Chapter 40.2

Fortunately, the work proceeded smoothly, and the mood was light and easy.

“There isn’t enough space to fit in all this text.”

“I think it can be replaced with this. This formula here……”

As Noah sunbae picked up his pen and moved his hand towards me, I could feel his warmth on my hand. I’d thought it would be cold, but it was unexpectedly warm. His fingers were also long, each of them white, pretty and soft……

I held my breath and hurriedly pulled back my hand.

What was this third-rate romance novel-like atmosphere?

Feeling like the mood was becoming weird, I coughed and focused again on the formula.

“It’s all done!”

Not too long after, I looked at my notebook filled with the perfected formula and texts, and cheered. Then I thanked Noah sunbae .

“Thank you so much.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Sunbae smiled faintly as he toyed with the teacup’s handle.

“But how did you come up with this idea?”

I was the only magician in my father’s fief. Because there were no other magicians or magic tools, I’d had to learn everything about magic on my own.

I gave a bitter smile.

“I am the only magician in our fief. So when I first came to the Academy, I was really surprised when I first saw other magicians and magic tools.”

Of course, there may have been some magicians among my ancestors. But my clan was quite old, and I wasn’t so dedicated as to memorise everything about the ancestors, so I didn’t know for sure.

“I wanted to make sure that magic was not the exclusive property of noble folk.”

I sipped on the rest of my cocoa as I grumbled to myself, ‘why did I say that just now? It’s like I am trying to sound cool.’

Feeling embarrassed after my spiel, I rubbed the tip of my nose while glancing at sunbae .

“That’s amazing,” Noah sunbae said, his smile wide and bright this time.

“I’ve still got a long way to go.”

“You know……” he began again in a low voice that messed with my heart.

“Yes?”

“If you don’t mind, can you stay a little longer until your next engagement?”

“Shall I?” I replied, immediately after he asked. I felt embarrassed for doing so, so I turned my head away.

How sweet.

I brought the cup of now finished cocoa to my mouth again and licked my lips.

* * *

I decided to have dinner at the Academy’s cafeteria. And it was because I felt uncomfortable eating dinner outside with Noah sunbae . It hadn’t even happened yet, but I was afraid that Flora sunbae would find out.

We walked back to the Academy as it grew dark, the colours of the setting sun fierce and vibrant.

“I’ll head in now. Thank you for today.”

When we reached the dormitory, I said goodbye and turned around.

“So it was a lie.”

“Sorry?”

I turned my head upon hearing Noah sunbae’s voice, my face looking confused.

“You don’t have another appointment,” he continued calmly.

“!”

Only then did I realise that I had unconsciously headed towards the dormitory.

That’s right; I’d said that I had a prior engagement. How could I forget my cover-up story?

After much agonising, I tried to make an excuse.

“Uh…… Yeah, it seems I remembered the date wrong.”

“Really?” he murmured, his face now less serious.

“What’s wrong with me? I’m sorry I kept you busy for so long.”

“No, it’s okay. I was the one who asked you to stay longer.”

Noah sunbae’s hand brushed over the ribbon I’d used to tie my hair, and I felt like I was out of breath for no reason. The blowing breeze swayed his silver hair every now and then. After stewing over something for a while, he began speaking slowly. His ears, revealed through his elegantly tied silver hair, were red.

“So is it okay for me to think that you dressed up this nicely to see me?”

“……!”

Of course.

I almost said that, swept up in the mood and sunbae’s smile. My mouth just has a mind of its own. I mean, it was true, but I was too shy to admit it, so after thinking over it a bit, I said:

“Actually…… my friend forced me to wear this.” ^[3]

She made me wear this dress and put something on my face.

“……I see.”

I continued awkwardly, “I think she misunderstands what our relationship is.”

“……what kind of misunderstanding?” Sunbae asked with a grave face.

His question put me at a loss for words, and we both remained silent for a long time.

I grabbed the sleeve of my fluttering dress, raised my head and smiled.

“…….I’m a bit tired. Is it okay if I go in now?”

Noah sunbae did not speak or ask any further.

“Okay.”

All he did was smile slightly and said goodbye. Behind his lenses, his gold eyes were as friendly and as pretty as ever. But why was the sight of him engraved in my mind?

“Come on now,” I said to myself.

Get a hold on yourself.

Standing still and watching sunbae depart, I patted my face and turned around.

Notes:

[3] Why is this girl like this? Kate, why are you like this? You didn’t have to say all that.

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