Chapter 59


    Student Lina Rosewell, its now the end of your probation period. You cane out now if you want.


    On the day when all the grade assessments werepleted,


    Lina Rosewell finished the long probation period and stepped outside.


    Her red hair, which had flowed down to her shoulders, became messy. Dark circles under her eyes showed how much she had cried.


    Wearing clothes haphazardly, hair roughlybed, and shoulders slouched.


    One hand held a ck handkerchief wrapped around her neck like a choker, while the other clutched a note as she walked down the street.


    It was a long time after the grade assessments had finished.


    Even the sporadic passersby just paused briefly, unaware that she was Lina Rosewell.


    Only her eyes were different from her weary gait.


    Her eyes were full of hope.


    The reason was simple.


    The note she held in her hand was Ian ckangers address.


    If you have nowhere else to go,e hereter.


    One day, she gave me a note with my lunch box.


    A note handed to her one day with lunch. She thought she had discarded it, but while searching for traces of Ian among the gifts from her friends, she discovered it tucked in between. The joy she felt at that moment was indescribable.


    I-I can finally meet him.


    She endured, fueled only by the thought of meeting Ian.


    Sobriety in a bare amodation with thoughts of Ian every hour, every minute, every second.


    It was good to be able to do that.


    She could make an effort to understand what Ian had gone through, what situation he was in.


    The questions Ian sometimes asked He must have been falsely used.


    Understanding what mistakes she had made, why she had been so foolish.


    I only thought about myself and foolishly ignored Ian.


    Despite being so foolish, worthless, and insignificant, she was d she could think of ways to apologize to Ian and help him in any way she could.


    It was fortunate that she could think of Ian, but it was hell not being able to meet him.


    Linas steps quickened.


    She finally arrived at Ians amodation.


    This is Ians home


    Lina hastily put the note she held in her hand into her pocket.


    Then, she raised her hand to knock on the door.


    As Lina was about to bring her hand to the door, she hesitated.


    Trembling.


    Her hand trembled as if addicted to a drug.


    W-What if Ian doesnt open the door?


    If Ian found knocking annoying, or if he got angry and told her to leave, or worse, if he ignored her as if she were nobody?


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Suddenly, her heart pounded.


    The previous Lina definitely didnt have this kind of personality to worry so much.


    A personality that could open any door and say Hello! with a bright smile, that was Lina.


    But now, it was different.


    It was so frightening.


    She kept having negative thoughts.


    What if Ian really doesnt want to meet me?


    Suddenly, her vision became pitch ck.


    She had fainted several times during her probation period with this kind of thinking.


    If it continued like this, she would copse aftering all the way here. It wouldnt have any meaning.


    I-I have to knock.


    Lina mustered all her strength and knocked on the door with force.


    Knock, knock.


    Uhm, Ian? I-Its L-Lina I have something I want to talk about.


    Despite trying to control her voice, it kept cracking.


    Uhm, I have something I want to say to you.


    Words that had to be said. She had prepared better words, but she couldnt remember them.


    No response from the silent door.


    Lina swallowed her saliva.


    Helle out in a moment Surely.


    Five minutes passed like that.


    Hes probably taking a shower, right?


    Ten minutes passed.


    Uhm, Ian?


    Silence without any response.


    Is he not at home?


    But the lights are on.


    After work, Ian wouldnt be wandering outside somewhere.


    That means as expected.


    He probably doesnt want to meet me.


    Like a discarded puppy, her eyes welled up with abandonment.


    Her head hung low.


    For Lina, meeting him was the top priority, but it wasnt the same for Ian.


    I know this is my problem.


    Whenever she was with Ian, she only thought about herself.


    She didnt consider Ians feelings.


    She thought she had reflected countless times.


    But here she was, doing the same thing again.


    Whether Ian had any intention of meeting her, she didnt think about it. She ran all the way here fueled only by the desperate hope that he might want to see her.


    But what was the current situation?


    Ian clearly didnt want to see Lina.


    Lina bit her lower lip.


    She was selfish.


    But, still maybe, just maybe.


    If there was even a 1% chance that Ian wanted to talk to her, she was willing to bet everything on it.


    Th-This is the only chance we have to meet


    Lina gathered herself and knocked on the door.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    I-I know I did something wrong. So, Ian please. Please


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Theres so much I need to say. I really thought about it. I know I was wrong. So, just once. Please, just listen to me. Please. Please. Please. Please, please.


    Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock


    Linas hand, which was pounding on the door, dropped.


    A reddened hand.


    No more strength left in her hand.


    She couldnt call out to Ian like this.


    She couldnt cling to him.


    No it cant be.


    Linas face began to pale endlessly.


    Her breath became shallow.


    No matter how much she tried to breathe, her chest wouldnt move.


    Just a gust of empty air.


    Then, she realized the reality.


    Oh, I get it. I know. You probably dont want to see me anymore


    Perhaps there might be a chance for a few words.


    But the hope she had clung to crumbled.


    Ian didnt want to meet her.


    He didnt want to say a word.


    Those thoughts overwhelmed Lina.


    Ugh.


    Her breath was cut off.


    It wasnt a feeling of a strangled throat, but rather, someone squeezing her heart.


    The world went dark.


    Her right hand, which no longer moved, was reced by her left hand.


    Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.


    Continuing to knock on the door.


    If it didnt open, she felt like she would truly truly die like this.


    Ian didnt want to see her.


    Someone as insignificant as herself should live where Ians gaze couldnt reach.


    That might be the help for Ian.


    Save me, Ian. Please. Please. I know I was wrong. Huh? Just once. Please listen to me. Please. Please. Please. Huh? Please. Please


    But still


    Maybe it will help.


    If she dedicates her body and mind, maybe Ian will look back at her.


    She would rather be a sl*ve in his presence.


    It would make her feel better.


    Rather than that, no other way of living came to mind.


    Please, please please


    Tears continued to flow.


    Drenched in her clothes, she fell to the floor.


    Still, she kept knocking on the door.


    How much time had passed?


    Ttok, ttok.


    Footsteps heard from afar.


    Lina Rosewell?


    At the sound of her name, Linas head turned weakly.


    Lina Rosewell, copsed in front of Ians door.


    Wow.


    Silvia was shocked at her miserable appearance.


    She shed so many tears that her wet dress was almost transparent.


    It was the second time a different woman was at the door on her two visits, but Silvia was so confused that she momentarily forgot about the feeling of jealousy.


    Are you okay?


    Silvia found herself asking about Linas well-being.


    After looking at Silvia with her trembling eyes for a moment, Linas eyes drooped.


    Its not Ian Ugh, sorry. Sorry, Ian Please. Please open the door. Just once, please. Please


    Thud, thud.


    Lina was pounding on the door with her forehead.


    Silvia hurriedly tried to stop her.


    Hey, snap out of it. Ian is probably not home right now.


    Lina struggled to focus her eyes.


    Ian not here?


    Yes. Hes likely busy. After the recent grade assessment, where he went up at least one star, many guilds must be chasing after him.


    Oh, hes not here.


    Lina wiped away tears with the backs of her hands.


    She thenughed andughed.


    I-I I thought Ian was inside, and he just wouldnt open the door for me. Thankfully, hes not. Thank goodness.


    Linas emerald eyes lit up with renewed vigor.


    Even her pale face gained a flush.


    Sorry for showing you such a pathetic sight.


    As if nothing happened, Lina Rosewell stood up and smiled.


    Seeing this, Silvia couldnt help but ask.


    Arent you embarrassed?


    Huh?


    About your appearance.


    Lina, examining herself, scratched her head andughed.


    Maybe a little? Hehe. But being embarrassed isnt that important.


    ?


    Now I have another chance to meet Ian. Besides that, nothing else is important to me.


    Her voice was full of energetic and cheerful vibes.


    It was the Lina that Silvia knew.


    But for some reason, it sent shivers down her spine.


    Lina looked at Silvia and tilted her head.


    But Silvia, why did youe to Ians house?


    Oh, um, I brought a rare dessert to share


    Silvia stumbled over her words.


    Linas eyes were calm, but somehow it felt eerie. Her obsession with Ian seemed strangely dangerous.


    Silvia asked cautiously.


    Are you jealous?


    However, Lina responded by widening her smile and shaking her head.


    No. Thanks to Silvia, Ian can eat delicious food. Im happy when Ian is happy. Thank you.


    Oh


    But still, I envy you. If only I had money, I would have bought many nice things for Ian. Ehehe.


    I-I didnt buy anything! I just brought something that was left over!


    Im jealous of that too. It means you have something to give Ian. My ce has nothing. Im worried about how to repay him.


    Silvia realized.


    Youve just be a pushover.


    (TL: Original meaning is basically: someone whos very gullible and easily exploited, so Linas a simp.)


    Lina Rosewell was now just a pushover for Ian.


    Silvia sighed at that blind obsession.


    For some reason, it felt like the number ofpetitors had increased.


    Why is this ce so popr


    Silvia absentmindedly stared at Ians door.


    Initially, she thought it was a blue ocean.


    But now, its more like a fiery red ocean


    Such intensepetition wasnt Silvias taste.


    But now that she had entered, there was no room forpromise.


    Even so, Im probably ahead, right?


    The image of that cating out of Ians door shed through Silvias mind But she quickly shook her head.


    That sharp cat was nothing more than a pet. Normally, such people thatpete with cuteness dontst long.


    She needed to be directly helpful to Ian.


    Oh, right.


    The reason she came to find Ian. It was partly for dessert, but also because of the summoning of the disciplinarymittee.


    Lina Rosewell, this girl,  could be quite helpful.


    Come to think of it, Lina, theres something you can do for Ian.


    R-Really?!


    Lina instantly perked up.


    S-So, does that mean I can see Ian?


    With brightened eyes, Lina looked up at Silvia.


    Her appearance was cute, like a puppy hearing the footsteps of its owner returning.


    Silvia sighed internally.


    Well, Ive be a rival to a cat, now a dog Am I doing well?


    But Ians resolution was the top priority.


    Silvia nodded at Lina.


    ess 10 Chapters ahead of the Novelupdates release on our <strong>Patreon</strong>. <3


    Get notified about releases on our <em><strong>Discord Server</strong></em>