Dav: (Laughing with his hand on the desk) How is it possible that we’ve never met before?
I know there are many professors at the academy, but I never seem to run into you...
Rafael Oliveira: (Laughing, stepping a bit too close to Dav) Who knows, huh?
We can always make up for lost time. (Flirting)
Dav: (Serious but with a funny face) Alright then.
Will you have lunch with me today?
Rafael Oliveira: (Surprised by his calmness in that moment) Pff... Ahaha. Alright, I’ll come.
Cafeteria
Dav: (Raising his hand) Professor Rafael, I’m here!
(Small smile) Sit over there, near the Director and Professor Eldrin.
Rafael Oliveira: (Happy, hugging Valeria) Beautiful Valeria, how are you?!
(Dramatic) I haven’t seen you in a while because you’re always holed up in that library...
Valeria: (Happy) Rafy, I haven’t seen you in a while either.
(Funny sulky face) Why haven’t you visited me in the library even once?..
Rafael: (Downcast) I’ve been so busy lately!..
(Happy) But now I see you surrounded by all these lovely people! Have you become famous by any chance?
Valeria: (Laughing, hitting him) Oh, stop it!! You know I’m not the type to show off...
Professor Dav convinced me to join.
Lucrezia Bianchi: (Looking) Same here.
Evelyn Rosendale: (Laughing) What can I say? Haha...
Professor Eldrin Voss: (Laughing, stroking his beard) We’ve all been manipulated! HAHAAH.
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Kael Solis: (Smiling) You can say that again, Professor! HAHAHAH.
Director Vittorio: (Smiling warmly) Indeed.
Narrator: The academy’s cafeteria was filled with a warm and relaxed atmosphere, with professors and a few students gathered around the main table.
Rafael, ever charismatic, wasted no time embracing Valeria enthusiastically, while Dav watched the scene with a small, satisfied smile.
Rafael: (Looking at Dav with an amused smile) Oh, so you were the one who dragged them all here, huh?
You’re more persuasive than I thought.
Dav: (Raising an eyebrow) Just a bit of healthy team spirit, Professor Oliveira.
Eldrin: (Laughing) Team spirit, huh? I’d say he has a natural talent for getting people involved.
Lucrezia: (Crossing her arms with a smirk) Indeed, I didn’t expect to find myself here... yet here I am.
Director Vittorio: (Nods amused) A useful skill for a teacher, I’d say.
Rafael: (Taking a sip of wine) Well, if this is the effect you have, Dav, maybe I should get invited more often.
Valeria: (Smiling mischievously) If you wait to be invited, you’ll end up disappearing for months again.
Rafael: (Dramatic) Ah! Shot and sunk! Alright, alright, I’ll visit the library more often.
Evelyn: (Laughing) Everyone here heard it, right? No backing out now.
Kael: (Amused) We’re counting on you, Professor Oliveira.
Rafael: (Sighing theatrically) What a lovely little group of conspirators... Fine, you’ve convinced me!
Narrator: The conversation continued with jokes and laughter, as lunch turned into a moment of true camaraderie, something that didn’t happen often among the faculty.
At the end of the meal, he bid farewell to everyone with the conviction of winning in front of the entire world.
Everyone embraced him, telling him that he would do well even if he lost.
They all believed in him.
As he stepped through the gate, he saw Elysia waiting for him in front of the car that would take him to his destination, with Dante Di Valverde reassuring her that everything would be fine.
Dav placed a hand on her head and said, “I’ll be back in time for Christmas, Ely.”
Elysia hugged him tightly, tears in her eyes, whispering, “If you don’t come back in time, I’ll be mad at you.”
Dav smiled, kissed her forehead, and said, “Wait for me.”
As the car drove away, Elysia, still in tears, waved to him while he left with Dante Di Valverde, heading to the airport.
Dante Di Valverde: (Breaking the silence) How are you feeling?
Dav: (A bit tense) I hope it will go well.
When can I wear the uniform?
Dante Di Valverde: (Smiling) Even now.
Dav: (Funny face) Good.
A few minutes later
Dante Di Valverde: (Surprised) It suits you so well.
Dav: (Looking away) If you say so.
I want to be back in time to spend Christmas with my students.
So let’s hurry.
Dante Di Valverde: (Looking out the window) I’ll make sure you return home in time for Christmas.
Narrator: The car sped down the road leading to the airport, the sky above painted in the cold hues of winter.
Inside the vehicle, a tense silence reigned, broken only by the sound of the engine and Dav’s measured breathing.
Dante glanced at him from the side, noticing how the young professor lightly clenched his hands on his pants, his gaze lost outside the window.
He was determined, but also aware of the weight of the challenge ahead.
Dante: (With a softer tone) You know, it’s not often you see someone with so many people waiting for them.
[Dav turned slightly, locking eyes with him for a brief moment before returning to gaze at the passing scenery.]
Dav: They have faith in me... and I don’t want to disappoint them.
Dante: (Nods with a faint smile) Trust isn’t measured only by victories.
Even if things don’t go as you hope, they will still believe in you.
[Dav remained silent for a moment, then took a deep breath, relaxing his shoulders slightly.]
Dav: Maybe. But I’d rather not put them to the test.
[Dante chuckled softly, appreciating the determination Dav showed even in moments of uncertainty.]
Narrator: The car continued toward the airport, carrying a young man who wasn’t just racing to win but to return to those who counted on him.
