About Her Love -10- The Sky is Blue
The sky was a brilliant blue.
"..."
And so was Shuen's hair.
So nice...
The first time spending time alone with Senior Mihail. Sitting at the same table as the one she admired, sharing a meal—it felt like a dream come true.
Of course, they'd eaten together at the academy before.
-I'm starving, you're eating so fast.
-Ughhh ughhh! (It's a habit!)
Eating in the bathroom had become a habit, so she'd always slip away quickly.
Now, gazing at Mihail from across the table, Shuen gripped her fork backward in thought.
Today's my chance! The start of Shuen and Senior Mihail's lovey-dovey life!
With the person she liked, in such a nice place. Right now, with Senior Mihail—this moment felt like a dream to Shuen.
She didn't know the words to capture it perfectly, but one thing was certain: it was sweet.
Ugh... heh heh heh!
A sly chuckle escaped her lips inevitably.
Mihail placed some pasta on Shuen's plate and asked, "How's academy life these days? Managing okay?"
"Ohoho... it's super fun! Studying's easy, and that thief... I mean, the criminal got caught, y'know."
"Yeah... good thing they didn't grab the wrong person. Lucky."
Mihail's expression darkened briefly before he shook his head with a smile.
"Eat up. I'll cover it—order more if you need."
"No way! I'll pay, y'know!"
"Nah, I invited you, so it's on me."
Shuen stared intently at Mihail, thinking how handsome he was.
Even commoners can be hot, but Senior Mihail has a different charm... Wait! What am I thinking?!
She shook her head to clear the thought.
Begone!
-Don't be scared.
...No, just a bit longer, y'know.
Recalling Ricardo's encouragement in her mind, Shuen smiled faintly.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, as if awkwardness had never existed.
Mihail opened up about himself, sharing academy secrets and life tips Shuen hadn't known.
"You know there's a huge flower field in the woods behind the academy?"
"Really? First I've heard, y'know."
"Haha... yeah, not many know. Even at the academy, it's a real secret spot. It popped up after I enrolled—maybe three years ago."
"Who made it, y'know?"
"Dunno exactly. It's full of canary flowers."
"Ooh..."
Mihail promised to take her there someday and picked up his fork. "Let's eat."
"Yes!"
Shuen listened eagerly to Mihail's stories, and he guided the talk accordingly.
She'd thought Mihail's reputation made him unapproachable, but conversation revealed he was just a normal guy. Shuen loved it—this moment.
Only one thing nagged at her.
Thump... thump...
For some reason, her heart kept aching.
It had started after meeting that commoner in the public restroom. His smile lingered in her mind, that bright, carefree expression as he stepped back, job done.
-Smile for me.
-Huh?
Pfft! Not like that.
Looking at Senior Mihail didn't hurt her heart. It felt relaxed, fun—like hanging with a same-sex friend. Her heart raced, but she couldn't pinpoint why.
This is weird.
Shuen scanned the restaurant, searching for someone. Remembering the one who'd said they'd watch from nearby, she felt disappointed at their absence—and her heart thumped harder.
Am I dying or something?!
Her heart pounded like arrhythmia.
"Ugh..."
It wasn't unpleasant pain. Just...
Thump thump.
Her heart beating stronger than usual.
Mihail noticed her hand on her chest and asked carefully, "Shuen, you okay? Somewhere hurt?"
"Huh?"
"Your face looks pale."
"Oh... no, I'm fine, y'know."
"You sure?"
Shuen figured it was nothing. Probably stress overload—overthinking too much.
"It's nothing, y'know..."
She shook her head, banishing the thoughts.
Time passed. They toured the market with Mihail, watched street performers. At the night market, they drank beer and had fun.
It was almost too good to enjoy alone. As the dreamlike time stretched, the sun dipped below the clear sky.
And glimpses of the commoner stopped appearing.
She'd spotted him from afar while market-hopping.
Ohoho... Next time, I'll take the girl to a place too fancy for the commoner...
[Miss Shuen. You can't say that.]
No...!
Next time, let's eat something yummy together. I'll treat.
The commoner who'd helped with the paper airplane had vanished from sight.
His presence had given her courage, but now close with Mihail, his absence left Shuen wistful as she walked the streets.
Under the dark night sky, she frantically searched for the commoner. Maybe he was still around.
Confession time with Senior Mihail approached, but without him visible, Shuen clenched her fists.
Where'd he go?!
He'd said he'd watch.
His silent disappearance threw off her conversation flow. Mihail paused and called her.
"Shuen."
"..."
"Shuen!"
"Y-yes?!"
Startled, Shuen turned as Mihail asked if she was meeting someone.
"Got a date with someone?"
"Huh? No, y'know?"
"You've been looking around... Something important come up?"
"Oh... no! For me, time with you is the most important, Senior Mihail!"
"Ah..."
Shuen gasped 'Ah!' and watched his reaction. She'd blurted her feelings without realizing.
"...Shuen?"
Eyes squeezed shut, she thought the moment had arrived.
People rushed by, no one to overhear in the street's bustle. Opportunity struck amid the buzz. Tipsy too.
For some reason, now felt right. She couldn't muster courage later.
"Hoo..."
Serious-faced, Shuen looked at Mihail. "Senior Mihail...!"
"Yeah...?"
"Actually... actually, I...!"
Mihail gazed at her with a heavy expression, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Stop."
"Huh?"
"Stop it, Shuen."
"What do you mean? I was about to say something super important...?"
Haa... A deep sigh escaped Mihail.
Ominous vibes made Shuen's eyelids flutter. Undeterred, Mihail continued.
"Listen, Shuen."
"..."
"I want to stay close as senior and junior—like good friends."
He cut off her confession, reading the flow from countless past ones.
Noting her teary eyes, he opened carefully. "Truth is, I asked you out today to ask something."
"Huh?"
"Sorry... really sorry, but I have to know."
Mihail's hesitant words silenced her. "Shuen... what do you think of Ricardo?"
"Why the commoner...?"
"You two seem close lately. Wondered if you were connected."
"Connected? No, but why ask about the commoner? Today was with me..."
Grip.
Mihail clenched his fist, eyes trembling as he faced her. "Did Ricardo say anything weird about me? Like I'm annoying, or he's upset with me... anything?"
Shuen shuddered at his quivering gaze. She couldn't grasp why this question, after building the mood.
Unexpected, choked emotions welled up. "No... snff."
"Shuen..."
"No... snff, you promised today with me, y'know! Eat and hang out together, y'know!"
"It's really important to me."
"This moment is important to me!"
Shuen balled her fists, venting her rage. What was this? Words for someone rejected mid-confession?
She shoved his shoulder. "You should've asked at the academy! Embarrassing me like this—what's wrong with you?!"
"...Sorry."
"If you hate that commoner so much, ask him yourself! Why me?!"
Stunned by his enemy-scouting query, Shuen stared blankly.
"No, sorry, Shuen—I misspoke. Just curious how he's doing."
"...I hate everyone."
"Shuen!"
Shuen shoved him away and ran blindly. Anywhere to shake this frustration.
"Waaahhh!!! I hate everyone! Hate the commoner! Hate Senior Mihail! Why am I just a side character, y'know?!"
"I wanna be the protagonist too! Even if just one minute like a triangle kimbap! Why do I get this treatment?!"
"You're all idiots, morons, dumb dogs!"
Thump...
Her heart pounded wildly.
Thump. Thump.
Unknown pain surged. Why did his face appear now? Swallowing tears, she stomped.
"Get out of my head, commoner!"
Thump... thump...
"Waaahhh!!!"
How long had she run?
"Huh...?"
Wiping tears, Shuen stood in a dim alley, face blank. "Where's this, y'know?"
Unfamiliar dark path, ghost-haunted vibe. She sniffed, head dotted with question marks.
"Did I... hit rock bottom in life? Nah, just a feeling, y'know?"
Tears stopped, she awkwardly turned to leave—
"Heeey~~"
Rowdy voices from loafing men ahead.
"Miss. You're cute."
"Got time? Hang with us. Lonely, right? That's why you're here. Dumped by your boyfriend?"
Over five thugs. Shuen smiled awkwardly, backing up. First time like this.
"N-no, y'know. Wrong turn..."
Bang!
One kicked a dropped bucket, shoving his face close. "Aww? We'll treat you good."
"Huh...?"
"Better than your boyfriend?"
"Wh-what vulgar talk is that...? I-I don't know about that stuff, y'know."
"Puhaha! Cute."
Trembling amid the harassment, Shuen gathered mana. Thugs were easy prey.
Scared but alone, she squeezed her eyes shut and shouted. "Power of the earth... grant strength to this body...!"
Squeeze...!
"Hey hey, wait!"
"Boss, she's a mage."
Oh crap. Run!
The thugs flinched at her outstretched hand, then burst laughing mockingly.
Pewww...
Huh?
"Puhahaha! What was that? Trying magic? Total wuss."
"Why isn't the magic working?!"
"How should I know...! Damn bitch!"
A knife-wielding thug reached for her—Shuen realized with a gasp.
Oh... I drank.
Alcohol blocked her magic. Sensitive to it, she couldn't control mana flow when buzzed.
As scattered mana swirled, rough hands grabbed her dress—
"Hm... having fun, Miss Shuen."
A dust cloud and red glowing eyes loomed before her.
"I said I'd watch from nearby, right?"
The smiling man asked her, "How's it feel getting dumped? Relieved?"
Thump. Thump.
"You damn punk!"
"Get him! He's alone!"
Shuen ignored the thugs. Only the man's voice rang in her ears.
Trembling, she asked Ricardo, "Commoner... I think I have arrhythmia, y'know."
Her heart shook madly.
Thump. Thump.
Ricardo grinned. "Sounds like love."
"Huh?"
"Whoever it is, you've fallen hard."
Thump.
"Ah..."
Shuen beamed brightly. "Guess so, y'know."
