CH 30

When asked why, I hesitated for a long time about what to answer. Maybe Liel saw me hesitating, so he stopped walking.

I was also forced to stop walking because I was holding hands with Liel.

‘Me too and Liel too. Answering questions with questions, the conversation just won’t end…….’

That doesn’t mean that I can say, “I hope you like someone other than Dioletta unnie!”

I answered with an acceptable choice.

“It’s just… pure curiosity as a friend……?”

“Lucy, you really like to talk about something like this.”

“Well, of course, I’m in puberty now!”

“……Usually, kids don’t say they’re in puberty with their own mouth.”

I know.

He’s been wondering why I’ve been interested in other people’s relationships since last time, so I just made an excuse that it’s because I’m in puberty.

But can I say that 17-year-olds are still in puberty?

“I…”

All of a sudden, Liel started to talk. I quickly stopped pondering the definition of puberty, gulped down my dry saliva and waited for his words to continue.

After a pause, Liel hesitated and continued.

“How would you feel if I accepted the confession?”

That’s another question. He’s also asking the part that I’m most curious about but in reverse.

He could say that he didn’t accept the confession even if he did.

I wanted to ask him what kind of question was that, but I couldn’t because Liel’s face looking at me was too serious.

He really wanted to hear my answer.

“What do I think….?”

It was an atmosphere that shouldn’t be taken lightly, so I became serious.

I do not know why the atmosphere became so serious, but it just happened.

“Of course I should congratulate you. I mean, you liked her, too.”

Furthermore, I was confident that my feelings would extend beyond congratulations since that meant Liel no longer liked Dioleta unnie.

But why is he asking me this?

Did he really decide to go out with her?

“Don’t tell me you’re going to go out with her?”

“I refused. How can I date someone I don’t even like?”

Before I could finish my sentence, Liel spoke first.

Somehow he looked grim.

“Yes……?”

But why do you look so bad……?

Did I say something I shouldn’t have?

When Liel got angry a few days ago, I apologized, thinking that I deserved it, but this one just didn’t make sense.

I searched and selected one plausible reason in my head and asked.

“Liel, have I been too nosy?”

Courtesy is important even among friends.

Before Liel entered the academy, it was unclear whether he liked my attitude or not because he was still young, but it may be different now.

So if he doesn’t want to talk about this with me, I was fully willing to respect Liel’s will.

Of course, I’ll be very curious and meddlesome in the sidelines.

“If you don’t like it, I won’t interfere from now on.”

Liel’s eyes widened as I spoke with a grave expression. Then he stared at me with a thoughtful expression for a moment.

Soon, Liel opened his mouth.

“No way. I don’t think Lucy’s attention to me is meddling.”

Liel smiled with a compassionate face as if he had never felt bad. It was a beautiful smile that could make the people around fall in love with him.

Of course, I’m used to it, so it’s okay!

“It’s something that friends can talk about, right?”

Liel went on further.

After confirming his favorable response, I was so relieved that it became obvious on my expression.

“So I’m also, um…… To quote Lucy’s words, can I also meddle with yours?”

Of course he can, but I don’t think anything will happen in this area of my life to the extent that I live up to Liel’s expectations…….

“Yes?”

When I saw a future where I was the only one who seemed to put Liel in question, my answer was delayed due to a guilty conscience.

Liel asked back as if he had noticed the pause in my response.

“Of course! And I don’t think you’re meddling with me either.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Liel sighed with relief. Why is he so nervous about this?

It’s not like I don’t understand Liel’s mind since I was also nervous until just now.

Liel and I laughed at each other. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was an implicit promise between the two of us.

꧁꧂

‘I can’t believe I’m finally sitting next to her!’

I wept in my heart when I attended my class as usual.

Next to me, Melissa swept her red hair behind her ear, and I saw the tip of her ear turning red.

Melissa, who usually puts her book on the chair next to her after noticing that I was coming near her.

Melissa allowed me to sit next to her this time.

My efforts have finally paid off.

I almost cried, but fortunately, I was able to prevent the mishap of crying in front of the professor thanks to my cold tear glands.

“Shall we start the lecture?”

When the clock struck nine, the professor started the class.

Even if it looks like this, I tend to concentrate quite a lot in class, so I erased the thoughts that lingered in my head at the beginning of the lecture.

Soon the professor’s words reached my ear.

As the difficult modifications filled the blackboard, my eyes were about to close.

I barely opened my eyes that were about to close. In the meantime, the professor was erasing the top line of the blackboard and writing a new formula on it.

From the side, Melissa’s handwriting could be heard.

I forced my eyes open once again, thinking Melissa was at the top for a reason.

꧁꧂

As soon as the first class was over, Professor Bendick called Melissa and I to the teacher’s office.

We waited with nervous faces for Professor Bendick to begin speaking.

“That’s what happened, so I’ll give you two options.”

What happened…?

Professor Bentick continued, drooping on the back of the chair, as I stared with dumbfounded eyes at his omission of all the detailed explanations.

“What? Do you want a detailed explanation? It must be boring. It’s not fun to listen to.”

Somehow, he seemed less motivated than yesterday. He was so insincere that I wondered if I had chosen the wrong person to tell.

Melissa replied in a determined voice, as I was regretting my choice yesterday.

“No, I don’t really want to hear it. I didn’t expect them to be punished in the first place.”

“Well, did you say your name is Elise? That’s cold. If you do that, what becomes of Rubia who devoted herself to you?

“Professor, this is Melissa and I’m Lucy.”

Still, I’m glad that even one letter overlapped.

“Oh, I made a mistake. Anyway, wouldn’t Lucy be disappointed if you showed such a sour attitude?”

“…….”

Though I’m not very disappointed, when I saw Melissa glance at me with a face that belatedly realized it, I unconsciously lowered my eyes and pretended to be sad.

“……what are the options?”

“You’re quite indecisive, aren’t you?

Professor Bendick opened the drawer with a smile, took out two sheets of paper, and pushed them to Melissa.

“One is to donate a large amount of donations to the orphanage, and the other is to leave a record that they bullied their classmates in their academic records. Now, pick one.”

“It’s quite strict for bothering a commoner.”

That’s strict? I don’t think so.

“Harassing a classmate at the academy is the second biggest reason for disciplinary action after cheating during the exam.”

On Professor Bendick’s desk was a booklet on the school rules of the academy.

“While I’m here, family and school rules come first.”

So as soon as he graduated from the academy, he got a job as a professor.

Professor Vendick added.

“……then with a donation to the orphanage…….”

“Melissa. It’s a more severe punishment for a noble to have his misdeeds on the record.”

“What?”

Especially for aristocrats whose educational background is important, such as Flinch.

“The worse the academic record, the harder it is to get to a high-ranking government post, so it is obvious that he will regret and will repent what he has done.”

Melissa shook her head like she was possessed by something.

“If they try to hurt you even after graduation, I’ll help you then too!”

As soon as I go out into society, I will be in a higher social position than them, so I don’t have to reach an adult then.

Are they the only ones in power? I have one too.

“Lucy…”

Melissa’s voice was full of gratitude, as if she had completely opened her heart.

It was obvious that Melissa couldn’t hide her feelings. I also smiled kindly to repay Melissa’s heart.

“………what are you doing in the teacher’s room?”

Soon after, Professor Bendick asked in a cold voice as if he had seen something he would rather not see.

“Oh, nothing!”

Melissa jumped out of her seat after coming to her senses because the professor interrupted her.

Then she left me and quickly left the teacher’s office.

I want to go to the next class with you!

“Why are you interrupting me?”

When I protested while staring at the professor in regret, Professor Bendick tilted the corners of his mouth and laughed.

That meant I should do it in moderation and leave now.