Running After You
Vita just kept running, round and round in circles. She couldn't see anything anyway. Even if passersby stared at her like she was some lunatic. Even if they thought she looked like a girl heartbroken by rejection—who cared? None of that mattered right now.
Please... not yet...!
She had one reason to believe. Today was Confession Day.
If her guess was right, it wasn't over yet.
Her breath burned all the way up to her throat. Her shoes kept slipping off, and in her panic, Vita kicked them away. They were just getting in the way. Every second counted. So she kept running—really running.
Her mind was a mess, of course.
If I see the two of them together...?
How should I react? What about me...?
At this point, she couldn't just call Emily or Carlyle. It would be way too shameless to contact either of them now.
Lately, she'd been awful to Carlyle Schultz. Vita bit her lip.
The truth is, Carlyle... when those nasty rumors spread about you recently... I wanted to comfort you.
She'd really wanted to. To tell him, with his hardened expression, that she believed in him.
That I absolutely believe you didn't do it...!
She just wanted to say it. But she couldn't. Instead, she'd given him a cold look. She'd seen the shock freeze his face, clear as day.
Why did I do that...?
Tears scattered into the air as she ran. Back when Carlyle Schultz showed up at her house every single day, Vita had always just watched from behind the curtains. Her heart aching the whole time. The truth was, even then, she'd wanted to welcome him. But she hadn't been able to.
All those moments left her drowning in regret, too ashamed to suddenly call him out of the blue. What if she messaged him now, and he was already with Emily? That would hurt just as bad. Vita was terrified of confirming it—of stepping outside her assumptions and facing the fact that it might all be over.
The same went for Emily. Hey, I like Carlyle, so please don't confess to him. How could she even say that? She'd become a liar to Emily. She'd promised to step aside—written it in a letter, even!
...But I'm sorry.
She still couldn't yield. Not now, not like this—running desperately, pathetically. She had to see him face-to-face to confess this feeling.
So calling was a last resort.
"Hah... huff..."
Running down the street, Vita collided with someone.
"Watch where you're—!"
"S-sorry...!"
The man's face went blank. Vita had no idea how wrecked she looked right now. She bowed quickly and bolted again. Her mind was filled only with Carlyle Schultz. Only Carlyle.
Thank goodness she knew about today. Normally, yeah, she might already be too late. But Confession Day had its own culture now, set in stone like a holiday. Confessions happened at sunset.
The last king of this era had confessed to a commoner girl right around sunset, sparking a huge fuss that helped end class distinctions entirely. That's how Confession Day started. So people still did it at sunset on this day.
Remembering that origin...
Yeah, she might not be too late yet.
October's autumn had arrived. Sunset came early now, around five or six. But no normal person confesses to their crush the second they meet. Even Vita, clueless about romance, knew that much.
So she was lucky. They were probably just meeting at the café around now. That's why she'd bolted straight out of her room.
They'd chat, step out for a walk, build the mood bit by bit. And then... Vita's heart stung. But still, she wasn't too late.
Yeah, definitely...!
It had to be. Emily wouldn't confess that early. Compared to Vita, Emily knew this stuff, followed trends.
She probably won't stray from the plan.
Vita clung to that. She didn't want negative thoughts right now. She chose hope. If it wasn't true—if it was already over—she'd crumble. Her world would shatter. Somehow, Carlyle had become that important to her.
Ding-a-ling.
Vita pushed into the café. She'd racked her brain for the famous spots Emily mentioned. This was one they'd visited as a study group—the three of them.
"Welcome—!"
She barely registered the greeting, scanning the packed interior. Lively café, buzzing. Couples everywhere—guys and girls here, there. The Confession Day vibe hit hard; sunset was closing in.
Are they here...?
Vita bit her lip—had been for so long, she didn't notice the faint taste of blood. She searched like a madwoman for one person: a sturdy black-haired guy, handsome as hell. Or a pretty silver-haired girl. Praying desperately not to see them together. She had no clue how she'd react, what she'd say if she faced them.
Especially if she saw Emily and Carlyle sitting cozily, smiling...
If that happens...
What face would she make? What words? Vita had no idea. But she had to find them. This overflowing feeling was too much to contain.
Carlyle, because of you. You've turned me into a complete woman, heart and all.
So you... Carlyle, you have to take responsibility.
...Please.
She was ready to beg if she had to.
"Um, miss...?"
She knew the barista stared oddly, along with everyone else. Whispers buzzed in her ears.
Not here...
Disappointment mixed with relief.
"Is everything okay? You look really upset..."
Vita caught the barista eyeing her bare feet. But she ignored it.
"N-no, sorry for the fuss."
She bolted out again.
Roaming a café without ordering and leaving like that? Normal Vita would never. But now she did. She'd hit ten decent spots in the city already. Even six casual bars. Every place young couples might be at this hour—she'd checked them all, running like a crazy woman.
"Huff... haa..."
Her breath came in gasps. In the middle of the street, Vita clutched her knees, steadying herself. Her eyes wavered.
No way, already...?
No sign of Carlyle or Emily anywhere. Every spot had been packed—the peak Confession Day hour. If they were confessing, they'd be together now. She'd find them, she thought.
But now... reality sank in. She might be too late. They might ignore the custom, meet early, confess already.
Emily might have confessed to Carlyle already...
Her heart plummeted.
No, no.
Vita shook it off.
Should I loop back...?
Her legs shook, shirt clung with sweat. Face numb from dried tears, hair a total mess. She knew she looked pathetic.
Maybe...
They might not have met yet. Possible.
If I call Carlyle now...
After agonizing, Vita slowly pulled her phone from her pocket. Hesitated forever. Then unlocked the screen.
Ding!
A text from her junior, Lou.
Vita's eyes widened at the rest. What did it mean? Carlyle had asked about her train.
This... what...?
Her amethyst eyes grew huge. One possibility flashed in her mind.
And so, moments later, Vita took off running again—this time in the opposite direction.
Maybe, just maybe. Unbelievable, but...
Carlyle Schultz might be waiting for her.
I still have a chance!
That single thought swelled her heart more than her burning lungs.
Carlyle Schultz had been waiting—endlessly waiting.
In his pocket, an amethyst necklace, carefully kept. A gift perfect for Bianca Shama, prepared by him. He stroked the box absentmindedly.
This gift almost became...
A farewell present. He might never have given it.
The thought made his vision blur. But now, he knew the truth. How Bianca felt about him. Why she'd pushed him away despite it.
He'd read the letter over and over but still couldn't fully grasp it.
She and Emily seemed close for a while...
He had no clue about that. The letter wasn't even addressed to him—it was to Emily. One letter couldn't explain everything.
But at the same time, he'd learned everything that mattered to him. Why she saw him as a man, or a fake woman—he didn't know. But the key: Bianca Shama liked him. Carlyle Schultz.
Reading her letter, he'd even discovered sides of himself he never knew.
[That guy's a bit of a player, but surprisingly diligent...]
[He's got deep consideration others don't see. Solid plans for the future, strong convictions...]
Those lines choked him up. For the first time, someone truly recognized him. And that someone was Bianca Shama.
He tucked the letter safely in his pocket. He'd keep it forever. That precious. He'd written her one too—tons, actually—but it paled next to this.
At the station platform, Carlyle scanned nonstop. She might come early, before the train.
Where are you, Bianca...?
His lips dried. Fists clenched. He missed her so much he couldn't bear it anymore.
Why she wanted to leave, he didn't know. But he'd tell her—make her hear, change her mind. To him, she'd been a girl from the start. One girl. He couldn't let her go. No running. Just stay by his side. He'd make her happy forever, no worries.
So he waited, silently, steadily. Emotions surged from deep in his chest: tension, anxiety, soaring hope. Clearing misunderstandings, back to before—or beyond. Today, he'd confess again. He'd done it a few times, even sincerely once, but it wasn't enough.
He'd met Emily early that morning on purpose. That might be her answer too—she'd expect rejection.
But I...
Carlyle Schultz loved Bianca Shama. As a woman, the one he'd sought.
He'd planned everything for today.
He'd suggested the bet himself, timing the end for today. From the start, Carlyle aimed to win Bianca's heart with today's confession. Knowing she was out of his league, but desperate to hold her close.
And now, the moment approached.
About twenty minutes till the train. She should be here by now...
From then, Carlyle dashed through the station. Searching for Bianca Shama. Brown coat flapping, end to end.
"Bianca! Where are you?!"
He even shouted. People stared like he was nuts. He ignored them.
"Where are you, Bianca!"
Hear me. Let me reach you.
"H-hey, young man! Quiet down!"
"Sorry, sir."
As Carlyle ran like a madman...
"Hah... huff..."
Vita arrived at the station just in time—before the train left.
We interrupt the music. Attention passengers: The 5:00 train will arrive shortly. Please...
No, don't go...!
Fearing Carlyle might leave, Vita hurried.
"Gotta scan to board, miss."
"...S-sorry."
"Pretty young thing, all spaced out."
Ignoring the old station attendant's scolding, Vita dashed inside the moment she entered.
Ding-ding!
The train pulled in.
...Where are you, Bianca?
Why isn't she here? Carlyle panicked, head spinning. Did that junior lie? Where...?
Dashing frantically, he spotted someone climbing the stairs—a woman. Clothes disheveled, hair a mess, breathing hard, cheeks flushed, eyes on the verge of tears. Eyes widening as she saw him.
Bianca Shama.
Vita saw Carlyle too—equally wrecked.
Sunday, 5:00. The two finally met. After twists and turns, facing each other with their raw feelings.