Chapter 75. < 31. Being a Handsome Man is Suffering (4) >
Knight cadet second-year Rumian Kalad.
History major third-year Leighton Wino.
This was the first time the two had faced each other.
However, Rumian knew Leighton Wino's face very well.
And not just her face! Her sensual figure was also etched in his mind like a brand.
It was all thanks to her portrait that he had torn from Boomer Simpson.
During the first semester, he had gazed at the beauty in that painting and dreamed, "Someday I want to date a beauty like this too."
His plan to participate in the swordsmanship competition to raise his fame was, in a way, because of Leighton Wino.
And now.
Before him sat the woman he had only been with in his imagination.
The person he had wanted to meet but lacked the courage to approach.
Rumian felt like his heart might stop.
'No, get a hold of yourself!'
Rumian bit his lower lip.
He couldn't let his guard down yet. Hadn't he been harshly betrayed in a similar situation before?
He silently observed Leighton Wino. She was observing him as well.
It was dizzying. Though a cliché expression, he felt he might fall into her wine-colored eyes and become intoxicated.
But he held back. Barely maintaining his composure, he drew up his aura.
And carefully sent it toward Leighton Wino's face, chest, waist, and pelvic area.
It wasn't some furtive sexual harassment.
It was to ascertain the truth.
'She could be a magical deception like Lily Karayan...'
Of course, such things were uncommon, but for Rumian who carried strong trauma, this verification procedure was essential.
However, it was an unnecessary worry.
Surprisingly, Leighton Wino was 'real.'
It meant that her absurd appearance, combining the freshness of a teenager with the sultriness of a woman in her twenties, was genuine.
Rumian trembled as if struck by lightning.
'To think someone comparable to Queen Amelia actually existed...'
And in a younger form, no less!
He was moved.
The concerns he had been worrying about until just moments ago didn't even cross his mind.
Seeing Rumian like this, Tania wore an expression of utter disbelief.
'What the hell is this?'
Eyes glazed over dreamily, slightly flared nostrils, mouth corners rising like a fool.
The lonely and pitiful atmosphere from before had completely vanished. In its place was a foolish, perverted appearance. It was unbearable to watch.
But what was even more unbearable to watch was not Rumian Kalad, but Leighton Wino.
The sight of her butting in between them without permission and making eye-smiles was extremely irritating.
If no one were watching, she would have secretly slapped the back of her head.
She spoke with a furrowed brow.
"What is this suddenly?"
"Huh?"
"We were having a conversation, so why did you butt in without permission? How rude."
Her expression was beyond cold. Her frigid attitude, like wearing an ice mask, was enough to make Rumian suddenly come to his senses.
However, Leighton Wino didn't back down.
She didn't seem particularly affected either.
With her characteristic eye-smile, she looked toward Rumian.
And she placed her left hand on his thigh.
'Hah!'
Rumian flinched as if struck by an arrow.
He felt fingers wriggling on his thigh. Then he felt a stimulation he had never experienced before. It was an incredibly intense sensation.
Tania was equally surprised.
Only Leighton Wino remained calm.
She opened her mouth.
"I wanted to help with Rumian Kalad's concerns."
"...Concerns?"
"Yes. Actually, I've been listening from the next table."
She crossed her legs.
Wearing a skirt with a side slit, her pale thighs were fully revealed. Rumian quickly confirmed this, and Tania confirmed his eyes going down and then coming back up.
She felt extremely displeased.
But Leighton Wino paid no mind to that.
She simply continued speaking in a languid, sticky tone while looking only at Rumian.
"Of course, I know that eavesdropping on others' conversations is wrong. But... I've been a fan of Rumian's since he won the swordsmanship competition."
"Ah, is, is that so?"
"Yes. So I always wanted to talk to him but didn't have the courage, so I just secretly sighed to myself. And then..."
"......."
"When I happened to stop by a shop and saw Rumian sitting there, I couldn't help myself. I was curious about what he was talking about, what he was thinking, and before I knew it, I learned about Rumian's concerns..."
She made a wistful expression.
She looked sad, as if Rumian's concerns were her own.
Rumian lowered his eyes slightly, and her appearance looked so pitiful to him.
He wanted to move his chair closer right now and wrap his arm around her shoulder.
Of course, that was impossible. He was an inexperienced and timid virgin boy.
"Enough. So what, what are you going to do? Are you going to solve Rumian's concerns or something?"
Tania's voice tone rose slightly. Her eyes were also slightly raised.
While Rumian might have felt Leighton Wino's appearance was pitiful, she did not.
It was extremely unpleasant to see this succubus-like woman who suddenly barged in flaunting herself. Naturally, her words became harsh.
However, Leighton Wino was strong.
She didn't lose her composure even while receiving the gaze of the top knight cadet.
She slowly nodded and looked at Rumian again. In a suggestive tone.
"Stay here."
"...Stay? What do you mean?"
"You were thinking of leaving the academy, weren't you?"
"How do you know that..."
"Challenge, a different environment, parental opposition... that's the only way to interpret it. Rumian, you're planning to leave the academy and go out into the wider world. Bravely, risking danger."
Rumian nodded slightly.
While it was glorified into something quite noble and cool, the basic gist was correct. He struck a brooding pose to maintain appearances. He deliberately recalled sad thoughts too.
On the other hand, Tania wore a puzzled expression.
As Leighton Wino said, Rumian was trying to go out into the wider world. To a place where many dangers lurked, but where equally valuable achievements and fulfillment could be gained. A land of opportunity.
Then shouldn't she be supporting him?
To tell capable, young Rumian to give up his dreams and settle down—isn't that something a fan shouldn't say?
With her way of thinking, she couldn't understand. That was why the woman named Leighton Wino was even more annoying.
But.
The words that followed from Leighton Wino's mouth were completely outside Tania's expectations.
"But, don't do that. For my sake, don't do that."
"......."
"I want to be with Rumian. So... please don't leave the academy."
'What kind of selfishness is this!'
She was dumbfounded. No, beyond dumbfounded, she was angry!
Telling someone else to give up their dreams because she wanted him. It was nonsense.
Putting herself in that position made her even more heated.
If some man told her to give up her ambitions, and the reason was "because it would be hard for me to be with you."
Then Tania would kick that man in the groin.
She was that kind of person. If she had to choose between giving up her dreams or love, she would naturally choose the latter.
'And that woman, she's seeing Rumian for the first time today!'
So it was even more absurd.
If the two had been in a long relationship, for example, as lovers for over a year, she might have understood.
Or if not that, for example... like herself and Rumian, seniors and juniors connected by deep trust.
Actually, they had only met one-on-one three times, but that wasn't important.
'We're pretty close!'
Anyway, that was the case.
However, Leighton Wino and Rumian Kalad didn't have that kind of relationship.
It meant they were complete strangers, not even friends let alone lovers.
'And she's using herself as leverage? Laughable!'
Could it be, is she relying on her appearance?
Is she that confident in herself?
A snort escaped naturally.
When it came to appearance, she also had confidence. She had lived her life without ever feeling inferior to anyone.
Of course, such things weren't important between seniors and juniors, but anyway, she was pretty too.
Tania, putting strength in her eyes, turned her head toward Rumian.
'Rumian wouldn't listen to such nonsense!'
Tania trusted Rumian.
Of course, he wouldn't say something like "What kind of nonsense is that" and tell her to get lost immediately. He was a fine knight cadet.
But at least he would show some displeasure. He wouldn't fail to respond at all to a woman who took his challenge lightly.
However.
She didn't know.
That Rumian's concerns were far from noble.
That he was simply an incarnation of desire chasing after women, dating, and sex.
"For... Leighton Wino... for you?"
"Yes. For me."
'What are you doing, Rumian!'
Tania wore an expression of disbelief.
The person who had been brooding so intensely until now, shaken by just these words!
No, beyond being shaken, he was making such a foolish expression!
It was absurd. And for some reason, she felt her pride was hurt.
She lost her words and blankly watched the two talking.
"Mmm..."
"I know it's not an easy decision to make. But, I didn't say those words easily either. Though we met face-to-face for the first time today, I've been keeping Rumian in my heart all this time."
"......."
"If it's difficult to make a decision right now, and if you have the luxury to postpone your decision. How about meeting me a few more times before deciding? Surely..."
Having said this much, Leighton Wino made a pleading expression.
"Am I so unappealing that I can't even earn that much regard?"
"...That couldn't be."
Rumian made a serious expression.
It was completely different from his wavering appearance until now. With his chest puffed out, he continued speaking with dignity.
"I understand. I can't give you a definitive answer right now, but... I will postpone the decision. For Leighton Wino's sake."
"...Thank you, truly."
Bang!
Tania Eloyce, who had been watching the two flirt, struck the table with her hand.
Rumian and Leighton's heads turned simultaneously.
Tania's face was visible, snorting angrily.
Rumian made a slightly apologetic expression, realizing he had completely forgotten about her.
"Ah, senior. Sorry..."
"Sorry? For what?"
"Huh, uh? That's..."
"No, never mind. Anyway, I apologized, right? Right?"
"Yes, yes."
Rumian nodded.
His apology was sincere. Even though he had met his ideal type, he couldn't make excuses for neglecting the senior he had originally made plans with.
"Then, buy me a meal tomorrow too. After classes, in the evening."
"Huh?"
"What, you don't want to?"
"Ah, no, that's..."
"If you don't want to, say so now. Do you like it or not?"
"I, I do."
Overwhelmed by her forcefulness, Rumian nodded quickly.
At that sight, Tania snorted. However, her mood had improved slightly.
"6:30, clock tower. See you tomorrow."
With those words, she disappeared.
It wasn't her usual light and brisk walk. It felt rough and clumsy, like a bison.
"I feel a bit sorry."
Rumian said, looking at Tania's retreating figure.
He had been wrong. Whatever the case, she had come to listen to his concerns, and he had treated her too negligently.
Shaking his head, he rose from his seat. And said to Leighton Wino.
"I should go. I just realized my class is soon..."
"Ah, I see. Actually, same for me."
She covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
That sight was so lovely.
Rumian desperately held back a goofy smile from forming. Because it would look uncool.
Leighton Wino said her goodbyes to him.
"Then, see you tomorrow. 6:30 at the clock tower. I won't forget."
"Yes! Right... huh?"
What? Leighton Wino is coming tomorrow too? Is she planning to join as well?
Rumian belatedly realized the meaning of her words. But she was already gone.
Should he chase after her? He thought with a troubled expression.
But no words came to mind.
And above all.
'...It still hasn't settled down.'
A certain area where blood had gathered.
Until that calmed down, he couldn't rise from the table.
Moreover, various fantasies kept coming one after another.
Even trying to calm his mind with aura, it didn't work well. The sensation of Leighton Wino's fingers that had played on his thigh wouldn't fade.
In the end, Rumian was only able to rise from his seat after another 30 minutes had passed.
Being late to class was a natural consequence.