Chapter 60

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Before she knew it, she was deep into the busy autumn semester of her second year, barely able to catch her breath. Fortunately, Axion’s interest in teasing her had faded just as quickly as it had appeared, and things between them had returned to their usual, rather distant dynamic.

“Even Sebastian must know by now.”

She sighed quietly, running her hands down her face.

To think she might actually graduate peacefully… how utterly mistaken she’d been.

All the time she’d spent at the academy without incident seemed pointless now, as the very situation she’d feared was beginning all over again.

“Oh? There goes the student council president.”

“As expected, the president’s lover is with her too.”

That’s not it at all, so please stop getting the wrong idea!

As whispers drifted down the corridor, Evelyn spun around and shot a glare at the man trailing behind her, teeth clenched in frustration.

“It’s because of you that everyone’s got the wrong impression!”

These days, Axion had earned a new nickname: the student council president’s lover, or so the rumors went. No matter how often she tried to set the record straight, no one believed her. They merely exchanged knowing looks, as if assuming she was just too shy to admit it.

‘Why… Why on earth is this happening?’

Not long ago, she’d even gone out of her way to bring him a restorative tonic after his reckless rampage, all out of concern for his well-being. Yet this scoundrel seemed intent on repaying her kindness with trouble. Otherwise, why else would he keep showing up wherever she went?

Axion, perfectly aware of what she meant, feigned ignorance and asked with an air of innocence.

“Well, what exactly are they misunderstanding?”

‘That… that sly, black-hearted scoundrel!’

“Are you really asking because you don’t know? Do you think these strange rumors appear out of thin air?”

“Since when have you ever cared about gossip like this?”

“Ha—”

‘What sort of new torment is this supposed to be?’

Normally, if they both just ignored each other, things would settle on their own. But lately, Axion had been acting out of character. He would go out of his way to approach her, acting familiar, or even surprise her with pastries from famous patisseries. Even now, she was on her way to the lab to retrieve something she’d left behind, yet somehow, he’d naturally fallen in step beside her.

His constant orbit around her was quickly wearing down her patience. Of course, the real problem was that he seemed completely unbothered.

She was racking her brain, desperate to figure out how to shake him off, when—

“Evelyn, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, Senior Damien…!”

Damien, her senior in both the academy and the former student council, approached with his characteristic warm smile. Both his looks and his gentle temperament made him universally popular, and even now, he continued to help out with student council matters.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Evelyn scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.

“I left my assignment samples in the lab.”

If only someone hadn’t spread that baseless rumor about it being an easy class, she never would have taken the course in the first place.

‘I should have known it was too good to be true!’

After she briefly explained the situation, Damien made a welcome suggestion.

“It’s Professor Mason’s class, isn’t it? I was just on my way to the lab as well. Let me give you some helpful materials.”

“Wow, really? You’re a lifesaver, Senior!”

Her worries about the notoriously difficult class suddenly seemed unfounded, as if a helping hand had appeared just in time.

‘An angel must have been reincarnated as Damien.’

Just as Evelyn, wearing a bright smile, was about to stride after him, Axion’s large, strong hand seized hers, like a shackle fastening around her wrist.

“….!”

The unfamiliar sensation of his hand made her flinch in surprise. Gone was the soft touch she remembered from childhood; his hand now was rough and calloused, completely different from before.

She stared blankly at their awkwardly joined hands, then asked in a bewildered voice.

“What are you doing?”

For a split second, Axion’s crimson eyes flashed dangerously.

The man’s lips, impossible to read, gradually tightened, making it all the harder to guess what he was thinking. He released her hand and spoke in an utterly flat voice.

“…Nothing.”

Seriously. What a strange man.