“….though its reaction to many other common catalysts is typically atypical — ” The teacher laughed at what he considered a joke, but what his students merely regarded with patient disdain — “that is, it doesn’t react at all, Potassium is affected most interestingly by one of the most common substances in the world — water!”

Hitomi sighed and looked at the ceiling. She could usually suffer the intense boredom of school fairly well, but every once in a while her restlessness bubbled up inside her and she could barely keep still. During track season things were better — at least then she could let go of some of the tension by running it off after class. But it was November, and she wasn’t currently involved in any sports.

Today was worse than usual, she thought. And she began to wonder — Can he feel it? The class was laughing as the teacher continued his Potassium demonstration, surprised at the violent reaction between the two substances. Hitomi thought she would explode.

At that moment, the class’s giggles, oohs and aahs, the teacher’s excited voice, even the waves of the sea not far off outside, were overridden by the screeching sound of the window being wrenched open. That window was never opened, for from it anyone with good aim could land any object they pleased in another classroom in a different wing; the disruption to both classes was not worth the fresh air. Thus the noise was horrendous, and every head turned in surprise to where a young man crouched on the sill, great white wings outstretched for another takeoff.

“Van!” Hitomi cried, jumping up. He could feel it! At the mere sight of him, stress washed off of her in waves and her heart pounded.

With a grin, Van vaulted from the sill, swept around the room, seized her by the waist, and flew smoothly out the window whence he had come. Classmates and teacher alike rushed over to look out, but the draconian and his burden were but a sparkle on the horizon, rising fast.

“Oh, I’m so jealous!” someone said. “Why can’t my boyfriend have wings?”