HBTSS 46

CHAPTER 46

“Ugh, it’s seriously weird. She always acts so clueless and innocent.”

“Really?”

“Come on, it’s obvious. Len is only hanging out with her because he’s nice.”

At the guy’s words, the female student asked,

“So Len and Melin are totally broken up?”

“Probably. If it were me, I’d hate girls who act all cutesy like that. Honestly, I think you’re more his type…”

Wait… what did I just hear?

My whole body stiffened like stone.

I immediately stopped them.

“Hold up. I’ve got something to ask about what you just said.”

“Who… huh?”

The male student froze when he saw my face.

“Are Len and Melin dating?”

“Uh, well…”

As he squirmed uncomfortably, I held up three fingers.

“You have three seconds to answer. If not, I’ll make sure you work in our lab forever. Three, two—”

“Yes! Everyone at the academy knows about it!”

Clearly, he wasn’t eager to become a slave to a professor.

“If it’s that well-known, how did I not know?”

His expression screamed, “How would I know that?!”

I crossed my arms and grinned slyly.

“And what was that earlier? That you hate girls who act cute around our Melin?”

“Haha… I mean, being cute is a charm, right? Girls should be a little dumb to be attractive…”

“Did you just call Melin dumb?”

His face immediately turned to stone.

He’d clearly been trying to look like a guy who doesn’t fall for just any girl by badmouthing Melin in front of this girl next to him. But he had picked the wrong target.

How dare you talk about Melin like that?

Badmouthing one girl to impress another? Disgusting.

I pointed at the girl, who I guessed had a crush on him.

“At this point, who do you think the real idiot is? Go on, say it.”

“…Him.”

Without hesitation, the girl pointed to the guy standing next to her.

His face flushed bright red.

“You heard that, right? If you date a guy who sees girls as objects, your life will spiral. I’m saying this because you’re like a little sister to me.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

She nodded seriously.

Looks like they weren’t even that close to begin with.

Having successfully crushed a potential couple, I returned to the lab and buried my head in my hands.

“Len and Melin are dating…?”

It was total mental breakdown.

Suddenly, I remembered how awkward Melin had been two days ago when she came to greet me.

Was she acting like that because she was scared I’d find out about her relationship with Len?

Because she’d broken the promise we made not to date and focus on studies?

If that was the case, everything fit perfectly.

But why didn’t I notice until now?

The reason was easy to find.

Aaron—who’s obsessed with swords—probably had no idea, and Callisto had already graduated.

With no information source, Melin had never dropped even the slightest hint that she had a boyfriend.

But one person must have known.

“Mion!”

He could read people’s memories.

So he definitely knew when he was with Melin last time.

He knows how our family and the Lenox family are connected!

And yet… he just let it happen?

I tore at my hair and screamed internally.

“Mion, if I see you again, you’re dead!”

A few days later…

Aside from class, I still hadn’t seen Melin.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was intentionally avoiding me.

And since I couldn’t see her, there was no way I’d run into Mion either.

The longer this dragged on, the worse I felt.

At least I haven’t seen her hanging around Len.

So maybe they did break up?

Since setting the condition for joint admission, Alfeo hadn’t even shown a single hair in the lab.

I sat alone in the lab, sighing deeply, when the door suddenly burst open without a knock.

“I’m coming in!”

A boy with curly golden hair suddenly walked in, flashing his usual cheeky smile.

“Haven’t seen you in days…”

“My friend had some things to prepare.”

“Ah, the one you said would come with you?”

“Come on in!”

At his words, a dazzlingly handsome blond boy stepped inside.

…Wait. Why are YOU here?

Seeing the golden-haired boy, I was flustered.

“Hello, Professor. Nice to see you again.”

Wow. Even his smile is charming.

I stared blankly for a moment before the reality sank in.

No, wait—this can’t be happening!

Of all people… why Lenox?!

“…Didn’t expect you to be interested in this class, Len.”

“Yes. I found it quite impressive.”

“Oh? What part impressed you?”

I was seriously curious. Lenox, interested in my class?

He answered,

“Your explanation of market principles—especially your thoughts on how the market might shift post-war. It was very compelling.”

Then he went on to summarize my lecture.

It’s my lecture, but he summarized it better than I could.

I had no choice but to believe him.

His words about being impressed were genuine.

I even felt a bit proud.

But still… I can’t accept Lenox just like that.

Reality hit me again.

He was now technically my sister’s ex-boyfriend.

Just as I was about to suggest he choose another friend to join the lab, Alfeo slung an arm around Lenox’s shoulder.

“We’re like one soul in two bodies. Right, Len?”

“…Yeah, that’s right.”

Lenox glanced at Alfeo and nodded.

So it has to be Lenox, huh?

I quickly grasped Alfeo’s intention and didn’t hesitate long.

Avoiding Lenox at the cost of losing Alfeo would be stupid.

Fine. I’ll keep him by my side and make sure he doesn’t go back to Melin.

In a way, this might actually work out better.

“By the way, what’s that in your hand?”

Alfeo pointed at the box Lenox was carrying.

I followed his gaze to a small white box.

It had a tulip pattern that looked oddly familiar.

“I couldn’t come to the lab empty-handed.”

Lenox opened the box he brought. My eyes widened.

“Is that Trisha’s Dessert?”

There were several tarts and cakes topped with assorted fruits.

“Do you not like sweets?”

I had fallen silent for a moment due to surprise, but Lenox seemed to misunderstand.

“If you don’t, I can bring something else next time.”

“No, I like it.”

That was the truth.

I’d tried almost every popular dessert shop in the Empire.

He’s unexpectedly thoughtful.

I looked at the desserts with amazement.

“This place—I go there all the time. And these are exactly the kind of fruit desserts I love.”

It was almost like someone had told him my preferences.

Maybe it was just coincidence… but still, I was surprised.

“I’m glad.”

Lenox smiled in relief. He didn’t seem to have any ulterior motive.

He just felt like an innocent boy his age.

Maybe I’ve been too biased against him.

Maybe I was too caught up in the original story and overly wary.

Yeah… he hasn’t had a memory-triggering catalyst yet anyway.

With that thought, I felt a bit more at ease.

But still, the thought of him and Melin together made me feel a bit uneasy.

I awkwardly smiled and reached out my hand.

“Thanks. Let’s get along from now on.”

Lenox looked at my hand for a moment, then carefully shook it.

“…Yes.”

The first time our hands met, his warmth wasn’t just comforting—it was hot.

And then, I realized something else.

Lenox’s smile was far more natural than it used to be.