CHAPTER 14 - 14 – BEAUTY

Chapter 14 – Beauty

"Hm? Why did everyone suddenly go quiet?" Lune asked, her tone casual but laced with curiosity as she glanced around the cafeteria, sensing the abrupt shift in atmosphere.

Jack didn't even bother to look up. He simply let out a faint sigh and continued eating. "She's here."

"She?" Lune tilted her head. "Who's she?"

"You'll see."

Just as Jack finished speaking, the double doors of the cafeteria opened with a soft creak—and in stepped a girl whose mere presence seemed to command the attention of every soul in the room. Conversations halted mid-sentence, heads turned, and for a fleeting moment, time itself seemed to slow to a crawl.

She was captivating.

Neck-length brown hair shimmered under the overhead lights, and her deep brown eyes swept across the cafeteria with the calm composure of someone who was used to this kind of attention. She didn't appear startled or self-conscious in the slightest—just... serene, almost otherworldly. Her expression remained neutral as she silently walked through the crowd, as if the weight of every gaze on her didn't matter.

And then came the whispers, loud enough to ripple through the air like murmurs in a church.

"That's Miss Evelyn..."

"She looks even more beautiful today..."

"She's always been beautiful. We're just mortals admiring a goddess."

"Ugh, I'm actually going to cry. How can someone look like that?"

Despite the volume of the chatter, not a single voice held an ounce of resentment or mockery. It was pure admiration—raw, sincere, and overwhelming.

Lune blinked, one eyebrow rising as she studied the girl who had single-handedly stolen the room's attention.

"Interesting... Who is she?"

"Evelyn Philips," Jack replied between mouthfuls of food. "Daughter of the man who owns the biggest luxury watch brand in the world."

He still hadn't bothered to look up.

"As you can see, she's something of a celebrity around here. To them, she's the ideal human—flawless in every way."

"She is certainly..." Lune paused, her voice strangely flat. "Striking."

"She's ranked second in every school exam. She's gifted in sports, naturally charismatic, and of course, easy on the eyes. It's stupid, but I understand why they're all completely enchanted by her. She's the embodiment of what people think perfection is."

Lune's gaze lingered on Evelyn for a moment longer before narrowing slightly.

"There's something odd about her. She... feels different."

Jack arched a brow.

"She's not just beautiful," Lune continued, her voice thoughtful. "There's a distinct aura around her... She doesn't feel like a normal human being. I've met many people, Jack—but something about her stands out."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm." Lune's sharp eyes flickered again, narrowing with a quiet intensity. 'Why does she seem familiar? I feel like I've seen her somewhere before. But where? It doesn't make sense...'

After a few seconds, Lune shook her head. There was no point in overthinking it. Evelyn was just another student... right?

She turned back to Jack. "Say, Jack."

"Yeah?"

"Do you find her attractive?"

He finally looked up, blinking once in confusion. "Where did that come from?"

"No reason," Lune said sweetly as she sat beside him, a smile curling on her lips. It was the kind of smile that could disarm armies—but for Jack, it only raised every internal alarm bell. Something about it was far too calm to be harmless.

The air around her grew chilly.

'Oh no,' Jack's thoughts darkened. 'What's gotten into her now?'

"I don't care," he replied simply.

"Wait... really?"

"I don't care about looks—or people, in general."

Lune's icy aura relaxed almost immediately. She gave a small, satisfied hum as the corners of her lips lifted in approval.

"I'm glad to hear that," she said. Then, without warning, she leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But if you really don't care about looks... does that mean you don't think I'm pretty?"

Jack froze.

She was close—too close. Her flawless skin, the faint scent of roses and something richer, something hers

, flooded his senses. It wasn't fair. No mortal man should have to endure being in such close proximity to a being like her and still think rationally.

He held her gaze, trying not to react. "Do you really need my answer to that question? I'm sure you've already heard it countless times."

"They don't matter to me. Only yours does."

"And why is my opinion so important?"

"Because," she whispered, "it means everything to me."

Jack's mind raced. 'Why is she suddenly so obsessed with appearances?'

With a long sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and met her eyes again.

"Yes," he said plainly. "You're objectively good looking."

"Mm-mm." Lune leaned in even closer, her grin growing. "That's not what I asked. I asked if you think I'm pretty, didn't I?"

Jack felt the heat of her breath against his cheek. Her beauty was suffocating, almost aggressive in its intensity. At that distance, it was a miracle he could still form coherent thoughts.

"Lune."

"Yes, dear husband?"

"Back away."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"But I like it here, darling~"

"I'm not answering your question then."

"Whaaat? You're so mean!"

"I just don't like being cornered."

"... Tsk, fine." Lune pouted dramatically and scooted back slightly. "Better?"

"Sure."

"Then answer me."

Jack exhaled, put his spoon down, and steepled his fingers. "Alright. You really want to know?"

She leaned forward with expectation glowing in her eyes.

"Yes, I think you're beautiful, Lune. Extremely so."

She blinked.

A long silence followed as those words echoed in her mind.

Then—

"...Y-Yeah? I-I was only teasing, you know. Didn't think you'd actually say it," she mumbled, her face suddenly flustered. "Extremely, huh? That's..."

BADUMP. BADUMP.

'My heart—! He said I'm extremely beautiful!'

A goofy grin tugged at her lips despite herself, and she turned her gaze away shyly.

"Can I eat now?" Jack asked, already reaching for his spoon again.

"Mhm. Thank you, Jack~"

He gave her a single glance before focusing back on his food. Yet despite trying to focus, the image of her smiling face refused to leave his mind.

'Annoying,' he thought with a sigh.

Eventually, he finished his lunch and stood up with his tray. As he walked toward the disposal area, he passed by a crowded table buzzing with chatter. In the center of it all sat Evelyn, poised and graceful, responding calmly to the excited conversation around her. Her elegant aura seemed to draw everyone in.

Jack didn't even look her way. This kind of attention was her norm. Nothing new.

But Evelyn did look at him.

Her eyes followed him quietly as he passed.

"She's watching you," Lune muttered, walking just behind him.

"I know."

"Why?" Her voice dipped slightly in temperature, a hint of shadow lacing her tone.

"It's probably about the school rankings," Jack answered as he dumped his tray.

"Rankings?"

"I told you, she's always second place in exams." He turned to her. "Well, I'm always first."

"Oh?" Lune's eyes glinted.

"Maybe she sees me as a rival or something. I really don't care."

Giving her one last glance, Lune followed Jack out of the cafeteria. 'Evelyn Philips, huh? I will remember that name.'