Help! I'm just an extra yet the Heroines and Villainesses want me!

Chapter 123: Brief Normalcy (III)

They joined the informal dancing, and William discovered that Lyanna was right—he had no idea what he was doing. But she was patient, guiding him through basic steps while laughing at both their mistakes.

"See? Not so terrible," she said after they’d managed a full minute without collision.

"I’m adequately not terrible."

"There’s that word again. Do you know any other adverbs?" But she was smiling, clearly enjoying herself despite his limited dancing skills.

The musician transitioned to a slower melody, and the informal dancing shifted to match. Lyanna moved closer, and William found himself uncertain about proper positioning.

"Like this," she said softly, adjusting their hands and posture into something resembling proper dance form. "Now we just move with the music. No thinking, just feeling the rhythm."

William tried to follow her instruction, though "no thinking" was fundamentally against his nature. But gradually he found a rhythm, their movements synchronizing with the music and each other.

"You’re actually pretty good at this," Lyanna observed. "Once you stop overthinking it."

"I’m adequately—"

"If you say ’adequate’ one more time, I’m stepping on your foot on purpose."

William smiled despite himself. "Noted."

They danced through the rest of the song, and when it ended, both pulled apart with slight reluctance. The crowd applauded the musician, who bowed and began packing their instrument.

"That was fun," Lyanna said, slightly breathless. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. "We should do this more often."

"Dance in public squares?"

"No, just... spend time together. As friends. Enjoying normal things." She tucked a strand of violet hair behind her ear. "You’re interesting, William. And I think you need people who help you remember to actually live instead of just surviving."

Before William could respond, Liam called out that he was getting hungry and they should find food.

The group made their way to a casual restaurant near the market square. They claimed a large table and ordered various dishes, conversation flowing easily while they waited for food.

"This has been a great afternoon," Sara declared. "We should make it a regular thing. Monthly town visits, just for relaxation."

"I’m in," Marcus agreed immediately. "Though maybe next time we skip the public dancing?"

"The dancing was the best part!" Liam protested. "Did you see Sara trying to lead and you trying to follow? It was comedy gold."

"I was being considerate of her shorter height—"

"You were being awkward."

Their friendly argument continued while food arrived. William found himself sitting between Lyanna and Sara, both of whom seemed determined to include him in every conversation thread.

"So William," Sara said while they ate. "Honest question—do you actually enjoy being part of the Inter-Academy team, or is it just obligation?"

"I enjoy it."

"Elaborate please. Use more than three words."

William considered the question seriously. "The team members are competent and generally pleasant to work with. The training is challenging but productive. And there’s satisfaction in coordinating well with others toward a shared goal."

"That’s the most William answer possible," Liam said. "Translates to: yes, I like my teammates even though I’ll never actually say that directly."

"I just said I enjoy working with the team."

"You said they’re ’competent and generally pleasant.’ That’s like saying you tolerate them efficiently." Lyanna nudged him. "Do you actually like any of us, or are we all just strategic assets?"

William looked around the table—Liam grinning, Marcus trying not to laugh, Sara looking genuinely curious, Lyanna waiting for his answer with those expressive violet eyes.

"You’re friends," he said simply. "Not strategic assets. Friends."

The table went quiet for a moment.

"Did William Cross just admit to having feelings?" Marcus said with exaggerated shock. "Mark this day in history."

"Oh shut up," Sara threw a napkin at him. "Let him have his moment."

Lyanna was smiling though, clearly pleased with his answer.

They finished dinner as the sun began setting, painting the sky in oranges and purples. The walk back to the academy was slower than the morning’s journey, everyone tired but content.

"Thank you for organizing this," William said to Lyanna as they approached academy gates. "You were right. I needed this."

"You’re welcome. And thank you for actually coming." She hesitated, then spoke more quietly. "I know you have a lot going on that you don’t talk about. Pressures and responsibilities that probably make relaxation feel like wasted time. But taking care of yourself matters too. Remember that."

"I will."

They parted ways inside the academy grounds, everyone heading to their respective dormitories. William returned to his room to find Kai reading at his desk as usual.

"How was town?" Kai asked without looking up.

"Actually enjoyable. We had tea, browsed markets, watched street performers, had dinner." William set down the book Lyanna had lent him. "I even danced."

Kai did look up at that. "You danced."

"Lyanna insisted."

"And you agreed rather than finding an excuse to avoid it." Kai’s expression was thoughtful. "That’s very good progress. You’re developing normal social connections instead of letting the current situation get to you."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Yes. Those connections give you reasons to survive beyond just survival itself." Kai returned to his book. "Though it does complicate things if any of them become targets because of their association with you."

William hadn’t considered that angle. "You think they’re in danger?"

"Anyone close to either of us is potentially in danger. But that doesn’t mean we should isolate ourselves completely. Just means we need to be aware." Kai closed his book. "Speaking of which, we still need to compare notes about the attacks. Tomorrow?"

"Yes. After morning training."

William prepared for bed while thinking about the day. The casual enjoyment of spending time with friends, Lyanna’s gentle insistence that he take care of himself, the simple pleasure of dancing despite his complete lack of skill.

These were the moments worth protecting. Not just the strategic value of team cohesion or alliance building, but genuine human connection.

He fell asleep thinking about Lyanna’s smile when he’d called them friends, and didn’t dream of assassins even once.

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Mass Release Courtesy Of My Birthday Day!

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