A Woman Who's Softer Than She Seems

“Just because it’s a new school year doesn’t mean anything will change. You’re still students at Petrus, and you should keep listening to your teachers and doing your homework, just like always.”

After winter break ended and the new semester began, Kairos never once came to see me.

“With that in mind, the first thing you should focus on is preparing for the upcoming magic assessment. Unlike first-years, second-years only get one chance, so stay sharp and give it your best.”

Ria, meanwhile, kept coming and going from the third floor every day without telling me what was going on between her and Kairos.

Of course, that didn’t mean I felt hurt or betrayed by either of them.

As I’d always said, Kairos and I had no relationship whatsoever, and the school rules didn’t forbid dating, either.

Still, to be perfectly honest—utterly honest—I did wish, just once, that Kairos would come to me himself and explain his relationship with Ria…

“Rene!”

“Huh….”

The sharp call snapped me back to reality. I hurriedly looked straight ahead...