As soon as she free was of Ian's hands, Louise ran into the depths of the library saying she had something to do.
"Louise Sweeney is so sweet,"
Stella said admiringly as she watched Louise hurry away.
"She's sweet to everyone."
"She's liked by everyone."
"She's relied on by everyone."
"…Come to think of it, I've heard a rumor."
Stella gave a light smile as if she had just remembered.
"This year's top student, Louise Sweeney, is being used and harassed by the president of the student council."
She clapped her hands and added,
"Of course it doesn't seem like you'd do such a bad thing."
"What's wrong with that?"
It was an unexpected reply. Stella hesitated.
"Well…taking of advantage of someone, harassing them…"
"She's mine anyway."
He smiled arrogantly.
"…What?"
"Is that surprising? "
"Oh…of–of course."
Stella could bring herself to meet Ian's eyes.
Mine. That wasn't a word used to describe everyday relationships, but Ian had answered so naturally.
"I rely on Louise Sweeney and all of the members of the student council to be my hands."
The ordinary explanation was quite different from what Stella had imagined.
"Ah…"
So that's what he meant. Stella finally smiled a little. She had almost misunderstood that there was something special between Louise Sweeney and Ian.
But it was a short relief.
"Stella Lapis probably knows."
His blue eyes pierced her sharply.
"If anyone else tries to use my hands as they please–"
His cold voice seemed to squeeze the air out of her and she gripped the hem of her skirt in spite of herself.
"–how would I feel?"
"You would…"
Stella said quietly, fumbling over her lips.
"…you would hate that."
"And?"
Say more?
"That would be unpleasant."
"And?"
"You'd be angry."
"Right."
Ian smiled, apparently satisfied with her answer.
"Anyway, I didn't mean to change the subject to Louise."
Ian relaxed his posture.
He hadn't intended to talk to Stella until she dragged him all the way here, saying she had something to talk about.
"So, are you worried about your rumors?"
He recounted the anxieties Stella had confessed to him earlier. After the party there were rumors between Ian and Stella. It was inevitable. He'd performed quite perfectly as Stella's escort.
"Yes, I just want to attend the Academy quietly, but the people around me…"
She bit her lip.
"I'm a little embarrassed because people around me are making a big deal about it. Is there any way out of this…and…"
"What do you mean, people around you?"
"You know, students who take the same class or come and go to the library…"
"And you asked me to be alone with you in the library?"
"Ah."
Stella said nothing for a moment.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think."
Her tender voice was a contrast to Ian's stern one.
"I thought so."
Then he turned and left the library. He had work to do in there, but he couldn't bring himself to remain inside.
It was because of Louise. It was because of Louise's expression between him and Stella. She looked like she could die from happiness. Was Ian's scandal so exciting to her?
He didn't care…right?
Come to think of it, it must be exciting for Louise. If he had a lover, then their engagement would be annulled.
'I'm strangely pissed off…'
Why?