Chapter 60

A sigh almost escaped, but she swallowed it down. Getting swept up in emotions was for later.

Right now, resolving this situation was the priority.

So she decided to first deny the fact that Chase loved her.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“……”

“You might be mistaken because I comforted you, just a temporary misunderstanding—.”

She stopped mid-sentence. Because she suddenly realized.

‘…Anyone can misunderstand their own feelings, Judith.’

Even though she didn’t want to become like Axel, she was imitating him exactly.

Then what should I do?

To avoid becoming just like Axel.

To avoid making someone else misunderstand with meaningless kindness and giving them false hope.

Judith thought she had to draw a firm line without giving false hope.

“I don’t…”

She clenched her fists tightly. It felt like her throat was being choked, but she forced herself to finish speaking.

“I don’t love you.”

“……”

“Not now, and I won’t in the future either.”

Her stomach churned as if she were seasick, but she endured it.

For a moment, her image overlapped with Chase’s. Her past self, who had barely revealed her hidden feelings to Axel.

That’s why it was even harder to speak. But thinking that all of this was for Chase’s sake, she managed to say everything she had thought of until the end.

“Don’t love me. Your feelings will never be reciprocated.”

Words she wished she had heard from Axel.

If she had, she would have given up on her feelings for him early, and wouldn’t be making Chase suffer like this now.

Yes, I did well.

Judith consoled herself that way. If she let it drag on, Chase would only suffer more.

So it was right to cut it off as quickly as possible.

Consoling herself like that, she quickly turned away from him.

Even though she had steeled her heart, she didn’t have the courage to face Chase’s hurt expression.

She was tense, wondering if he would grab her again, but this time Chase didn’t stop her.

In the end, she ran away.

Because she was a weak person. She didn’t have the courage to face someone experiencing the same pain as her.

So she ran away in front of Chase, who was expressing emotions similar to hers.

* * *

As soon as the weekend ended, Professor Karel called a student to his office. It was none other than his candidate for an assistant professor, Judith.

The reason he called her was simple. To inform her in advance that he would be observing her supplementary class.

Professor Karel gritted his teeth as he recalled the conversation he had with the astrology professor.

‘Anyway, the two of them are so close, if they get married, can Judith still work as an assistant professor?’

Nonsense. Before that happens, I’ll make sure to stop it.

Knock, knock, knock.

Just then, a knock sounded, and the office door opened. Soon, Judith appeared beyond the threshold.

Professor Karel stood up to greet her.

“Judith, you’ve come.”

Judith somehow looked tired. It wasn’t exam period yet, so it was puzzling why she looked so exhausted.

Could it be because she expended too much energy helping with that damn punishment cleaning?

Suddenly thinking of that made Professor Karel even more displeased.

“Hello, Professor.”

Anyway, she greeted Professor Karel politely. She tilted her head, curious about why she had been called.

Professor Karel had her sit on a comfortable sofa and began the conversation in earnest.

“It’s been quite some time since you started teaching the supplementary class.”

“It has.”

“Have you gotten close to the students in the supplementary class during that time?”

He wanted to ask directly if she had gotten close enough to help Chase with his punishment cleaning.

But social etiquette made him ask indirectly.

Judith blinked and then answered.

“Oh, yes. It was a bit awkward at first, but after meeting a few times, I’ve become friendly enough with some friends to have lunch together occasionally.”

“Friendly enough to have lunch together?”

“Yes.”

Hmm, Professor Karel swallowed a groan internally.

It seemed he had to separate Chase from Judith’s side as soon as possible, before they got any closer.

Feeling urgent, Professor Karel got to the point.

“Actually, the reason I called you to the office today is that I want to check on your progress.”

“Oh, progress? Recently, in the quiz we took—.”

“No, not what I hear from others, I want to see it with my own eyes.”

“……What do you mean…?”

Judith’s eyes shook violently. Professor Karel nodded to indicate that her guess was correct.

“I’ll observe the supplementary class next week. I want to see for myself how you conduct the class.”

Judith’s face turned white as if she had received a death sentence.

* * *

On the day of Professor Karel’s observation class.

Judith arrived at the class earlier than usual to prepare thoroughly for the lesson.

And since today was the day the professor would observe, everyone had to attend the class without exception.

Fortunately, Riana seemed to have agreed to Judith’s request to visit the supplementary class. When she arrived at the empty classroom, she saw Riana seated even earlier than herself.

Judith hesitated but approached her to greet her.

“Hello, Riana. Thank you for attending the supplementary class. It must have been a sudden request.”

“No, I didn’t want to unnecessarily catch Professor Karel’s attention either.”

She continued with a smile.

“And I was curious about how the top student in accounting’s class would be.”

“I see. There’s not much to it, but thanks for being curious.”

As she spoke, Judith subtly observed Riana.

Because Judith actually expected that she might ask about attending the summer party with Axel.

So she was a bit nervous, but Riana didn’t show any sign of bringing it up.

“I’ll listen attentively to today’s class, so share lots of secrets, okay?”

“…Of course.”

The answer came out a beat late. Riana clasped Judith’s hands and shook them up and down, saying she was counting on her.

She seemed to have no ill feelings or reservations towards Judith.

Am I really not even a competitor to Riana?

Riana didn’t seem to care about Judith, yet Judith was the only one conscious of Riana, making the situation truly pathetic.

After her conversation with Riana, students began entering the classroom one by one.

Before long, the classroom was full without anyone absent, and finally, Professor Karel also appeared.

Thus, the observation class began.

* * *

“The content of today’s class is…”

Professor Karel observed the class with interest.

Initially, he was more interested in how close Judith and Chase were rather than the class content.

But unexpectedly, Judith’s gaze towards Chase and her behavior were extremely businesslike.

Moreover, Chase seemed to have forgotten it was the observation day, as he was staring intently at the handouts given to him, not giving Judith even a glance.

Their relationship seemed even more distant than when they first met, making it hard to believe they were considering marriage.

Why do they look so awkward? It’s like they’ve had a fight.

Professor Karel stroked his chin in puzzlement. But soon, he thought it was fortunate.

If this state continued, their engagement would soon be broken of, and Judith would smoothly continue on the path of becoming an assistant professor.

Anyway, with them being so awkward, marriage is already out of the question.

Feeling relieved, Professor Karel finally focused on Judith’s class.

Some people are good at learning but not at teaching others.

But Judith was a student with talent beyond that.

Not only did she explain difficult problems easily, but she also answered unexpected questions calmly without getting flustered.

Professor Karel was inwardly impressed by Judith’s teaching skills, which were better than expected.

I do have a good eye for people.

He praised his own judgment.

At that moment, Judith clapped her hands. She captured the attention of students whose focus had momentarily wavered.

“Everyone, listen up.”

Clearing her throat, she began to sing the important formulas of accounting she had turned into a song.

Going so far as to risk embarrassment to engage the students was truly impressive.

Judging by her enthusiasm, it was clear that Judith felt a sense of fulfillment in conducting the supplementary class.

Otherwise, it couldn’t be explained how her class was filled with such zeal.

Everything was going smoothly. If things continued like this, winning the bet with Chase would naturally be his.

Professor Karel smiled with strong confidence.

* * *

For Judith, the most troubling thing right now was her relationship with her fiancé, Chase.

Having spoken so coldly last time, she thought she wouldn’t have anything to say even if Chase didn’t want to continue their engagement.

This is entirely my fault for not being able to forget Axel. So if Chase wants it, I should agree to break off the engagement.

With that resolve, she was full of worries, but a few days later, when she met him again, he didn’t seem to be struggling much.

After hesitating for a moment, Judith steeled herself and spoke to him.

‘You’re here for the class today.’