Shadow Slave: Kindness

The early morning light painted the academy walkways in soft gold when Sunny found himself near the dormitory stairs, hands in his pockets, rocking on his heels.

He hadn't expected to be nervous.

This wasn't a date. Just Cassie meeting some people he knew. People he trusted.

Still… his palms felt oddly warm.

Then he heard footsteps.

He turned — and froze.

Cassie was walking toward him, her steps light but certain. She wore a deep navy jacket with gold trim that caught the sunlight like threads of fire. Her leggings were a soft gray, tucked into pale boots, and her braid—neatly swept over one shoulder—was tied with a matching gold pin.

She looked…

Beautiful.

He opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

Cassie tilted her head slightly, sensing the silence. "...What?"

Sunny blinked. "N-Nothing."

She smiled faintly. 'Nothing' usually meant something.

And though she couldn't see the look on his face, she could feel the flutter in the air, the quiet pause in his voice — a kind of attention that made her heartbeat skip.

Was he looking?

She had changed outfits twice the night before. Maybe three. Then messaged her mom for advice.

Her mom had replied:

"Go with navy and gold. Classy. If he's worth it, he'll notice."

Cassie had told her it wasn't like that.

It wasn't.

…Probably.

"Are you ready?" Sunny asked, voice quieter than usual.

Cassie nodded and gently took his arm. "Lead the way, Mr. Sunless."

Sunny offered a crooked smile, then led her toward the back garden courtyard, still thinking:

Gods. She's going to meet Juliet and Avi like this.

They're going to eat me alive.

And worst of all… why didn't I say anything? She looks amazing. Stupid.

Still, just before they reached the courtyard, he muttered under his breath:

"…You look nice."

Cassie smiled softly. "Thank you."

The courtyard was quiet, touched by morning light. Their one real rest day — the only escape from Julius's brutal morning regimen.

Two figures waited near the benches under the trees.

Juliet stood straight-backed in a sleek, gray coat over a black fitted outfit, hands folded behind her like a statue. Even in rest, she seemed... unreadable. Controlled. Like she could snap into a storm at any moment.

Next to her sat Avi — in an oversized hoodie that made her look like an angry plush toy, pink hair tied up in chaotic little twin buns.

As soon as they arrived, Juliet's cool, even voice broke the silence."Well, Sunny, I expected good company. But not this good. Hello, Cassia, I'm Jet — Ascended Jet."

Sunny groaned. "Really? We just got here."

Cassie offered a polite bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Jet."

Juliet gave a small, approving nod. "Likewise."

Then Avi exploded forward.

"Oh my gods, you're adorable!"

Before anyone could react, she had grabbed both of Cassie's hands and was shaking them wildly.

Cassie flinched slightly, then laughed. "Hello… aren't you full of energy."

"I'm Avi! Aveline! Cutest pink-haired girl in the entire world!" she declared like it was a royal title. And then she latched onto the delicate blind girl's neck...and started rubbing her cheeks against Cassie's, while muttering :"so smooth...soft, cute..."

Cassie chuckled but didn't reproach her, "Thankyou! Only among pink-haired girls? Why i think Avi might be the cutest girl in the world."

"But there's you and big sis...," Avi huffed, but couldn't help giggling when Cassie lightly bumped her forehead against hers.

Sunny watched, dumbfounded. This—this—was not the same Avi he knew. This was some transformed gremlin version powered by glitter and caffeine.

Cassie smiled. "Sunny made you sound like devil incarnate."

Avi gasped dramatically and spun toward Sunny. "You said what?!"

Then her eyes narrowed.

"Huh? Who's this creep standing next to us? Big Sis, should we take his limbs and sell them? Probably worth chump change."

Juliet exhaled quietly. "Not again, Avi."

Sunny stared in mute disbelief.

What do you mean not again?, did you already had a talk about selling me for some chump change??

What was happening right now?

First, Cassie and Avi were acting like best friends who had known each other for years. Now he was apparently the villain?

Sunny gritted his teeth.

"Well, little gremlin, I am not creepy, in any way or form, and if someone is being creepy here it's you, who latches onto strangers and starts splurging rubbish."

Sunny really wanted to say that she won't be cute even when hell freezes over or sun rises from the west but his flaw didn't allow him too.

Since Avi really was quite cute. He thought with bitter distaste in his mouth.

Cassie grinned and folded her arms. "He's harmless. Mostly."

Avi shot him a look. "We'll see."

And then, she turned to Cassie and narrowed her eyes like a suspicious cat. "So… he hasn't done anything weird to you, right?"

Sunny growled:"Avi..."

Cassie tilted her head, playing along. "Weird in what way?"

"Poetry. Confessions. Emotional monologues...Groping. Stalking. Touching."

wait, wait! what do you take me for!!...and what was that change from first part to second.

Cassie shook her head, smiling. "None of that. He's been a very good friend."

Juliet hummed lightly. "That's… a word for it."

Sunny looked betrayed again. "Seriously?!"

Avi leaned over, whispering far too loudly to Juliet. "He looked very disappointed just now."

Cassie seemed to freeze for a second, fingers curling in the hem of her sleeve.

Just then before Cassie could say something again, Avi seemed to find the nearby flower field really interesting and dragged Cassie with her.

Juliet watched it all unfold, arms crossed, face unreadable — but there was a faint twitch at the corner of her lips. Amusement.

Then she turned to Sunny."She likes her."

Sunny sighed. "Clearly."

"She really likes her."

"I noticed."

Then Juliet leaned closer and added under her breath, "You're doomed."

Sunny exhaled loudly.

It was time for their classes now, and Juliet also had to return to her duty, Avi whined for more time with Cassie, but they had to return as well, otherwise Teacher Julius will likely give them 3x punishment, that comes in rigorious physical exercise.

And as they walked back, Cassie leaned slightly toward him.

"I think I like them."

"Yeah?"

She smiled. "They're your family, aren't they?"

Sunny didn't answer right away.

Then, softly: "Yeah. They are."