They could only think of how it felt when Ayato wrapped his arms around them too in the embrace. Parting not long after.

The tutoring still carried on but (y/n)'s thoughts were elsewhere and remained that way until home.

"It was just a hug to comfort him I shouldn't be feeling anything towards it. Maybe I'm just a bit shocked he hugged back." They mused.

"Welcome home (y/n)." Their mom greeted as they entered the house. "How was school?"

"Crazy." They responded, placing their stuff on the floor beside the couch and laying down, face into the pillow. "I just had to go and pull some stupid shit today." Their words are muffled by the pillow, and so their mom just shrugged her shoulders not being able to understand what they were saying.

"Crazy is still a better answer than saying the usual. At least I know something noteworthy has happened in your life today, even if you don't tell me what."

"You'd just laugh at me mom."

"I would. But laughter is great you know?"

They groan, pushing the pillow away. "I'm just going to take a nap."

---

Wednesday morning. (Y/n) stares forward blankly while walking to class. It was like every person was real but not, every face was there but felt invisible. Sounds of bantering students felt too distant.

Being too caught up in thoughts of denial and the inability to sort out their mountain of emotions and which reigned more important at the moment, they found themself having missed their classroom and at a small out doors area still within the campus.

A painting was left sitting on an easel, drying in the sun. In the painting was a vibrant green, grassy view with cottages from a distance. The sky was blue and the clouds had taken most space in the painting. Yet each cloud had been painted with different colors and was quite surreal.

One was gray, another white, a yellow one and a pink one.

"Do you like it?" A blonde haired boy walks up to them, a portion of his hair tied back. He had a white apron on top of his uniform that had marks of paint."

"It's an amazing painting. Is it yours?"

"Yes. And I'm quite proud of it myself."

The two of them just stare at the painting for a while. (Y/n) just didn't know what to say besides the art is brilliant. It is, really.

"Are you also in the finance course?" They ask in an attempt to break the dreadful silence.

"No, fine arts. I just like the atmosphere around here."

"Really? I guess it's great. Until you see the guy who is obsessed with beetles."

"Oh I think I've met him before. I painted his beetles for him once."

What a nice guy. They thought. But then they wondered if the guy offered to draw Itto's beetles or if Itto bugged him to do it. Haha, bugged.

"It's not good to be running late, (y/n)." Another voice joins in their conversation, and Ayato appears from behind the two.

"Huh? What time is it?" (Y/n) takes out their phone, almost audibly shrieking to see that it was five minutes past the beginning of the class. They had gotten so caught up staring at the art piece. "Frick."

Colorful clouds, it was something they could relate with. But the artist may have had a different meaning behind them. Although now they didn't have the time to ask.

"I should get going too then." The artists waves.

"Uhh hold on. Do you have any social media where you post your art? I'd love to follow." (Y/n) asks. Ayato was subconsciously raising a brow at the interaction the two were having.

"I actively post my art on instacat. My user is albedoarts. Oh, and my name is Albedo, it was nice meeting you finance student."

"I'm (y/n). It was nice meeting you too." They wave goodbye as Albedo leaves.

"Hmm. You have impressive social skills." Ayato comments.

"You call that impressive?"

"As much as people like to talk about me or idolize me I'm not much of a talker. Not a fan of appearing in public either. You seem very relaxed when talking to people you don't know, I admire that."

"Well thanks."

(Y/n) hadn't even realized the foggy thoughts of theirs had disappeared while talking with Albedo. They did feel relaxed but it seemed to be more because of Albedo holding a very serene atmosphere around him.

"I'll walk you to your classroom."

"I don't need help getting to my classroom Ayato, I'm not a kid. And shouldn't you be at yours?

"The prof seems to be running late so I had the time to leave the class for a bit. Oh and by the way (y/n), I won't be available to tutor you for the rest of the week since I'll be busy. If you have the time you can come over at my place on Saturday, same time as the last."

"Sounds ok with me. I'll be heading to my classroom then."

As they leave, Ayato remains standing in the same place for another minute, just watching as (y/n) walks away.

"It appears I got a message from Thoma." He takes out his phone after feeling a small buzz.