Oh... Do You Like Me?
“Is it really okay for us to just bail like this?”
“We’re not doing anything today anyway.”
“I figured as much... but it’s still the first lecture.”
I never imagined I’d be the type to ditch on the very first day of class.
At least show up on the first day, right?
But since he came out here just to check on me, this is as far as I’ll push it.
If not, I would’ve started nagging him right away.
His reputation as my fiancé can’t take any more hits.
No matter how much acting he’s doing, I don’t want to see Kane’s image get dragged through the mud any further. Nobody likes watching their friend get trashed.
“You’re really not gonna say anything?”
“It’s like... affection for my last remaining family member?”
“I just don’t want you struggling.”
“I don’t want to struggle either, but pride, lingering attachments, duty... none of it lets me off that easy.”
I don’t want to suffer, either.
But some things in this world are unavoidable.
Once a hole in your heart gets filled, scraping it out again is just too damn hard for us humans. That’s why I stay quiet even when my bones break or I’m humiliated.
But if the day comes when I can finally break free from this family...
“When I’m so head over heels for you that I’m squealing about wanting to make babies with Kane-nim right now, I’ll let you know.”
“So, when you fall for me, you’ll tell me? Sounds tough, but I’ll give it a shot.”
“I’ll cheer you on. Go for it.”
It’s kinda weird cheering for a guy to make me—formerly a guy myself—fall for him.
But in this life, I’m a woman, right?
It’s just some residual resistance from my past life. Nothing I can’t handle.
The bar for passing is just set a little higher, that’s all.
They say some guys are so hot even straight dudes could fall for them.
If he pushes just a tad further, maybe he could be the one for me.
Right now, Kane’s at “closest friend” level for me.
Though with only one friend, that might not mean much. In past-life terms, it’s solid affection points.
“But what the hell does ‘squealing’ even mean? First time hearing that one.”
“You get the idea, right?”
“I get it, and that’s what I hate.”
“Just know it. I didn’t learn it from some other guy, so don’t worry. Pure as a virgin here.”
“Don’t insult the word ‘pure.’”
“So you want a slutty virgin for a fiancée?”
Kane let out a deep sigh after hearing my retort.
Serves you right for running your mouth.
You hand me an opening, and this is what happens.
Still, thanks to this, the foul mood from that bitch of a sister was totally lifted.
Guess that’s why he dragged me out here.
“Thanks. For looking out for me. Must be a huge hassle.”
“Nah. It’s nothing compared to the effort I’ll put in from now on.”
“How much more do you plan to impress me?”
“Until you say you want to bear my child?”
“Oh... do you like me?”
“Getting there.”
Of course Kane doesn’t love me yet.
It’s only been a short time since we started really knowing each other.
But I can see he’s got some fondness for me and is trying to love me. A good guy and practically my savior—he deserves my support.
Naturally, I won’t force myself to like him.
That’s his job. Mine is to cheer him on, keep him from feeling neglected, and eventually move on when the time comes.
“Pfft. Making me fall for you’s gonna be brutal. You know what I’m showing you now isn’t love—it’s dependence.”
“They say dependence turns to love in an instant.”
“I’m not that easy. I fall hard for the pull, but my personality won’t let me.”
“Doubt it. It’ll happen soon, mark my words.”
I was just trying to cheer him on sincerely, so why’s he pushing like this?
It makes me wanna dig in my heels even more.
I don’t not want to fall for Kane someday, but damn, he’s making it a tightrope.
Truth be told, part of me hopes he succeeds. A big part.
If he does, I can safely build a new family and shake off this cursed one.
Plus, spending life with Kane, raising kids... sounds fun. Telling them, “Your dad used to be like this.”
“So, how much class are we skipping today?”
“All of it? I’ll give you the academy tour till the aptitude test.”
“Do I even need that test? We all know I’ve got no talent.”
“Doubt it. I guarantee you’ve got something.”
“Really? What makes you say that?”
“Your eyes. They’re special.”
He’s right, but...
How’d he know?
I’ve had this eye ability forever.
Lately, it barely works even when I want it to.
Overuse broke it completely.
Supernatural stuff I used to see clearly? Gone now.
Feels like clogged pipes full of gunk.
“How’d you know? My eyes are great, huh?”
“I’m a prince, looks like it or not. I can tell pretty eyes from special pretty eyes.”
“Then do you know why it’s not working?”
“Why wouldn’t it? They sparkle like crazy.”
“It’s busted right now. All it’s good for is seeing your face extra clear.”
“And that’s why I can’t let you go.”
Is it?
What’d I even do?
Everyone flatters a little.
But honestly, beyond flattery, it’s useless for anything but staring at Kane’s face these days.
Should I ask?
“What’s so special about me? Everyone flatters like this.”
“That was flattery?”
“90% real. Just a dash of exaggeration and teasing.”
“Let’s just say you hit every one of my types. Till I see how you really treat me, anyway.”
“Sneaky. Won’t even tell your fiancée what you like?”
“You don’t tell your fiancé what’s hard for you.”
“Look at us—such a perfect match.”
We really are a match made in heaven.
Kane might feel hard done by, but from my view, it fits.
One hides their pains with a million excuses, the other hides their goodness for the same.
And what’s there to be mad about? Being a perfect match means higher odds of me falling.
If I buy into that, my mental walls might crumble a step.
With that thought, I suddenly messed up my carefully styled hair.
“Why!”
“’Cause you’re cute, you little rascal.”
“I’m pretty cute, right?”
“Argh.”
Everyone knows I’m cute.
It gets overshadowed by pretty, but cute’s real too.
Kane’s lucky—fiancé to someone like me, arm-in-arm on a date.
I’m lucky to have met a guy like him.
Maybe I should thank the family head one last time for trying to sell me off max value.
I smoothed my tousled hair naturally and snuggled right back up to Kane.
“Selfish, I know, but till I leave, can I stick like this? I’m cute, after all.”
“I won’t let you go even after boot camp. Don’t worry—no pushing away.”
“Really? Sweet. I’ll leech off you. Take good care of me.”
“You got it.”
See? This is why I leech.
I’ll cling tighter than moss on a tree. Look forward to it.
⋯
“I wonder how it’ll go.”
After sending Lea off for her aptitude test, Kane waited expectantly for the results.
She’s no ordinary noble lady.
Not in personality or potential.
During his imperial education, he’d seen plenty with eyes as radiant as Lea’s.
And they all held key positions in the empire.
Lea’s talent direction was unclear, but she definitely had hidden potential like a gold mine.
“Personality-wise, she’ll go for magic.”
Talent often aligns with personality.
Lea’s was suppressed, but her true nature peeked through occasionally.
And that nature screamed arrogant mage.
Illusion magic might suit her best.
He could already picture her crafting illusions of herself, dressing them up, enjoying the view.
“Kane. I’m back.”
A bit longer than average, and Lea’s test was done.
Her expression wasn’t great or bad—just neutral.
Could pass for ordinary, but with Lea, he didn’t let his guard down.
Who knew when she’d drop a bomb.
And now, he had to be the one to set it off.
“How’d it go?”
“I’m gonna go blind soon.”
“What?”
Kane was speechless for a moment.
He knew she’d drop something, but not this.
What the hell happened in there?
Before he could ask, Lea calmly spoke up.
“Temporarily. Something about my talents being dormant right before awakening. Staring at mana too much will gradually worsen my vision till I’m blind for a day, then it’ll clear up. Follow the academy curriculum right, and about two months?”
“Lea.”
“Yeah? Ow! Why!”
“Tell me that shit sooner!!”
Today, like always, Kane was left reeling from Lea in every way.
And hating himself a little for finding her cute as she clutched her forehead from the flick.