44 – Resistance (2)
The last word flowed out almost as a whisper. But it was too distinct to be considered a whisper, as if wishing for everyone to hear it.
“Elise.”
And then, as if the wind had carried the message, a chilling voice was heard from the next seat. There was no need to turn my head to confirm who the owner of that voice was.
“Yes? What’s the matter, Yuna?”
“…Because class is starting. I wish you would leave.”
“Yes? There’s still plenty of time. And there’s something I want to discuss with Alan.”
“…”
In response to Yuna’s blunt remark, Elise glared at her while biting her lip. There was a hint of resentment, but unfortunately, it didn’t contain the typical venomousness of a villainess. Perhaps it was due to the change in the person inside, but there seemed to be a reason why she couldn’t be mean to Elise.
“So, I’m sorry, but please leave, Yuna. We’re in the middle of a conversation with Alan.”
Elise also seemed to be aware of that fact and came out rudely, to the point of being excessive. Yuna was about to shout in protest but then quickly closed her mouth. Should she get angry here? Or should she endure it? She seemed to be pondering it greatly.
“Is that so? Alan?”
“I…”
“Oh my, why are you hesitating like that between us? Is it because I’ve been getting closer to Prince Claes recently? Don’t worry, Prince Claes doesn’t care about these things.”
Elise, as always, lightly tapped my shoulder with a smile. And as if it was unintentional, she leaned towards me and pressed her chest against me. Through the slightly undone first button, her collarbone peeked subtly.
“Then come to my place later. No, should I come here?”
“No, not really. Just give me the notebook, and I’ll figure it out myself.”
“No need to refuse. There’s a lot of content that’s difficult to teach directly. Shall we do it that way, Elene?”
“It’s Elise!”
Eventually, Yuna couldn’t hold back and called out the name strongly. There was a considerable amount of venom in her voice, but Elise responded with a smile, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“Why are you like this, Yuna?”
“The class is about to start, so please stop. It’s distracting.”
“Well, does it really bother you? I’m not sure.”
A surprisingly cheerful voice, almost incompatible with the situation, flowed out. She casually looked at both of us, then laughed softly and spoke.
“Yuna, you become quite sensitive when it comes to Alan, huh? Before, no matter how much I provoked you, you endured it.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Are you sure it’s not? It seems like you want to show me something, maybe even bring a mirror. Right now, Yuna, your expression is quite impressive.”
“…!”
At those words, Yuna abruptly stood up and faced Elise. But even she seemed a bit uncertain, a hint of anxiety crossing her face. Particularly discreetly, she glanced around and spoke in a hushed voice.
“Elise. This is our issue. Don’t let others interfere.”
“What did you say? I can’t hear you well. Speak louder, Yuna.”
“No matter how much you do this, I won’t do what you want, Elise.”
“Oh, is that so.”
Elise’s gaze suddenly turned cold. And below that, a mocking remark emerged, always making the other person uncomfortable.
“How long do you think you can keep that up?”
“You…”
The two of them stood still, glaring at each other. It felt as if they had returned to the time when Yunah and Elise were enemies. Despite the passage of time and the many complicated events that had unfolded, the two of them still seemed to be stuck on the same fated path. The unbroken line stretched thickly between their gazes.
“…It’s time for class to start.”
At that moment, Elise shrugged her shoulders and took a step back. Suddenly, she was back to her old self, with a gentle smile on her face.
“Well, see you later, Yunah. And Ellen…”
“Yeah. Sure. See you, Elise.”
“…!”
I casually waved at them and Yunah turned to look at me with a shocked expression. Elise, too, looked a little surprised as she glanced at me and smirked.
“Don’t worry, Ellen. We’ll definitely see each other again.”
Finally, she took a step forward and returned to her original spot. Yunah watched her retreating figure until the very end, then let out a deep sigh and collapsed onto the ground.
“Haah…”
“Why is she like that?”
And as always, I asked a stupid and clueless question. Yunah wore an expression of exhaustion and replied.
“…It’s complicated to explain.”
“Is there something more complicated left for us to explain?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Even so, Yunah couldn’t easily open her mouth. Her small lips still held so many secrets. Maybe, as Yunah said, they were secrets too complicated for me to understand.
But now, I wanted to know. It was no longer just her secret, because I had delved too deep.
“…I think she wants me to torment her.”
In the end, Yunah struggled to speak. It wasn’t a simple or clear explanation, so I tilted my head and asked.
“She wants me to torment her?”
“It’s true. It seems like she wants me to torment her just like before, believing that it might regain Prince Hwang’s attention.”
“She said that?”
“I still can’t believe it. But she directly told me that.”
Yuna calmly recounted an unbelievable story. While it was hard to believe that Yuna was lying, it was also difficult to accept it as the truth.
“But, as you felt, I have no intention of doing that. So, she’s acting this way, trying to provoke me and make herself suffer somehow.”
“Well… I see.”
I nodded my head only now. Then, playfully smiling, I looked at Yuna.
“So?”
“What?”
“So, were you angry earlier because you thought Elise was sticking to me?”
“Even in this situation…!”
Yuna turned to me with a sharp look, then blushed and slowly averted her gaze. Leaning on the desk with her chin, she mumbled an answer.
“Yeah. It was a bit irritating. To have this happen on the first day.”
“First day? What first day? Did some special day happen without my knowledge?”
“That… Forget it! Anyway, just be careful too. We don’t know what she might do to you. Stay close to me as much as possible. Got it?”
Yuna earnestly emphasized, pointing her finger at me. But well, would that be effective? If I stay close to Yuna, she might cling to me more, provoking her further. It might just lead to the opposite effect.
Rather than that, I thought…
…
“Alright. Got it.”
Thinking silently for a moment, I suddenly brightened up, nodding my head. However, Yuna looked at me with a somewhat suspicious expression.
“What are you thinking right now?”
“What about me?”
“It seems like you’re thinking something strange.”
“Me?”
Yuna looked at me as if she could see through my thoughts. But there was no way she could peek into my small and peculiar brain. I squinted one eye and answered with a half-truth.
“I’m not thinking about anything.”
Yuna told me to avoid Elise. She said she didn’t know what she might do now. But my thoughts were a little different. Avoiding her wouldn’t solve the problem on its own, and just staying still didn’t suit my temperament.
And honestly, I still didn’t fully believe Yuna’s words. The Elise I had known all this time was a dandelion-like girl, kind and gentle to everyone. At least I thought there was still a chance to have a conversation.
So, when lunchtime approached, pretending to go to the bathroom, I secretly slipped out of the building. Of course, I didn’t have much time. Yuna, who was quick to catch on, would surely come looking for me. I would definitely get scolded later. I leaned my head against the building wall, thinking that.
“Haam…”
When a cool shadow fell on the deserted alley, I yawned unknowingly. In this place, one of the places Yuna had told me about, there was no trace of human presence, let alone the presence of small creatures. If someone wanted a secret meeting, there was no place more suitable than this.
That’s why, if Elise was really targeting me as Yuna said, I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
It was like throwing a bait. Of course, there was also a good chance that Yuna would find me first. But that wasn’t so bad either. I could just pretend that nothing happened.
It felt like I was becoming a prostitute who seduced customers by loosening the straps on her shoulders. Either way, it would all be over once the customer arrived.
…
Jabak. Jabak.
In the moment when I was about to feel a sense of self-disgust at my metaphor, I heard footsteps from the other side. Was it Yuna? Or was it Elise? But in fact, the moment I heard the sound of footsteps, I already guessed the identity of the customer. I pushed through the bushes and looked at her, lightly greeting her.
“Hello, Elise.”
“Oh, hello. Ellen.”
Elise greeted me as if she had run into me by chance. It was a shamelessly casual attitude, but I decided to go along with it for now.
“Yeah. It’s a coincidence, Elise.”
“Well, you see. I never thought there would be someone in such a remote place. What were you doing here, Ellen?”
“I lost my underwear. Lately, someone keeps stealing my underwear in the dressing room. So, I’m searching everywhere.”
“Ah… I see.”
Elise seemed somewhat embarrassed at my words, and she mumbled the end of her sentence. Then, she put her hand in her pocket, trying to appear nonchalant.
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“I hope you find it soon. By the way, what about Yuna?”
“Why Yuna?”
“Well, these days, Ellen, you’ve been hanging out a lot with Yuna. I thought something might be up since you’re not usually by her side.”
“I don’t know, really.”
“I see.”
Despite clearly wanting to say something, Elise deliberately circled around the topic. With her hand still in her pocket, she cautiously adjusted her posture before opening her mouth.
“Hey, Ellen. There’s something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Do you, by any chance… like Yuna?”
“Yeah. I do.”
“I see.”
With a clear answer, Elise smiled, nodded, and took a step closer to me.
To be honest, I already knew. It was evident for a long time. Maybe I noticed it even before Yuna did.
“Is that so?”
“Of course. In a way, I’m in a similar situation to you, right? It’s a bit challenging, isn’t it? Being in love with something difficult to achieve. Obstacles like social status and the judgment of those around us tend to hinder us, regardless of the emotions between two people.”
“You and Claes might indeed be like that.”
“Ah… Yeah, you’re right.”
As I casually called the Crown Prince’s name, Elise seemed a bit flustered, stumbling over her words. But soon, she regained composure and replied.
“But you must be in a similar situation. The Duke of Richmond is currently obsessed with power and honor. If his only daughter says she wants to marry a commoner… well, it’s unimaginable how the Duke’s elders would react.”
“What are you trying to say, Elise?”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I don’t want to interfere in your relationship. Just… I understand your position, Alan.”
Rustle.
As Elise took a step closer, the bushes on the other side faintly shook. It was such a subtle movement that Elise seemed not to have noticed yet. However, I sensed that another visitor had arrived in those bushes.
Seems like there’s no time to waste. Before Yuna approaches with anger, I quickly spoke up.
“I see. Thanks, Elise. But there’s something I want to ask…”
“Don’t rush, Alan. Let’s talk, people in similar situations.”
“Well… that’s fine, Elise. But more than that…”
“Phew, it’s a bit hot, isn’t it?”
With a common excuse, Elise raised one hand. But what unfolded the next moment was not a common situation.
Thud.
“…!”
With almost magical movements, Elise unbuttoned all her clothes. In an instant, her upper garment opened, revealing all her fair skin. A bit surprised, I stammered, and Elise, throwing away her shirt, said,
“Why, Alan? It’s just this much. Nobles are so bothersome, right? Busy with manners, norms, and all. Sometimes it’s a bit annoying, isn’t it?”
“Well… I still prefer you to wear clothes, Elise.”
“Why? Just because it’s hot. And, Alan, you wouldn’t attack me, would you? We both have someone we like, don’t we?”
“No matter how ordinary we may be, there’s always a thing called dignity, Elise.”
“I’ve shed that a long time ago. And, honestly, it might not be that big of a deal even if it’s exposed. After all, it’s just us here, and this is our little secret.”
“It feels really awkward right now. So…”
“Ah, don’t worry, Ellen. Even if something like that happens, I won’t go confessing it to Lord Claes or anything.”
Elise, as always, looked at me with a kind smile in her eyes.
“Actually, I quite like you too.”
“…”
As if revealing a confession carefully hidden, Elise blushed a bit and gazed at me. If it weren’t for this situation, she would have looked like an innocent girl with a face so delicate that I might have been completely deceived. Her confession seemed so fragile and delicate, like a dandelion, that without realizing, I found myself biting my lips tightly.
“hahahaha…”
Elise laughed timidly, as if acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation. I, too, looked at her with a somewhat stern face. Elise, while looking at me like that, raised one hand and playfully tapped my cheek.
But at that moment, I involuntarily grabbed her approaching wrist roughly.
“Ugh…!”
Elise let out a faint scream as my grip on her wrist was too strong. However, I still gazed at her hand, firmly holding her wrist. Then, as if it were a mistake, the white cotton attached to her hand fell to the ground with a soft thud.
“…”
I didn’t bother following the cotton with my eyes. Even without doing so, I could roughly guess what might be on it. Of course, it wouldn’t be a high-quality item. A commoner like me, who can’t even go beyond the academy gates, would have limitations in the items they could obtain. What was on it seemed to be an extremely small amount.
But just the act of trying to smear me with some kind of substance was enough to evoke the nightmares of the past.
…
Shoooo…
Suddenly, the sound of rain brushing against my ears. Of course, it wasn’t raining. The sky here was still painfully clear.
For the first time in a while, my heart pounded not with excitement but due to something else. Suddenly, the memory of going to Yuna’s house wearing a mask flashed in my mind. Like a sponge absorbing water, the once cheerful emotions were all sucked in, leaving my heart dry. I struggled to swallow the reflux of emotions and finally released Elise’s wrist.
…
I really hate this kind of thing.
“Elise.”
“Yeah? Why… What’s up, Alan?”
“Do you want to kiss me?”
“…”
“…”
“Yeah?”
Her voice, soaked with bewilderment, flowed much more perplexed than my indifferent tone would suggest. However, I just grinned and looked at her, tilting my head.
“Is it not like that? It was the same in the classroom earlier.”
“I…”
“If it’s not that, then what’s the meaning behind your actions right now? You didn’t act like this before.”
“…”
Elise, taken aback, remained silent. But she managed to put on a composed smile and lightly raised her chin.
“You’re quite assertive, Alan.”
“That’s my charm.”
“I can imagine why Yuna might be drawn to that. It must have been quite shocking for the timid lady to discover such a bold commoner like you.”
“Well, maybe.”
“But whether Yuna’s personality will match yours remains to be seen. No matter how assertively you approach, Yuna will probably continue to be timid. Don’t you think so?”
“I can’t completely deny that.”
“Indeed, isn’t it?”
Elise smiled gracefully. Then, she slowly raised her hand and touched my chest.
“…!”
A gasping sound echoed through the bushes. However, I remained fixed on Elise, paying no attention to the commotion on that side. Soon, slender fingers reached up to my neck and gently fastened a button.
“Unlike me, I have a rather proactive personality. Don’t you think I would be a better fit than such a timid lady? Only as a partner, of course.”
“So, in the end, you want to kiss?”
“I like how straightforward you are. Yes. But well… I have something even more in mind than that.”
“Anyway, it means you want to, right?”
“…”
Instead of answering, Elise moved her fingers and unbuttoned one of my shirt buttons. The cool air touched my skin, causing a light shiver.
“Okay, then.”
I nodded, watching Elise moisten her lips with her tongue. She approached me with a repentant smile. And I, in turn, pressed my body against hers.
Suddenly, without any warning, I reached towards the bushes and grabbed Yuna’s arm, who was hiding there.
“Huh…?”
“What…?”
Yuna and Elise both voiced their confusion simultaneously. However, without giving them a chance to react, I forcefully pulled Yuna in front of me.
“Ack!”
“W-What…!”
Elise tried to pull away in panic, but I blocked her and pushed Yuna forward. Soon, the two bodies collided, and their backs hit the wall.
“Kyah…!”
“Ugh… What is this…!”
“Hello, Yuna.”
I looked at the wide-eyed Yuna in surprise and grinned. Then, turning towards the astonished Elise beyond her, I spoke.
“You said you wanted to kiss me.”
“Ellen. What in the world…”
“But there’s already an owner, so that’s a bit awkward. So…”
With one hand, I firmly pressed Elise’s shoulder against the wall, and with the other, I gently encircled Yuna’s neck. The dilated pupils of the two, expanded by the shock, simultaneously turned towards me. However, I only opened my mouth, focusing solely on Yuna.
“I’ll give you an indirect experience, at least.”
“Ellen…?”
Yuna asked in a breathless voice as she looked at me. However, I just smiled without answering.
And, in that state, I roughly kissed Yuna’s soft lips.