The Praise That Hooked Her Heart
Marong’s first impression of Gilliam was far from favorable. ‘Just as the rumors said… he really is a bit of a delinquent.’
It was the very first class on their first day. While everyone else clustered together in groups of three or five, busily building connections for their future academy life, Gilliam was sprawled across his desk, fast asleep. And not just anywhere—the very last row, all by himself. The sight might as well have been him screaming at the top of his lungs that he had zero intention of living a diligent academy life.
Yet the seat Marong chose was the one right beside him.
‘After all, I’m a loner too.’
Approaching the chattering groups would only sharpen the sting of her own isolation. And perhaps—just perhaps—if she sat beside him and spoke, he might not be such a terrible person after all.
Her irises, which shifted color with every flicker of emotion, were both a curse and a blessing. Because of them, Marong Clearias had never managed to form a single genuine relationship.
‘Maybe two loners could get along…’
With that selfish little hope, she sat beside him. Mustering a bit more courage than she felt, she even called out to him in a familiar tone. “Liam.”
“Marong, your eyes are truly beautiful.”
The sudden, baffling compliment made her flinch. At first she assumed it was an insult. The same words she had heard countless times before.
—Marong… your eyes are rather peculiar, aren’t they?
—They look… interesting.
Spoken praise, but eyes full of contempt, hostility, and rejection. The nobles’ elegant brand of cruelty. She naturally assumed Gilliam’s words carried the same hidden venom.
“There was no hidden meaning behind what I just said.”
He told her it was sincere, staring straight into her eyes with an utterly serious expression.
“Marong. I find those eyes of yours as unique as they are charming.”
Words she had never heard in her entire life. Sparks exploded inside Marong’s head. Her mind went completely white, leaving only a pleasant, floating sensation.
And he didn’t stop there. He kept pouring out compliments, gradually leaning closer.
‘He’s too close! Way too close!’
Until that moment, Gilliam had never looked handsome to her. His features were decent enough, but his eyes were dull like rotten fish and his whole aura felt gloomy. Yet every flaw suddenly vanished. His gaze was now upright and piercing, as if his soul had been completely replaced.
Then—
‘Is… is Liam actually this good-looking?’
The appearance that had been buried beneath his rotten soul was finally shining through. Mysterious silver-gray hair. Eyes the warm, sweet color of honey that made you feel like you could fall right into them.
“I believe your eyes are exceptionally beautiful.”
Marong’s heart began to race. And from that moment on, it beat faster than she had ever experienced.
‘Why am I reacting like this…!?’
It was hot. Something scorching was rising from deep inside her chest. If no one had been around, she would have buried her face in her hands, breathing raggedly and making strange little noises.
Since she couldn’t do that, the feelings only piled up inside her.
‘I feel like I’m going to burst…!’
Gilliam Everchess. Why was that notoriously infamous slacker acting this way?
‘Did he decide to turn over a new leaf starting today?’
Whatever the reason, it was definitely an improvement over his previous self… or so she thought.
Marong soon realized the praise aimed at her was merely the gentle breeze before the storm.
“Wouldn’t you agree that the professor is someone who refuses to tolerate injustice and would never accept demands to manipulate grades or anything of the sort?”
“G-Gilliam!”
When Professor Kadisha shouted, Marong was screaming the same thing inside.
‘Gilliam!? What on earth are you saying right now!?’
When she glanced toward the students aligned with the crown prince’s faction, they were indeed glaring daggers at him.
‘What are you thinking!? They’re going to come after you and crush you completely!’
And just as she feared—
“In this afternoon’s mock duel, I nominate you.”
See! They’re determined to make sure Liam can never show his face at the academy again!
Yet Gilliam remained perfectly calm. Marong, on the other hand, was worried sick.
‘Wait…?’
Why was she worrying about this man so intensely?
To be coldly objective, the two had only met today. And to be even colder, the rational thing for Marong to do right now was to distance herself from Gilliam as quickly as possible.
He had just picked a fight with the academy’s most powerful faction all by himself. If she didn’t want to get dragged into it, she should pull away immediately.
She should…
—I really do think your eyes are beautiful.
That single compliment had lodged itself firmly in her heart.
Like a fish that had swallowed a hook. Like a deer caught in a snare.
And like Marong, who had received genuine praise.
She was caught.
‘Ah!’
Maybe Liam had some kind of plan? Surely he wouldn’t have done something like this without thinking it through.
“Marong, sorry, but I have one favor to ask.”
Of course. I’ll listen. So tell me already—your hidden secret, Liam!
“Until the mock duel begins, during every break, I want you to spend time alone with me somewhere without other people.”
“………Pardon?”
Marong seriously considered bolting right then and there.
“There’s no time. Is there anywhere without people where just the two of us can stay?”
What was with this guy? Had he simply lost his mind?
It was a fairly convincing theory. But if he was crazy, then she must be too—because instead of running away, she grabbed his sleeve and stood up.
The stares of the classroom students burned. She lowered her head and hunched her shoulders, yet she refused to release his sleeve. The possibility that Liam might compliment her again made it impossible to let go.
‘A place where Liam and I can be alone…’
Marong had only arrived at the academy a few days earlier herself. She racked her brain.
‘A place students hardly ever visit… Ah!’
A location flashed into her mind.
“Follow me!”
They left the hallway and climbed two flights of stairs, heading to a spot far from the classrooms where no students would wander.
“H-here, no one will come!”
Gilliam hesitated at the entrance.
“Wait, this is—”
“It’s fine! It’s just us anyway!”
She tugged him inside. Since Gilliam was physically weak, he had no choice but to be dragged along. Into a clean space that smelled faintly of disinfectant.
Just to be safe, she stepped into one of the inner stalls, locked the door, then lifted her head with confidence.
“What do you think? Perfect, right?”
Marong’s eyes sparkled. Her irises had shifted to a fresh, hopeful light green.
She didn’t realize it, but she looked exactly like a large dog wagging its tail in anticipation of praise. A very large dog, considering the generous pair of assets on her chest.
Gilliam, however, wore a troubled expression.
“…There probably won’t be any people, that’s true.”
Clean. Smell of disinfectant. Individual private stalls.
“But did you really have to drag me into the girls’ bathroom?”
“…”
“…”
“…Ah.”
Marong’s face flushed crimson again.
‘Bravery stat five stars.’
Hmm. It somehow made perfect sense. Yes. In every way, this was pure five-star bravery.
There was no helping it. They had no time to find another location now.
“Let’s just get it over with quickly.”
“The way you phrased that in this situation sounds incredibly strange…”
“Is there something you want me to praise?”
“Do I really have to say it myself…!?”
Marong’s irises shifted to orange.
“A-anything is fine… just anything…”
“Anything? You’re sure?”
“Y-yes…”
Your order of “anything” has arrived, Miss Marong.
“Our Marong has such a big, beautiful chest. It’s really nice to look at.”
“Have you actually gone insane!?!?”
The target felt a slight discomfort.
Praise Points: -1 (449 → 448)
‘Well, I guess ordering “anything” and adding whipped cream to yuzu tea is pretty much the same thing.’
Still, only one point of deduction? Why?
‘Maybe she’s fine with a little harassment if it’s from me?’
Nah, no way.
Marong stamped her feet in frustration.
“Not that—something… something more normal. There have to be normal compliments too.”
Like her eyes. The very eyes that represented her greatest trauma.
‘But I’m too embarrassed to ask for it directly!’
Directly stating what you want was considered vulgar. Unbecoming of nobility. That was how Marong had been raised. So instead of speaking, she slowly blinked. Then, to make her signal even clearer, she leaned her face closer.
‘Ah, he really is handsome.’
Her mind went fuzzy. He looked even better up close. She had never noticed what an attractive face Gilliam had.
“Um, the break is going to end at this rate.”
“My eyes! Praise my eyes, please!”
“…Marong, your eyes really are pretty.”
“Haaauu…!”
The target felt joy.
Praise Points: +20 (448 → 468)
Good. Only thirty-two points left.
‘At this rate, two more times and I’ll hit five hundred.’
Just then, the sound of someone entering the bathroom echoed.
“!?”
Interpretation: You said no one would come!
“!?!?”
Interpretation: I thought no one would come! I’m sorry!!
They exchanged frantic glances, but it was already too late. The two of them held their breath.
“Haa…”
A woman’s sigh. For some reason it sounded familiar.
‘It can’t be.’
Peeking through the gap in the door, they saw silver hair streaked with blue. It was Professor Kadisha.
“What on earth is Liam thinking… I was happy, but…”
“…”
“…”
Her eyes met Marong’s. Seeing the irises clouded over in a dull gray, it seemed the professor was wishing for the exact same thing they were.
Please let her leave without noticing us.