CHAPTER 54……
Melin didn’t press him any further after his silence.
“Phew, must be nice being good at studying. I’m so jealous!”
She was starting to feel a little overwhelmed at the thought that she would now have to study on her own to avoid repeating a year.
Though she had spoken confidently in front of her sister, studying was still a challenge for her.
“Then study.”
“Ugh, that again!”
Melin knew he was right, but still pouted for no reason.
At least now studying doesn’t make me feel suffocated or anxious.
It was strange—those symptoms had suddenly disappeared.
Watching her, Lennox swallowed the envy that unexpectedly rose within him.
“Just show her that you’re trying.”
“Really, is that enough?”
“Yeah.”
Lennox was certain.
A few days ago, he had accidentally seen Melin talking with Clemence.
Even though all the facts had come to light, Clemence’s eyes still held affection when looking at Melin.
In that moment, Lennox had envied her so much it hurt.
He had worked himself to perfection during his time at the academy because he wanted to be someone worthy of the perfect Clemence.
But that wasn’t the right answer.
Since their meeting years ago, Clemence had never once given him a warm smile—until now.
And that was only because he had helped Melin.
In the underworld, showing weakness was equivalent to death.
Naturally, Lennox had assumed that the perfect Clemence would also prefer perfect people.
Because that’s just how people are.
But he had been mistaken.
She didn’t like perfect people.
Come to think of it, he didn’t actually know much about her.
Even in her letters, she never revealed much about herself—only responding to his, never initiating.
He had thought he’d be satisfied with just that, but he wasn’t.
He didn’t understand her, and that made him want to know more.
“Alright! Starting today, I’m going to study hard.”
Melin’s violet eyes sparkled more brightly than ever as she firmed her resolve.
“Isn’t today your volunteer work? That sounds fun! Have a good time!”
Having said her piece, Melin hugged Mion again without hesitation and left.
Volunteer work.
Lennox walked away with an indifferent expression.
To someone who had lived solely for survival since childhood, helping others felt both awkward and like an extravagant luxury.
But now, it didn’t feel entirely bothersome anymore.
When he thought back to the smile Clemence had given him after he helped Melin…
He suddenly stopped walking and placed a hand over his chest.
The time their hands brushed when exchanging the key.
The handshake when he first joined.
And most recently, when she had clasped his hand to thank him for helping Melin.
It was the same thing happening again and again, yet instead of growing numb to it, the more they touched, the wilder his heart raced.
And now, even just recalling her smile made it pound uncontrollably.
It was like that time long ago, when he was parched on a backstreet in the underworld and, without thinking, snatched a drunkard’s alcohol to drink—it was that same dizzying rush.
Just then, someone called his name from behind.
“Oh? Look who it is!”
As always, Alfeo approached, flaunting his curly hair, chattering away noisily.
“Fancy meeting you here. Where are you headed? Ah, I know!”
His red eyes fell to Lennox’s hand, where he carried the same tulip-printed box as always.
“Perfect timing—I was getting bored walking alone. I’m headed there too.”
Alfeo froze mid-smile at Lennox’s reply.
“Indeed, perfect timing. I was just looking for you.”
“…Me?”
Alfeo felt an ominous twinge. He had sought out Lennox many times before, but this was the first time the reverse had happened.
“Hmm… actually, I just remembered something else I need to do, so I’ll be going.”
“I asked you for a favor, Alfeo.”
Lennox grabbed his shoulder and turned him around, smiling faintly.
Alfeo realized what he meant.
‘Then go explain it.’
‘You want me to tell the professor that you and Melin aren’t a thing?’
‘Yes.’
Scratching his head at the memory, Alfeo muttered, “…Oh, that.”
“You’re not sick or anything, right?”
“Perfectly healthy.”
“I mean the kind of sickness where people’s words sound like nonsense.”
His cold tone made Alfeo chuckle.
“Come on, no need to make a big deal out of forgetting something.”
In truth, he hadn’t forgotten—he had simply thought it would be more amusing to let Countess Jacqueline keep misunderstanding.
“Forgetting, huh… That’s odd, considering you brag all the time about your perfect memory.”
“Lately I’ve been slipping. Guess I’m getting old?”
At his half-hearted excuse, a smile tugged at Lennox’s lips.
“Then the deal’s off. I won’t be saving your life.”
“Hm, sure, sure.”
Not that it mattered much to him anyway. He had never expected an ordinary commoner to be able to take care of the forces after his life.
“But now I’m curious about who will take it.”
Lennox’s gaze narrowed like an eagle’s.
The loaded remark made Alfeo shiver ever so slightly.
Volunteer work? Not a bad idea.
Yesterday, after the afternoon classes ended, Professor Mackerman had said this while flipping through a book after hearing my plan.
But volunteer work needs a supervising professor. Will anyone agree to do it?
It was true—most of them would probably refuse, claiming to be busy with their own research.
Her words made me a little uneasy, but I forced a confident smile.
Heh, surely there’ll be at least one, right?
…
At the time, I had no idea.
That my words would come back to bite me.
On the first day of winter break, I silently cursed.
No professors had volunteered to supervise the volunteer work, so the newest, most junior professor—me—had been stuck with the job.
To rot here during my precious break…
I had only been at the academy for a couple of months, but today was the first time I had ever wanted to escape it so badly.
When I saw Lennox and Alfeo walk into the lab side by side, I pretended to be surprised and covered my mouth.
“Oh my, even the delinquent researcher showed up?”
“Come on, I’m diligent enough, right?”
Alfeo shrugged, grinning.
“Diligent only applies to Ren.”
Yeah, right. I snorted.
“Ren, come sit here.”
I patted the seat beside me as if beckoning a beloved nephew.
He hesitantly sat down next to me—then our eyes met. His clear green eyes were so refreshing to look into that my mood lifted instantly.
Huh?
Lennox was the one who broke eye contact first.
Why was he avoiding my gaze?
It felt like he’d been doing that more often lately. I tilted my head in thought.
“Wow, it’s tough being the one discriminated against,” Alfeo grumbled beside us. But his face didn’t look one bit upset—on the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying the scene, smiling broadly.
“So, have you decided?”
“Not yet.”
“Hmph…”
Still hadn’t decided whether to join Tara Transport, huh.
Every time I saw him, I’d casually ask, but Alfeo always brushed it off with the same attitude.
“Then what brings you here today?”
“I came up with a research topic I want to do, like you said last time.”
“And what’s that?”
I asked without much interest.
His previous “research topics” had been ridiculous.
Why must novel heroines always be kind?
Why do male leads always regret things? Can’t they just not do anything to regret?
When does that bastard Cardis ever regret anything?
Why are there only love stories between men and women in novels? Where’s the same-sex romance?
Not my problem.
He had definitely been reading some “male lead regret” novel back then.
So I wasn’t expecting much, but his next words made my eyes widen.
“A flying machine.”
Alfeo represents us 😂