“I wouldn’t mind carrying you either.”
“I’ll walk there on my own two feet.”
“Just make sure you don’t collapse halfway. Start by being carried.”
“Do you want me to carry you when you feel like you’re about to collapse?”
It was embarrassing to show weakness in front of Luke. I had confidently offered to guide him along the way, but now I had suddenly mentioned the need to stop by my house, and that “need” meant carrying Kamian with me. Still, this was the first encounter with Luke, an encounter that would leave a lasting mark on the history of my life, and I didn’t want to preserve it as a memory of me looking frail.
“I didn’t know struggling with books was your hobby.”
“You always have something to say that scratches my heart, but when will I get a chance to hit back?”
“I’d prefer if you hit me with your lips.”
Oh my. What did I just say? I looked up at Kamian, massaging my face in disbelief. Kamian was chuckling to himself, as if finding his own words amusing.
“Is it funny?”
“Yeah. Just the thought of you kissing me with an angry face makes me laugh.”
“…Do you really want to say such things in broad daylight?”
“I’ve heard it’s permissible at night.”
“Perhaps there’s something wrong with your ears. You should visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist.”
So he confessed and now he’s leaving? He speaks such embarrassing words without a shred of shame. I sincerely thought it was a relief that I hadn’t tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Luke, you’ve waited a long time.”
Luke’s azure eyes glistened as they caught the sunlight. When he looked at Kamian, his once tender smile turned strangely chilly, as if a sombre atmosphere enveloped him. Had he recognized Kamian as a demon?
In the novel, there is a scene where Luke immediately realizes that Kamian is a demon upon their first encounter. Luke, being the kind of person he is, wouldn’t suddenly draw his sword just because someone is a demon. The problem lies with Kamian. It wasn’t a matter of what Kamian would do to harm Luke, but rather what calamity would spew forth from his venomous mouth, leaving me restless and anxious. I cautiously rolled my eyes to meet Kamian’s gaze.
Unexpectedly, the guy had a sullen expression. He exuded annoyance and fatigue, as if he couldn’t fathom why he had to follow along. Luke, standing before me, seemed utterly indifferent.
…If I may say so, it is fortunate. Nonetheless, it seemed rather impolite to exhibit such indifference in the presence of another person. It might have been better to be a bit more attentive instead of displaying such rudeness.
Luke also seemed to have let go of the tense atmosphere, which he had been wary of, around Kamian.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s nice to see young lovers enjoying themselves.”
…He knew Kamian was a demon, and yet he spoke those words? How unbiased can one be?
“He’s a friend. Just a friend.”
Since everyone I meet asks the same question, it has become tiresome to explain. I casually moved my fingers back and forth between Kamian and myself to correct Luke’s misunderstanding.
“So, you’re not in a romantic relationship yet?”
Luke asked, feigning sensitivity with a glint in his eyes.
“Not forever.”
Let’s cut it short. I quietly lowered my head. I observed his figure from the corner of my eye. Despite his clearly dry and stern expression, he possessed an affable appearance that could easily win people’s favour. Unconsciously, I found myself mesmerized by Luke, until something tapped the back of my hand. It was Kamian.
“Aren’t we leaving?”
He stated bluntly. It was only then that I snapped out of my daze and started walking.
* * *
The entirety of the icy cold melted away. The distance between my house and the academy was far beyond. I didn’t resist but instead allowed myself to be lifted onto his back, as if surrendering to the whims of Kamian.
“I wouldn’t mind carrying you either.”
“I’ll walk there on my own two feet.”
“Just make sure you don’t collapse halfway. Start by being carried.”
“Do you want me to carry you when you feel like you’re about to collapse?”
It was embarrassing to show weakness in front of Luke. I had confidently offered to guide him along the way, but now I had suddenly mentioned the need to stop by my house, and that “need” meant carrying Kamian with me. Still, this was the first encounter with Luke, an encounter that would leave a lasting mark on the history of my life, and I didn’t want to preserve it as a memory of me looking frail.
“I didn’t know struggling with books was your hobby.”
“You always have something to say that scratches my heart, but when will I get a chance to hit back?”
“I’d prefer if you hit me with your lips.”
Oh my. What did I just say? I looked up at Kamian, massaging my face in disbelief. Kamian was chuckling to himself, as if finding his own words amusing.
“Is it funny?”
“Yeah. Just the thought of you kissing me with an angry face makes me laugh.”
“…Do you really want to say such things in broad daylight?”
“I’ve heard it’s permissible at night.”
“Perhaps there’s something wrong with your ears. You should visit an ear, nose, and throat specialist.”
So he confessed and now he’s leaving? He speaks such embarrassing words without a shred of shame. I sincerely thought it was a relief that I hadn’t tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Luke, you’ve waited a long time.”
Luke’s azure eyes glistened as they caught the sunlight. When he looked at Kamian, his once tender smile turned strangely chilly, as if a sombre atmosphere enveloped him. Had he recognized Kamian as a demon?
In the novel, there is a scene where Luke immediately realizes that Kamian is a demon upon their first encounter. Luke, being the kind of person he is, wouldn’t suddenly draw his sword just because someone is a demon. The problem lies with Kamian. It wasn’t a matter of what Kamian would do to harm Luke, but rather what calamity would spew forth from his venomous mouth, leaving me restless and anxious. I cautiously rolled my eyes to meet Kamian’s gaze.
Unexpectedly, the guy had a sullen expression. He exuded annoyance and fatigue, as if he couldn’t fathom why he had to follow along. Luke, standing before me, seemed utterly indifferent.
…If I may say so, it is fortunate. Nonetheless, it seemed rather impolite to exhibit such indifference in the presence of another person. It might have been better to be a bit more attentive instead of displaying such rudeness.
Luke also seemed to have let go of the tense atmosphere, which he had been wary of, around Kamian.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s nice to see young lovers enjoying themselves.”
…He knew Kamian was a demon, and yet he spoke those words? How unbiased can one be?
“He’s a friend. Just a friend.”
Since everyone I meet asks the same question, it has become tiresome to explain. I casually moved my fingers back and forth between Kamian and myself to correct Luke’s misunderstanding.
“So, you’re not in a romantic relationship yet?”
Luke asked, feigning sensitivity with a glint in his eyes.
“Not forever.”
Let’s cut it short. I quietly lowered my head. I observed his figure from the corner of my eye. Despite his clearly dry and stern expression, he possessed an affable appearance that could easily win people’s favour. Unconsciously, I found myself mesmerized by Luke, until something tapped the back of my hand. It was Kamian.
“Aren’t we leaving?”
He stated bluntly. It was only then that I snapped out of my daze and started walking.
* * *
The entirety of the icy cold melted away. The distance between my house and the academy was far beyond. I didn’t resist but instead allowed myself to be lifted onto his back, as if surrendering to the whims of Kamian.
