Chapter 9 – Or Was It A Success?

Dante was not in a good mood. Actually, he felt terrible. It had become a frequent occurrence lately. The butler bowed his head nervously.

“What did Chloe say?”

It was already the fourth time Dante asked the same question. The butler wished he could give a different answer, but he couldn’t lie.

“She said she’s really sorry, Young Master.”

“And?”

“And… she said staying here wouldn’t be good for either of you, so she’ll just return to the dormitory.”

“…For both of us?”

Dante checked again. The butler couldn’t lift his head.

“Right. That’s what she said…”

After she’d rushed at him like that yesterday, now what was she saying? Dante let out a hollow laugh.

He had agreed to let her date whoever she wanted until graduation. But even though he’d advanced to the upper class, which he didn’t need, just to stay close, Chloe ignored him and dated all sorts of ridiculous guys. It annoyed him. He was glad she broke up with them before he had to intervene, but being dumped every time was still unpleasant.

Who did these bastards think they were to dump her? And Chloe was obsessed, but didn’t even appreciate it…

Of course, if those guys had clung to her, he’d feel just as bad, but at least he’d respect their taste. Yet, every time, Chloe was the one chasing after them, making him wonder if those guys were blind.

At least Chloe didn’t seem too hurt after the breakups. She just complained about being dumped, as if she was intoxicated by the idea of dating, but she never stuck to any of them.

For Dante, that was an excuse to act like her boyfriend and go on dates, which made him a little happy. The problem was, before he could even confess, she’d start dating someone else.

It was as if she couldn’t see him right next to her. Chloe kept meeting other guys, then asked him to go shopping for date clothes, or suggested romantic date spots, scratching at his nerves.

Dante followed her without complaint. He helped her pick out clothes and took her to romantic places.

His only comfort was that he was always first. He was the first to see her in new clothes, the first to go to nice places with her. Dante knew it was pointless rationalization, but he tried to think that way.

But Chloe kept making him miserable, then met someone else…

Dante endured and endured. Even when she broke up with Pierre or Pierrot after just two days and looked sleep-deprived, he endured. When he saw her putting something in his teacup, it reminded him of her childhood pranks—like bringing him cookies stuffed with salt—and he found it amusing.

But when he realized it was an aphrodisiac, even he lost his composure. Had she been playing with him all along? Was she going to laugh at him for getting aroused after drinking it? Was she testing it on him before giving it to Pierre?

He wanted to ask her what he meant to her. Why, after dating five guys in such a short time, did she never look his way? But when he saw her flushed face and heavy breathing, he couldn’t help but react.

Dante tried to hold back. Even when Chloe pressed her body against him, even when the butler—perhaps too perceptive—brought contraceptives without a word. But when she said she’d leave if he didn’t do it, he lost control.

What if the idiots who dumped her came to their senses and begged her to take them back? If she clung to him, whom she didn’t even like, what would she do if she saw her ex-boyfriends again? He didn’t want to imagine it.

In the end, Dante kissed Chloe. But when he saw himself getting hard just from that, the excuse of the potion was meaningless. He wanted to spread her legs and thr*st inside. He wanted to see her expression, hear her voice as he filled her wet insides.

Only guilt kept his desire in check. He barely managed to look away from Chloe as she lay exhausted. Maybe she was satisfied now. Maybe she’d regained her senses. Yet, part of him wanted the potion’s effects to linger, so Chloe would keep coming to him, not switching men without a care.

He could have refused more firmly. He hadn’t failed to stop her from pulling down his pants because Chloe was too strong. Dante wanted Chloe. He’d cl*maxed embarrassingly soon after she touched him. He’d given in to her pleas.

What could he do when she begged? He’d endured enough, hadn’t he? Making excuses, Dante embraced Chloe.

Even though she said it was her first time, Chloe didn’t seem hurt and accepted him. She was so wet, so vocal, so pleased. Her enthusiastic response washed away his remaining guilt. Yes, whatever happened, they’d both enjoyed it. Maybe, he thought, this could finally move their slow relationship forward.

“…So she ran away.”

Dante muttered in a low voice. One corner of his mouth curled up. She’d left without even showing her face. No talk about last night, or about the future.

“I’ll be back.”

Dante stood up. The butler didn’t ask where he was going. Seeing Dante’s mocking face, he just bowed deeply.

* * *

The potion’s effects wore off faster than expected. Chloe’s overheated body cooled down soon after leaving Dante’s house. She considered going back to see him, but just thinking of Dante reminded her of last night, making her body tingle again. Apparently, the potion hadn’t fully worn off.

‘I need to talk to Chacha.’

For now, she’d stay quietly in the dormitory until Chacha returned. She hadn’t explained what potion she’d meant to use, so she’d need to get her story straight with Chacha. Chloe thought as she walked toward the dormitory. Her whole body still ached, but moving made it a bit better.

As the effects faded, delayed thoughts crept up on her. Remembering Dante’s intense expression from last night, which had seemed so thrilling at the time, now made her feel cold. He said it was his first time. He wouldn’t want to spend his first time with someone he didn’t even like.

Would she be able to face him?

Could they go back to being friends after that?

It would definitely be awkward. Maybe Dante would start to drift away. If he acted like nothing happened, that would hurt too. Chloe bowed her head, feeling tears well up.

“…Chloe?”

Suddenly, a voice called out, and Chloe looked up. When she saw who it was, her eyes widened.

“Pierre?”

Standing before her was a handsome man with brown hair tied back. As a student in the swordsmanship department, he was tall and well-built, with sharp eyes and a square jaw that made him look a bit stern. He was the only one among her five fake boyfriends who’d broken up with her first.

“Have you seen Chacha? The lab door was closed…”

Pierre was holding a large bouquet and a small box about a handspan wide. Chloe, worried the potion might kick in again, stepped back, but she felt nothing even while facing him.

‘Has the potion finally worn off?’

For something made by ‘genius potion-maker’ Chacha, it was rare. Chloe tilted her head, then realized Pierre was waiting for an answer and quickly spoke.

“Chacha went to a seminar with Professor Rosen. She’ll be back in a week.”

“Ah… I see.”

Pierre’s shoulders slumped at Chloe’s reply. Chloe gave him a brief nod and started walking away. Now that she thought about it, she’d left a bouquet in Dante’s bedroom. She regretted not bringing the first and last bouquet she’d ever received from him. Should she go back and get it? Lost in thought, Chloe suddenly stopped as an idea struck her.

“…Pierre?”

Pierre, plodding away, turned at Chloe’s call. Her gaze landed on the bouquet and gift box in his arms.

“That… is it for Chacha?”

“……”

Pierre hesitated, then nodded slowly. His sun-kissed skin seemed to blush a bit. Chloe forgot her worries and stared in surprise.

“The person you like… it was Chacha?”

“She doesn’t seem to realize it herself.”

Pierre smiled a little bitterly. Oh wow. Chloe covered her mouth. So Pierre liked Chacha, and Chacha, unaware, had made him her fake boyfriend…

“Chacha must be too busy to notice. She’s such a research fanatic.”

Chloe quickly made excuses for Chacha. How absurd and deflating it must have been to hear the person you liked tell you to pretend to date someone else to provoke a crush. But Pierre just smiled gently.

“I know. That’s what I fell for.”

His face, looking down at the bouquet, was filled with affection. If only Dante looked at her that way. If only he’d hold her hand and whisper love… Chloe shook her head. If she let her guard down, her mind filled with thoughts of Dante.

“I’m rooting for you. I hope it works out.”

“Chloe, are things… working out for you?”

“Ah…”

At Pierre’s question, Chloe smiled awkwardly.

“I’m not sure. I made a big mistake this time… I might not even be able to stay friends.”

She already knew it, but saying it aloud made her feel even gloomier. Pierre saw her expression and seemed to search for comforting words. But Chloe quickly brightened her face, not wanting to feel even more pathetic if he comforted her.

“So, Pierre. What did you get for a gift?”

“Ah… would you take a look? I tried to pick something Chacha would like…”

At Pierre’s request, Chloe nodded quickly. There was a bench nearby, so they sat side by side. Pierre carefully opened the gift box.