A Confession Under the Moonlight
The definitive midterm grades—the ones tied to her confession—were finally posted the next day.
I did it….
Marie checked her report card and broke into a grateful smile, clutching it tenderly to her chest.
Now I can finally make it happen….
It was the dream she'd harbored ever since enrolling at Revel Academy. Her brother Damian's recognition. As an illegitimate child, Damian had been her only ally since childhood. Getting his approval had become her goal, especially after he'd grown so cold toward her. If she achieved it, things would surely go back to how they used to be. She and Damian could be close again.
But.
“……”
For some reason, upon confirming she'd hit her target score, Marie felt her cheeks flush and her heart race. Her burning ambition had always been Damian. Yet now, with those good grades in hand, it wasn't his face floating in her mind—but another man's.
Gulp.
Marie buried her face in her arms on the desk, hiding her burning cheeks.
So this is what it's like….
With the moment right in front of her, she couldn't stop trembling uncontrollably.
I'm really going to confess….
Not reconciliation with Damian. Only the confession to Emil lingered in her thoughts. It was strange. Family—Damian—had always come first. But when had it started? When had Emil grown so huge in her heart?
…When he first approached me about joining the study group?
…Or when he stood up to Damian on the rooftop?
…Maybe when he got beaten down by Malcolm.
At some point, without realizing it, Marie was constantly thinking of Emil.
I like him….
Even now, as she checked her grades, Marie lay with her face on the desk, cheeks red, lost in thoughts of Emil. Maybe that's why her mind was so full of him.
“Oppa.”
“……”
During lunch, when Marie called Damian out again, she felt no tension at all. Sure, there was excitement—the thrill of being recognized. But no nerves. Last time, when she'd shown him her quiz results, she'd been terrified. Now? Not a bit.
Why was that? When the question arose, Emil popped into her head again.
“Here are… my midterm grades.”
“……”
Marie handed the report card to Damian. He took it with an impassive face and checked it over.
What will his reaction be?
This was the moment she'd dreamed of for years. The one she'd imagined endlessly. In her fantasies, Damian sometimes smiled brightly, sometimes glared coldly. But either way, it didn't matter. That's what she thought.
Then.
“You've changed, Marie.”
“…Pardon?”
Damian folded the report neatly and handed it back, saying those unexpected words.
“You mean my grades?”
“No, your vibe.”
Marie tilted her head at Damian's words. He gave a faint smile.
“……”
It had been so long since she'd seen Damian smile.
“Your grades are excellent, but I like this new vibe of yours.”
“Uh… what part, exactly?”
“You've always been so clingy with me.”
“Ah…”
“It's nice to see that changing. That's more impressive than your scores.”
The praise she'd longed for poured from her brother's lips. But it wasn't about her grades. It was her changed aura. Marie, who had blindly chased after him, no longer did. And so, the Damian who'd pushed her away…
Pat.
“Good work.”
…smiled and stroked her head instead. They were close again. She'd achieved her dream.
“Hic… th-thank you.”
Tears flowed naturally. But unlike before, these weren't sad tears shed in desperation for his attention. They were tears of joy.
Damian looked at her fondly and said,
“Is this thanks to that guy from before?”
“……”
That guy. At those words from Damian's mouth, Marie swallowed and blushed. Damian turned away with a knowing look.
“He's a good friend. Invite him home sometime—we'll have dinner together.”
Click.
The door shut, leaving Marie alone on the rooftop. Damian was gone. Normally, that would leave her feeling empty and anxious. But.
Thump, thump.
“Eut…”
Marie clutched her chest, face flushed. Her heart, which should have felt hollow, was filled with warmth. Emil's face still lingered in her mind.
All that's left now… is the confession.
。
。
。
Confession. Telling Emil her feelings. When she'd first realized her emotions for him, Marie had vowed to confess. She'd meant it…
B-but how do you even confess…?
Now that it was time, her mind went blank, her thoughts scattering. The biggest feeling overwhelming her was anxiety—the kind she'd once felt for Damian, now directed at Emil.
Is it okay to confess…? What if he rejects me…? Hates me…?
Worries she'd never considered when it was just a vague goal now blocked her path. There was no guarantee it'd succeed. But even so, Marie wanted to tell him.
It's okay….
She calmed herself, soothing her nerves.
It'll be fine.
Her basis was her memories with Emil. His warm smile as he looked at her, his encouraging voice when she was anxious.
Emil definitely… sees me in a good light too.
Those memories dispelled her fears.
“Hoo…”
She wanted to be Emil's lover. She wanted him to be hers. To make that happen, she had to confess. Nothing would change without it.
“Alright…!”
Marie steeled herself in a small voice and stood. It was after school. On this day when midterm grades came out, most study groups celebrated their hard work together. Hers was no different. So she headed to the annex classroom.
Slide….
Heart pounding, she opened the door. The usual members were there.
“Ah, Marie~! How'd the exams go?”
Sierra greeted her with a bright smile. Emil, already knowing the results, smiled warmly.
Malcolm's… not here.
Her childhood friend was absent, as expected. He hadn't joined the study group lately. She figured he wouldn't show today either. But Malcolm wasn't important right now.
Marie steadied her trembling heart, smiled as naturally as she could, and approached them.
“Yeah! They went great!”
She sat naturally next to Emil. Then, with Sierra leading, they chatted idly. Mostly about celebrations and grades.
“So, how'd you do this time, Sierra?”
Marie finally asked what had been on her mind. Sierra had been grinding hard, always saying, This time I'll take first!
Sierra grinned and showed her report card.
“Ta-da.”
So confident. Marie checked the ranking spot.
It read 2.
“Wow, amazing! Runner-up again! …Ah.”
“Yeah, I did well… but failed.”
“A-ah, it's okay, Sierra. You'll get first next time for sure.”
“Sigh… you think?”
Sierra sighed softly at Marie's comfort, then shot a dissatisfied look at the guy next to Marie.
“There's just this unbreakable wall holding strong.”
Marie startled and glanced sideways. Emil, under both girls' gazes, gave an awkward smile.
Emil got first again… Incredible….
She'd expected good scores from him, but top again? Too impressive.
Can someone like me… really confess to him?
Marie realized the gap between them anew. Anxiety crept up again.
No, no…!
She shook her head lightly, shaking it off. No hesitating. Take that step with courage. Someone as great as Emil could be snatched away.
“Um…! We all worked so hard together this time…! Sh-should we do something to celebrate?”
As the chat wound down, Marie voiced her pre-planned idea.
“Celebrate? Like what?”
Both turned puzzled looks at her.
“Let's go out for dinner. I know a great place. What do you think?”
She answered as naturally as possible. Then.
“Hmm… dinner, huh…”
Sierra smiled with a subtle expression. What was she thinking? As Marie wondered,
“Sorry, I can't make it.”
Sierra grinned apologetically.
“Huh? Why, why not…?”
“Yeah, I have plans first. Really sorry… It's not that I don't want to, but it's super important.”
“Oh… I see.”
The unexpected response left Marie crestfallen.
If Sierra can't go… then Emil probably…
Her plan was derailing—no confession today. But.
“Instead! You two go!”
“Huh…?”
Sierra beamed brightly. She gave a sly smile to the surprised Marie. Eyes that knew something. Marie felt a quiet sense of emotion.
Sierra….
She realized instantly: Sierra had noticed her feelings and was stepping aside for her.
“Alright, great job everyone! I'm heading out first! Next time, I'll join! Bye!”
Sierra waved cheekily and left. Left in the hallway, Marie and Emil waved back, then glanced at each other shyly.
“Shall we go?”
Emil smiled at her.
“Y-yeah…”
Thanks to Sierra, they were on a natural two-person date. Marie's heart pounded wildly.
Now, I… I really have to do it….
Steeling herself, running simulations in her head, Marie left the academy with Emil and headed to a restaurant in town.
。
。
。
The meal was excellent. It had to be—she'd scouted places last weekend, despite study crunch time.
“Didn't know this spot existed.”
“Tasty…?”
“Yeah, I like it.”
“Hee, good…”
Marie smiled shyly as Emil enjoyed the food. They chatted happily on various topics.
“Oh, and Oppa praised me too.”
She didn't forget to report about Damian. Emil had helped her a ton with that.
When she said things seemed better with Damian, Emil was genuinely happy for her. Seeing that gave her hope.
This could work….
A bit of anxiety lingered, but the fun talk, the affectionate vibe. On this date, Emil didn't seem like he'd reject her.
“You have something on your cheek, Marie.”
“Huh? Eut…!”
Feeling Emil's gentle hand wipe her cheek with a napkin, Marie thought her heart would burst. She couldn't hold back anymore.
I like him….
She wanted to tell him this pounding feeling soon.
I like you…, Emil.
And hear it from him too.
I like you….
She wanted those words—that they felt the same. So.
After dinner, on the moonlit path back to the dormitory, Marie stopped Emil.
“W-wait a sec…”
“……”
She grabbed his clothes and bowed her head. Trembling heart, burning face—she couldn't look up.
But.
“I… have something to say to you, Emil.”
No matter how embarrassing or tense, she couldn't hold it in anymore. Marie mustered her courage and lifted her head.
“What is it?”
Emil still smiled kindly at her. Even in the dark evening under moonlight, his smile was so dazzling she could barely meet his eyes.
But Marie didn't look away. Holding back tears of nerves, she forced her mouth open.
“Th-this time… you helped me a ton, Emil.”
“Yeah.”
“So… I'm super grateful. Thank you…”
“No big deal.”
But her true feelings wouldn't come out.
That's not it….
Cheeks red, hands clenched tight. This wasn't what she meant to say. She was grateful, sure. But that wasn't the message.
So, one more time. Deep breath. Eyes squeezed shut.
“So I… I l-like E-Emil━!”
“……”
Maybe he didn't hear? She shouted louder than intended. After.
I said it…!
No turning back. Marie poured it all out.
“I like how kind you are to me! It's not sudden… I've felt this way for a while…”
“……”
No reply from Emil. Waiting for her? Thinking that, she finished.
“So…”
Just one more phrase.
“So… I want us to be more than friends, Emil…”
Thump, thump, thump.
Her heart raced like never before. Face hot, eyes stinging with tension. She wanted to run, but couldn't. She needed his answer.
And.
“…Marie.”
To her heartfelt confession, Emil smiled softly. In that smile, Marie felt hope. It worked, she thought wishfully.
But.
“Sorry, that won't work.”
“…Huh?”
The response was cruel, nothing like what she'd hoped.