Game's Extra

As the morning lectures concluded, the bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. Aiden stretched his arms before packing his belongings. Felix, Olivia, and Tomas gathered around him as they usually did, chatting about their plans.

"Cafeteria?" Felix suggested, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm starving," Tomas groaned. "That lecture drained my energy."

Elena, who had been sitting nearby, stood up gracefully. "I'll join you."

Just as they were about to leave, Ava approached the group. She looked hesitant for a moment before she finally spoke up. "Can I join you guys for lunch?"

The group exchanged glances, slightly surprised. Ava was usually the lone-wolf type, rarely initiating social outings.

"Of course," Aiden said without hesitation, offering a small smile.

Ava cleared her throat and looked away. "Good. I just didn't want to eat alone today, that's all."

With that settled, they headed to the academy cafeteria. The place was bustling with students, the sound of laughter and conversation filling the air. The group grabbed trays and picked out their food before finding an empty table.

As they ate, the topic shifted to shopping.

"Hey, we were planning to go to the shopping mall after school," Olivia said, turning to Aiden. "Want to come?"

Aiden thought for a moment. He had been considering buying a new quantum watch for a while now. "Actually, yeah. I need a new quantum watch, so I'll tag along."

"Nice! Then it's settled," Felix said excitedly. "After classes, we head straight there."

The rest of lunch passed with idle chatter, Ava occasionally sneaking glances at Aiden when she thought no one was looking. Elena, on the other hand, seemed quieter than usual, her gaze flickering between Aiden and Ava.

After lunch, the group returned to their classroom. The instructor soon arrived, and the afternoon lectures began. Hours passed, and finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

As they exited the classroom, Felix nudged Aiden. "So, Aiden, you and Ava have been spending a lot of time together, huh?"

Tomas smirked. "Yeah, when did that happen?"

Ava crossed her arms and looked away. "Aiden has been helping me with combat techniques. That's all."

"Ohhh, so Aiden's your coach now?" Olivia teased with a grin. "Didn't think you were the type to accept help, Ava."

"Shut it," Ava muttered, though a faint blush dusted her cheeks.

Elena remained silent, watching Ava with an unreadable expression. The conversation lingered in her mind. 'Aiden is teaching Ava?' she thought, gripping the strap of her bag slightly. For some reason, she felt an odd pang in her chest.

The group reached the academy entrance and called for a hovering bus. When it arrived, they boarded and found their seats. The bus ascended smoothly before taking off toward the city's shopping district.

Upon arriving at the shopping mall, the group was greeted by a massive structure with intricate modern designs, towering glass windows, and lush greenery surrounding the entrance. The parking area was packed, and people bustled about, entering and exiting the mall in waves.

"Alright! Let's start shopping!" Olivia cheered, dragging Felix and Tomas along. "Aiden, you're going to be our fashion consultant today."

Aiden sighed. "Why me?"

"Because we need an honest opinion!" Olivia grinned.

And so, they went from store to store, trying on different outfits. One by one, they stepped out of the dressing rooms, each time turning to Aiden for feedback.

"What do you think?" Felix asked, spinning in a navy-blue jacket.

"Not bad. Fits your style," Aiden said nonchalantly.

Tomas tried on a leather jacket. "How about this?"

"Looks like you're trying too hard," Aiden remarked, making the others laugh.

Then, it was Elena's turn. She had chosen a simple yet elegant white dress. As she stepped out, her pale complexion and sapphire-blue eyes complemented the outfit perfectly.

"How do I look?" Elena asked, her voice softer than usual.

Aiden looked at her and nodded. "Very beautiful. It matches your hair and eyes. Perfect combination."

Elena's face turned red instantly. "I-I see... I'll go change now!" she stammered before rushing back into the dressing room, clutching her face.

Ava, who had been watching the exchange, frowned slightly before shaking it off.

After Elena bought her dress, they moved to another store. This time, Ava chose a black crop top and denim jeans that highlighted her toned physique.

She stepped out of the dressing room and casually asked, "How does it look?"

Aiden glanced at her and nodded. "It suits you. Perfect for your appearance."

Ava smirked. "I knew it. I have good taste."

However, as she turned back toward the dressing room, her smile lingered longer than usual.

After hours of shopping, the group had circled almost the entire mall, visiting different stores. Just as they were about to call it a day, Aiden spoke up.

"Can you guys wait for me? I just need to buy a new quantum watch."

"We'll come with you," Felix offered.

Aiden shrugged. "Sure, why not."