Chapter 70

Judith excitedly ran toward the art studio.  

“Chase, come over here. You can paint here too.”  

“Yeah, that’s interesting.”  

Chase responded appropriately to Judith’s words and stood beside her. But at that moment, Judith felt something suspicious.  

It was because, while he said it was interesting, his face showed no such expression.  

It was as if he already knew about the existence of the art studio in this café.  

Judith had already found it strange when Chase led them into a quiet alley instead of heading toward the bustling streets.  

She narrowed her eyes and pressed him.  

“You… you already knew, didn’t you?”  

“…Huh?”  

“About the existence of this café, I mean.”  

After a brief silence, he cleared his throat.  

“Yes, I knew about it.”  

Judith tilted her head in confusion at his honest answer and asked,  

“Really? Then, are you interested in painting too?”  

She thought she didn’t share any hobbies with Chase, but maybe she had unexpectedly found a common interest. However, he shook his head.  

“That’s not it. I just wanted to come here with you, so I looked it up in advance. Last time, I noticed you seemed to enjoy painting.”  

“What is that supposed to mean…?”  

Judith fidgeted with her fingers, unsure of how to react to his unexpected answer.  

People who wield swords usually have a rough side to them, but she never expected to find such a delicate side to Chase.  

She had wanted to do something nice for him this time, but somehow, she ended up feeling even more grateful to him.  

Her growing gratitude left her wondering how she could possibly repay him.  

How should I repay him for this?  

As she thought about it, she remembered the look of joy on his face when she had gifted him a painting before.  

Should I draw a portrait of Chase and give it to him this time?  

It seemed like a good idea. Having made up her mind, Judith approached the counter.  

The café owner, who had been resting, stood up to greet her as soon as she approached.  

“Would you like to order something?”  

“Yes, for drinks… Chase, what do you want to drink?”  

“You pick first. Since I brought you here, I’ll pay.”  

“What are you talking about? You already treated me to an expensive dessert last time. Today, just drink what I buy for you.”  

After engaging in a brief back-and-forth, Judith finally won and turned back to the café owner.  

“We’ll have these two drinks. And… can we use the art supplies in the studio?”  

“Yes, you just need to pay for the canvas.”  

The owner smiled warmly and nodded.  

After paying, Judith grabbed Chase by the sleeve and led him into the studio. They sat facing each other.  

Chase, sitting in front of the easel, looked bewildered. Seeing his expression, Judith excitedly suggested,  

“Let’s draw each other.”  

“What? You want me to draw you?”  

Chase widened his eyes in shock, but Judith paid no attention to his reaction.  

“Yes, we’ll draw each other and exchange the paintings as gifts.”  

“…”  

Chase froze, unable to respond. Judith’s suggestion to paint together seemed to have caught him off guard.  

But Judith remained firm, picking up a paintbrush from beside her chair and placing it in his hand. Startled, Chase finally snapped out of his daze.  

“Judith, are you serious? I’ve never drawn anything before.”  

“That’s even better. This is the perfect opportunity to try it out.”  

Judith was glad she could give Chase a special experience. But even so, his face still looked troubled.  

It was as if his mind was weighed down by unresolved worries.  

Why does he look so anxious? Is it because he’s not confident about drawing?  

As Judith tilted her head in thought, Chase hesitantly spoke up.  

“…What if I ruin the canvas after you’ve already paid for it?”  

“Is that what you’ve been worrying about this whole time?”  

Judith reassured him repeatedly, telling him it was okay and that he could do it.  

After hearing her encouragement several times, Chase finally seemed to make up his mind and nodded.  

“Alright, I’ll give it a try.”  

Chase gripped the paintbrush with determination.  

*Swish, swish.*  

Soon, the studio was filled with the sound of brushes gliding across canvases.  

* * *  

A few hours later.  

Judith was so shocked that she almost fell out of her seat.  

“…This is supposed to be me?”  

She stared at the painting Chase had made, blinking in disbelief.  

They were supposed to draw each other, but why did Chase’s painting depict a strange creature?  

His painting looked like a pink octopus monster with eight legs. Chase glanced nervously at Judith, who had turned pale.  

“I told you, I’m terrible at drawing.”  

“But I didn’t think it would be this bad…”  

Judith’s hands trembled as she held the octopus monster painting.  

Does Chase see me like this? 

A flood of thoughts overwhelmed Judith’s mind.  

Meanwhile, Chase approached Judith’s painting and let out an exclamation of admiration.  

“Wow, Judith.”  

He ran a hand through his hair, unable to hide his delight.  

“I knew you were good at drawing, but I didn’t realize you were this good. It looks exactly like me!”  

At his words, Judith tore her gaze away from his octopus monster and looked at her own painting.  

On the white canvas was an image of Chase practicing swordsmanship.  

As he stared at the painting in awe, something seemed to occur to him, and he spoke up.  

“But I’m curious. Why did you specifically choose to draw this?”  

“Huh? What do you mean, ‘specifically’?”  

There wasn’t any particular reason for drawing him with his sword.  

When she thought of Chase, she thought of swords, and when she thought of swords, she thought of Chase. The two were inseparable, so it was natural for her to depict him training with a sword.  

Moreover, in Judith’s opinion, that was when he looked the coolest.  

But for some reason, Chase looked unusually serious.  

“Well, I’ve been studying hard in the supplementary class lately… You could’ve drawn something more calm and intellectual.”  

“Hmm… That’s true, but I still wanted to draw you with your sword.”  

“Why?”  

“Why does it matter? Does there need to be a reason?”  

Feeling a bit embarrassed to answer honestly, Judith dodged the question.  

But Chase seemed unsatisfied with her response, furrowing his brows and studying her face.  

“Don’t you prefer intellectual men? You know, honor students with good grades.”  

Intellectual men? Honor students?  

Judith’s eyes widened.  

After a moment of confusion, she realized why he was saying such things.  

Is he thinking about Axel?  

Just as Judith was about to say something in response, Chase shrugged.  

“Never mind. Whatever your ideal type is, it’s up to me to meet it. Don’t worry about it.”  

“…”  

“Anyway, let’s come back here and paint again sometime. I’ll draw you even prettier next time.”  

“…Chase, are you sneakily asking me on another date?”  

“Ahem.”  

Chase cleared his throat awkwardly, as if caught red-handed.  

Judith gave him a teasing glare but still carefully tucked the octopus monster painting into her arms.  

* * *  

The days passed peacefully.  

If she could just get through the upcoming exams, Chase’s graduation would be secured, and there would be no more reasons to get involved with Axel.  

But Judith couldn’t have imagined that this was merely the calm before the storm.  

The ominous signs began with Hannah. After finishing her painting date with Chase, Judith returned to the dormitory, only to be greeted by Hannah’s stiff expression.  

“Hannah? Are you feeling unwell?”  

Hannah’s unusually serious and gloomy demeanor startled Judith, who quickly approached her.  

Hannah grabbed Judith’s shoulders and asked in a low voice,  

“Judith… I just have to ask.”  

Gulp. A wave of tension washed over Judith as she swallowed hard.  

But Hannah didn’t say anything right away. She hesitated for a long time before finally managing to speak.  

“Are you… dating Axel?”  

“…What?”  

Judith felt her blood run cold.  

She replayed Hannah’s words in her mind, wondering if she had heard correctly.  

Judging from Judith’s reaction, Hannah sighed in relief, placing a hand on her chest.  

“I knew it. Of course not. I shouldn’t have asked.”  

“…”  

“Forget I said anything, Judith. Don’t worry about it.”  

“But how can I not worry…?”  

How could I not be concerned?  

Especially since it was Hannah, who was known for being eerily accurate when it came to rumors circulating in the Academy.  

“Why did you ask something like that? There must’ve been a reason.”  

“Well…”  

“Be honest with me, Hannah.”  

“Judith, don’t freak out.”  

But despite Hannah’s warning, Judith couldn’t help but gasp in shock at what she heard next.  

“There’s a rumor going around the Academy that someone saw you kissing Axel in secret.”