Chapter 107 – Rushed Into An Empty Classroom (1)

There was a deep sigh of relief as the lock clicked shut. Haaaah.

Of course, that didn’t mean he let Louise go yet.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“So then.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Hmm?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Didn’t you say that you had a meeting with the clerk?”

Ian made a sound like he was suffering from something, then eventually answered in a small voice.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I did.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“You haven’t talked to him at all this semester, have you?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Now that sounds appealing.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Ugh, so how did you pull this off?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Is that important now?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“It matters now!”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Really, this moody girl...”

He let go of Louise at last, his expression disgruntled.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“It’s not a big deal, it’s just that the clerk’s private office is above this room.”

Louise looked at Ian with wide eyes. There are quite a number of ways to get to a lower floor, one of which is to use the stairs.

And the other one.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Don’t tell me you climbed down the window!”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Amazing, isn’t it?”

There was swagger in the way he spoke. Wasn’t that too dangerous? What if his hand or foot slipped and a disaster happened!

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“You could’ve gotten hurt, and that dangerous stunt would have been recorded in history!”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]

“I’m not hurt. And it’s not going into history.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“But still! Why did you take such a risk?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Because...”

He patted Louise on the head as he struggled over his answer. It had been a long time since he touched her hair this way. They hardly got to meet during vacation.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I need space to breath sometimes.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Then get a respirator.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Yes, I’ll be careful that my royal respiratory system won’t fall from me. People who lose their respiratory organs die.”

He really couldn’t say it and kept waffling.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Well, something like that. And I just–”

The hand that he used to stroke her hair now cupped her cheek.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I just wanted to see you.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“...Me?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Yes, Louise Sweeney.”

He paused to think for a moment then continued.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“A ‘meeting’ is more than just seeing each other face-to-face.”

In other words, when they bumped into each other at the Academy office it didn’t feel like a proper meeting.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“I know that much!”

She agreed that none of the conversations that seemed to have come from “The Great Encyclopedia of Etiquette for Children in the Capital” were any pleasant.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“I can’t believe you were acting like a brilliant honor student.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I actually am though.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Just because you’re a senior and you’re president of the student council, doesn’t mean you’re the best.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Then who is it going to be? Is it going to be my damn neighbor who likes to look at my sister?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Yeah...that’s a little weird.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]

“Of course.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“You know, I was happy when you said I was making a ‘profane look.’ Is that wrong?”

Ian chuckled as he lightly pinched Louise’s cheek.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Yeah, its weird, but I can’t help it. It’s the same with me too.”

Louise looked at him with round eyes. It was clear she wanted an explanation for what he meant with “Me too.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“For example, when you give me that profane look, it creeps me out but also makes me feel happy.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“...Huh?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“And when you make a look like you can’t trust me, there’s a crease here in the middle of your forehead. It makes me...how should I say this? It makes me want to aggravate it even more.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“It just makes me annoyed.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Because you’re paying taxes to a pervert?”

He gave a bright smile as he exactly read Louise’s thoughts. After she said it so many times, it was only natural that he understood her.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“To think I’ve come to that terrible knowledge.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“It’s entirely my fault. I apologize.”

He apologized with no regrets. In fact, he looked like he was enjoying himself.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Sometimes I think you just want to bully me.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Of course not. I told you before, I’m courting you pretty seriously.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Ugh, what kind of courtship is this!”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“It’s just that you keep saying things that break the atmosphere.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png] “Me?”

Ian nodded his head.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“A while ago, when a man wanted to see you, you wanted to know about his meeting with the clerk.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“...Well.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]

“And if the atmosphere continued naturally, then there never would have been talk about how that man was a pervert.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Then what was he going to do?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“...You want to know? ”

He had quite a serious look on his face, and Louise shook her head vigorously.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“N-not at all!”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“See. You changed the atmosphere.”

Ugh. That wasn’t intentional. Seriously.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“I’ve known you for so long that it feels awkward to be serious about something.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I know. That’s the disadvantage of a childhood friend. And you hate losing to me.”

Yes, that was the problem. She always wanted to fight back.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Then let’s do this for a moment.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“What?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Of course I enjoy your sparkling conversation, but hold on. Just for a minute.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Wait, a minute?”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I want you to answer simply with your body.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Wh-what?! Are you crazy? ”

Louise stared at Ian with huge eyes.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I meant nod or shake your head. What on earth were you thinking? I just want you to be as clear as possible.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Well, if that’s the case, just tell me to nod my head normally!”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“I just wanted to respect diverse expressions of opinion. There are many ways to wave your hand or turn your body.”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Louise.png]“Ugh...”

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Anyway.”

He continued with a much more composed voice.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Can you show me a simple answer?”

She nodded for him.

[https://wordexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ian.png]“Right. Good job.”

He patted her cheek like he was praising a puppy. Louise bit her lips as she thought, ‘Please treat me like a human being.’