Chapter 28


    <em>Why is this</em>


    Felix stared at the ne in his hand without moving. The crystal was crafted exquisitely with the zodiac sign of October. It looked like the constetion ne that Lucy purchased at the stall on the day of the festival.


    <em>Why is this on Adrians bed?</em>


    Felix was confused as he lifted his head and looked at his brothers back. He nkly fiddled with the ne; thousands of thoughts ran through his mind.


    <em>Maybe its just a simr ne? Constetion themed nes aremon, or someone else gave it to him. We werent the only ones who bought things at the stand.</em>


    He recalled, quelling the suspicion rising from the corner of his mind.


    <em>Yes, nes like this aremon. Its something I can find anywhere in the market. So, no need to worry.</em>


    Adrian, Felix called his brother. He needed to check it himself, but his heart was beating anxiously.


    Adrian looked back while organizing his clothes. Hmm?


    Felix showed him the ne on his opened palm. Where did you get this?


    Ah. Adrian rushed over and picked up the ne resting on Felixs palm. He hurriedly put the ne in a small box on the desk and closed the lid. Sorry. The person asked me to keep it a secret, he replied, a bit troubled.


    <em>Person? Secret?</em>


    Felixs heart sank at his response. It was an ambiguous answer and made him afraid to ask more.


    Adrian opened the desk drawer and pushed the box containing the ne into its depth, oblivious to his twins reaction. Felix looked at him, eyes empty. After a while, he slowly got up from Adrians bed and tumbled over to his bed, stretching helplessly over it.


    Adrian looked at him, confused. Felix was acting strange. He was flopping around like a child on his bed just before, but now hey still like a dead fish on a chopping board. Whats wrong?


    Felix did not respond to his question.


    Adrian looked at him and muttered, Is it puberty?


    * * *


    The next day.


    Felix, who was returning to the dormitory after the morning ss, sat down on a nearby bench for a while. Then he pressed his thumb against his temple. The headache he had felt since waking up in the morning never went away.


    After a while, he lowered his hand and stared nkly at the campus. Autumn flowers bloom in every flowerbed against a backdrop of a clear blue sky and vibrantly colored trees.


    No beautiful scenery caught his eye. A single thought dominated his mind and bothered him deeply. The fact he had forgotten because he got so close to Lucy and was so happy just seeing her smile.


    The fact that Lucy liked Adrian, not him.


    Like a dam, which had begun to crack once, could not withstand the rushing water and gradually copsed, the negative thoughts that kepting to his head could not easily be shaken off, and he gradually fell into deep agony.


    It was painful to imagine Lucy presenting the ne to Adrian.


    The more he shook it off, the more specific and vivid the scenes that appeared in his head, making him sad. He closed his eyes tightly and swept his face down with his dry hand. It was then that someone tapped him lightly on the shoulder.


    Lucy! Felix shouted, surprised, as he turned his head.


    Lucy stood with her light brown hair neatly braided and hanging over her shoulder. She smiled gently as she looked at Felix, waiting for his usual cheeky smile. However, her bright smile gradually faded when Felix was just staring at her, still surprised. After hesitating for a while due to his unresponsiveness, she turned to the bench.


    Felix-sunbae, she said, sitting next to him. Actually, Ive been following you from over there. She pointed to the entrance of the academys main building. I was walking quite close. Didnt you notice?


    Felix couldnt even respond properly and only let out a strange Oh.


    Seeing Lucys face, he was ovee with both joy and pain. The two emotions were mixed together, so instead of his usual yful smile on his face, only an awkward smile appeared.


    Are you sick? Lucy asked, worried.


    No, Im fine, Felix replied, shaking his head.


    Not too far away, a group of students passed by, making a lot of noise. Lucy stood up as if conscious of their gaze and said, If its hard to talk now, shall we talk about itter?


    Its not like that. Felix sat her back down. His unusual mood had Lucy lowered her head with a sullen expression. An awkward air circted around them, and Lucy fiddled with her hands on herp.


    <em>Calm down, Felix! Lucy came up first and talked to you. What are you doing?</em>


    He pushed himself. He felt pathetic that he was unable to control his mood and attitude only because of a ne.


    These days  I think I was able to diligently prepare for the exam thanks to you. Felix finally got the words out of his mouth after a few moments of deliberation.


    Lucy raised her head with a slightly brighter expression at his words. Really?


    Yeah. Ive never worked so hard before.


    If there is something you dont know while studying, just ask me. Im preparing for the third-grade subjects in advance, too Ill answer you as much as possible. Lucy turned to face the front, embarrassed. Ah! Come to think of it, and theres Adrian-sunbae too, she said as if she had just remembered. Since you share the same room anyway, you can ask him. I also received his help from time to time, and he was kind enough to exin it to me.


    Felix was heartbroken when his younger brothers name came out, and his stomach began to hurt as if it were being squeezed. He nodded. AdrianYeah Thats right.


    I think Adrian-sunbae is really great. He ced first in all subjects for all three years, and he was ranked first overall, but there are some subjects he did not achieve satisfactory results. Lucy sang Adrian praises.


    Various emotions simmered in Felixs heart when Lucy praised Adrian. For swordsmanship, I was number one. Such words popped out of his mouth.


    Lucy opened her eyes wide when he suddenly revealed his ranking. Felix looked down in embarrassment, thinking that maybe he was more talkative than Colin or Noel.


    Oh,e to think of it, you got the highest score for swordsmanship, Lucy said as she remembered his previous report card she had seen before.


    Yes, if you have any difficulties, please tell me. Ill teach you.


    Thank you. But I dont take swordsmanship Im not well coordinated.


    With those words, the conversation ended abruptly. The two sat silently, looking at the wide campus for a moment. Lucys feet kept swinging under the bench.


    Umm, I think it would be okay to learn for self-defense, Lucy said after a moment of silence. I cant swing it coolly but learning how to hold a dagger is not bad.


    Really? Okay, Ill set a date and teach you properly. Felix tried to answer in his usual tone and forced a smile on his face. Holding down the wretched emotions rising in his head.


    It wasnt that he didnt know that Lucy liked Adrian. But what can he do? After meeting Lucy, all the emotions he felt were beyond his control. All he could do was hide his ugly feelings as much as possible and manage his expressions.


    Sunbae, Im actually here because I have something to say, Lucy said, looking apologetic. I dont think we can study together this week.


    Why? Felix raised his head at the unexpected news.


    Mrs. Erin fell off thedder yesterday and injured her arm. There was no one to work in the library, so the book club members decided to take turns manning the return desk.


    Felix, who was already dejected, felt even more so at Lucys exnation.


    Im sorry, sunbae. Lets study again next week. Im here to tell you this.


    it cant be helped, Felix replied, unable to hide his disappointment.


    Yeah Ill get going then.


    Wait a minute. Felix hurriedly grabbed Lucys wrist when she got up from the bench. However, despite holding someone rather desperately, he was unable to say what he wanted to say. Is the neck


    Neck?


    Ne Felix, unable to continue his words, had a strangely distorted expression. He released his hold on Lucy. Its nothing, he said indifferently.


    In the end, he sent Lucy away without even asking about her constetion ne. In fact, Felix was afraid. He was afraid that Lucy really gave Adrian the ne. He was afraid she would say yes calmly. So, he avoided getting an answer. He couldnt even ask the question.


    Felix silently looked at Lucys back as she walked away. Every corner of his heart ached unbearably as it seemed that one day, she would be so far away from him, forever.