Felyn was just one person—he couldn’t be with both of them.

That was what Viloti meant.

But Adelina wasn’t having it.

Sure, she could yield in normal situations. But to back down now would be far too weak.

“I was here waiting for Felyn first today, Lady Viloti. Logically speaking, I should be the one to talk to him first.”

Viloti said nothing. She just stared at Adelina with meaning in her eyes.

That look made Adelina squirm. It felt like she was the third wheel who had barged in halfway through someone else’s story.

Felyn isn’t even with you yet! There’s nothing strange about me talking to him! Why do you have to look at me like that?!

“…Then go ahead and talk to him first.” Viloti finally spoke after her long stare.

“Huh?” Adelina blinked, surprised at Viloti’s sudden compromise.

Viloti raised her wrist slightly, pointing at her watch.

There were only ten minutes left before class started—and Felyn still hadn’t shown up. Which meant he’d likely arrive just in time, like always.

Even if Adelina did talk to him, it’d only be for a minute or two.

What could she possibly do with that little time?

And she wasn’t even a student of Saint Andros Academy. She could only exchange a few brief words with Felyn before watching him walk into school with Viloti.

So Viloti figured that giving Adelina a measly minute or two wouldn’t hurt.

But Viloti was still too kind.

If it had been a certain pink-and-purple-haired princess or a silver-haired songstress instead, one or two minutes would’ve been more than enough for them.

Enough to say “I like you, Felyn” a dozen times over.

Well, the songstress could only imagine doing that for now—she didn’t even have the courage to say it in person yet.

Beauty had a way of compounding. When Adelina and Viloti stood side by side, the light around them seemed to glow more vividly.

It was as if they weren’t even on the same layer of reality as everyone else.

Naturally, when the two campus goddesses appeared together at the gate, they drew quite the crowd.

And if those spectators found out the two of them were squaring off just for the chance to talk to Felyn?

Let’s just say school wouldn’t be peaceful for him ever again.

“Adelina!”

Their appearance had caught the attention of none other than Student Council President Linda, who had just returned to the front gate.

Following closely behind her was Sophia—the grade director on duty for the morning.

Sophia, for her part, was quite fond of Adelina, the student council president of Lanchester Academy.

At Viloti’s graduation banquet not long ago, Adelina’s impressive work had left a strong impression on her.

Sophia had just been planning to greet her and maybe chat about her future plans.

“What brings you to our school gate today? Don’t tell me you came just to see me?” Linda teased, locking arms with Adelina.

“I came to see Felyn. Of course, I also thought I’d stop by and say hello to you too,” Adelina replied, holding up the notebook. “I came to return this.”

“A notebook? How did his stuff end up at your place?”

Linda suddenly seemed to realize something. She nudged Adelina in the waist with her elbow, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Wait… don’t tell me you two secretly met up yesterday? Or did he just go straight to your house?”

“Linda!” Adelina’s ears flushed pink. She clearly wasn’t used to having someone else say things like that out loud. The soft pink blush across her cheeks sparkled under the sun.

“I knew

it! No way—did you two actually spend the night together? Isn’t that moving way too fast? No, wait—maybe it’s too slow. Adelina, tell me, last night you guys…”

Linda leaned in, whispering things only girls would dare say to one another.

“W-What?! Of course not! Linda, stop saying nonsense!” Adelina gave her a playful pinch on the waist, blinking furiously in embarrassment.

“Oh my, Lady Adelina is this shy? Don’t tell me… you’re actually hoping for something to happen?”

Linda spun around, hiding her face as the blush crawled up her neck.

She’d been planning to tease Adelina more—seeing the normally serious student council president act this bashful was just too cute.

But suddenly, a chill ran up her spine.

Cold. Far too cold for a sunny day like this.

Linda shivered, as though someone had cast a Frost Spell right behind her.

She turned her head—and her heart nearly stopped.

There, not far behind her, stood Viloti Silafiel, daughter of the richest family in the Siveshus Empire.

Her expression was utterly frozen. Those amber eyes were like two blades of ice, glaring at Linda as if trying to freeze her on the spot.

“G-Good morning, Lady Viloti,” Linda stammered, trying to force a smile. Her raised hand trembled slightly.

This school’s resident ice queen was staring her down with a chilling sharpness.

The pressure was suffocating. Linda felt like raising both hands in surrender.

I’m so dead.

Why didn’t I notice Lady Viloti was standing right there?!

She must’ve heard everything. I’m doomed. I’m going to get stabbed eighteen times tonight, and tomorrow morning they’ll say I committed suicide.

Mom… please save me!

“Good morning, Miss Linda—” came Viloti’s cool greeting.

It only made things worse.

Linda was breaking down inside.

These past few days hadn’t been kind to her.

Just recently, she’d found out her idol, Zervanie, had some very ambiguous connection with Felyn.

Now her best friend was competing with her idol for the same man.

And today, Lady Viloti’s appearance reminded her of yet another tragic fact she’d nearly forgotten:

This cold, untouchable flower of the academy, daughter of the empire’s richest man, also liked Felyn.

Adelina… are you really going to be okay?

Your rival is a world-famous songstress.

Another is Viloti, who already shares an unusually close relationship with him.

And you? You just confessed—and got rejected.

This is a losing battle from the start, isn’t it?

“Y-You two talk. I should head back to my post. Bye, Adelina. Bye, Lady Viloti.”

Unable to bear the pressure from Viloti’s stare, Linda fled after offering a mental cheer for Adelina.

As she turned around, she caught sight of Teacher Sophia still standing there with a dazed look on her face.

“Miss Sophia? Are you alright?”

Sophia had followed behind Linda, originally planning to greet Adelina.

But instead, she’d overheard an earth-shattering revelation.

Adelina… you… you like Felyn too?

Oh God. Please tell me this isn’t real…

(End of Chapter)