Why Did You Have to Accept It?!
Why......!! With hollow eyes, I stood on the morning path to school, letting out a deep sigh as I clutched my head. I didn't sleep a wink last night...!! I had no clue how to salvage this mess. By the way. 'Why Selena of all people?' This was no ordinary coincidence. The letter meant for Sylvia ended up with Selena, and the confession I'd prepared for Sylvia spilled out to her instead. Up to that point, I could kinda wrap my head around it. But.
......You weren't supposed to accept it. Why act like it was the most natural thing in the world for an extra like me to confess? The standard trope is to reject it outright and pretend we're total strangers, right? So why snatch it up like you'd been waiting forever? Now the whole situation's a massive headache. My resolve to confess to Sylvia again had deflated a bit—I'd probably have to wait out the cooldown. Not that it was just about resolve....
'......Can I just pretend it never happened?' If I was gonna do that, I should've yesterday, but I was too shell-shocked to even think straight. Even now, if I just say 'it was a misunderstanding'....... Tsk, is that even possible? But yeah, that's the way to go. I was determined to straighten out this messed-up relationship right away.
"Whatcha doing......?"
As I nodded weakly, sorting through my thoughts, a familiar voice came from right beside me before I knew it.
"Oh, Sylvia."
"What's up with you this morning?"
"......Just got a lot on my mind."
I forced an awkward smile, and Sylvia narrowed her eyes, scanning me like she was inspecting something.
Her pure white silver hair and blue eyes. She had that sharp, cat-like vibe, but right now, her gaze was softly relaxed.
"Didn't sleep well?"
She stepped closer, peering right into my face from inches away. Our eyes met. Those lashes are insane. Her beauty was so breathtaking it made me forget my worries for a second—I let out a small gasp of admiration. She caught my stare, frowned slightly, and stepped back. Through the strands of silver hair, her ear peeked out, flushed bright red.
"Wh-what're you staring at like that...."
"Hm. Nothing."
She was frowning, but the blush gave her away completely. Grinning at her tsundere act, I shrugged and started walking.
"C'mon, let's go."
"......You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, totally."
I put on my usual face and answered casually. Only then did the drowsiness return to the corners of her eyes. Realizing she'd been worried deep down, I smiled faintly and made a silent vow. Today. I'll definitely set everything back to normal!
"Erm...... Not like I hate it or anything?"
Thud...?! Why...?!
@
"So what exactly did you do yesterday?"
"Just, y'know, studied?"
"......Liar."
Ugh, she saw right through me. Sure, I'm not the studying type, but I didn't expect zero trust like this. Sylvia instantly clocked my fib but backed off when she saw I didn't wanna talk, withdrawing her suspicious glare. Phew, dodged a bullet.
I'd walked to school with Sylvia as usual, and as we passed through the academy gates, I scanned the crowd. Obviously looking for Selena. The path was packed with carriages and students, so spotting one person wasn't easy. For a normal student, anyway.
'Ah, there she is.'
The protagonist of a romance fantasy naturally draws all eyes. And with her entourage of extraordinary types, it was a given.
I quickly clocked Selena's position with a glance and snapped my eyes back. Couldn't approach her now—even trying would make things way worse instead of fixing them. I'd noted her spot, so later when things quieted down, I'd go find her.
......Hm. But why does it feel like she's getting closer? Maybe 'cause I was hyper-aware, but through my peripheral vision, the crowd around them was parting—and somehow, drawing nearer.
"First class is swordsmanship practice, right?"
"Yeah, swordsmanship practice."
Sylvia and I were both in the academy's first-year A Class. Her talent was off the charts, backed by insane effort, so A Class was a no-brainer. Me? I'd busted my ass to get in the same class as her. Got lucky too. With Selena and the main cast mostly in A Class, our paths overlapping wasn't weird.
But this was getting way too obvious.
"We're gonna be late—hurry up."
"Huh...? Still plenty of time?"
Some vague unease made me pick up the pace, and Sylvia tilted her head but matched my speed. But my efforts were futile—a head of blond hair popped out of the crowd and stopped right in front of me with a trot-trot-trot.
"......"
"......"
An awkward silence hung in the air. Our eyes met Selena's blue ones, and beside me, Sylvia stared at us with clear confusion.
"Morning, Ian. Sylvia."
"......Uh, yeah, morning."
We'd greet as classmates even normally, but she wouldn't go out of her way to block our path like this. Sylvia's eyes narrowed at the oddity. Knowing the reason, Selena and I just stared at each other.
......Not now!! I screamed with my eyes, but Selena ignored my desperate plea, just beaming innocently.
"What's going on?"
Finally sensing the weird vibe, Sylvia asked coldly. Her sharp impression hardened further, her voice icy—that was the Sylvia everyone else saw.
"Oh, Sylvia!"
It would've cowed anyone else, but not Selena. She turned to Sylvia with her sunny smile and continued casually.
"Mind if I borrow Ian for a sec?"
"......Why?"
"Got a favor to ask!"
A friendly puppy could approach even a wary cat without hesitation. The situation spiraling into chaos, I zoned out with random thoughts—then felt Sylvia's vibe shift. Like a cat sensing a threat, fur bristling. But she met Selena's round, innocent eyes, glanced around, and let out a deep breath.
"Do whatever."
"Thanks!"
She probably hated it but couldn't find a reason to refuse, so she relented. With Sylvia's okay, Selena grinned brightly and started shoving my back.
......But this is about me—why no say in it? It felt seriously off, but no time to dwell.
"C'mon, let's go!"
"Uh, uh, okay."
Sylvia's glare, plus the prickling stares from the crowd around us. Following Selena's lead, I headed to a secluded corner of the academy, caught my breath, and checked thoroughly that no one was around. Then I faced her and spoke.
"So, what'd you wanna say?"
I had plenty to say too, but hers first.
"Me? Just wanted to chat with my first boyfriend?"
She flashed a shy yet happy smile—different from her earlier grin. Guilt hit me like a truck.
"......L-look."
It hurt knowing I had to shatter this girl's pure heart, but letting it drag would only hurt her more. Steel myself, I spoke calmly.
"That confession yesterday, I didn't mean—"
"Mm...... I know what you're gonna say, Ian."
"No way? H-how could you...?"
Her big blue eyes blinked, and she smiled. The oblivious romance fantasy heroine couldn't possibly know. Dismissing it, she shook her head gently.
"It wasn't really meant for me...! Right?"
"How'd you know?!"
I blinked slowly in shock, and she burst out laughing before answering.
"'Cause you're not the type to confess to someone just 'cause they're pretty, duh?"
"Well, yeah."
I'm not some looks-obsessed fool. How she knew that was a mystery, but it made things easier. Was this what a no-harm world felt like? Feeling relieved, I spoke lightly.
"So, let's just call yesterday's confession never happened......"
No conscience, but please! I bowed my head like yesterday, and Selena, hand over her mouth with a smile, replied softly.
"Erm...... Not like I hate it or anything?"
"Why......!!"