Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: A Conflicted Heart
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***
A happy smile graced her gaunt face.
The beauty that bloomed in her eyes, which had been anxious and wavering, was like a flower suddenly bursting into full bloom.
Everyone in the room felt the same way seeing Karite approach Cheon-seong.
As everyone watched Karite with warm gazes, there was one woman feeling a strange mix of warmth and something else.
“……”
The words that hesitated on Kalli’s lips never escaped, disappearing back into her mouth.
Just as some things can be felt simply by seeing them, so too was Karite’s approach to Han Cheon-seong for Kalli.
The way Karite cupped Cheon-seong’s face with a fond gaze. How much must she have worried and cared for him for her expression to brighten so much….
“The cadets these days… they’re so passionate.”
At Instructor Adelia’s words from beside her, Kalli smiled unconsciously.
But her smile held no meaning. It was an empty smile, one she felt she ought to make.
“Instructor Adelia. Th-this is…!”
As a startled Karite frantically shook her head, an even gentler atmosphere filled the infirmary.
Everyone watched the flustered Karite, finding her cute and endearing.
Kalli’s gaze inadvertently shifted to Cheon-seong, who was smiling faintly beside Karite.
“…”
His smiling face lacked its usual strength, but Kalli was relieved just to see it.
With time, he would recover and return to his usual self. At least she wouldn’t have to see him writhing in agony and having seizures like the night before.
As she thought this, Kalli slowly nodded.
*‘This is enough for now.’*
What mattered most was that Cadet Han Cheon-seong had regained consciousness.
So she had to dismiss the strange thought she’d had just a moment ago.
*‘Cadet Karite….’*
She was just worried about Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
*Tap.*
“Instructor Kalli?”
Turning her head at the sudden call,
“…Yes, Instructor Adelia.”
she saw Instructor Adelia meeting her gaze gently.
But the look in her eyes was incredibly strange.
It was as if she had something to say but hesitated, swallowing her words.
“Ah, it’s nothing important… but if you have time later, let’s have a drink together.”
“I’d like that. I’ll buy.”
“It’s alright. I couldn’t possibly let you. Since I brought it up, I should be the one to pay. I was hoping we could have… a heart-to-heart.”
While nodding at the unexpected invitation for drinks, Kalli still found the look in Instructor Adelia’s eyes to be peculiar.
***
Time passed, and night fell, casting a deep twilight.
In a park within the academy, Luna and Millia lingered late into the evening.
Though it was a time they would normally be in their dorms preparing for the next day, the two sat on a bench, gazing at the night sky.
“…”
“…”
Neither of them spoke, and a quiet silence settled between them.
A gentle night breeze blew, lightly caressing their hair.
While the pink twintails swayed with a strong presence, Millia’s black bob only rustled for a moment before settling.
To Luna, the silence of this moment was just awkward.
“…”
Fidgeting with her neatly folded hands, Luna kept glancing at Millia.
Millia was staring blankly at the bright moon, and she looked strangely precarious.
Luna was only in the park because she had followed Millia.
Millia had seemed in such a bad state that Luna couldn’t leave her alone.
Especially since Millia had been so down yesterday and today, Luna couldn’t help but be concerned.
“The moon is especially bright tonight, don’t you think, Millia?”
In the end, unable to bear the silence, Luna spoke first.
“Yeah… it’s very bright.”
Even as she replied softly, Millia’s gaze remained fixed on the brightly shining moon.
“…”
Seeing Millia stare at the moon as if mesmerized, Luna hesitated briefly before finally speaking.
“…Han Cheon-seong will be fine. They said his condition isn’t that serious anymore. He’ll probably be back in the classroom by next week.”
“I hope… so.”
Even as she answered, Millia didn’t look at Luna.
Seeing Millia unable to focus on her at all, Luna let out a soft sigh and nodded.
…….
Silence fell once more.
With a look of resolve, Luna raised her hands and turned Millia to face her.
*Swish.*
Forced to look at her, the two made eye contact for the first time since entering the park.
Luna, not hiding her concern for Millia.
And Millia, meeting her gaze blankly with unfocused eyes.
“Millia. Please, pull yourself together… It’s not like you to be so spaced out.”
The moment Luna spoke with genuine sincerity,
“…”
Millia gave a strange smile that made Luna feel uneasy.
“Not like me… What exactly is ‘not like me’?”
“That’s…”
“Luna. What is it you want me to be? How should I act for it to be ‘like me’?”
“Millia, that’s… well. You’re always so kind and, um…”
As Luna stammered in the face of Millia’s unexpected rebuttal, Millia looked at her and let out a deep sigh.
“…”
At the sound of that deep sigh, Luna stopped talking and shut her mouth.
Luna had no idea what she should say.
“No… it’s fine. Luna, I’m sorry. You were just saying that because you’re worried about me.”
“…Ah, yeah.”
As Luna replied awkwardly, Millia gave a forlorn smile and continued.
“But you know, Luna, sometimes my heart gets really shaken. I haven’t been feeling well lately… so I hope you can understand if I act this way.”
Hearing Millia admit she was struggling, a rare occurrence, Luna’s eyes widened in further surprise.
“If you’re having a hard time, just… you don’t have to think about anything. Just… yeah, just… get some rest.”
Despite Luna’s clumsy and awkward words, Millia smiled faintly again.
“Okay. I will. Thanks for worrying about me.”
“It’s nothing. It’s only natural to worry about a friend…”
As Luna laughed awkwardly and removed her hands from Millia’s shoulders, Millia naturally turned away.
She then stared blankly at the moonlight shining down on her.
As if she didn’t want to think about anything at all. Seeing Millia gaze at the moon like that, Luna couldn’t bring herself to speak again.
She stayed quietly by Millia’s side, but all sorts of thoughts filled her head instead.
*‘Millia is having such a hard time….’*
But there was nothing she could do to help.
No matter how much she thought, she couldn’t find a way to help. It was so frustrating, and she was even afraid to speak carelessly to Millia.
What if Millia rejected her again like she just did….
She knew the reason why Millia was struggling so much.
*‘…Han Cheon-seong.’*
Fidgeting with her hands, she thought of the now-familiar name once more.
Han Cheon-seong had been seriously injured in an unexpected accident. It was only natural for Millia, who liked him, to be so dejected.
Besides, they couldn’t even visit him to check on his condition right now.
The infirmary where Han Cheon-seong was resting was completely off-limits.
“……”
Thinking about it stirred up all sorts of feelings.
Seeing Millia like this made her want to help her and Han Cheon-seong get together, but another part of her heart strongly resisted the idea.
Suddenly, she remembered what happened last week.
The scenes of Han Cheon-seong spending a pleasant time with Karite…
From her perspective, having followed and watched them, every one of those moments had felt… strange.
The two of them had looked like a close couple.
Han Cheon-seong was consistently considerate of Karite, and in return, Karite, though cautious, tried her best to accept his kindness.
To any onlooker, they were a perfectly matched pair.
And that… felt so very strange.
*‘I don’t know if they’re actually dating or not, but….’*
Millia likes Han Cheon-seong so much right now.
…But Han Cheon-seong was often seen with another girl.
Enough to cause easy misunderstandings. That’s why I felt Millia was too good for him.
If it had been a man from a good family instead of Han Cheon-seong, I would have helped with all my heart, but it wasn’t.
He hangs out with another girl, and even though Millia is so worried about him right now, Han Cheon-seong is surely oblivious to her feelings.
“Luna.”
The unexpected call snapped me out of my thoughts.
“…Huh?”
“Could you… maybe help me?”
Seeing her speak so cautiously, I nodded without hesitation.
“Tell me anything. If it’s something you want, Millia, I’ll help you with it.”
When I answered sincerely, Millia smiled kindly, just like her usual self.
“Then… I know this is a big ask, but I want to check on him, even from a distance. To see what condition Han Cheon-seong is in.”
“Han Cheon-seong’s condition…?”
I faltered for a moment as I replied.
*‘But we’re not allowed to see him….’*
“Luna. I want you to help me with your magic.”
“Magic….”
“Yes. I’m sure someone like you could cast the spell I’m thinking of.”
At her calm words… I just nodded blankly.
After that, Millia explained to me in great detail.
How I could help her see Han Cheon-seong, and what the method was.
As I listened to Millia… I just accepted it.
I wasn’t sure if it was right to do as Millia asked, but I couldn’t possibly refuse the desperate look in her eyes.
“…Alright. I’ll try.”
“Thank you so much, Luna.”
Seeing Millia smile brightly… my own heart felt a little more at ease.
And so, we immediately started walking.
To a much higher place.
Toward a high floor from which we could see the infirmary where Han Cheon-seong was staying….