Jealousy
"Marie, I'm sorry."
"What...?"
"That... thing from swordsmanship class a few days ago."
"......"
After class ended. Marie faced Malcolm in the empty classroom, at his request. Normally, she'd be at the annex for study group by now.
"...Why are you apologizing to me?"
She was already itching to see Emil. Having her time delayed by Malcolm, who'd hurt him, left her irritated. And the reason for it was hard to swallow.
Her voice carried her inner frustration plainly.
"No... it's just..."
Malcolm picked up on her discomfort right away.
This isn't going right...
Lately, the two had been distant. Not from any fight, but Malcolm was jealous of how close Marie had gotten to Emil. And Marie was angry that Malcolm had hurt Emil.
Today, he'd called her aside to mend things. But even after mustering the courage, Marie stared at him coldly.
"Did you... apologize to Emil?"
"What?"
"You hurt Emil. Have you apologized to him?"
"......"
He hadn't. After that sudden accident sent Emil off, Malcolm had let it slide.
Normally, he would've apologized right away. But to this Emil—the one so close to Marie—deep down, he couldn't stomach it.
So he stayed silent at her question.
"...Haa."
That silence only made Marie angrier.
"I can't understand you, Malcolm."
"Marie..."
"The you I know is kind, and great at swordsmanship. How could you make a mistake like that? ...Was it even a mistake?"
"......"
There was no proof Malcolm had done it on purpose. But Marie had a hunch.
She couldn't explain why confidently. But after all their time together, she was sensitive to his subtle changes.
And at her suspicious words, he offered no denial.
"I don't know what's going on, but... I won't accept an apology from someone who hasn't said sorry to Emil. ...And I don't even get why you're apologizing to me."
"Marie..."
"I'm going. The others are waiting. ...Come if you want."
"......"
With that, Marie brushed past him and left the classroom.
Come if you want. In other words, don't come if you don't feel like it.
"......"
Malcolm stood frozen, clenching his fists. His face twisted as he thought of Emil—the root of their rift.
。 。 。
Thud, thud.
Was I too harsh...?
Walking the hall, Marie frowned, recalling Malcolm's sad expression.
But she shook her head, shoving it from her mind.
He's the one in the wrong anyway.
If he'd been innocent, he'd have argued back. He hated being misunderstood.
His silence confirmed her suspicions.
So she couldn't forgive him.
He hurt Emil... on purpose.
It felt like betrayal. She didn't know why. Maybe Emil had started it.
But still, she couldn't forgive Malcolm. Emil meant that much to her.
"......"
She stopped, cheeks flushing as the thought lingered.
But do I even have the right to forgive or not...?
Embarrassment hit her for her anger.
She and Emil were just friends. Not family, not besties. Not lovers.
Just her, harboring feelings for him.
Acting like his girlfriend, getting mad on his behalf—it was embarrassing.
"......No. I'll make it happen."
But she steeled herself, face red, and kept walking.
So what if they weren't together now? She'd make it happen. Later was fine.
Especially since lately, she'd sensed a real chance.
"......Heehee."
Thinking of it made her giggle, cheeks flushing again.
It was from a few days ago, their private lesson.
Her question about his type, and his answer:
'Someone who gets good grades on midterms.'
His warm smile, sunset eyes. Recalling it warmed her heart.
Positively speaking... that's me, right?
Grinning, she strolled the hall, replaying his words.
Emil knew. How hard she was studying for midterms—to prove herself to her oppa.
And he said he liked people who aced midterms!
That's not a real type!
Not his type, but a hint at who he liked.
Super positively? It was her.
"Hehe, hehehe..."
The hopeful fantasy brought a silly laugh she couldn't hold back.
Her mood, sunk by Malcolm, started floating again.
Lately, she'd felt this magic often. Bad mood? Think of oppa or family—no, Emil, and it lifted instantly.
Wiping away anxiety and pain like magic.
So she fell harder for him. Deeper than her childhood reliance on oppa.
I'll crush these midterms for real.
Climbing to the annex, she renewed her resolve—not tense like before, but hopeful, joyful, excited.
Soon, she reached the study group room.
"Suuup... fuu~."
She paused, deep breaths. Relax. Meet Emil calm and natural. Show only her best side.
Hypnotizing herself, picturing her ideal self.
Then—
[Emil...]
[Mm...]
Voices from inside.
...Emil and... Sierra.
Her excited heart sank cold. Like a stone slamming her chest.
Why? Of course they'd be together.
But their voices felt ominous. Woman's intuition warning her.
And Sierra's tone—different from usual.
Like Marie's own, lately. Thrilled, tense. Affectionate. Girlish.
[I like you...]
That voice confessed to Emil.
"......"
Marie's eyes chilled, staring at the door.
What was that? A confession. Had to be.
Sierra to Emil...?
His words flashed: 'Someone who gets good grades on midterms.'
Her happy memory twisted to doubt.
"......"
Sierra—class runner-up. Minus Emil, she'd top midterms.
"......"
Dread blazed like sparks on dry straw. Heart pounding.
Sierra confessing. Would he accept?
Don't... don't accept...
Blank-eyed, she glared at the door. Lips bitten, hands trembling.
And—
[Yeah...]
Emil's response. Her legs went weak.
But Sierra's next—
[...Hehe, how was it? Nailed it this time, right?]
Pulled her from the darkness.
...Huh?
The talk continued.
[Eh... maybe 70 points.]
[Did Malcolm's hit mess up your head? That was a solid 100!]
'70 points...? 100...?'
The 'confession' veered weird.
[Be honest. It made your heart race like a 100, right?]
[Quiet. Let's study already.]
[C'mon~, man up and answer.]
"......"
Listening, Marie realized her mistake. No confession.
Sierra's voice returned to teasing Emil, like always. Proving it was a joke.
But.
"......"
Still, something gnawed at her.
Even as a joke, what if it made Emil's heart race for Sierra?
Imagine her pretty? Think she's great?
Feel something for another girl.
"......"
Dark feelings stirred again.
She knew it was a misunderstanding now. But having sensed the possibility... she couldn't ignore it.
[Fine, it was pretty good...]
So before Emil fell for that girl's tail—
Slide.
She threw open the door, jumping between them.
"......"
"......"
"......"
Cold silence. Faces like they'd been caught.
Marie stared blankly, especially cold at flustered Sierra.
Then—
Thud, thud.
Deliberately for Sierra to see, she went to Emil's side, sat close.
Smile.
"Hehe, sorry, too late?"
。 。 。
Scribble, scribble...
Just pencil scratches in the classroom, now alone after study group.
Our private lesson felt quieter than usual.
"......"
"......"
Normally, she'd ask questions while solving problems.
Today? Laser-focused, no questions. No chit-chat.
So.
This is awkward...
I endured the tense air.
Malcolm didn't show today. Is that why...?
I considered, then shook my head. I knew better.
Just denial of reality.
She must've overheard that talk.
Her silence? Probably Sierra's joke fake-confession right before she entered.
I gazed at Marie, diligently working.
Her shoulders trembled slightly, eyes on the book—but aware of me.
Good, her feelings haven't cooled.
My worry? Failed strategy. If she misunderstood the joke, it could backfire.
But she didn't seem cooled off.
Still, I couldn't leave it.
Goal: her confessing to me.
Otherwise, she might wait for mine.
I pondered what to say.
Then—
"Emil..."
"Y-yeah?"
Silent till now, she glanced shyly.
"Can I... make one selfish request?"
"......"
First words post-group: that.
SelFish request.
Was her