Chapter 16

“Even if Chase builds a wall, if you set your mind to it, you can succeed.”

“…Hannah, I don’t feel that way about Chase.”

“Shh, you don’t have to say it. I already know your heart.”

Hannah smiled kindly and began flipping through her novel, pen in hand, as if she were studying.

Why are there so many people around me who are delusional?

Judith pondered seriously.

* * *

After the Ancient History class ended, it was inevitable to run into Axel.

As always, Axel was dressed neatly in his school uniform. Judith found herself watching Axel approach from a distance.

The black jacket with gold trim seemed tailor-made for Axel.

Since it was summer, wearing a jacket indoors was hot, so Axel slowly took off his jacket and draped it over his arm.

Even the way he adjusted the slightly crumpled cuff of his shirt with his hand was elegant, as if straight out of an etiquette textbook.

She was staring blankly at him when her eyes met Axel’s.

Axel, who had been looking at her, soon greeted her.

“Hello, Judith.”

His demeanor was so natural that she almost returned the greeting. Judith bit her tongue to stop herself.

Axel gave Judith a slight smile and turned away as if his business was done.

Judith quietly watched his retreating figure without any lingering attachment.

In fact, she had expected such a reaction from Axel. Judith had experienced something similar before.

The day after Judith confessed, Axel had greeted her as if nothing had happened.

Just like today.

‘Hello, Judith.’

His casual face blew away all of Judith’s overnight worries about how she would face Axel or whether he would confront her.

Axel had a more resolute side than anyone else. No matter how difficult the task, if he set his mind to it, he would do it.

Judith knew this, and she had mentally prepared herself for it.

But why did her heart ache so much?

Judith realized belatedly that just because she expected it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt, and sometimes anticipated pain could be more painful than unexpected pain.

From afar, she saw Axel chatting with someone.

He wore a painted-on smile, laughing joyfully with others who weren’t Judith.

‘But I think we need to talk about this again later. It’s hard for me to accept.’

He had said that, yet…

Perhaps those pitiful words and sorrowful gaze were all part of a calculated act.

Judith thought mechanically as she moved her legs. Axel wouldn’t have time to feel lonely without her.

It had only been a few days, but Judith already felt Axel’s absence keenly.

But Axel…

Despite knowing him for so long, she still couldn’t fully understand Axel.

Judith suddenly thought about how Chase and Axel, both popular and attracting attention wherever they went, were different.

Chase was someone who found people’s attention burdensome and disliked it. In contrast, Axel knew how to accept it appropriately.

Their ways of dealing with it were vastly different.

Chase, though he seemed very annoyed and troubled on the surface, never hurled insults or forcefully pushed them away.

He said he didn’t like it, but in a way, he seemed to tacitly allow their presence.

But Axel was different. Although he didn’t report them or hurl insults either, he was at least more decisive in drawing lines than Chase.

He politely smiled but clearly expressed his intentions.

That’s why there didn’t seem to be any persistent students zealously following Axel.

If Chase were as skillful as Axel, or if he could draw a firm line like Axel…

Perhaps Chase was more starved for affection than he seemed?

He claimed he didn’t want to be loved, but when he was, he didn’t know what to do.

Then again, he was afraid the attention he received would disappear, so he asked not to be loved in the first place…

“Judith!”

Hearing her name, Judith looked up. A short-haired girl with sharp eyes was standing right next to her.

It was Rodesha.

She placed a thick accounting book next to Judith and whispered quietly.

“I’m sorry about last time.”

“Huh? Why?”

Judith tilted her head.

Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing?

Because of the sudden appearance of Chase and Axel, Rodesha hadn’t been able to eat properly.

“You know, I left in a hurry without properly saying goodbye back then. I was so flustered…”

Ah, she had left abruptly, saying she had something urgent to do right after Axel disappeared.

But it wasn’t something she needed to apologize for. It was her fault for making Rodesha uncomfortable in the first place.

Rodesha stared at Judith, who still seemed puzzled, and then closed her eyes tightly and confessed.

“Actually, I tried to use you. To become the top in accounting, I approached you on purpose and became friends to get your summary notes.”

Rodesha trembled as if she had confessed to a huge crime.

As if she thought Judith would be very angry upon hearing this.

But Judith was unfazed by Rodesha’s words. In fact, she reacted as if it was no big deal.

“If that’s the case, I’ll just show you.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to go through the trouble of becoming my friend, here.”

Judith handed Rodesha a notebook. It was the summary notes she had organized while attending classes.

Rodesha, with a bewildered face, took the notebook and, with teary eyes, exclaimed.

“…Judith!”

Rodesha hugged Judith tightly, as if deeply moved. She hugged her so tightly that Judith felt she might suffocate.

“You’re really an angel! Thank you, truly. I’ll never forget this kindness!”

When Rodesha finally loosened her grip, Judith was relieved.

Rodesha’s bright orange eyes looked at her with admiration, making Judith feel quite burdened.

“Rodesha, there’s really no need to be so grateful.”

“What are you talking about? This is so valuable! You willingly lent me the notes you worked hard on… Judith, is there anything you want to eat? Just say the word!”

Rodesha seemed ready to fetch Judith the stars from the sky if she asked.

Judith realized that refusing would be futile. She shifted her eyes, avoiding Rodesha’s gaze, and reluctantly said,

“Then, could you buy me a meal at the cafeteria?”

Rodesha acted as if Judith were her savior. But from Judith’s perspective, it was really nothing. So she decided to accept a small token of gratitude.

But Rodesha’s eyes widened in surprise.

“How can you be so unselfish? Is that really enough?”

After a moment’s silence, Rodesha grinned mischievously.

“Or is it because you’re confident you can still be the top even if you show me these notes? You shouldn’t be too complacent.”

Did Rodesha see me as arrogant?

Judith, who had no such intention, glanced at Rodesha.

But Rodesha didn’t seem upset at all, and her eyes were filled with goodwill toward Judith. So Judith quietly smiled.

Rodesha, fiddling with the notebook cover, asked,

“Aren’t you upset that I tried to become friends with you just to use you?”

“I’m okay with it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Rodesha squinted at Judith.

Judith’s smile seemed genuine. She really didn’t mind being used.

In fact, Judith added,

“If you need anything else, just let me know.”

“…Are you really an angel?”

Tears welled up in Rodesha’s eyes again, and Judith just smiled silently.

She genuinely didn’t mind handing over the notes to Rodesha.

Judith’s primary goal in focusing on her studies was simply to make her academy life easier and to gain favor from others.

She had no passion for deeply exploring academic subjects or experiencing the thrill of solving unknown problems.

If she had followed her father’s path into medicine, it might have been different, but unfortunately, her inability to handle blood led her to choose accounting for convenience.

However, unaware of these facts, Rodesha flipped through the notes, her eyes shining as if she had discovered a treasure.

“Wow… so this is the top student’s summary notes.”

Seeing the small memorization techniques written in the margins, she exclaimed in admiration, muttering to herself as she pondered deeply.