Ding! Dong!
The school bell rang, signaling it was time for recess.
"Nao, follow me," Elysia ordered as she stood up.
I frowned. She was treating me like her servant. "No."
Elysia's sharp eyes locked onto me. "What did you say?" She stepped closer.
"Are you deaf or something?" Her tone turned threatening.
"Fine." I got up. This time, I decided to back down—I knew if I caused trouble, my name would be plastered all over the school.
"Good boy," she said, her voice unexpectedly soft.
We walked toward the dining hall, with me trailing behind her. The murmurs of other students filled the hallway.
"Why are they together?" one student whispered.
"I heard it's because of that incident, so the school assigned Elysia to monitor him," another replied.
"Poor guy, I heard he just transferred in."
"So unlucky."
"Really unlucky."
I let their words pass like the wind. I knew exactly how these students felt about the girl walking ahead of me.
When we arrived at the dining hall, I was surprised—Elysia was actually lining up. Usually, she would be given priority. What happened?
I lined up behind her and whispered, "Elysia, don't you usually cut in line?"
"I don't cut in line. It's just that when the path is cleared for me, I walk," she replied casually.
We both got our food, and I followed her to a table.
It was empty, as expected. Was this table reserved for her?
She sat down, and I sat across from her, eating as politely as possible—I didn't want to be judged as some uncivilized commoner.
The silence between us felt awkward.
"Where are your friends?" I asked, surprised that a girl as beautiful as her had none.
"Friends? To me, friendships are like gambling. I'd rather focus on my studies." She spoke casually, taking another bite.
I froze for a moment. This was the first time I'd met someone with the same mindset as me.
"So, you have no friends? Then who's that person screaming every day?" I asked.
"Just someone my mother hired to keep me company. He's just doing his job," she answered coldly.
Silence settled between us again until the bell rang.
"Nao, let's go back to class," she said, standing up.
I obeyed and followed her. Despite her blank expression, I could see it—anger, sadness, frustration, all mixed together.
A strange girl must have a strange story. That was my conclusion.
---
Ding! Dong!
The school bell rang again, signaling the end of the day.
I glanced at Elysia as she packed her things.
"What?" she asked coldly.
"Nothing." I stood up and walked out.
As I headed toward the dorms, I noticed Elysia walking behind me. Maybe she was heading back, too.
When I stopped in front of my room, I noticed she stopped as well.
I looked at her. "Where are you going?"
"My room," she replied casually, walking past me.
I watched as she stood in front of the door next to mine.
We locked eyes.
"Elysia, is that really your room?" I asked, looking at my door—Room 36.
She held up her key, which had "Room 35" written on it.
I sighed deeply.
Without another word, I entered my room and shut the door. What the hell was going on?
Today had been weird, from start to finish.
Grrr!
My stomach growled. Time to get some food.
I changed my clothes and stepped out.
At the same time, Elysia opened her door.
I never noticed she lived next door.
"Nao, where are you going?" she asked.
"To eat," I replied shortly.
"Same," she said.
"Want to eat together?" I asked.
"No." A predictable answer.
She walked ahead, and I followed.
We took the same path, stopped at the same restaurant, and stared at each other.
"You want to eat together?" she asked flatly.
I nodded, and we sat at the same table.
A waiter approached. "What would you like to order?"
I ordered something cheap, while Elysia went for the expensive dishes.
Silence settled between us again until the food arrived.
"Is that enough for you?" she asked, eyeing my small portion.
"Enough to survive," I replied, taking a bite.
"I have money, you know," she said, flashing her student card.
I grinned. "In that case—"
I knocked on the table, calling the waiter over.
I ordered two more meals identical to Elysia's while sneaking a glance at her reaction. She remained calm, eating as usual.
"That'll be all," I told the waiter, who walked away.
"Won't your family get mad if I take advantage of their money?" I asked, puzzled by her attitude.
"They won't. In fact, they'd prefer it. I don't shop or waste money, so my account is always full," she said.
I stared at her. "Honestly, I don't get you. You don't act like a noble, but you don't act like a commoner either."
"You can think of me however you like. But I'll think of you as my task—to teach you," she explained.
So, she was the obedient type, huh? Her cold attitude made sense now.
I ate slowly, finishing all three plates while Elysia watched.
"What?" I asked, noticing her stare.
"Just watching a little puppy eat," she said casually.
A puppy?
"Do you always compare people like this?" I asked, frowning.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I used to have a puppy that ate just like you. But he died," she explained.
I sighed. "I'm heading back. You?"
She stood up as well, signaling that she was coming with me.
After she paid for my meal, we walked side by side to our dorms.
When we reached our doors, she turned to me. "Goodnight," she said, entering her room.
I stood there for a moment before heading into mine.
Today was… weird.