How to End a One-Sided Love – Episode 15 (15/110)
Since that night, I had come to realize that the appearance of demons was far more serious than I had thought. The fact that there wasn’t just one of them sent a chill down my spine.
Wild boars or deer ruining the fields were troublesome enough—but at this point, it felt like it would be better if a hundred of those showed up instead.
“You can stop now.”
At Rita’s words, I looked into the mirror. My once-disheveled hair had been somewhat tidied.
I didn’t even know how many times I had combed it. Thanks to that, my usually messy hair now shone with a smooth, threadlike sheen.
It had been a while since I wore anything other than a school uniform, so it felt a bit awkward—but I figured I’d get used to it soon.
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
Today was the day the subjugation team was coming from the Magic Tower.
Worried I might be late, I hurriedly stood up—only to slam my knee into the vanity. I rubbed my knee vigorously and ran down the hallway.
“They haven’t arrived yet, right?”
While fixing my hair again in case it had gotten messy, I asked my father.
My father chuckled softly and pulled my shoulder toward him.
“They seem to be arriving now.”
“!”
At the end of the slope, a white carriage was speeding toward us.
My heart started pounding again.
Soon, the carriage slid to a stop in front of the mansion.
I lightly tapped my father’s shoulder, excitement written all over my face.
“They’re getting out… they’re getting out…”
Through the slightly opened carriage door, a silver-white ponytail swayed. Somehow, it looked familiar.
The next moment, my mouth dropped open.
“…S-Senior, why are you…?”
Why are you here?
But the rest of the words never made it out.
Noah senior stepped down from the carriage and gave a faint smile in our direction.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach.
Two more figures followed him out of the carriage, but none of that registered in my eyes.
Why is senior here? Why?
Dozens of question marks floated in my head.
“Katelyn, do you know them?”
At my father’s question, I couldn’t answer and stood there stiff as a board.
Even after blinking a few times to deny reality, nothing changed.
“…!”
I quickly looked down at what I was wearing. It wasn’t dirty or torn, but just ordinary clothes worn at home.
…Damn it!
If I had known this would happen, I would have worn something nicer—even if not a dress. At least my hair was neatly combed, so that was something.
“Hello.”
Before I knew it, the senior had walked right up to me, met my eyes, and greeted me.
His honey-colored eyes curved gently.
“It’s been a while.”
I couldn’t say anything, only opening and closing my mouth a couple of times.
I’ll say it again—my stomach hurt.
It felt like a hole was about to be drilled straight through it.
Here’s what had happened.
Noah senior, a magical genius, had frequent exchanges with the Magic Tower since childhood, and this time, during his vacation, he had visited the tower again.
Since he was skilled enough to rival most mages and it would be a good experience, they had brought him along to the field… apparently.
Tower Master, what were you thinking?
“You’re saying he’s an academy senior? Haha, what a coincidence!”
My father, seated at the table, burst into hearty laughter.
It might be a fascinating coincidence for him—but not for me.
Noah senior’s gaze was so direct it felt almost piercing, and standing rigidly at attention made the situation feel like sitting on pins and needles.
“I’ve heard of the Young Lord of the Uriel family.”
My father patted my back as he continued in a cheerful tone.
“By chance, my daughter is also a mage, you see? She was so excited knowing mages from the Magic Tower were coming today!”
“A-Ah, Dad.”
Why would you say that?
I shot him a sidelong glance.
“Honestly, you’re quite shy.”
I couldn’t help but resent my father’s teasing nature. No—more than that, the entire situation was unbearably awkward.
Standing straight, I fidgeted with my fingers awkwardly as refreshments were finally brought out.
At last, something to hold in my hands—I inwardly rejoiced.
Just then—
“Katelyn.”
As soon as the maid poured tea into the cup, Noah senior picked up a spoon and asked,
“Sugar cubes?”
“…Yes.”
For some reason, he even added the sugar cubes himself. Then he stirred the tea thoroughly with the spoon before handing it to me.
“Thank you…”
“Don’t mention it.”
If I had known, I would’ve refused—since I prefer things a bit sweeter.
Even though he had so kindly prepared the tea for me, I couldn’t tell whether it was going into my mouth or my nose.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d seen him in casual clothes. It had been a while since he tied his hair like that too. Wow, he even wears earrings. They suit him well.
I stared absentmindedly at the blue teardrop-shaped gem dangling against his long, pale neck, then suddenly lowered my head.
Focus. This isn’t it. But seriously, it really suits him. Stop. He’s too good-looking. …Please stop!
An unexpected split in my inner self was taking place. All because he was unnecessarily handsome.
As I writhed in self-reproach over my own weakness, I suddenly heard a crisp crunching sound from somewhere.
“?”
Following the sound, I slightly lifted my head.
There sat a man with dark navy hair like the night sky and dark circles that looked like he hadn’t slept for a week, silently munching on snacks. The speed at which he ate was oddly fast.
Finding it curious, I kept glancing at him, and when he seemed to notice my gaze, he stopped.
I quickly lowered my head again, suddenly feeling apologetic.
Sorry. Please continue eating.
As soon as I looked away, the crunching resumed.
“Hmm.”
Come to think of it, the tea was a bit less sweet. Maybe I should add one more sugar cube?
If I just reached for the sugar bowl, senior would probably do it for me.
Glancing sideways, I saw that senior was still looking this way.
…Let’s just drink it less sweet.
I sipped the tea in a slightly discouraged manner. Only then did I begin to hear my father’s conversation with another mage.
“Just the other night, a demon suddenly appeared and gave us quite a bit of trouble. Haha, in the end, my daughter defeated it with magic.”
“A-Ah, Dad. Why would you say that…”
How embarrassing.
I covered my face and groaned.
Bragging in front of three top experts in the field—it was like showing off your skills in front of masters. Completely overkill.
“Haha, there’s no need to be embarrassed. It’s a good thing that the young lady possesses magical talent, isn’t it?”
The gold-haired mage with a friendly expression—apparently the subjugation team leader named Linus—said that.
“Even if only briefly, to have defeated a demon alone suggests she possesses the skill of a mid-to-high-ranking mage.”
As he spoke with a smile, Noah senior, sitting beside me, added,
“Katelyn is a talented mage.”
“!”
A talented mage.
“Heh.”
A talented mage, huh. Praised by two of the best in the field.
I raised a hand to cover my mouth, trying to suppress the corners of my lips that kept twitching upward.
Unable to help myself, a faint smile escaped from behind the teacup covering my lips.
But soon, as reality set back in, my smile faded.
Noah senior, who had been sitting quietly like me, suddenly spoke.
“Is it boring?”
“…Y-Yes! No!”
I nodded absentmindedly before snapping my head up. What am I even saying?
As I stammered, Noah senior let out a small chuckle and rested his chin on his hand.
“You’re finally looking at me.”
“…!”
I swallowed hard in shock. My heart felt like it had stopped for about two seconds—was that just my imagination?
Noticing my trembling pupils, he lowered his brows slightly.
Ah… that pitiful expression.
“Is it uncomfortable for me to be here?”
“N-No.”
I answered immediately.
If I were honest, I’d love to steal my father’s seal and issue an expulsion order—but of course I couldn’t say that.
“If it’s not fun, should I leave?”
“Pardon?”
Leave… where?
I blinked in confusion, then quickly picked up the teapot as if to do something.
“Would you like more tea?”
He nodded.
“Ah.”
Embarrassed, I set the teapot back down.
“Now that I think about it, you must be tired from the journey. This place is quite remote… honestly, Dad…”
I glanced back at my father, who was enthusiastically chatting with Linus.
“If you’re okay with it, shall we go upstairs?”
“Yeah, let’s.”
After he nodded, I slowly stood up from my seat.
“Dad…”
I turned to ask which room I should guide the senior to, but my father was still deeply engrossed in conversation.
Well, I could just guide him to the guest room. It’s not like he’s heading out to a subjugation mission right away.
With that thought, I felt slightly more at ease and called out to Rita.
“Rita.”
But for some reason, Rita’s expression looked urgent.
She hurried over and leaned close to my ear, whispering.
