Chapter 69

After successfully finishing the class, it was time for a meal, so everyone headed to the dining hall together.  

“…It feels like it’s been a really long time since we all ate together like this.” 

Rodesha said, glancing at each person seated at the table. Judith silently agreed with her.  

It made sense. At this meal, Judith, Rodesha, Rodein, and Chase were all sitting together.  

Rodein, after the incident with the notebook, had felt awkward and hadn’t joined them for meals for a while.  

And ever since things became strained with Chase, Judith had been eating meals with only Rodesha.  

Come to think of it, it really has been a while.  

As Judith looked at Rodein and Chase with unfamiliar eyes, she happened to meet Chase’s gaze as he cut his steak with his knife, as usual. Without hesitation, he asked,  

“What? Do you want some of this?”  

Then, without waiting for her reply, he finished cutting the steak and placed it in front of Judith.  

Judith stared blankly at the food that had suddenly piled up in front of her.  

Then, as a thought crossed her mind, she snapped back to her senses.  

In the past, she had thought Chase did these things just to mess with her… but now she realized that even this was his way of caring for her.  

Realizing this, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. Picking up her fork, Judith placed a piece of steak into her mouth and said,  

“It’s delicious.”  

“Really?”  

“Yeah, maybe it’s because you cut it for me—it tastes even better.”  

Chase, chewing his food, looked down at her with an affectionate gaze and asked again,  

“Should I give you more?”  

“No, you should eat too.”  

Watching this scene unfold right next to her, Rodesha rubbed her arm as if she was getting goosebumps.  

“What’s with you two? Why are you suddenly acting so sweet?”  

Even though there were four people together, it felt like only those two were in their own world.  

From Rodesha’s perspective, their relationship had always been one where Chase teased and Judith pushed him away.  

So, no matter how engaged they were, situations as intimate as this had never occurred.  

But now, what was this sudden change? Did something happen between them at the summer party?  

As Rodesha pondered, Chase smirked with satisfaction, raising one corner of his mouth.  

“We’re engaged, so this is normal. Why are you so surprised?”  

Normally, Rodesha would’ve given Chase a disbelieving glare for his confident attitude, but with Judith nodding in agreement beside him, she couldn’t do so.  

“That’s right. We’ll be getting married soon after graduation, so the closer we are, the better.”  

“Cough!”  

At those words, Rodein, who had been chewing absentmindedly, suddenly started coughing. He covered his mouth and spluttered, as though something had gone down the wrong way.  

After a moment, when he finally calmed down, he spoke with a face full of discontent.  

“Getting married right after graduation? Isn’t that too soon?”  

His voice carried a hint of frustration, but Rodesha, not noticing this, hurriedly chimed in agreement.  

“That’s right! Even if you’re engaged, that means there’s less than a year until the wedding. Isn’t that way too fast?”  

Honestly, Rodesha had just started building a close friendship with Judith this semester.  

The thought of Judith getting married soon was hard for her to accept.  

“I thought you two would get married later… If you get married, we won’t even be able to hang out much anymore.”  

When Rodesha showed her disappointment, Judith widened her eyes in surprise before gently holding Rodesha’s hand with one of hers.  

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I just assumed you already knew.”  

“Is there a reason why you’re rushing things so much?”  

“Well, it’s just that we agreed on this timeline when we got engaged…”  

Judith glanced at Chase as if checking his reaction.  

“And besides, if Chase doesn’t graduate this year, the wedding might get postponed, so nothing’s set in stone yet.”  

“…!”  

This time, Chase looked at Judith with wide eyes.  

His face quickly turned into one of indignation, and though he opened and closed his mouth as if to argue, no words came out.  

Across from them, Rodein nodded in understanding.  

“Ah, I suppose that’s possible.”  

Watching the conversation, Rodesha’s curiosity lit up as she asked,  

“Really? I’ve heard Chase’s grades aren’t great, but… is it that bad?”  

Since Rodesha wasn’t attending the supplementary classes, she didn’t know the full details.  

The topic of conversation soon shifted to Chase’s dismal academic performance.  

With everyone else at the table being exceptionally gifted, Chase could only sit there silently, feeling like a mute.  

As they chatted animatedly about Chase’s future, a commotion could be heard from afar.  

Rodesha turned her head slightly to see what was happening.  

It seemed Axel Fedelian had entered the dining hall with several friends after finishing a Student Council meeting.  

“Oh, it’s the Student Council President.”  

Judith, having already turned her gaze toward the noise, was aware of his presence.  

Axel and his friends were chatting and laughing as they walked in their direction.  

Judith quickly lowered her head and thought to herself.  

I need to act confident. I have nothing to do with Axel anymore.  

At that moment, she felt a warm sensation on her hands, which were resting on her knees.  

Startled, Judith looked up to see Chase gazing at her intently.  

He wrapped his large hand over hers and nodded meaningfully.  

As if mesmerized, Judith allowed him to take one of her hands, and Chase firmly placed their clasped hands on the table for everyone to see.  

By now, Axel’s presence was growing closer.  

When Judith raised her head, she saw Axel staring straight at her, just as she had expected.  

But Judith didn’t avoid his gaze and stared back at him. Soon, Axel’s eyes moved to their tightly clasped hands on the table.  

Did it work?

Axel’s expression immediately darkened as the smile vanished from his face.  

At that moment, someone from Axel’s group tapped him on the shoulder and said,  

“Axel, let’s sit over there.”  

“…”  

“Axel?”  

“…Oh, yeah.”  

Axel turned away and walked off. Shortly after, Judith saw the Student Council group sitting far from her table.  

Relieved, Judith let out a deep sigh.  

I succeeded in pushing Axel away.  

Although she acted calm, her heart was pounding furiously.  

* * *  

After finishing their meal, Judith spoke to Chase as they walked out together.  

“Thanks for earlier, Chase.”  

“For what?”  

“For holding my hand earlier.”  

“…That was nothing.”  

“No, you’ve helped me so much in the past. I haven’t said it properly, but I’m really grateful.”  

Chase stared at Judith intently.  

As his persistent gaze made Judith tilt her head in confusion, Chase finally spoke.  

“If you’re that grateful… will you do me a favor?”  

“…Huh? What is it?”  

When Judith asked curiously, Chase cleared his throat, his face slightly flushed, before finally opening his mouth.  

“Well… if you’re not busy today, how about going out with me?”  

Judith’s eyes widened in surprise.  

Even someone as oblivious as her could immediately tell this was a date invitation.  

After hesitating for a moment, Judith remembered that she didn’t have anything planned for the afternoon.  

…Considering how much I owe Chase, this much is fine.  

After finishing her thoughts, Judith replied cheerfully.  

“Sure.”  

At her acceptance, Chase’s face lit up with joy.  

Where should we go?  

While Judith pondered, Chase confidently walked ahead as soon as they left the Academy, as if he had already decided on a destination.  

It felt like he had planned the date beforehand, but Judith quickly dismissed the thought.  

That can’t be. We just made the plan a moment ago.  

Following Chase into a narrow alley, they came across a small café tucked away in a corner. Chase pointed at it.  

“How about there?”  

Judith looked at the café’s shabby exterior with hesitation. The paint was peeling, the sign was crooked, and the windows were covered in dust.  

The old-looking café seemed a bit dubious, but since there didn’t seem to be anywhere else to explore in the alley, she nodded reluctantly.  

“…Alright.”  

Judith hesitantly stepped inside the café.  

*Ding!*  

“…Wow.”  

As soon as she entered, Judith let out a small exclamation.  

Contrary to its rundown exterior, the interior of the café was incredibly warm and inviting.  

Although the fireplace wasn’t lit yet, it immediately caught her eye against one wall. The floor was covered with a wool rug, and rustic wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged on top of it.  

Additionally, the walls were adorned with beautiful framed paintings, and the easels tucked in one corner hinted that the café also served as an art studio.