“…Seriously, he’s a man you can’t take your eyes off even for a second.”
Tsubasa muttered to herself only after leaving the arcade.
Hyunjin had told Tsubasa that she could always let him know if she needed help.
“I didn’t know you could actually help. In that situation, most people wouldn’t even think of stepping in.”
Tsubasa was always polite, whether in front of others or in places where people were likely to overhear. But outside the house, she didn’t have to pretend to be particularly courteous.
This wasn’t school, so she muttered comfortably, unconcerned about anyone listening.
Tsubasa lived alone in an officetel in Tokyo. (G: an officetel is a building that combines residential and commercial space, allowing people to live and work in the same place. )
Her father was busy with work, so they lived separately.
Her older sister, Yozora Hoshizora, also attended university and lived on her own.
Tsubasa never thought of it as loneliness. On the contrary, she felt it wasn’t so bad—at least there was no family to oppress her.
If there was one thing that made a difference, it was her obsession with the path her sister Yozora had walked.
That was why she wanted Hyunjin. She believed that with Hyunjin’s help, she could accomplish what her sister never could.
For example, controlling a group of bullies that even Yozora failed to control.
“It won’t be that easy, after all.”
Tsubasa stood in front of the officetel elevator and pressed the button. She tightened her grip on the stuffed toy she was holding, afraid she might drop it if she wasn’t careful.
After stepping into the elevator, Tsubasa thought about it again.
Why had Kim Hyunjin given her a stuffed toy?
Did it really mean nothing?
Was he different from other men?
Was it truly just a gift, without any hidden intentions?
“…It can’t be.”
There was no such thing as a gift without expectations. Giving something was a way of earning favor, of making oneself look good.
Such emotions were bound to show.
“I don’t know.”
But more than anything, what really bothered her was the relationship between Amelia Iori Lionheart, and Kim Hyunjin.
Kim Hyunjin—just from his name, it was clear he was from Korea.
So how had someone like him ended up at a school in Japan, earning the favor of Lionheart?
Tsubasa had gone through the student records and even did a background check, yet she found nothing.
There was no information about Hyunjin’s past, the schools he had attended, or even how he got into the academy.
Tsubasa authenticated her fingerprint with one hand and carefully opened the door.
She had to get inside before she could put down the oversized teddy bear in her arms.
“Haah…”
The fact that she couldn’t uncover anything, even with all her usual sources, meant that Lionheart had intentionally concealed the information.
With that conclusion, Tsubasa couldn’t help but grow even more curious about Kim Hyunjin.
The only possibility she could think of was that Hyunjin was someone deeply connected to Lionheart.
“As expected, it’d be best to approach him directly.”
Feeling the need to talk to Hyunjin alone soon, Tsubasa hugged the stuffed teddy bear in her arms a little tighter.
***
Upon returning to the mansion, Hyunjin immediately changed his clothes and went to visit Amelia.
He wasn’t sure if she would like the teddy bear, but it didn’t matter.
Standing in front of Amelia’s room, Hyunjin knocked lightly before speaking.
“My Lady, may I come in?”
“Please come in, Hyunjin.”
Once Amelia granted permission, Hyunjin quietly opened the door and stepped inside.
She was calmly enjoying her tea time. Since she wasn’t looking straight ahead, she hadn’t noticed what he was holding.
“Apologies for returning late.”
“Tell me why you’re late.”
“Well… I actually stopped by the arcade…”
“Hah? An arcade?!”
Amelia, who had been gazing out the window while sipping her tea, immediately turned her chair to face Hyunjin.
“Eh? What’s that…?”
The first thing Amelia’s eyes landed on was the massive stuffed teddy bear tucked under his arm.
“Ah, my lady. This is a gift from me to you.”
“What?”
Amelia looked at him with a puzzled expression.
…Today was Amelia’s birthday.
Three days ago, she had said she wouldn’t tolerate failing the retest—that was the point.
That was why Hyunjin had gritted his teeth and retaken the test.
After it was over, he had wandered into the arcade without much thought, unsure of what to get her as a present.
What did Amelia like?
Truthfully, she had everything she wanted and was more than capable of getting things for herself.
She probably wasn’t even used to receiving birthday presents from others.
At most, the only gifts Amelia had received were from Rachel, Ed, a few servants, or her parents.
She had never once directly mentioned her birthday to him.
Even so, Hyunjin remembered the date.
But since he couldn’t just say it outright, he decided to wrap things up casually.
“This morning, before heading to the academy, I noticed the servants were busier than usual, so I asked them about it. They said today is the young lady’s birthday. I also apologize for coming back late and delaying the party, my lady.”
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