Confess Carefully – Chapter 8
“Alright.”
I grit my teeth and nodded, and a satisfied expression immediately spread across Leonard’s face.
“You answered this time! I’m glad—I think this will help us give a great presentation.”
…Seriously, just disappear.
I stifled a small groan, resisting the urge to bury my face in the desk. Fortunately, the professor entered the room at that moment.
“Hmm, a little late, aren’t we? That’s alright. Shall we start with Group 1’s presentation?”
Our group was Group 3.
I straightened my posture and listened to the other groups, preparing myself for our turn.
“The research on the materials is good, but it could be a bit more thorough. I wish you had found more credible sources.”
The detailed feedback took my breath away. Perhaps it was also painful to watch my clueless teammates lounging around, pretending it wasn’t their responsibility.
“Now, it’s Group 3’s turn. Let’s go.”
When it was our turn, I stepped to the front of the classroom with our presentation materials.
“I am Raven Winston, leader of Group 3. Today, we will present on the culture of Julius Caesar’s era.”
Fortunately, my voice was steady. Since I had read the presentation several times beforehand, I finished without difficulty. The professor looked at my submitted report with a satisfied expression.
“Very good. The topic is excellent, the materials are solid, and it looks like the responsibilities were well divided. Excellent work, Group 3.”
After the praise, the professor smiled and pointed at one of the male members of our group.
“Now, I have a question for the member who conducted this research.”
…Life.
“Where did you find the examples of the administrative system? Fascinating work.”
I held back a sigh, though a small hope flickered. It was a simple question, and I had organized the sources in the materials I had given him. If he couldn’t answer even this, I might actually lose it.
“Oh, that’s from Chapter 5 of the old edition of History of the Herace Empire.”
Luckily, the boy referred to the materials I had given him and answered without issue.
“I see, the old edition. Understood. Now, why do you think so much culture flourished during Julius Caesar’s rule?”
“….”
It was a sudden question.
Unable to answer, the boy just blinked, and I had no choice but to speak for him.
“Uh, that’s…”
“Miss Winston, I asked him the question.”
I remained silent, glaring at the boy with wide eyes. If he had even read the notes once, he could answer this properly.
…Right?
“Uh… well…”
As the saying goes, “expect the unexpected.” The boy stammered, unable to give a coherent answer.
Our other group members looked visibly flustered, clearly unprepared to be questioned. I had known they’d ignored the materials I handed out, chatting amongst themselves instead. My frustration boiled over.
These idiots. I spoon-fed them everything, and they can’t even swallow it properly?
Seeing their dumbfounded faces made my stomach ache at the thought that they were my teammates.
“Well, um… that’s… because the empire was actively conquering, and the new tax system stabilized the lives of the people. Also, good harvests were frequent…”
Clutching the paper I had given him, the boy read off an abstract answer. I removed my glasses and rubbed my face.
“Hmm… Alright, that will do. You may sit down. Good job.”
Not bad, but the reaction was lukewarm.
Back at my seat, I glared at my teammates like a ghost. They all started avoiding my eyes.
My report and presentation were perfect. If points were deducted, it was entirely their fault.
“Next group, please.”
“Yes!”
And, to my misfortune, it was Leonard’s turn.
Amid cheers from his group, he stepped forward with a bright, pleasant voice.
“I am Leonard Klein, leader of Group 4. We will present on the territorial changes of the Herace Empire.”
Leonard made jokes here and there, creating a cheerful, lively atmosphere. My straightforward presentation could not compare.
And honestly, his content was flawless. I felt a pang of jealous admiration. I almost wanted to pull a handkerchief from my pocket and tear it up in frustration.
“That concludes my presentation.”
When Leonard finished and smiled, the classroom erupted in applause. Even I had to clap, though reluctantly.
Reluctantly admitting it, it was a perfect presentation. Even the professor’s expression confirmed it.
“Well done!”
“Leon, you’re the best!”
Returning to his seat, Leonard smiled proudly, high-fiving his teammates.
“Leon’s group is amazing. The atmosphere is great.”
“I wish we had a leader like that.”
Meanwhile, my own foolish teammates continued babbling, clueless as ever. I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
They contributed nothing and still had the nerve to be shameless. Even Leonard couldn’t save them.
As soon as class ended, the three clueless teammates slipped out, casting cautious glances at me. I didn’t care what they would say behind my back. I organized the materials they had ignored and discarded.
“Raven.”
Leonard’s voice called me. With his usual kind smile, he approached. Then, in a voice low enough for only me to hear, he asked:
“Raven, you did all your group’s work alone, right?”
…Was it that obvious? They had truly lazed around. I swore I’d never work with them again.
“What’s it to you? Going to tell the professor?” I growled, glaring at him.
“No, of course not.”
Leonard smiled, undeterred, drawing closer with his usual friendly demeanor.
“Doing it alone and still producing such perfect work… impressive.”
“…Are you mocking me?”
Instinctively, I leaned back and glared at him, growling. Leonard quickly shook his head and offered a polite smile.
“Mocking? I genuinely admire your work. The content was original, the sources reliable, and the organization clean. I especially liked the part on literature…”
Regardless of what he said, I ignored him, packing my things. I had no intention of debating the culture of Julius Caesar’s era with him.
“I don’t care about your opinions. Move out of my way.”
Finally noticing my irritation, Leonard’s expression turned sheepish as he apologized.
“Ah… Did I upset you again? Sorry, Raven.”
Whether he was genuinely oblivious or not, the fact that he apologized properly in this situation only made me more annoyed.
I glared at him, then turned my head with a huff.
“Raven? If I hurt your feelings, I’m really sorry.”
Leonard persistently followed, offering another apology. Even when I continued to ignore him, he sheepishly smiled and added one more comment:
“Still, your presentation was amazing.”
“….”
I paused.
It felt strange. While my own teammates gossiped behind my back, Leonard was the only one giving me praise. And he himself had received far more acclaim than I had.
“…Enough! Don’t follow me!”
I snapped at Leonard and quickened my pace, leaving only the echo of my shoes in the hallway.
After that group project, which had caused me considerable stress, I was completely drained.
And coincidentally, with the midterms only two weeks away.
Damn it, damn it, damn it!!
I ground my teeth and ruffled my hair in frustration.
I had wasted too much time on the project. Luckily, since I presented, my grade would likely be decent. But how could I study for the exams with only two weeks left?
If I studied hard from now, I could still secure the second-highest score, as usual. But Leonard? Unlike me, who had worked alone until dawn, he had collaborated effectively with his group, stayed healthy, and probably already prepared for the exams. The gap between first and second would be impossible to bridge now.
“….”
I looked at the marquis’ letter on my desk—roughly reading, “You’re second again? Shame on you. This time, you must take first. Will you? Can you?”—and my mood sank further.
As I buried my head in the desk in despair, the ignored cries of my roommate gradually filled the room.
“Waaah… sob, sniffle…”
I tried to ignore it, but it was impossible.
Suppressing my irritation, I spoke calmly.
“What happened?”
When I put a handkerchief on the bed, my roommate snatched it, blew her nose vigorously, and replied in a hesitant voice. That handkerchief was disposable anyway; it didn’t matter. Watching it get soaked instantly, I decided to discard it later.
“Lian… dumped me, sniff… just like that.”
“Ah.”
Lian must have been her fifth boyfriend. But was it really worth crying like that? He didn’t seem that great.
Seeing no reaction from me, my roommate sulked, rubbing her eyes.
“Of course a study-obsessed nerd like you wouldn’t understand.”
I had no words to respond. Between reviewing, revising, doing assignments, taking notes, memorizing formulas, and studying for exams, there was no time for romance. And who would seriously want to date a noble student like me anyway?
“Fine, you got dumped, but don’t take it out on me.”
I spoke coldly, and she fell silent, sniffling quietly. I added, intending to end the conversation:
“Now you can study for midterms instead.”
“Studying now will even help my grades?!”
My roommate scowled, clutching the handkerchief I had given her. I didn’t understand why she was upset when she could start studying immediately.
I got up suddenly. A thought flashed through my mind.
I remembered…!
There might be a way to shake Leonard’s composure before the midterms—maybe not break it completely, but at least rattle him.
