CHAPTER 68…………….
It was just like Aquila’s letter.
The content of Lennox’s graduation speech resembled what Aquila had once written.
And after a whole year, I still hadn’t figured out who Aquila really was.
‘No, it can’t be…’
I brushed it off as coincidence and laughed awkwardly. His speech embarrassed me, but it didn’t feel unpleasant.
‘So this is what it feels like when someone believes in you and follows you.’
In truth, I wasn’t someone who could easily trust others.
In my previous life, many people had approached me, claiming they could cure my sick younger sibling—who’d been given only days left to live.
Clinging to that sliver of hope, I had offered them money, valuables, everything… only to be repaid with betrayal and lies.
‘And Lennox… he grew up wallowing in that kind of filth, too.’
Could it be that by trusting me this much, he was prepared to endure betrayal as well?
‘No… surely not.’
I would do everything to prevent such a situation. But if—just if—his memories awakened someday?
What then? The thought suddenly weighed on me.
But then I laughed at myself.
‘Why am I worrying about something that hasn’t even happened yet?’
Buying worries in advance was the stupidest thing one could do.
“Ren-sunbae! Congratulations on graduating!”
As Lennox descended from the podium, a crowd of students rushed to him.
I also tried to step forward with the bouquet I had prepared for him.
But his popularity was far greater than I had imagined.
“Congratulations, Sunbae!”
I was helpless before the flood of students.
“H-Hey, wait! Everyone—!”
Pushed and pulled like driftwood in the tide, I lost my balance and stumbled.
‘Ah—!’
Just as I was about to fall backward—
A strong hand reached out from the crowd and caught my arm.
“Th-thank you.”
I blurted out thanks in surprise, but mostly I was astonished.
‘How did he even catch me?’
My posture had been so awkward that without considerable strength, he should’ve been dragged down with me. But whoever grabbed me hadn’t budged an inch.
The person holding my arm emerged from the crowd, and clear green eyes locked firmly on mine.
“…Ren?”
Still gripping my arm, Ren glanced around and led me away from the throng.
Finally free from the press of students, I caught my breath.
“Wow, you’re really popular.”
It was like watching a celebrity fan event.
Back in my old world, my friends had trained hard to survive idol fan meets, and now I finally understood why.
Noticing his gaze fall to the flowers in my hands, I gave an awkward smile and held them out.
“Congratulations on graduating, Ren.”
But the bouquet I’d prepared was a mess, battered by the crowd.
“I-I’ll buy you another one.”
Embarrassed, I tried to pull it back, but Lennox was quicker.
“Thank you.”
He accepted it without hesitation, leaving me flustered.
“The thought matters more than the appearance of the gift.”
“…Ahem. Ren, you’ve really grown up.”
“If you truly think I’ve grown up, then…”
Lennox began to say something but closed his mouth again.
“Hm?”
“N-no, nothing.”
He trailed off once more. Curious, I let it slide and chuckled.
“Ren, you look like someone buried in flowers.”
His arms were full with both mine and the bouquets from other students. He was practically a walking flower bed.
“Surprisingly, it suits you.”
His cheeks reddened faintly at my words.
“Does it, really?”
After spending a year with him, I’d learned he was weak to compliments about his looks.
Seeing that simple side of him was always fascinating.
‘Kind of… cute, even.’
I smiled unconsciously before asking,
“Come to think of it, it’s your birthday soon. Is there anything you want?”
Instead of answering, he just stared at me quietly, then let out a small laugh.
“Professor, you really do keep your promises.”
“Me? Well, I am the type to keep promises.”
But that wasn’t the kind of comment I expected here.
Puzzled, I watched as he spoke.
“There is one thing.”
“Oh? What is it?”
It was the first time he’d ever asked something of me, so I waited with genuine interest.
“When you leave… please take me with you.”
My mind froze at the unexpected request.
For a birthday wish, I’d expected something like a new sword or a house… not this.
“To where?”
He didn’t answer, but I quickly guessed.
“Don’t tell me… Tara Transport?”
He only looked at me silently.
I was taken aback.
“That might be… difficult.”
At my firm refusal, his expression stiffened slightly.
“You belong somewhere better than Tara Transport.”
I thought he would give up at this point, but he was more persistent than I’d expected.
“If I’m useless now, I’ll work hard to become useful. Gladly.”
“…That’s not what I mean. I don’t want to debate your usefulness here.”
He still looked like he wanted further explanation, but I couldn’t continue.
‘True, he worked hard assisting with the research this past year…’
But I’d also realized something undeniable.
Lennox wasn’t truly interested in the transport business.
Yet he never once showed it—just stubbornly stayed in the lab.
‘I don’t understand why.’
Because he was my fan?
Could he really have endured all this, just out of admiration?
‘Impossible.’
I’d never heard of someone entering graduate school just to be near someone they liked.
“Ren, if you join me, you’ll be wasting the talents you truly enjoy and excel at. So let’s wait one more month and see.”
His green eyes remained unshaken.
A sense of dread whispered that I might not be able to stop him. Desperately, I added,
“You never know. A better path may open for you.”
At the same time, I resolved to contact Callisto right away.
I needed to move up Lennox’s study abroad schedule.
“Hing… Thinking about not seeing you at the Academy anymore feels so strange, sis…”
Before returning to Count Jacqueline’s estate, Melin pouted as she saw me off. I patted her head.
“We’ll still see each other every vacation.”
Seizing the moment, Alfeo cut in.
“Do I really have to go every vacation too?”
“Why ask? Hold Melin’s hand and go with her.”
“Eek! No way!”
Melin shrieked at my words, glaring openly at Alfeo in disgust. He looked taken aback.
“Alfeo, were you always unpopular with girls?”
“No… I was popular, actually.”
I believed him. For the past year, girls had lined up outside the lab just to see Alfeo and Lennox.
“Melin, why don’t you like Alfeo?”
“He’s creepy! Smiling to himself while reading weird books—so gross!”
Classic Melin—pure and brutally honest.
The blow must have been heavy, because Alfeo staggered as if struck.
Watching this, I felt deeply moved.
‘Finally, Melin’s developed an eye for men!’
Feeling proud, I ruffled her hair even faster.
Now I could return home in peace.
Meanwhile, Alfeo tilted his head, looking utterly confused.
“Why does the Boss look so smug…? Weird. Really weird.”
I ignored his muttering and turned to Mion.
“Mion, you’re not staying here?”
In beast form, Mion sat at my feet.
It was clear he intended to return to the estate with me.
‘How unusual.’
But for me, it was convenient. With Mion around, everything tended to work out more smoothly.
Scooping him into my arms, I boarded the carriage.
And thus, my long yet short year at the Academy came to an end.
