly.

For a moment, the only sound was the faint ticking of the wall clock. Selene looked down briefly, as if weighing her next words. Elena noticed the subtle tremor in her fingers but said nothing—she wanted to see what Selene would do.

Finally, Selene lifted her gaze again, voice steady despite the tension thickening the room.

"…If you really want to know," she said quietly, "then yes. Something did happen."

The silence that followed stretched just long enough to make Selene shift uncomfortably. Elyra exhaled through her nose, eyes softening a little as she leaned forward in her seat.

"So," she began, voice calm but edged with curiosity. "Who started it?"

Selene hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking toward the floor before she answered. "I did."

Charlotte blinked. "Wait—you?"

Selene nodded once, her tone quiet but firm. "He didn't expect it. I just… did it. It was sudden, and I caught him off guard. Nothing more happened. I only kissed him."

Elyra tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Only a kiss, huh? That's usually enough to stir things up."

Selene's composure cracked for a second; she frowned faintly. "Are you… angry?"

Elyra paused at that, then shook her head. "No. Not angry." Her voice softened, almost reflective. "Confused, maybe. We've always talked about things like this before. Ever since I was the first, that's how we agreed to handle it. So, yeah—it feels a little strange, that's all."

Charlotte nodded slowly, echoing her with a small hum. "Yeah… it's weird not having the usual meeting."

Selene lowered her head slightly, her calm mask slipping into something smaller—almost vulnerable. "I understand. I should've waited. I didn't mean to break that… rule of ours."

Elyra watched her for a long second, then sighed and leaned back. "It's not a rule," she said finally. "It's just how we've managed to keep things balanced. Communication."

Selene's fingers tightened around her wand before she nodded, her voice quiet. "Then… can we talk now? Properly, I mean. I'd like to make things right."

Her tone was shy—almost timid in a way none of them had ever heard from her.

Elena was the first to break the quiet again, her tone calm but firm. "Then explain it to them," she said, gesturing lightly toward Elyra and Charlotte. "They deserve to hear it from you directly."

Selene blinked, caught slightly off guard. "Explain… what I feel?"

Elena nodded. "Yes. You already told me after the Hunt, but they don't know. Be honest. It'll make things easier for everyone."

Charlotte tilted her head, hazel eyes wide with curiosity. "Yeah, go on! I want to hear this from the ice princess herself."

Elyra stayed silent, watching with her usual composed expression—but her eyes were sharp, intent.

Selene inhaled slowly, trying to gather her thoughts. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter than usual, stripped of the cold sharpness that most people knew her for.

"I… like Noel," she began, her tone trembling just slightly. "Not because of how strong he is, or what he's achieved. I like him because he never looked at me like I was broken."

Charlotte's smile softened.

Selene continued, her fingers tracing absent circles on her wand. "He doesn't treat me like I need saving, or like I'm someone to pity. He just… talks to me. Stays with me. He makes me feel—normal."

For a moment, no one spoke. The words hung there, raw and simple, the kind of honesty that didn't need embellishment.

Elyra finally leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So that's it," she murmured. "You really do like him."

Selene nodded once, almost shyly.

Charlotte let out a soft hum, resting her chin on her palm. "Well," she said playfully, "that explains a lot. The way you look at him during training was way too focused to be just admiration."

Selene's cheeks flushed faintly, but she didn't deny it.

The air in the room shifted—less tension, more understanding. But Elyra's eyes still carried that thoughtful glint, as if something inside her hadn't quite settled yet.

Charlotte was the first to move, pushing back her chair with a grin. "Well, that settles it for me," she said, her usual cheer returning to the air like sunlight after a storm. "You've got my blessing, Selene. And if Noel really means that much to you, then I'm happy for both of you."

Selene blinked, almost startled. "You… you don't mind?"

Charlotte giggled softly. "Why would I? You've been through a lot. And if you can make him smile even half as much as we do, then you belong here too."

Selene lowered her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint, genuine smile. "Thank you."

Elyra, meanwhile, stayed quiet for a moment longer. She'd been staring at the table, lost in thought, the rhythm of her fingers tapping lightly on the surface. Then she stood, eyes lifting to meet Selene's.

"I won't lie," she said evenly, "this took me by surprise. Usually, we talk about these things first—but… I get it now."

Her voice softened. "You like him for the right reasons. And Noel's not the type to let just anyone in."

Selene nodded silently, the tension in her shoulders finally easing.

Elyra smiled faintly, the edge of her tone warming. "Then I guess that makes it official. Welcome to the group."

Elena exhaled quietly, relief washing through her expression. "Good. I was hoping it wouldn't turn into another war of words."

Charlotte laughed. "Please, we're too classy for that."

Even Selene couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped her lips.

Elyra glanced at them all—the three girls who, despite everything, shared the same strange bond—and turned toward the window. The late afternoon light spilled across the room, painting everything gold.

"Well," she said at last, a knowing glint in her grey eyes, "now that this is settled…"

She paused, her smile sharpening with intent.

"…how about we go see Noel? It's about time we pay him a visit at the Thorne territory."