Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra

At least, that's what I thought until I saw her stepping out of her room across the hall.

Valeria.

Of course, it had to be her.

The moment our eyes met, I couldn't help the small grin that tugged at my lips. She looked as composed as ever, dressed in simple training gear, her expression stern and focused, but there was a sharpness to her that I recognized all too well. Yesterday's duel was still fresh in her mind, and judging by the tightness in her posture, it wasn't a pleasant memory for her.

"Morning," I greeted, keeping my tone light, almost casual. I could see the way her jaw tightened at the sound of my voice, which only made me smile a little wider. Annoying her had become an oddly enjoyable pastime.

She didn't bother to reply at first, just gave me a curt nod and began moving down the hallway. Her steps were quick, deliberate, like she was trying to escape before I could say anything else.

"I see you're up early," I continued, watching her with amusement. "Going for a run?"

"Yes," she said shortly, not even glancing back as she brushed past me, clearly hoping to leave the conversation at that. Her voice was cold, clipped, and I could practically feel the frustration rolling off her in waves.

But of course, I couldn't let her off that easily.

"Mind if I join you?" I asked, matching her pace without hesitation.

She stopped, her shoulders visibly tensing as she turned just enough to give me a withering glare over her shoulder. "You want to join me?"

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral, though I could feel the teasing glint in my eyes. "Why not? We're both up, both training. Running alone can get pretty dull, don't you think?"

Her fists clenched at her sides, and for a brief second, I thought she might actually tell me off. But instead, she just turned back around and started walking again, her steps faster this time. "No," she said firmly, her voice even colder than before. "I prefer to run alone."

"I see," I replied easily, falling into step behind her.

She might have wanted to run alone, but I had no intention of leaving her be. Not because I enjoyed tormenting her—though I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her reactions amusing—but because this just so happened to be the exact route I always took for my morning runs. What a coincidence.

Well, it was not a coincidence most likely as this route just had the widest streets which was also easier and more refreshing to run.

A few minutes passed as we made our way through the quiet streets, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones. She was trying to ignore me, that much was obvious, but I could tell by the way her shoulders twitched slightly that my presence was bothering her more than she'd care to admit.

And then, finally, after another few moments of tense silence, she snapped.

"Why are you following me?" Valeria demanded, stopping abruptly and turning to face me, her violet eyes blazing with irritation.

I paused as well, raising an eyebrow as I looked at her. "Following you?" I repeated, feigning innocence. "I'm just running."

Her glare didn't waver. "We've been taking the same route for the past ten minutes."

"Well," I said, flashing her a playful grin, "this just happens to be my usual route. I always run this way in the mornings. I'm not following you. You're just... in my way."

Valeria's eyes narrowed further, her annoyance clearly growing. "In your way?" she echoed, her tone sharp.

I shrugged again, keeping my grin firmly in place. "What can I say? You're blocking my path. But if it makes you feel better, you're more than welcome to follow me."

Her fists tightened at her sides, and for a moment, I thought she might actually take a swing at me. But instead, she just turned back around with a huff and resumed her run, this time picking up the pace, as if she could outrun me through sheer willpower.

Naturally, I matched her speed, easily keeping up. It wasn't hard—she was fast, but I was faster.

"So," I called out as I ran beside her, "what are we trying to accomplish this morning? Speed, endurance, or are we just working off that leftover frustration from yesterday?"

She didn't respond, but the way her jaw tightened told me everything I needed to know. I stifled a laugh, knowing full well that my presence was driving her up the wall.

"I'm guessing it's frustration," I continued, undeterred. "I get it, though. Yesterday was rough."

"You," she said through gritted teeth, "I swear, if you don't stop talking—"

"What?" I asked my voice light and teasing.

Valeria shot me a withering glare, her violet eyes narrowing with enough intensity to make anyone else back off. But not me. I kept running beside her, matching her pace with ease, my smile widening at her obvious irritation. She didn't say anything, though, just clenched her jaw tighter and focused on the road ahead, as if pretending I wasn't there would somehow make me disappear.

Seeing her stubborn silence, I decided to change tactics. Maybe getting under her skin wasn't the most productive way to pass the time.

"So," I said after a few more moments of running in silence, "what's your plan now?"

Her eyes flicked toward me briefly, her expression suspicious. I could almost hear her asking herself why I cared, but she didn't voice it. She just kept running.

I pressed on anyway. "Now that we're both here and the opportunity we came for has… well, let's say vanished," I continued, "do you have another plan?"

That seemed to hit a nerve. Valeria's fists tightened again, but this time, it wasn't just from irritation. The question clearly struck deeper than I'd intended. She slowed her pace ever so slightly, just enough to let me know that I had her attention, even if she wasn't ready to answer yet.

After a beat, she finally spoke, her voice sharp and defensive. "Why do you care? Does it concern you?"

I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "Fair enough. It's not really my business. But since I'm the one who, you know… took that opportunity, I figured I might as well ask. My conscience is feeling a little guilty."

Her gaze shifted to me again, her expression unreadable. For a split second, I thought she might actually believe I was being sincere, but the moment passed quickly, and she huffed, shaking her head.

"No," she said firmly, her voice colder than the morning air. "You don't have a conscience."

"That is a little bit rude, don't you think?"

"You are being rude, intruding on my space in the morning."

"You make it sound like I am harassing you."

Valeria stopped abruptly, her violet eyes blazing as she turned to face me, her expression tight with irritation. "Because you are," she snapped, her tone sharp as the morning chill. "You're following me, teasing me, and now pretending to care about my plans. So yes, I'd call that harassment."

I raised my hands in a mock display of surrender, a playful grin still tugging at my lips. "Whoa, whoa. I'm just making conversation," I said, keeping my voice calm and light. "No need to get so defensive."

"Defensive?" she echoed, her tone incredulous. "You're invading my personal space."

I took a step back, deliberately exaggerated, and gestured around. "Well, forgive me for running on the same public road. It's not like I'm following you on purpose."

Her eyes narrowed. "Feels like it."

"Really?"

Valeria's eyes narrowed even further as she glared at me, her irritation practically radiating off her. "Yes," she said sharply, her voice cold. "It feels like it."

I nodded, keeping my smile in place. "Well, if that's the case, I'll leave you to it." I took a step back, my tone still casual, though a hint of playfulness crept into my voice. "Wouldn't want to ruin your morning routine any more than I already have."

Before she could respond, I suddenly sped up, darting ahead of her with a quick burst of speed. The wind whipped past me as I left her behind, my feet pounding rhythmically against the cobblestones. I didn't look back, but I could practically feel her stunned silence at my sudden retreat.

Well, that was enough fun for the time being. While it was not bad talking to someone after a while, any more than that, I would really be crossing the line.

I mean, at the very least, that is how I felt.

"Don't glare at me like that."

[Humph.]

And there was also this cat here.

She was really sulky.

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