Luigi's POV - Short. (pt. 1)

I've seen her before.

Noticed, maybe—once or twice in passing. A glimpse in the library, tucked away in a corner with a book. Walking across the quad, headphones in, eyes down. In class, always near the back, always quiet. She never made a scene, never stood out in the way most people do when they're trying to be noticed.

But now, sitting two rows ahead of me, the afternoon light hitting her just right—I wonder how I've never really seen her before.

It's distracting.

I'm supposed to be listening to this lecture, supposed to be taking notes, but my pen stays frozen in place, my focus trailing elsewhere. I don't know what it is—maybe the way she tilts her head slightly as she writes, maybe the way her fingers drum lightly against the desk like she's lost in thought.

Either way, I'm looking too long.

When class ends, people shuffle out fast. I linger, watching as she takes her time packing up. She doesn't seem in a rush to leave, and before I can talk myself out of it, I move.

"Hey."

She jumps—just a little—then turns, eyes flicking up to meet mine.

"Hi," she says, hesitant, polite.

Up close, she's even prettier.

I clear my throat, trying to seem casual. "I, uh... I see you around a lot."

Her brow lifts slightly, like she doesn't know where I'm going with this. Fair.

I fidget with the strap from my backpack. "I was thinking—" No, that sounds too eager. I adjust. "I've been wanting to meet some new people. You seem cool. Maybe we could grab lunch sometime?"

Her lips part, like she wasn't expecting that. And for a second, she doesn't answer.

Then—

"Yeah," she says, almost surprised at herself. "Yeah, that sounds... nice."

I grin, relief settling in my chest. "Good."

And just like that, I know—this is only the start.