TCOSF | CHAPTER 01

Chapter 1

“I like you.”

Emily could only blink at that confession.

The pretty face that was always lively and gentle now looked shockingly somber and unsure of itself.

“I give up. I can’t say it’s not true anymore.”

He smiled as if he might cry.

“Even if you only like part of me… I love all of you.”

Emily stared blankly at his fresh green eyes, trembling anxiously with unease, and thought to herself.

When did things even start turning out like this?

Maybe it was back then…

•

One sunny afternoon in November, Emily looked around to make sure no one was there, then quietly slipped a folded note into someone’s desk.

“That should do it.”

Satisfied, Emily brushed her hands together and walked away with a pleased smile.

The owner of that desk, Eren Kasher, returned a little later after finishing swordsmanship class with his classmates.

Laughing among the noisy students, Eren walked into the classroom, then turned his head when a cool autumn breeze brushed his forehead.

Behind him was the colorful autumn garden of Cervel Academy, beautifully tended by the gardeners.

The crisp wind carried the scent of falling leaves and ruffled his golden wheat-colored hair.

As he ran a hand through his slightly messy hair, he smiled, thinking of the girl who once said she liked how soft it felt.

“Emily comes to mind.”

His soft hazel eyes curved sweetly, filled with youthful excitement and a bit of shyness.

It was the kind of expression only a boy in love could have.

“I wonder if she likes watching the autumn leaves.”

She probably would.

Emily always said she loved everything as long as she was with him.

Thinking of her cotton candy–like pink hair that seemed to melt under sunlight, Eren’s face flushed slightly.

Maybe it was because they hadn’t even been dating a full month yet, but he already missed her.

As he thought of meeting her after school, the ticking clock seemed to move painfully slow.

Tapping the watch in rhythm with the seconds, Eren suddenly realized what he was doing and sheepishly stopped.

Maybe he was being too obvious.

But he couldn’t help it.

That was just the kind of person Emily was to him.

Smiling bashfully, Eren reached into his desk to take out a textbook for the next class.

But when an unfamiliar piece of folded paper fell out with it, his expression stiffened.

“No way…”

His hand trembled as he picked up the note and slowly unfolded it.

Written in the beautiful handwriting he liked so much were the words:

“I don’t think I like you anymore. Let’s break up. I’m sorry. –Emily–”

Eren’s face twisted in silent despair.

•

“Hey, have you seen Emily Blair?”

“Emily? She left right after class ended, I think.”

“Damn it.”

Eren cursed under his breath, pressing his lips tightly together as he started searching for her again.

Seeing that, Emily rolled her eyes from where she was hiding behind a corner.

“Ugh, it’s been a while since I’ve been chased like this.”

Sighing, she twisted a strand of her curly pink hair around her finger.

“Should I go there?”

Straightening her back, Emily pushed off the wall and started walking lightly, careful to avoid Eren’s sight.

Her destination was behind the hill of the old building.

She had found this secret spot two months ago while trying to avoid an ex-boyfriend who refused to accept their breakup.

Almost forgotten by everyone, the old chapel building was rarely visited.

Parts of it had collapsed, and it was a good fifteen-minute walk from the main hall, but Emily didn’t mind.

Being forgotten by people meant it was perfect for hiding.

Not that she was always running from someone—but she did come here often when she wanted to be alone.

“The view really is nice.”

Humming softly, Emily enjoyed the scenery before her eyes.

The crumbling structure wasn’t ugly but peaceful in its own way, and the untamed grass gave it a quiet charm.

Most of all, the huge cherry blossom tree standing alone in the open field was breathtaking.

Sometimes, it almost made her feel like she’d stepped into a fairy tale.

It would probably look even prettier in spring, but she didn’t mind the gentle fall of leaves now either.

“Beautiful things really are the best.”

Smiling softly, Emily savored her little paradise.

She had always loved pretty and beautiful things—whether they were scenery or objects.

People, too.

She liked beautiful people.

Didn’t everyone?

Who disliked handsome men and beautiful women?

She was just a little more honest about it than most.

If there was a problem, it was that she stayed that way even while dating someone.

But she couldn’t help it.

When someone more beautiful appeared, her heart naturally wandered.

To her, that wasn’t a sin.

Why would wanting to be with someone more beautiful be wrong?

Her dream was to marry the most beautiful person in the world.

As long as they were beautiful, she didn’t care about social class or personality.

Even a crime—well, as long as it wasn’t murder—she could overlook.

That’s why people sometimes called her strange.

“Maybe I should start heading back.”

Emily stretched her arms and glanced at the time.

If she walked slowly, she’d make it in time for class.

Eren would have to attend class too, so he probably wouldn’t be looking for her until then.

Thinking of him made Emily sigh deeply.

It wasn’t that she disliked Eren.

He was kind, gentle, and spoke sweetly—just like his soft, golden-brown hair.

But Georgia from the next class was just… more handsome.

Eren’s warm hazel eyes didn’t shine as brightly as Georgia’s pale golden ones.

Eren’s smooth brown hair didn’t seem as charming as Georgia’s short black hair.

Her heart fluttered for someone else—what could she do?

All her past breakups had been the same.

A month, maybe less.

After that, someone else caught her eye.

Maybe it was because she got used to their faces, or maybe the other guy really was better-looking—but either way, it happened.

And for Emily, that was all that mattered.

“Ah, I hope Georgia is the most beautiful person in the world.”

Constantly chasing after new beauty was tiring too.

Wouldn’t it be nice to finally settle down with a perfect one?

Pouting slightly, she muttered to herself, unaware that Eren was coming down the hall looking for her.

One, two, three—

As she walked aimlessly, her eyes suddenly met Eren’s.

“Eeemilyyy!”

If the boy running toward her looked like a reaper from hell, could you really call it an exaggeration?

Either way, Emily gasped and bolted in the opposite direction.

“Stop right there!”

No way!

Running with all her might, Emily didn’t see the person standing at the corner and crashed right into them.

“I—I’m sorry! I’m in a hurry right now!”

Without even checking who it was, she spotted a slightly open storage room and shouted,

“I’ll hide in here! Please tell that boy behind me I went the other way!”

“Wait, what? Um—”

Whoever it was tried to speak, but Emily didn’t have time to listen.

She darted inside and shut the door just as Eren’s footsteps echoed nearby.

“Excuse me, did you happen to see a cute girl with pink hair run by?”

Please, please, say what I told you to!

Leaning against the door, Emily clasped her hands together and prayed.

Seconds dragged on endlessly until a calm, gentle voice finally answered.

“Uh… she went that way.”

“Thank you.”

A moment later, the sound of retreating footsteps faded away.

Did he leave?

Was it safe to come out now?

Just as Emily pressed her ear to the door, her heart pounding, she heard a polite cough.

“Um, I think you can come out now.”

Emily flinched at the voice and hesitated, then slowly cracked open the door to peek outside.

“Uh, right. I think so. So, what’s going on?”

“Well, actually…”

About to explain her situation out of courtesy, Emily froze.

Or rather—she had to freeze.

Because when the person turned to look at her, her mind went blank.

“Ah, you’ve got some dust on you. One moment.”

He gently reached out and brushed her hair aside.

And that face—

It was so perfect that it almost didn’t seem real.

“…Found you.”

“Huh? Found what?”

What else? Obviously, my future spouse.

Golden hair that looked as if it were spun from sunlight.

Bright green eyes that captured the color of a summer meadow.

Pale, milky skin paired with delicate, well-balanced features.

A softly defined jawline that made him look boyish yet refined.

If fairy-tale princes were real, they’d look exactly like him.

Not a single flaw.

Georgia? Who was that again?

Oh God above, thank you for creating such a divine being.

No, maybe he isn’t even human—he might be a god himself.

Emily closed her eyes, feeling a rare, devout reverence rise in her chest.

At last, she had found him—the most beautiful person in the world.

It wasn’t belief. It was certainty.

Her eyes sparkled.

“Um… are you okay?”

Sensing something odd, the boy tilted his head slightly.

“What’s your name?”

“…Sorry?”

He blinked, clearly confused by the unexpected question, then smiled warmly.

“Noah.

Noah Collins.”

Noah.

Even his name was perfect.

He was Emily’s new love.