Confess Carefully – Chapter 10
“So… we’re officially dating now?”
I was so shocked by the fact that Leonard actually liked me that I couldn’t respond to his question at all. Perhaps interpreting my silence as consent, Leonard smiled blissfully, while I, overwhelmed and confused, took a step back and bolted away.
Once I was clear of the hallway, I returned to my dorm room, doing my best to avoid running into Leonard. Yet, even lying on my bed to end the day, I couldn’t bring myself to calm down.
“…….”
I buried my face in my pillow and muttered to myself.
Raven, you’re crazy. What? You like him? Seriously, you’re insane.
Me, thinking Leonard liked me? That we’d end up dating because of my fake confession? I thought he’d just be flustered for a moment and that’s all!
Even if that were the case… what am I supposed to do now? We’re already dating.
“Ahhh!”
Leonard… you strange guy!
I tore at my hair in frustration. My plan had seemed perfectly fine just that morning, but now it had turned into a complete mess.
No… this can’t be real. Leonard likes me? Me? Really?
…Why? And since when?
After all the times I’d been cold and prickly toward him, he still liked me? You pervert…
Does this mean all the times he followed me around, it was because he liked me?
“Damn it…”
I bit my lip hard.
What am I supposed to do now?
I was so stressed I felt like I might break down. Sleep wouldn’t come, and I spent the night wide awake, tossing and turning.
“Ugh…”
Morning sunlight pierced my eyes painfully. It was so bright it hurt.
How am I supposed to face Leonard today?
I sighed, washed my face dry, and prepared to head to class. As I impatiently brushed my tangled hair and flung the comb aside, I opened the door—and the dorm hallway was filled with an overpowering scent of roses.
“Ah! What the—?”
Leonard was standing in front of my room, holding a bouquet of roses nearly as big as him. Panic swept over me as I stumbled backward.
“Oh my gosh! W-what is all this?”
Luckily, it was early and almost no one was around.
I clutched the wall, stammering, while Leonard extended the bouquet toward me, smiling warmly.
“Good morning, Raven. Did you sleep well? If it’s okay, shall we walk to class together?”
So that’s where this intense floral scent was coming from…
I scowled at the fresh rose petals.
“Y-you actually went out this early to buy these?”
“Yeah. I didn’t know what kind of flowers you liked, so I went with the safest choice—roses…”
Before he could continue, I cut him off.
“Don’t do this again. It’s too conspicuous.”
But Leonard, grinning, cut in before I could finish.
“Oh, you’re worried about me? Don’t worry. Nothing I do for you feels like a burden.”
“….”
That’s not the point!
As a headache pulsed through my forehead, Leonard timidly wriggled his fingers and spoke softly.
“Do you want to… go together? Now that we’re… um… partners…,”
“No.”
After being stuck together all day yesterday, I couldn’t predict what he might say next. So I cut him off bluntly. Leonard looked a little dejected.
“…….”
I waved him back with a quick flick of my hand. I couldn’t just shove him out entirely—I had said something yesterday, after all.
“…Keep this much distance.”
About the span of one arm. Almost like strangers.
But Leonard, perhaps thinking I was just shy, nodded enthusiastically as if thrilled.
“And this…”
I sighed quietly, staring down at the bouquet before opening my door and tossing it onto the bed. The perfect arrangement was now slightly disheveled.
The roses were fresh, vibrant, and likely expensive, but utterly useless to me. They were more of a burden than anything, and I had no idea what to do with them.
Should I give them to my roommate? She’d probably love them.
“Don’t buy flowers again.”
“Why? Don’t feel pressured. It’s from my heart.”
“No… flowers are most beautiful when they bloom naturally.”
“Ah, I see. You’re thoughtful and kind, as always, Raven.”
Leonard nodded as if finally understanding, though he added some nonsensical remark about turning back.
“Shall we go? And, keep the distance.”
Maintaining about an arm’s length from Leonard, we stepped out of the dorm, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.
Damn… it’s blinding.
I squinted, but couldn’t look away from his shining hair. My black hair just absorbed all the sunlight, turning even darker.
“Is the sunlight too bright? Shall I shield you?”
“Distance!”
Even though I explicitly said to keep the distance, Leonard, apparently ignoring me, stepped closer with a worried look. I was about to insist again, but surprisingly… it felt comfortable.
“…!”
I looked up at Leonard. Despite his delicate appearance, he was sturdy from sword training, casting a shadow over me that blocked the sun.
I glanced around. Still, the campus was empty.
Maybe this is okay for a day.
Being close to Leonard was slightly stressful, but the shade was undeniably nice. I nodded nonchalantly.
“…Let’s just go to the front of the building like this.”
Leonard was unusually quiet for a while. Curious, I glanced at him and saw his gaze fixated on my hand.
What does he want now?
He leaned toward me, whispering softly.
“I… I really want to hold your hand too.”
“N-no!”
Up close, Leonard’s face was stunningly beautiful, and my own face flushed slightly. That’s why I stammered. I didn’t usually get flustered by appearances, but… I had to admit it. Leonard Klein may be irritating, but his face was innocent.
I sighed and swept my hair back.
“Alright.”
Leonard, hearing my refusal, smiled gently and nodded.
“By the way… yesterday… I was really surprised. I thought you hated me, Raven.”
He muttered shyly, cheeks tinged with pink. I held my breath.
Those kind violet eyes kept watching me, and it made me uneasy.
“Y-yeah…”
I awkwardly avoided his gaze, letting my fingers drop from my hair and instead biting my lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
It made my stomach turn slightly, and unpleasant memories rushed back.
I winced, unable to contain the nausea. Even through blurred vision, the memory was vivid—the moment I started disliking him, the events of last year when everything began to go wrong.
“…Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
Even on the day of the academy entrance exam, my uncle fastened my collar with a worried expression.
Ever since I moved in at the marquis’ estate three years ago, he had always worried about me, warning that the marquis never ran a losing business and that life there would be tough.
Recalling that, I forced a bright smile so my uncle wouldn’t worry and nodded.
“Don’t worry. I’ll just do as usual. Besides, everyone else is probably more foolish than me anyway.”
Though I said it confidently, my heart raced uncontrollably.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt, adjusted my trembling outfit, and stepped out.
The massive gate opened to reveal the marquis’ carriage waiting. Inside, Enoc sat arrogantly.
Since he was taking the academy’s high school entrance exam with me, I had no choice but to stay with him all day.
I rolled my eyes and climbed in.
“Good morning, sir.”
Enoc scowled and ignored my greeting, but I ignored him and took a seat.
I’d survived three years here; dealing with someone like him was nothing.
Still, today his mood seemed worse than usual. Dark circles under his eyes hinted at sleepless studying last night.
“Hmm.”
My awkward cough echoed in the otherwise silent carriage.
Thankfully, the academy was close to the marquis’ estate. Any longer in that carriage, and I might have suffocated.
“Keep your distance. Following me around is unpleasant.”
As soon as we arrived, Enoc twisted his lips and gave me that order. I glared back, silently thinking: same here, sir.
I muttered my rebuttal only in my head—speaking it aloud could have gotten me scolded. I scoffed and headed to the exam hall.
As I walked, a crowd had gathered in a hallway corner.
Whoa… how many people is that? And the exam hasn’t even started—what are they doing?
I tried to slip past when I caught sight of a boy among them.
“…….”
At the center of the throng was a boy with a serene, angelic expression. Despite the swarm around him, he seemed as calm as the eye of a storm.
Golden hair, violet eyes, delicate features, and flawless skin. A face so beautiful it made my eyes widen.
Wow… I’ve never seen violet eyes before. And never someone so pale and perfect.
Enoc’s appearance was fine, but I wasn’t inclined to admit it.
Still, it was understandable why so many people gathered around this boy. Who dislikes someone this attractive?
I cast a curious glance at him among the crowd and then, without hesitation, continued toward the exam hall.
