TBBS 18

Chapter 18..

Of course, the teacher had definitely said so.

I looked at Erik with slightly resentful eyes and confessed the truth.

“My parents couldn’t come due to circumstances. I only found out about the event late because I transferred schools, so they couldn’t adjust their schedule.”

The teacher looked flustered and apologized.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s okay. I can just go home next time.”

“As you know, my parents had to leave earlier for other commitments.”

Erik seemed to be repeating the reason he had probably mentioned to the teacher on my behalf.

The teacher, with a look of sympathy fading, shrugged his shoulders.

“Alright. If it’s your wish to both work today, then let’s finish the RFID tag task today.”

“Roger, Miss Shellen.”

I was dumbfounded seeing Erik get up from his seat so casually. I couldn’t tell whether he had come alone or if he had just left his parents behind.

As the teacher wished, until we finished the tagging task, the library truly had not a single visitor.

“See, guys? Maya will be thrilled when she comes next week.”

“She’s in third grade and busy, so of course we’ll handle it.”

I greeted Miss Shellen while standing next to Erik, who was speaking casually.

“Have a great weekend, Miss Shellen.”

Walking down the hall with Erik afterward wasn’t exactly easy. Our last conversation had been a mess.

“That can’t be. Someone as perfect as you wouldn’t make a mistake.”

“It’s just… I shouldn’t get involved with you.”

Yet the RS, which Erik was part of, had provided exactly the measures I needed.

Could it be that he had figured out the problem because of my harsh tone that day?

…No, that’s impossible. RS probably wanted to protect Liam, not me.

Still, the fact remains that I had acted stubbornly and inadequately that day, so it was best to apologize.

Just as I resolved to do so, Erik pushed the library door open.

“Um…”

“Maybe…”

Our attempts to break the awkward silence overlapped, and we both laughed lightly.

“You go first.”

Erik didn’t waste the opportunity and spoke immediately.

“Sorry.”

…That’s what I wanted to say. Why are you saying it?

“I’m sorry for saying whatever I wanted about our first date at the magic show, which put you in a difficult position.”

“No, it just… happened…”

“The weather was nice that day, and I guess I got a bit carried away. Sorry.”

If he apologizes repeatedly like this, what am I supposed to do?

“I’m the one who should apologize. What happened on the bulletin board had nothing to do with you. Even if that really was our first date, they had no right to say such things.”

Erik paused for a moment, then asked,

“…You really think so?”

“Don’t you? Are you supposed to get permission from them before a date?”

“No.”

I exhaled deeply and said,

“I’m sorry for getting mad at you even though it wasn’t your fault. I… just acted like them too. Sorry.”

“You’re different.”

Erik disagreed once just to be polite and extended his right hand.

“Since we’ve both apologized, let’s make up.”

We’re not seven years old…

Even as I thought that, I chuckled and shook his large hand.

“Alright.”

Once we did, the handshake felt surprisingly effective. The warmth in our hands made the reconciliation feel much more genuine.

A large sedan was parked in front of the library, waiting to pick him up.

“I’ll give you a ride home to celebrate our reconciliation.”

Erik offered generously, but I waved him off in embarrassment.

“Oh, my parents didn’t know today was Parent’s Day. They had important plans, so I didn’t tell them in case they’d cancel…”

Erik tilted his head slightly.

“Is that really a problem? I’m just asking if I can give you a ride since I’m passing by. It shouldn’t matter if your house isn’t empty.”

He was absolutely right. Using public transport to leave the school is inconvenient, and there’s no real reason to visit home often. On weekends, visiting home is always fine in Branel.

But still, I didn’t expect that Erik’s house would be in the same direction as mine. Maybe he lived somewhere nearby?

So I still answered hesitantly.

“My house is pretty far…”

Erik shrugged.

“Zarva, right? Where exactly?”

Living in Zarva isn’t something you easily forget. Erik, of course, had more reason to remember where I lived…

“…Jakobsbery.”

“My house is in Yurs Holm, so I’m heading north. A little detour isn’t a big deal.”

But going to Jakobsbery on the way to Yurs Holm isn’t just a small detour. Erik must know that.

“Or do you still not want to get involved with me?”

Wow… so petty.

But since he turned my words back at me, I couldn’t refuse his consideration. Acting like I didn’t want to get involved again would ruin the sincerity of my apology.

In the end, I called my parents, and they were delighted to hear I was coming home. I’d never spent two weeks apart from them.

Still, sitting next to Erik in the back of a luxury sedan I had never even seen before, all my accumulated worries threatened to collapse like an avalanche.

If the director saw me in this car, he wouldn’t be pleased…

“Um.”

I tried not to bring up the director’s disapproval and changed the subject.

“The notice from RS… it wasn’t just because of me, I guess, but…”

In the dark green of the car at sunset, his eyes fixed on me.

“Still, thanks. Even though it’s nothing, that bulletin board bothered me more than I realized.”

“Of course it did.”

Erik spoke as if he understood me. He hadn’t cared about the comparisons between Liam and him on the bulletin board, leaving me alone for a whole year.

“From now on, I’ll also be careful. It’s not right for anyone to be hurt because of me.”

That’s when I remembered what Olivia had told me:

“Last year, Christina constantly harassed Erik’s mentor, a second-year senior, and eventually sent him abroad!”

Could it really be true?

“Do you want to go back to school together?”

“Huh?”

I snapped out of my daydream at his unexpected offer. So he wanted to return to school together after the weekend?

It wasn’t necessary. On Sundays, my parents would be free to take me, and Jakobsbery and Yurs Holm weren’t really in the same direction…

“Thanks, but it’s okay. My dad’s free on Sunday anyway.”

When I politely declined his somewhat surprising offer, Erik suddenly asked,

“Can I follow you on Instagram just in case?”

“Me? My account’s private, and there’s nothing to see…”

He chuckled at my awkward reply.

“Of course, I don’t expect any amazing content from your account. Mine isn’t special either.”

Even if I can’t remember the exact number of followers, Erik probably has an account as impressive as Liam’s.

“Anyway, contact your parents if there’s a problem. You’re suddenly going home.”

“Ah…”

Could following Erik on Instagram cause more trouble?

But I can’t let such worries stop me from doing anything…

So I awkwardly nodded.

“Thanks. You can do the same.”

Oops.

I immediately regretted adding that last part reflexively. To a normal classmate, it would have been polite, but to Erik Branel, riding in a car with a driver, it just sounded silly.

Of course, Erik tried not to laugh at my foolish words, but I clearly saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

“Are you really okay with me not giving you a ride home?”

By the time we arrived at the apartment, the sun had already set. Erik seemed reluctant to let me go up alone.