Episode 4
It had already been two days since Serena made her big declaration to Luize. But despairingly, Bell still hadn’t published a correction. By now, the rumors from that article had spread not just to the 4th years but throughout the whole school.
In other words—Serena was officially known as that obsessive girl after Luize.
“How is this even happening…”
Serena sat slumped on a bench by the sports field, messing up her hair in frustration.
“Told you not to mess with Bell,” Randy said, nibbling on a chocolate beside her, voice full of concern.
“Randy… do you think I’m obsessive too?”
“No. I know you don’t have the guts for that.”
Randy grinned, handing her a piece of chocolate. Honestly, Serena had worried even Randy might avoid her after the article came out. If that happened, she wouldn’t just be an “obsessive freak” but also a total outcast. Thankfully, Randy stood by her.
Just then, noise erupted from the central field. The Magic Division and Martial Division boys were about to play a soccer match. And of course—Luize was among them.
“…What the—why’s he here too?”
Serena’s eyes widened as she looked around. No wonder it was louder than usual—it was because of Luize. Dozens of girls had gathered, cheering wildly just to see him.
“Seriously. What’s so great about that jerk…”
“He’s handsome, obviously. Isn’t that why you liked him too?” Randy teased.
Serena shot her a glare.
“…I mean, used to like him,” Randy quickly corrected with an awkward laugh.
“Did I even like him because he was handsome though…”
Still, Serena’s gaze lingered as Luize dashed across the field, silver hair gleaming in the sun.
Or maybe it was just because they were childhood friends? But no—he’d found her annoying since they were kids. She’d never been anything more to him.
“Well, okay… he is tall, and his build is… Ugh! What am I even saying?”
Catching herself watching him too closely, Serena scolded herself and stood.
“Leaving already?”
Randy checked her pocket watch. Lunch break still had thirty minutes left.
“Don’t wanna look at him.”
Serena brushed off her skirt and turned away. Just two days ago, she’d loudly declared she’d prove she was over him… yet nothing had changed. Every time she saw him, guilt pricked her conscience—even though she didn’t actually have anything to feel guilty about.
She was just heading up the stairs when something bumped against her leg. She frowned and looked down—a soccer ball had rolled right to her feet.
“Hey! Sorry, could you toss the ball back?”
One of the boys on the field waved at her. Must’ve gone astray during the game.
Keeping her head low so Luize wouldn’t notice her, Serena picked it up. Instead of tossing, she dropped it and kicked with her full strength just as it bounced up.
At that moment she remembered: back in her original life, she’d scored perfect marks in P.E. tests.
‘Uh oh… maybe I kicked that too hard.’
Sure enough, the ball soared in a perfect arc, flying way farther than intended.
“…H-huh?”
The boy who’d asked her to return it looked stunned as the ball shot across the field.
Thunk!
And landed squarely on Luize’s head.
“…!”
Serena clamped her hands over her mouth. Out of all people, why him?!
The whole field went silent in shock.
“Luize, are you okay?!”
The boys rushed over in panic, circling him.
“…I’m screwed.”
Serena panicked too. Before he could notice her, she decided—run.
“Randy, I’ll see you in class!”
“O-okay!”
Grabbing her long hair to cover her face, Serena bolted back into the main building.
“Luize, is your head okay?”
“I’m fine. It didn’t hit that hard.”
He waved off the worried voices, clearly annoyed.
“But seriously, who was that?! She didn’t even apologize—”
The boy beside him shouted angrily. The one who had asked Serena to kick the ball looked around frantically at where she’d been.
Of course, she was long gone.
“No need to look. I already know who it was.”
Luize muttered, eyes fixed on the empty bench where only Randy remained, looking awkward.
“Magic theory is sooo boring.”
Randy yawned loudly as they left class. Fourth period had been Basic Magic Theory, and she clearly hated it.
“Really? I liked it. It’s different from our division’s stuff.”
Serena laughed lightly. Randy made a horrified face—ever since Serena started studying seriously, she always reacted like that.
“Why do we even have to take it? We’re not in the Magic Division.”
“It’s Academy rules. Everyone has to take at least one course outside their major as an elective.”
Harrington Bell Academy had three divisions, but graduation required taking at least one class from another field each semester. That’s why Serena and Randy had just finished a magic elective before heading back.
‘Why did I choose magic theory again…?’
She clicked her tongue. Oh right—because original-Serena wanted more “connections” with Luize. If only she’d realized she transmigrated sooner, she never would’ve chosen it.
“Serena.”
Lost in thought, she looked up when Randy suddenly stopped, smiling sheepishly.
“What?”
“I left my pencil case in class.”
“Go grab it. I’ll wait here.”
Randy nodded and hurried back. Serena leaned against the wall, idly tapping her shoe. Most of the magic classrooms were empty—since most lessons were practice-based.
“What’s taking her so long…”
As she muttered, footsteps came from behind.
“Randy, why are you—”
She turned—and froze.
“…Serena. Why are you here?”
Luize. Damn it. Why did she keep running into him? She sighed.
“Don’t tell me you came all the way here just to see me again?”
…Unbelievable. Was he seriously this full of himself?
“Of course not! Who’d be crazy enough to do that? I had a class here. An elective.”
“You chose magic theory… because of me, didn’t you?”
“Ugh…”
His sharp guess left her speechless. Annoyingly, he was right.
“You said you’d prove it, remember.”
He crossed his arms, smirking.
“I will. Don’t worry. Just wait and see.”
She shot back confidently. She didn’t have a plan yet, but she couldn’t let him know that.
“Serena.”
“What.”
She turned away, ready to leave and avoid more misunderstandings, when his low voice stopped her.
“Don’t you owe me an apology?”
“…An apology? Ha! Not in a million years.”
“Really?”
Expressionless as ever, he asked again, disbelief in his tone. Serena felt uneasy at the look in his eyes.
Don’t tell me—
“The soccer field earlier.”
Damn it. He knew. He’d figured out right away it was her who hit him. Serena wanted to bolt but forced herself to stay.
“S-soccer field? What about it!”
“You kicked the ball that hit me. Still gonna deny it?”
“…What? Did I? Maybe without realizing—”
She decided to brazen it out. It wasn’t like she’d done it on purpose, and apologizing to him was the last thing she wanted.
“You know what? You stutter every time you lie.”
“W-when did I ever stutter?!”
“Just now.”
He smirked, looking down at her triumphantly. Then, just like she’d been earlier, he leaned back against the wall, arms crossed.
“…”
Lying was hard—even in a novel. Original-Serena had been a terrible liar too.
“Fine. Yeah, it was me.”
“Then you should apologize.”
“…”
“You admit it but still won’t say sorry?”
He pressed again, shaking his head as if he wouldn’t let it slide.
“…S…or—”
Her voice was so faint it barely counted.
“Can’t hear you.”
“Ugh, fine! I’m sorry, okay?! But seriously, I had no idea the ball would hit you. It wasn’t on purpose. Just know that.”
She jerked her head up, voice loud and sharp. Not exactly the tone of someone apologizing. Even Luize looked startled at her brazenness. She really wasn’t guilty—if anything, she felt irritated and wronged.
“…Weird.”
“What is.”
He studied her closely. The Serena he knew would’ve cried and begged forgiveness the moment the ball hit him—and then hovered over him every break to check if he was okay.
But this Serena? Nothing like that.
‘Did she really… give up?’
His eyes narrowed as he scanned her up and down. But then he quickly scoffed. He could still picture her breaking down and clinging to him after declaring she’d quit before.
“Serena!”
Their standoff was broken by Randy, running up with her pencil case in hand.
“Randy! You took forever.”
Because of you, I just wasted time with him!
“That’s not the problem right now!”
Ignoring Luize completely, Randy grabbed Serena’s arm, face urgent, still breathless from running.
