Side Story 1.4

At the Imperial Lapolis Academy, another graduation season had arrived.  

The 157th class, which included Delia, had taken their final exams a week ago.  

And today, the results were announced.  

Once again, Delia had claimed first place in the comprehensive evaluation for the second half of her third year.  

The reason was simple.  

The second deal between the two, made in exchange for her valedictorian graduation, had been fulfilled in just a week.  

Having spent the entire week practically clinging to Kartan’s manhood, Delia couldn’t bring herself to tell him to give up the valedictorian spot.  

If she pushed him to give it up any further, she feared it might cost her her life. She shook her head at the thought, but it was her secret alone.  

Who could possibly know about the secret deal between the valedictorian and the runner-up?  

Regardless, after the final exams of their third year, the mood at the academy was noticeably more relaxed.  

There was a sense of relief at having completed the rigorous curriculum of Lapolis, as well as anticipation for the future awaiting them.  

Naturally, most of the students walking through the hallways wore bright expressions.  

Among them, Kartan walked deep in thought, pondering a truth Delia refused to believe.  

‘Delia really is a genius.’  

In truth, Kartan had always given his best effort in every exam.  

While his wish for Delia to graduate as valedictorian was genuine, he had never deliberately helped her secure first place.  

He believed Delia would prefer fair competition.  

Despite this, Delia always managed to take the top spot.  

The reason was clear.  

With the pressure from the Acremen Family gone, she could perform even better.  

‘The Acremen Family, how foolish.’  

Clicking his tongue, he thought how their oppressive methods would never yield the best results.  

‘Well, in the end…’  

Kartan’s lips curled into a small smile.  

On the bright side, it was thanks to the Acremen Family’s ambitions that he had been able to meet Delia.  

Although he regretted the hardships Delia had endured, he resolved to work harder to fill her future with happiness.  

“Um, Kartan.”  

Just then, someone interrupted his thoughts.  

“Huh?”  

Kartan’s smile froze as his pleasant thoughts were disrupted.  

Standing before him was an unfamiliar female student.  

As he stared blankly at her, unsure of her intentions, she suddenly blurted out, 

“K-Kartan, I like you.”  

‘…Here?’  

In truth, Kartan had received quite a few confessions during his three years at the academy.  

But a public confession like this was a first.  

Kartan’s expression darkened.  

‘What if Delia hears about this?’  

Until now, he had quietly turned down confessions without Delia knowing.  

“What’s this? It’s Kartan Roxen.”  

“Is this a public confession?”  

Passersby began to stop and watch the scene unfold, oblivious to Kartan’s inner turmoil.  

It was a bold confession.  

Or perhaps the girl calculated that he wouldn’t reject her harshly in front of an audience.  

“Who is she?”  

“Isn’t she from the Refrain Family…?”  

As murmurs about the two grew louder, the hallway gradually fell silent.  

In the quiet, all eyes focused on Kartan, waiting for his response.  

Would Kartan accept the confession?  

As the same question echoed in everyone’s minds, Kartan finally spoke.  

“Sorry.”  

It was the answer most students had expected.  

Of course.  

Everyone nodded in agreement, thinking they had predicted the outcome.  

But then—  

“I already have someone I’m dating.”  

The unexpected follow-up left everyone wide-eyed and murmuring in shock.  

“Did he just say he’s seeing someone?”  

“Yeah, I think so.”  

“Kartan Roxen?”  

Amidst the growing whispers, the female student, her eyes brimming with tears, cautiously asked, 

“W-Who is it?”  

Kartan, as if savoring the very name, replied lovingly, 

“Delia.”  

The female student’s face turned bright red as she looked at Kartan, whose demeanor was entirely different from when he had apologized earlier.  

For a moment, she seemed unable to believe what she had heard.  

“D-Delia? Delia Acremen, the valedictorian?”  

“Yes. Delia. We’re very close, deeply so.”  

The surrounding crowd erupted into chatter.  

“Delia Acremen?”  

“What? Are they really like that?”  

“They’re supposed to be rivals, aren’t they? Those two?”

Kartan found himself unexpectedly pleased with the current situation.  

‘Oh, this isn’t so bad.’  

At first, he had worried that this confession might lead to unnecessary rumors reaching Delia’s ears.  

But upon reflection, he realized this was an opportunity.  

Though he felt sorry for the girl in front of him, he couldn’t pass up the chance to finally make his relationship with Delia public.  

Especially now that the second-semester comprehensive evaluation had concluded.  

“I-I see…”  

“I’m sorry. I’ll be going now.”  

With a brief apology, Kartan resumed walking.  

Weaving through the crowd that had gathered around them, he hurried toward the library where he had planned to meet Delia.  

He wanted to tell her about the incident himself before she heard it from someone else.  

Truth be told, Kartan had never been fond of the secret relationship Delia had suggested.  

He had always wanted to declare to the world that Delia was his, so no one else would dare covet her.  

However, Delia had strongly insisted on avoiding gossip, leaving Kartan no choice but to agree. That had been back in their second year.  

“In that case, let’s set a condition.” 

When Kartan agreed, he had added a condition of his own.  

“A condition?”  

“Once the third-year second-semester comprehensive evaluation is over, we’ll make it public.”  

“Alright, by then it’ll be graduation season.”  

Kartan had been concerned that, after graduation, someone who secretly admired Delia might approach her.  

So, he had planned to announce their relationship to everyone as soon as the evaluation ended.  

And now, he had done just that.  

Feeling glad he had set that condition, Kartan’s steps were unusually light.  

***

“Did you hear? Kartan Roxen and Delia Acremen.”  

“Of course! I was so surprised.”  

“A valedictorian and runner-up couple? That’s incredible.”  

“They’ve been dating for two years? It’s even more amazing that no one knew.”  

For days, the academy buzzed with stories about the revealed romance between the two rivals for the top spot.  

“Sigh, Senior Kartan… To think he already had someone.”  

“I definitely saw Senior Delia glaring at Senior Kartan before. What was that about then?”  

“A lover’s quarrel? Maybe something like that.”  

Because the two were so well-known within the academy, their relationship became a hot topic not only among the 157th class but throughout the entire academy.  

And as for Delia, one of the subjects of these rumors…  

“Delia, you! How could you keep this from meee!”  

“I-I’m sorry, Bianca.”  

“My roommate is Kartan Roxen’s lover?! That’s incredible!”  

“Huh? Oh, uh…”  

“And to think I didn’t know! Oh, how could I… I’m sorry, but I’m so jealous!”  

“Huh? You’re not mad?”  

“Why would I be mad? So, how is it? Does Kartan treat you well?”  

“Well, yes, he does…”  

“Kartan, of course! I knew he’d be perfect at everything.”  

The fact that Delia endured days of pestering from her roommate Bianca until the day before graduation was merely a minor incident.