Blushing Steps and Classroom Whispers
They ended up buying everything anyway, brushing past Nathan as they stepped out onto the street. "...But is that guy gonna be okay?" Vita hesitantly opened her mouth, her words tentative. Truth be told, she felt a twinge of worry deep down about leaving him collapsed like that.
"It's not winter or anything. He won't freeze to death passed out in the alley." Carlyle replied in a nonchalant tone, as if it were no big deal, but Vita felt a bit frustrated.
"No, that's not what I—"
That thug had a bad reputation for a reason. If she had to put a name to this feeling—and she hated to admit it—it was worry for Carlyle. What if he comes back for revenge? It could spell trouble. Guys like that didn't play by normal rules. He might've looked scared enough not to try anything, but wasn't unpredictability the hallmark of punks like him?
"You worried about him? Or about me?"
"W-What?!"
Carlyle's sudden question caught her inner thoughts dead-on, and Vita stammered in panic. "Me, you?" He chuckled softly. Her reaction alone was answer enough. So he pressed on.
"Punks like that couldn't touch me even in a gang. They wouldn't dare complain to the academy either."
"He messed with you first anyway. Right, Bianca?"
It wasn't wrong, so Vita nodded. "Then don't worry. I'll handle it." You don't need to fret about a thing anymore. That firm tone laced with unshakable confidence made Vita look at him anew in that moment.
Is this the ease of a true top dog? She hated to admit it, but the guy could fight. So, just a tiny bit—like the grime under his nails—she saw him in a slightly different light. Confidence like that was worth learning, rival or not. You had to pick up good traits wherever they showed.
Anyway, any lingering anxiety inside her melted away completely. Thud, thud—the two walked down the street. With her worries gone, other things started nagging at her. Things she'd noticed awhile back. Like her hand gripped in Carlyle's massive palm. She could yank it free and say she'd walk alone. She wanted to... but the words wouldn't come.
Just half a day ago, she'd sworn to keep her distance from Carlyle Schultz. So why now? Why wasn't she pulling away? Why was she meekly following in his wake?
Vita pondered in silence. This situation is weird. Her hand tingled in his grasp, her face felt hot for no reason. Staring at his broad back as they walked felt oddly off. Under the crimson glow of the streetlights, with him leading and her trailing—it felt like some bizarre dream. The kind you might have once in a lifetime. How else to explain this strange mood? Not great, but not bad either.
No, actually... it started back when he'd punished that guy for her. When he'd gotten mad at Nathan on her behalf. For reasons she couldn't fathom, an inexplicable feeling had bloomed then. Relief, mixed with a refreshing sense of satisfaction. What the hell was this emotion?
"Here we are, Bianca."
She'd arrived without noticing, her head still a whirl. She hadn't even registered the change in scenery. "Wait here a sec."
Carlyle was about to head off somewhere, leaving her behind. But she'd been unconsciously tailing him the whole time, so the thought of him vanishing suddenly brought an odd sense of loss.
"..."
So that's why? Instinctively, Vita grabbed his jacket hem—then jolted and let go.
A strange silence fell.
What was that just now? What the hell did I do...? Vita reeled inwardly. It looked like she'd grabbed him to keep him from going—like a kid scared of being left behind. Was she acting out some weird dream, or had her mind snapped for a second?
"Ah, that was..."
An absurd slip-up. Under the soft backlighting, Vita's face flushed tomato-red. Carlyle seemed startled by it too, for a moment.
"Ha, really."
But his smiling face brimmed with satisfaction. "Good thing you're okay. You're making it hard to hold back."
"W-What?!"
Vita reacted instantly. Who knew what nonsense he'd spout next? He always had an angle when he talked like that.
"Then keep holding back! I told you clear as day!"
"Guess I'll have to." Carlyle chuckled. "Or else coming all this way would've been pointless."
His relaxed expression soothed her as he coaxed. "So wait here, Bianca. No need to worry."
Vita was speechless. "I'll be right back."
Then he ruffled her hair too. Vita stared, flustered, as he walked away.
"Hah, geez."
Only after he was gone did she mutter under her breath. "Worry? What worry?!"
She'd given him the opening, but still felt unfairly accused. It was just a mistake. Her mind wandering, that's all. Yeah, nothing more.
After Carlyle left, Vita sat on the bench, desperately rationalizing to herself.
"What an overactive imagination."
Him thinking she was anxious? It was so ridiculous she'd been at a loss for words. "Hope he trips on the way and smacks his nose."
But even as she said it, Vita shook her head. No, that's not right. She had a conscience. Annoying as he was, he'd helped her out big time. That thought just now was mean.
"Hoo..."
Unable to grasp her own feelings, Vita let out a deep sigh. "Why am I like this today...?"
It didn't last long. Carlyle returned, arms full of all sorts of ice cream. Parfaits especially.
"Didn't know what you'd like, so I got one of everything."
"...What's with all the parfaits?"
Vita tilted her head, voicing her taste. "I don't like parfaits."
Too sweet. She wasn't big on sugary stuff usually.
"Mm..."
But when a hint of disappointment crossed Carlyle's face, Vita snatched a parfait without thinking.
"J-Just give it here!"
Yeah, this was right. Out of consideration for his effort.
Vita took a cautious bite. "How is it? Everyone says they're good."
But this was weird? No, why? It was actually kinda tasty. At Carlyle's question, Vita nodded slightly with a reluctant expression. Then, glancing at him, she ventured carefully.
"Can I... have another?"
"Heh, go ahead."
How long did they stay like that? This is good! What the—really? As Vita devoured them, savoring her unexpectedly changed tastes, Carlyle spoke up.
"Feeling better? Little walk, some treats."
His serious expression facing hers made Vita freeze, forgetting how to respond. Her brain had stalled, really. Because that sounded like—he'd taken her walking to cheer her up, thinking of her.
She panicked, but... "Ah... y-yeah..."
Her mood was already fine. Had been for a while now. Why? She remembered being furious over Nathan, but it felt distant now. A bit fuzzy, but she felt good at the moment.
"All good, for real."
Carlyle smirked. "Good. Glad to hear it."
Suddenly, Vita found him kinda funny. Come to think of it, this guy... He'd pushed her all the way, yet here he was playing the caring type. It was amusing. But if she nitpicked, she'd agreed to it, so no room to complain.
[Fine, let's do it!] He'd won the bet fair and square.
Still, the awkwardness made her change the subject. "...Aren't you gonna eat any?"
"Don't like parfaits. Bought 'em for you."
The parfait suddenly lost its flavor. "W-What?"
Something was off with this guy. Making her cringe like that. While Vita paused, Carlyle's gaze fixed on something.
"Touched?"
"Touched? As if..."
Carlyle smoothly diverted her attention. As Vita whipped her head away in a huff...
He pressed his lips to the spot hers had touched moments ago. On the moist cherry lips of the parfait.
Under the crimson lantern light, their lips met indirectly. He pulled back.
"Mm, this parfait's good. Makes me wanna keep eating."
Flustered, with an inexplicable shame—Vita's face burst into flames. Sure, there was embarrassment and anger too.
Forgot for a sec, huh? Carlyle Schultz was just as nuts as any other lunatic. For a moment, she'd thought of seeing him differently—how stupid.
"Die... just die!"
"Kek—sorry."
She swung tiny fists wildly, but they never landed on the laughing Carlyle.
The next morning.
Ding-ding—
The alarm roused Vita early. She shuffled into the bathroom, rubbing her eyes as she washed her face, then tossed her clothes haphazardly onto the shelf. The oversized t-shirt and shorts she'd loved as a guy were still her pajamas.
And as always, right then... she couldn't stay calm. Awkward, that's the word.
It's my body, my body.
Muttering that, Vita stripped bare. She started the shower.
Whoosh—
Did she look like a girl at a glance? Amid the hot droplets, her youthful cheeks turned rosy. Still awkward with this body? Or some other reason? Maybe just the water's heat.
Actually, she'd absentmindedly recalled yesterday. Oversleeping on the first day and rushing, the infirmary mess...
Squeak—
"Hoo—"
Vita sighed, adjusting the temperature. Her face felt inexplicably hot, so she cooled it down. But stray thoughts kept piling up.
Yeah, last night. The thug incident. But something was really off.
I was so pissed then... but now?
Looking back, it barely lingered in her memory. More vivid was the time after—with Carlyle Schultz. Like a bizarre dream. His leading back under crimson streetlights. "I'll handle it, don't worry."
Truth was, Vita had felt off since yesterday. But she didn't want to know why, or why last night kept replaying.
"...What a ridiculous guy."
So she lumped it together like that and finished showering. She dried off quickly, stepped out, struggled into women's underwear with grunts. Over that, the academy uniform—and she looked like any pretty schoolgirl. White frilly blouse, fluttering navy skirt, thin cardigan, pure white knee socks.
Breakfast was quick. She popped an untoasted morning bun in her mouth and left the room.
Now she felt the vibe she'd missed yesterday from being late.
Buzz buzz—
-Isn't that her?
-No way, really...?
Vita panicked inwardly. Everyone was staring. But why?
Why's everyone looking...?
Slide—
Same when she opened the classroom door. Nearly slammed it shut again.
Did I do something wrong...?
The barrage of stares left her seriously flustered. She wasn't the social type by nature. But she couldn't skip class.
Creep, creep—like a total dork, she slunk to the corner and found a seat.
"Is... this spot free...?"
Asking timidly, the girl next to her reacted oddly.
"Huh? Yeah! Sit if you want!"
"Th-Thanks?!"
Such an intense response. Vita matched it in surprise. Cold sweat trickled—not for no reason. She'd always been shy around girls; confessing to Emily Swan had taken guts. Plus, this girl next to her screamed popular. Made her tense.
Light brown ponytail, sparkling eyes like rubies staring.
What, what...?
Why keep staring? Then came the compliment, flooring Vita.
"You're really pretty!"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Ah, no—I mean, it just slipped out. Total sincerity, though."
Whether genuine or flustered herself, the giggling girl asked Vita. "But hey, are you... dating Carlyle?"
All eyes turned, and Vita's mind blanked.