Chapter 128: The Invitation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: The Invitation
Looking at the blond youth who seemed to bring the sunlight into the room with him, Amon was momentarily stunned.
"Young Master... Muen?"
"What’s with that look? Are you surprised to see me? Or maybe..."
Muen thought for a moment and added jokingly, "Are you sulking because I haven't come to visit you in so long?"
"..."
"Forgive me. I haven't been able to find a spare moment this past month. Besides, I felt it would be somewhat inappropriate to come running over before the final results were out."
Muen walked closer and set the fruit he had bought on the bedside table.
"I really wanted to peel an apple for you, but I felt like that would be a bit too 'gay.' So, you’ll have to do the honors yourself. Self-reliance is the way to go."
"..."
"Hmm? Why are you keeping your head down? Not going to say anything?"
Muen sat in a chair, looking at the silent, bowing Amon, and teased, "You aren't moved to tears, are you? I know I’m dashing and debonair, but don't go falling in love with me. We’re strictly friends."
"Young Master Muen..." Amon finally spoke, his voice low and thick with a sob.
"Yeah?"
"Why did you come to see me?"
"Why? Isn't it normal to visit a friend?"
"But I..." Amon snapped his head up, regret and self-reproach surging in his eyes. "But I—"
"That's enough."
As if knowing exactly what he was about to say, Muen reached out and patted his shoulder, cutting him off.
"I don't care about that. It wasn't your intention anyway, was it?"
Muen gave him a small smile. "I don't have much time for this visit, so let's not talk about such heavy topics."
"..."
Amon stared blankly at the blond youth before him. He was exactly the same as in his memories, yet also completely different. Under the gaze of those gentle, azure eyes that shone like gemstones, the negative emotions accumulated from a month of guilt and self-loathing began to melt away like snow under the sun.
"Okay."
...
"How’s the food?"
"It’s good."
"And the accommodations?"
"They’re fine."
"Are the nurses pretty?"
"...Yes, they are."
"How are things at home?"
"They sent a letter saying they misunderstood me. They’ve restored my status and even named me the first heir as compensation."
"Families always put interests first. You can't rely on them too much; you still have to depend on yourself for most things."
"I know."
In the warmth of the afternoon, the two of them chatted idly about this and that.
Eventually, a doctor walked into the room with a stern expression and pointed at his watch.
"Haha, I guess I should head out then."
Realizing he had lost track of time, Muen gave an embarrassed laugh and stood up to leave.
"Well, see you later, Amon."
"Yeah."
Amon nodded, looking a bit restless.
Just as Muen was about to step out of the room, Amon seemed to finally muster his courage and called out:
"See you, Muen."
Muen didn't turn around, but his footsteps paused for a fraction of a second before becoming even lighter and more brisk.
...
...
"What should I do next?"
After leaving the ward, Muen stretched his limbs in a good mood and glanced up at the overcast sky.
"Looks like it’s going to rain."
That’s not great.
Tomorrow is the Open Day.
The day after that is my date with Senior—ah, no, it’s time to repay Senior. If the rain lasts too long, it’ll ruin the mood.
"Should I just spend some money to hire a Grand Magister to disperse the clouds?"
Muen rubbed his chin, seriously considering the idea.
In terms of feasibility, it was doable. It was just clearing some rain; any mage at the Secret Rite Tier or above could manage it.
But this was the Imperial Capital, Belland. If he messed with the weather here, he might get arrested on charges of endangering the capital.
Even as a Duke’s son, he couldn't just do whatever he wanted in a place like this.
"Forget it. I'll just take it as it comes."
Muen quickly let it go and started heading toward the dormitory.
The date was fast approaching; he needed to plan ahead.
"Muen?"
He had only taken a few steps when a familiar voice called out to him.
"Oh, it’s Shali."
Muen turned toward the voice.
The familiar twin braids and oversized black-rimmed glasses came into view.
Shali Friend, the girl he’d had that little misunderstanding with.
"What a coincidence. Are you also here at the..."
Muen was about to say "hospital," but he caught himself instantly and swallowed the word.
Asking someone "Are you also here at the hospital?" was a one-way ticket to getting punched, no matter how you looked at it.
"Is there something you need?" Muen asked with a blink and a smile.
"No... no, it’s nothing. We just happened to run into each other."
Shali adjusted the large glasses on her face, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Actually, I just wanted to ask... Muen, the cakes I made last time... were they good?"
"Cakes? What cakes...?"
Muen asked instinctively, but his expression froze immediately.
The cakes!
The cakes Shali had given him before!
He had thrown them all away during the fight with Amon! He hadn't eaten a single one!
"Eh? The cakes I gave you before?" Shali tilted her head, looking confused. "Did you not eat them?"
"I ate them! I definitely ate them!" Muen said firmly. "I ate every single one! Not a crumb left!"
Are you kidding? If he said he’d thrown them away now, rumors about him toying with a young girl’s heart would be flying all over the Academy by tomorrow! And he wouldn't even be able to defend himself.
"Is that so?" Shali gave a bashful smile. "Then, what did you think of them?"
"They were delicious!"
"Huh? That was a fast answer." Shali scratched her cheek, looking troubled. "Actually, I was hoping you’d think about it more carefully and give me a more detailed critique... like the texture or the sweetness..."
"That was the result of my careful consideration!"
Muen looked Shali in the eye and said seriously, "Your cakes were so perfect that I honestly can't find a single flaw!"
That was the truth. Because Muen literally couldn't name a single flaw.
"Is... is that so?"
Faced with Muen’s sincere praise, Shali’s face turned bright red. For a moment, Muen thought he could actually see steam rising from the top of her head.
"For you to say that... no matter how you look at it... it’s a bit much..."
"No, you just don't have enough confidence in yourself. You have to believe in your cakes! Believe that they are the best!"
"R-really?"
Swept away by Muen’s barrage of praise, Shali became lightheaded, her speech turning clumsy.
Seeing this, Muen prepared to make a quick getaway. If they kept talking, she might notice something was off.
"Do you have anything else, Shali? If not—"
"I have one more thing!"
"Hmm?"
"Um..."
It seemed to be something difficult to say. Shali lowered her head, her hands gripping the hem of her skirt tightly. After hesitating for a long time, she finally stammered:
"A-actually, after I went back, I thought about it carefully. Using something as cheap as cake to apologize to someone of your status... it seems far too rude. I should use something more important to show my sincerity. S-so... I was wondering if you’re free during the Open Day?"