ARCHER

✶ chapter seven

𝙵𝙾𝚁𝚃⠀⠀⠀⠀✶⠀⠀⠀⠀──͏⠀⠀⠀⠀𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧.

vii: danger is now lingering in!
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   Sarada darted through the crowded streets, her breath quickening as excitement bubbled inside her. She felt the energy of the village around her—voices, laughter, the shuffle of feet on the pavement—but it all blended into a blur, drowned out by her own anticipation. Her heartbeat drummed in rhythm with her steps as she imagined the praise she'd receive, the pride swelling in her chest. She wanted to prove herself today, to show the world how much she'd grown.

As the apartment building came into view, Sarada slowed her pace, a small grin tugging at her lips. Reaching the entrance, she skipped up the stairs two at a time, the weight of her eagerness almost lifting her off her feet. When she arrived at the third-floor corridor, she paused, adjusting her glasses before striding confidently down the hall. She passed four doors, each number she read adding to the anticipation until she reached 305. With a beaming smile, she knocked three times in quick succession, her knuckles echoing against the wood.

Humming softly, Sarada waited, her heart still racing, but this time from excitement rather than exertion. But when the door finally creaked open, her smile faltered. It wasn't Mitsuki who stood there—it was Vela.

Her eyes widened slightly as she met his gaze, and a flicker of surprise crossed his features. His usual sharp wit and teasing remarks were nowhere to be found. Instead, his voice was flat, almost detached. "Oh, it's you."

Sarada blinked, caught off guard by the dullness in his tone. The Vela she knew always had a comment, some sarcastic quip ready to throw her way, but today, he seemed... different. He turned back toward the apartment, calling over his shoulder, "'Tsuki! Your friend is here." His voice carried no warmth, no edge. Just a hollow echo.

He looked at Sarada again and stepped aside, holding the door wider for her. "Make yourself at home," he muttered before turning away.

Sarada stood frozen for a moment, her thoughts swirling in confusion. Where was the usual banter? The sharp comments that often made her roll her eyes. Something felt off. Regaining her composure, she shook her head and stammered, "A-Ah! Yes." Quickly, she slipped off her shoes and stepped inside.

The apartment was brighter than she'd imagined—warm sunlight spilling through the windows, casting a golden hue on everything it touched. It had a strange, inviting energy, contrasting sharply with the coldness she had felt from Vela. She glanced around, taking in the scene, her thoughts still lingering on his odd behavior.

Mitsuki's voice broke the silence, pulling her from her thoughts. "You're earlier than usual."

She jumped slightly, turning to see him standing near the balcony, a smile playing on his lips. "Please don't sneak up on me like that," she sighed, pressing a hand to her chest as if to calm her racing heart.

Before Mitsuki could reply, there was a soft thud behind them. Sarada turned to see Vela reenter the room, dressed in his casual, comfortable clothes—an oddly mismatched mix of black, brown, and grey flannel, beige cargo pants, and a white t-shirt peeking out from underneath. He looked so at ease, yet that same dullness lingered in his expression.

Sarada couldn't shake the feeling. Something was off. And as she watched Vela move across the room then sat down on the couch, letting himself bury himself on the book, that odd sense of unease only deepened. "Niisan," Mitsuki calls him and only that Vela rose his head from his book and looked over to them "We're off!" The boy says with a smile, Sarada awkwardly stood behind him, fixing her glasses.