The atmosphere behind the men's dormitory building became silent. Only the sound of a light breeze could be heard, making the atmosphere between the pair of men and women sitting there slightly awkward.
Katherine just smiled sadly when she saw James' response. She knew that recently her relationship with James had gotten better and that they had become like a couple, but James had never shared his feelings. He never said those words.
Was James just forced to finally accept her because he didn't want to be bothered by her anymore? Or does he really like her?
Katherine really didn't know.
So even though Katherine didn't know how James felt about her right now, she wanted to tell him that she was serious about him. She wanted to marry that man.
Katherine also knew that James wouldn't be asking her to marry soon because they were still students and James had his dreams, but when she saw how James was responding right now, Katherine felt her heart hurt, even though she already knew the answer.
"Yeah, of course we can't possibly get married right away. We're still student, hehe," said Katherine, laughing awkwardly, breaking the silence.
"Kate… I…"
"It's okay. Oh yeah, do you still want to be here? I want to go back to my dorm," said Katherine and immediately stood up and shook her skirt which was dirty because they were sitting on the floor.
"Ah, yes, I'll be back soon too. I'll take you," said James who also stood up from his place.
"No need. You have to tidy up your training equipment. I'm going first!" said Katherine with a smile and then immediately turned away from James.
James just stared at Katherine's back as it slowly drifted away and then disappeared. He sighed and cursed himself. He really is stupid.
***
After arriving in her room and changing her clothes, Katherine just stayed silent and lay in her room, sighing many times. She knew she shouldn't be acting like this because James didn't remember her at all, but Katherine wanted to be treated as soon as her husband treated her.
Her relationship with James had improved over the past few months, but their date was starting to get pretty boring at all. They just met at school, had lunch together, and then Katherine watched James practice.
That's all they do!
They haven't even kissed yet! Ah! Never mind a kiss, come to think of it they've never held hands!
Katherine of course tried several times to nudge James's fingers while they were talking together, hoping that James would hold her hand, but he was completely insensitive!
Several times Katherine thought of holding James' hand first, but on second thought, Katherine wanted to feel the thumping feeling when her hand was suddenly grabbed by a man. So she chose to wait for James to do so.
"Ahh… I should have let Javier take me back to the dorm. This is the first time he's offered to take me," thought Katherine, regretting that she had turned down James's offer.
Although Katherine often watched James practicing swordsmanship, James never offered to take Katherine back to her dorm because he usually trained long enough and it was tiring.
Katherine didn't mind that at all because she understood that maybe James was tired and wanted to get some rest, maybe that was also the reason why he was training behind his dorm building.
"Kate?! Why are you here? Are you sick?" a woman's voice made Katherine turn around immediately.
"No, I'm fine."
"Are you sure? Then why are you already here? You usually come back when the sun has set, if you're sick, let's go to the school infirmary, I'll accompany you," said Emma who went straight to Katherine after putting down the books she brought.
Actually Emma wasn't wrong in thinking there was something wrong with Katherine. After Katherine told her that she was dating James, her roommate was always outside and came back at night, spending time with her boyfriend, much to Emma's delight that she was the only one in the room alone and could focus more on studying.
However, when she saw Katherine who had been in the room first after her, Emma couldn't help but worry about her roommate.
"I'm fine and not sick, Em. Thank you. I just wanted to rest today," Katherine replied with a smile.
"By the way, what is it? Why do you carry so many books?" asked Katherine to change the subject.
"Okay, if you have any trouble, don't hesitate to tell me," said Emma, not wanting to push Katherine to tell her what had happened.
"Ah, those are the books I want to study again. I borrowed it from the library," Emma replied then walked to her closet to change her clothes.
"That much?" asked a surprised Katherine. She knew that Emma loved studying, but she didn't expect her to learn with one… two… ten books! There is a very thick book!
"This is even less! The new academy librarian won't let me borrow more than ten! Whereas the librarian previously allowed me to do it because she knew that I didn't like studying in the library. I really hope she gets rehired! Looks like I have to write something in the student box," Emma's voice sounded a little annoyed when she said it.
"I see, but why do you need so many books? Do you want to do some research or something?" asked Katherine curiously.
After a few months at Faith Alive Academy, Katherine finally learned that Emma did research and helped a lot of people. It made Katherine even more impressed with her roommate and allowed Emma to use their room to study.
"What do you mean? Don't you know that Monday we will have the midterm exam?" asked Emma, surprised.
Katherine blinked when she heard that.
Midterm exam?!
"You mean next Monday?!" asked Katherine, surprised.
"Of course!" replied Emma.
Katherine fell silent when she heard that. She could feel her chest thumping wildly with excitement. Midterm exam…
Different from the usual exams where only students in the class compete. The midterm exam is an exam that is taken at once by all students and that means the competition has increased.
She can compete with James, Emma, and even Luca!
Katherine wanted to know how much she knew about the human world and wanted to see if she could beat her friends.
"Emma!" called Katherine suddenly getting out of bed.
"What?" asked Emma who was already sitting in her study chair and getting ready to study.
"I will challenge you to this midterm exam! I will definitely take your position as the number one student in Faith Alive academy! Prepare yourself!" said Katherine, pointing at Emma with her index finger. Her face looked serious.
Emma blinked, surprised by Katherine's words, before finally smiling.
"OK! Challenge accepted!"