How to End a One-Sided Crush, Episode 10
(10/110)
After finally managing to shake off my senior, I headed to the garden behind the annex building.
I sat there, absentmindedly chewing on the bread in my hand, staring blankly at the campus grounds.
Birds chirped in the sky, and summer winds rustled the leaves. It was, as always, a peaceful and warm summer day.
“…Should I just drop out…?”
A murmur slipped out between my teeth and the bread I was biting.
“Why would you drop out?”
“Waaah!”
A voice suddenly whispered in my ear, and I screamed in shock. The bread in my hand fell straight onto the dirt.
The one who startled me was Arhan, smiling brightly.
“Could you at least make some noise when you walk? Are you secretly training in stealth as a swordsman or something?”
I clutched my pounding chest and grumbled.
“Did I scare you?”
“Obviously! You blew air right into my ear… ugh.”
I scratched my ear vigorously and looked down at the bread that had fallen on the ground.
“Ah… that’s kind of a waste.”
Looking at the bread now covered in dirt, I clicked my tongue in regret.
“The ants will eat it.”
Look, one’s already here.
Arhan crouched down and pointed at the bread.
“…That’s on me. Sorry. Want me to buy you a new one?”
“It’s fine. It didn’t taste that good anyway. Don’t bother buying one either.”
I waved my hand dismissively as he looked up at me and asked.
Come to think of it, why is he even here all of a sudden?
“Why are you here?”
Arhan didn’t answer and instead pointed somewhere. There, students from the swordsmanship department were sparring.
“Oh, you were in class?”
I sat back down on the bench and rested my chin in my hand.
“Seems like first-years don’t have overlapping classes with us.”
A thought suddenly crossed my mind, and I glared at Arhan.
“By the way, what are you doing skipping class?”
“As you can see, I’m ditching.”
Arhan smiled shamelessly, his red eyes narrowing as he sat down beside me.
“You really… sigh. Forget it.”
“Hey, don’t give up on me.”
Arhan rested his chin on his hand and laughed lightly.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
I eyed Arhan lazily.
His name tag was missing—no idea where he’d lost it. One or two buttons on his shirt were undone, and even his tie was loose. Still, his face made it hard to say it didn’t suit him.
“What’s with that, huh? Trying to stand out or something?”
I clicked my tongue and started buttoning up his shirt. Why was his front so wide open?
“…Don’t get your face too close.”
Arhan covered his face with one hand and muttered in a subdued voice.
What’s wrong with him?
“You’ve gotten weird without me noticing.”
Since I’d already finished buttoning him up, I immediately pulled my hand away.
“Are you struggling that much?”
After all, less than a year had passed.
I rested my chin in my hand and let out a small laugh.
“Summer break’s almost here. I don’t want to go to class.”
“Want to skip with me?”
“Are you crazy?”
I muttered that and leaned back against the bench.
After a moment of glancing at me, Arhan spoke.
“…Are you planning to drop out, sis?”
“Huh?”
I frowned and turned to look at him. He looked quite serious.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… you know, something everyone thinks about at least once while going to school, right?”
I brushed it off and turned my head. Then I happened to notice the clock hanging on the building.
“My class is starting soon too. You should go now.”
I stood up from the bench and pushed Arhan’s back.
But Arhan stayed put, looking stubborn as if waiting for an answer.
“No, no. I’m not dropping out. I’m staying until I graduate, so hurry and get back to class.”
Waving my hand dismissively at his still-serious face, I urged him to go.
Only then did Arhan finally turn away, looking relieved.
“Hm.”
Watching his back, I scratched my head.
Was he really worried I might drop out?
“You’ve got mail.”
As soon as I returned to the dorm, Dora tossed something at me.
I caught it and examined the envelope.
“It’s from my dad.”
I smiled brightly and opened it.
Inside was a simple letter asking how I was doing. It said he missed me, and that he would send a carriage on the day of the end-of-term ceremony.
“I miss Dad.”
My nose tingled for no reason, and I lay down on the bed.
But what about my grades? I felt completely lost.
“What are you going to do over the break? It’s going to be really long this time.”
Dora, lying on the bed next to mine, asked.
“I’ll probably just stay home. Want to come over?”
“I’m going to my aunt’s place.”
“Oh right, the one in the Kingdom of Lowell.”
I nodded and muttered.
So Dora won’t be around either. Guess it’s going to be a boring break. Oh well. I’ll just rest properly.
As I lay on the bed and rolled around, Dora’s curious voice reached me.
“What’s going on with you and Senior Noah?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
Dora twirled her hair and winked at me. My personal impression: it was a very creepy sight.
I replied with a sullen face.
“Nothing’s going on. We just… happened to meet.”
I brushed it off and turned away, but I could still feel Dora’s suspicious gaze.
Once summer break ends, the original story begins.
From that point on, I’d have to live as quietly as possible. I’d also need to avoid the senior to some extent.
Right. During the long break, I should sort out my feelings.
With a sigh mixed with a sense of relief, I lay back down on the bed.
Maybe I had been too relaxed, thinking there was still time before the break.
“Can I sit here?”
“Yes, y-yes.”
I lowered my head to avoid the gaze of Senior Noah sitting right in front of me.
This is insane. I can’t even eat lunch in peace anymore.
Resigned, I picked up my spoon—but suddenly, a cream bun was placed on my plate. And it was completely untouched, fresh.
Oh, I like this. Wait, that’s not the point.
“Thank you.”
He gave me such a precious thing… does he not like sweets?
My eyes sparkled as I swallowed.
Hehe, now I’ve got two buns.
Just as I was happily enjoying the fact that I had an extra bun, Senior Noah said in a faintly amused voice,
“You’re welcome.”
And then I realized the situation I was in again.
No, his expression is just… why is he looking at me like that? Do I really look that satisfying while eating?
As I hesitated mid-bite and broke into a cold sweat, my friends sitting nearby exchanged glances and whispered.
“Should we move seats?”
I shook my head desperately. Please don’t go, guys.
Ah—again!
Our eyes met, and the senior smiled gently. His golden eyes curved beautifully into a crescent shape. I almost spat out my soup.
Damn it, I feel like I’m going to choke.
I gulped down water frantically, then stole a glance at his face.
Huh… it’s not bad. No, seeing such a beautiful face up close is actually nice. Take a bite of bread, then look at that face—yeah, I could get used to this.
I put down my spoon and swallowed hard.
My heart’s racing. What do I do?
“Noah, you’re here? The professor was calling you earlier.”
Just as I was flustered and unsure what to do, Flora’s voice came to the rescue.
Senior Noah nodded and stood up to follow her.
“Oh, got it.”
“Oh, Kate’s here too? Enjoy your lunch!”
“Goodbye.”
I bowed politely to both seniors.
But paradoxically, once he left with his tray, I felt a little disappointed. Guess I still like him after all. I’m doomed.
“Bye. Enjoy your meal.”
“Ah, yes.”
After smiling at me, Senior Noah walked far enough that we could no longer hear each other. Dora, who had been silently observing the whole time, finally asked me,
“…What was that?”
I shook my head desperately.
I don’t know either.
