Verena had noticed it long before Evelyn ever said a word.
The stolen glances in class, the way Evelyn's footsteps always seemed to match hers in the corridor, the way her expression shifted from shy awe to quiet resolve whenever Verena's back was turned.
It was subtle at first. A flicker. A thought. A feeling that someone was always watching.
And it wasn't just the System notifications or the mission logs, though those were becoming strangely efficient these days. No, it was something deeper. Personal. Like Evelyn was trying to carve a path not just toward growth, but toward her.
She didn't say anything. Not right away.
Not when she caught Evelyn watching her from across the courtyard.
Not when she saw her silently take notes during lectures, eyes flickering up every time Verena raised her hand.
Not even when she saw her refuse help from a professor, her jaw clenched in determined silence.
She just watched.
And waited.
