8. Midterm – 04

In a moment in the distant past that I can’t recall anymore, and I don’t even bother to think about it.

Jin once had a relationship with Altina von Rudel Serias.

It’s a bit embarrassing to think about it again after getting older, but at the time, Jin and Altina used to cling to each other like a pair of slugs at any time and place.

At that time, Jin was also very young, and it hadn’t been that long since he had returned, and his humanity hadn’t worn out that much, and most of all, it was because Altina was his first love.

Yes. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but Altina was Jin’s first love and first girlfriend at the same time.

Altina is no exception to this, so at the time, she also said that Jin was her first love and her first boyfriend at the same time.

And, as is the case with fresh and unmatched first love, Jin and Altina at the time would casually commit embarrassing things that would make them kick the covers if they recalled them again.

But if you put it backwards, it would mean that Jin and Altina at the time loved each other enough to commit such menacing and embarrassing things casually.

Yes. Jin and Altina loved each other.

Even if that love was not created under normal circumstances, but was created in the midst of extreme misery and chaos.

Even if Altina von Rudel Serias didn’t have many options at the time when the end of the world was counting down.

Even if the affection that sprouted between them wasn’t pure love, it was just a deformed love affair, like licking each other’s wounds after losing so much…

Jin truly loved Altina, and Altina also truly loved Jin.

And now, decades after that time had passed, Jin was hesitant about what to answer when asked by Erekaya if he and Altina were dating.

Are you and Altina dating, or are you in love with each other?

no. It may be from the past that has now disappeared, but at the present time, Jin and Altina are neither dating nor loving each other.

At this point, Jin and Altina are just friends.

Unofficially, it claims to be a teacher-pupil relationship, but that was only due to Altina’s own misunderstandings and misunderstandings, and it’s not like Jin is actually serving as a teacher to Altina.

Yes. Jin considers the current Altina a friend, and personally feels closeness to her and cherishes her a lot, but-

Jin didn’t love the current Altina or feel affection for her.

“…..”

The current Altina is the same as the Altina von Rudel Serias that Jin loved in the past.

From her appearance, to her voice, personality, and even the warmth that lingers on her fingertips, I couldn’t find anything different from her before.

… However, the current Altina was not the Altina he once loved.

A long time ago, there was a woman who died in his place, claiming that she loved her.

And there was a man who buried her death in his heart and spent a long time using that feeling as a driving force.

However, if Altina of the past overlaps and equates the Altina of the present just for the reason that they have the same external appearance, where should the emotions he felt so far go?

Jean was in love with a woman named Altina von Rudel Serias.

And because of that, I don’t think you should dare to mention your feelings for Altina von Rudel Serias.

Because he loved him, and the Altina he loved will never come back.

In the first place, the answer had already been decided from the moment Jin accepted Erekaya’s request, seduced her, and promised to make her happy.

“No, we have no relationship. We’re not even dating each other.”

When Jin answered with a sharp tone, Erekaya’s expression changed very slightly.

Literally, it was a very subtle, instantaneous change, so neither Jin nor Erekaya in his head noticed it.

‘No relationship… Called.’

Recently, I thought that the two of them would be in a romantic relationship, not to mention living together in the gymnasium, claiming to be a teacher and disciple, and even casually going in and out of each other’s rooms. I guess

But even so, you can’t be careless.

Since ancient times, the depth of affection between a man and a woman tends to grow in proportion to the time and memories they have accumulated together.

Even if you deny it in such a firm tone now, the moment you regret it, the two of you might have a relationship like that before you know it.

‘… No, but what am I thinking?’

Jin and Erekaya have nothing to do with each other. At least externally it is.

I don’t know to what extent Jin knows the truth about his origin, but judging from the fact that he doesn’t show any hostility towards her, he doesn’t seem to know that Erekaya and the Duke of Pendragon are like his enemies.

Will you reveal the whole truth to him and make atonement, or will you hide the whole truth and restore the happiness he should have enjoyed?

Between the two, Erekaya eventually chose the option of hiding the truth from him.

Even if that choice threatens to break the relationship between Jin and Erekaya one day, even if this choice ultimately deceives him-

Erekaya felt so afraid that he might look at her with contempt at this moment.

Yes. Jin and Erekaya are a family. No, to be more precise, Erekaya had a one-sided sense of debt towards Jin.

He is the object she has to repay her throughout her life, and at the same time, she is the person who should make her happy and not feel lonely at all costs.

He thought that he had no right to interfere with whom Jin was close to, who he dated, or who he became romantically involved with.

A woman named Erekaya Del Pendragon is nothing more than a sinner in front of Jean. Because she is the main culprit who ruined his life.

It would never be possible for a woman like that to interfere in his life so brazenly.

but… But why are you so concerned? Why do I feel like something is bothering me?

He never expresses the strange feelings welling up in his heart that even he himself does not know well.

Erekaya del Pendragon is not a weak woman, at least unable to control her emotions and show them on her face.

still… Still, I couldn’t help myself from being confused.

If Erekaya doesn’t hold onto him like this, he will leave her without saying anything more.

And the place where his steps are heading again must be the room of Altina von Rudel Serias.

Judging from his behavior and facial expression, he didn’t just come out of Altina’s room for a moment, but he was making an expression as if he had just come out to get some fresh air.

This is no mere speculation. It was because it was nothing more than a ‘revelation’ made by her synesthesia, synthesizing his gestures, actions, habits, and subtle changes in his facial expressions in an instant.

You have to stop him. You have to talk anyway. He must not let him leave.

… But why? why? Why do I have to hold him so far?

With a question she didn’t even know the answer to, swallowing it in her heart, Erekaya devised an excuse to summon him.

“I-over there… jin! If it’s okay with you, why don’t we study together?”

“… study?”

Jean frowned at Erekaya’s proposal, as if it were completely unexpected.

“Yes, yes, study. How long is the midterm exam? Besides, I’m not sure if you know, but in fact, you have to get grades above a certain level to get into the student council. It’s a little shameless to say the subject I recommended you, but if you don’t get good grades and you can’t join the student council, I could be in trouble too… .”

It was an excuse to the end, but it was a pretty plausible excuse when you think about it yourself.

No matter how many times I thought about the person Erekaya knew, Jin was not a person who would study on her own.

Of course, I was well aware that his natural brain was unexpectedly quite smart.

However, the ‘environment’ in which he was born and raised and other external factors must have made him unable to take interest in studying.

Even in order to attract him to the student council, and in order to get closer to him by teaching him to study.

Crucially, even in order not to have him go back to Altina’s room now.

The option of studying with him, and furthermore, teaching him to study, seemed so good that there was no place to do it.

“Well… done. I will decline. In the first place, I can do things like study by myself.”

… It was a pity, indeed, at the time when he hadn’t turned down his offer.

The reason Jin rejected Erekaya’s proposal was very simple.

‘No matter how much, it’s a bit difficult to receive direct instruction from him… .’

Altina is fine. Because Jin and Altina are already building a relationship of master and disciple.

There is something I usually teach her, but I was justifying myself by saying that this would be okay, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Clare… Well, Claire was fine too. Since he had already seen Clée often while receiving sick care, there was nothing to be ashamed of in front of her now.

But Erekaya is different. Is it not a bad picture for a man to receive help one-sidedly when you are officially dating or not even that close?

In a word, Gao couldn’t live in front of a woman.

“I think it’s because of my student council membership problem, but I can get that level of grades without your help. Wasn’t the midterm exam a test of how diligently you’ve been studying?”

After studying for a week with the help of Altina and Claire, Jin brazenly said such a thing.

“Well, thank you for caring about me, but I’m really fine. I have no intention of seeking help even if I bother you.”

Saying that, Jin turned his back on Erekaya without looking back. And, without even having time to say anything, he disappeared in an instant.

“…..”

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Meanwhile, Erekaya, who had never thought that she would be rejected, felt strange for some reason.

yes, what If you’re someone who prefers to study alone, you might as well reject her offer head-on.

But still, is it something to jump up and deny like that? Do you hate studying with me so much?

Even now, Erekaya is a woman who has never missed the first place in the overall grade in her grade since she entered Nineveh!

Other people are eager to study with him, but what on earth is that man rejecting his offer because he is good at it?

You will regret it. No, I will definitely make you regret it. And it will definitely tell you what the reality you are in is.

Perhaps, if he saw his report card for this midterm exam and knew what Erekaya’s grades were, Jin would inevitably regret what he had just said.

Even if you go there and cry, it is useless. As much as the absurdity he is feeling right now, he is also going to accept it as if he can’t win until he clings to himself and shows himself deeply reflecting.

And 10 days after that, the class rankings of this midterm exam were revealed to everyone on the class bulletin board at the back of the classroom.

“…..”

“…..”

“…..”

——

1st place Jin.

2nd Place Erekaya Del Pendragon.

3rd Place: Altina von Rudel Serias.

——

As if they had made a promise in advance, everyone’s eyes focused on Jin.

Not just in Class A, but in Nineveh as a whole, he was ranked first with an overwhelming score.