Disclaimer: I wished I owned Final Fantasy Type-0, but sadly I do not.

Bright light filtered through the tall windows of the Peristylium, and the corridors were bare except for a few students wandering. Today was an unusually beautiful day, gentle breeze caressing the grass while colorful blooms in the garden filled the air with a sweet scent. The sky was cloudless, an unending expanse of azure blanketing the horizons, and most of the students were taking advantage of the outdoors.

On days like this, the sole martial artist of Class Zero liked to find a spot in the garden to enjoy a good book. Leisure reading was something that the brunette liked to do, though it was not often that he could spare the time to do so. With a slim novel in hand, Eight strolled toward the back of the school where the Peristylium Garden made its home.

As he neared his destination, a soft melody filled the air, and he knew who it had to be. There was only one person in his class who could create such beautiful and soothing music. On a wooden bench inside a ring of daisies and tulips sat Deuce, her silvery flute at her lips.

A smile appeared on the martial artist's visage as he let his gaze linger on her form, a calmness sweeping over him as he listened to her song. Within the left side of his chest, a warmth flickered and slowly spread to his limbs. Every time he saw the gentle flutist, he couldn't help but pause and watch for a moment, captivated. Subconsciously, his feet began to divert his path toward her, his mind lulled into a pleasant unawareness. He wanted to come closer, to fill his being with the girl's unearthly music.

The brunette was about to step onto the path that would lead him to her when he heard someone call her name. Startled out of his reverie, he whipped around to see a blond head run toward the flutist from the other side of the circular enclosure, attire identical to those of the other boys of Class Zero. It was Ace.

With a sidestep, Eight hid himself behind a tall tree, his heart pounding in his chest. Peering from his spot, he watched as Deuce paused her playing to greet the unnamed leader of their class. Her entire face lit up with an angelic smile, and the martial artist did not notice his hands clenching into fists at his side.

Twin laughter made its way to the martial artists ears, and he silently watched as Deuce stood up from her seat and follow Ace as he left, leaving behind emptiness in the small part of the garden. There was a skip to her steps, a lilt to her voice, and Eight had to tear himself away. He felt something inside of him fall, and suddenly he lost the desire to enjoy the blooming garden's beauty. The two were gone, and as he started making his way back into the Perisylium, he felt a wetness on his cheeks.

A/N: Woot new story finally! It was meant to be a happy and fluffy fic, but it ended up being sad. 82 does not get enough love :c