CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: I WANT TO TRY TOO

"Yes."

The student delivering newspapers was momentarily surprised, but quickly recognized Julian Fairchild, eyes lighting up, "Here you go."

Julian took it, flipped through casually, and closed the door, "Thanks."

The dorm was empty except for him. These days, Henry Hughes was practically always with Maeve Lane. Aurelia University’s entertainment reporters occasionally mentioned them. Even though they couldn’t publish photos, the unusual nature of their relationship was evident even from the text.

[Henry Hughes accompanied Maeve Lane to class today. According to eyewitnesses, the two were very close.]

[Maeve Lane seems to have a new boyfriend, and the relationship between Henry Hughes, Maeve Lane, and another male protagonist is unclear.]

[...]

The man tightened his grip on the newspaper, and in the next second, it was crumpled into a ball in his hand.

It’s just mere rumors.

Maeve Lane wouldn’t be with Henry Hughes. She draws a clear line between friends and boyfriends.

Julian was certain, but the familiar anxiety surfaced again.

-

Three minutes until the end of class.

The classroom was already buzzing with a bit of commotion.

Henry Hughes and Julian Fairchild were in the same class, and he was sitting behind Julian at the moment.

"Julian, how do you solve this problem? I didn’t quite understand."

The man, with a subdued and restrained demeanor, replied succinctly, "Substitute the formula."

"..." Henry Hughes glanced irritably at his scratch paper and, realizing class was about to end, decided not to concern himself with it further, "Ah, whatever, let’s leave it at that."

"Look, is that Maeve Lane over there!"

"It is her. Feels like we haven’t seen her in a long time."

"Right, she used to come to class with Julian Fairchild all the time."

"Who is she here to see, Julian Fairchild?"

"No way, don’t you guys read the school forum? I guess she’s probably here for... Henry Hughes."

"...Quite possible, has she changed her target?"

...

The whispering reached Julian Fairchild’s ears word for word.

He looked up and saw Maeve Lane standing in the corridor at the classroom entrance, a bag slung over one shoulder, bathed in sunlight, her skin nearly translucent.

She lifted her eyes languidly, a smile emerging at her lips, an illusion of unreality.

And Maeve Lane’s gaze passed right over him, landing directly on Henry Hughes behind him.

Henry Hughes noticed Maeve Lane too. Their eyes met, and he smiled, "Wait for me."

This voice was not restrained, and Julian instinctively frowned, his expression cool and pristine.

"Ring ring ring—"

The bell for class dismissal rang.

The surrounding students dispersed all at once.

Henry Hughes quickly packed up his things and was about to leave when Julian Fairchild held him back.

He spoke in an unhurried tone, "Let’s go together."

Henry Hughes looked at him, not thinking much, "Alright, let’s go. Maeve Lane is waiting outside."

Julian Fairchild responded coldly with a "Hmm."

Outside, Maeve Lane seemed to have grown a bit impatient waiting, noticing Henry Hughes and Julian Fairchild coming out together.

She walked past Julian without a glance.

"Henry Hughes, want to go for a ride?" Maeve Lane patted the helmet in her hand, smiling freely, "Let me show you my driving skills."

Henry Hughes chuckled, "Sure, I’ve been wanting to try it for a while. Are we going now?"

"Let’s go."

They walked a bit, and Henry Hughes realized he might have forgotten something.

Turning around, he saw Julian Fairchild standing still.

Maeve Lane also stopped, tilting her head, "What’s wrong?"

Henry Hughes pursed his lips, "Julian, we’re leaving first."

"Wait." Julian finally spoke.

He looked at Maeve Lane’s profile, his gaze dark and unclear—

"I’d like to try it too."