"You... Why are you here?"
A man I didn't recognize approached me with a deep, smoky voice that held a strange allure, simultaneously captivating and sending shivers down my spine.
I gazed upwards, my eyes drawn to the stunningly dark jet blue hair cascading down from his head, resembling a moonless night. His piercing eyes, reminiscent of precious emeralds, locked onto mine, and in that moment, I felt a strange sensation of captivation and entrapment, as if I were completely under his spell. This man, standing right before me, held an inexplicable power over my senses, and I couldn't help but be consumed by his presence.
With a perplexed expression on his face, he placed his hand on his waist while his gaze was fixed on me.
In all my years, I have never laid my eyes upon a man as strikingly handsome as he is.
I must correct myself because Chris Hemsworth continues to reign supreme as the top choice in the industry.
However, the level of charm possessed by this individual was so potent that anyone who had the privilege of gazing upon him would instantaneously succumb to his allure. He emanated an aura akin to that of a regal prince, captivating all those who encountered him.
Despite his attractive appearance, he possessed a demeanor that exuded an air of aloofness and tranquility, which could prove challenging to interact with.
As I shifted my gaze away from his face, I couldn't help but observe that his attire stood out among the male students I had encountered the previous day.
The design bore resemblance, yet the hue differed as it emanated an elegant white. Its radiance was captivating, and its visual appeal was far from displeasing, particularly when adorning his physique.
In an unexpected moment of recollection, I found myself reminiscing about the encounter I had with an individual outside the library who happened to be donning the identical attire as the person I am currently thinking about.
Is there a chance that they might be...
"...Are you done staring?"
A sudden interruption abruptly pulled me out of my contemplation. The person before me maintained a blank and unreadable expression, leaving me unable to decipher his thoughts or intentions.
"I humbly ask for your forgiveness as I find myself pondering if we have crossed paths before, but it seems that my assumption was incorrect."
I was not telling the truth.
"Having recently transferred to this Academy, I find myself still unfamiliar with its surroundings and atmosphere. With this in mind, I made the conscious decision to embark on a leisurely stroll before making my way to class, in order to acquaint myself with the campus and potentially encounter fellow students along the way."
I added.
I came to a logical conclusion by carefully thinking and analyzing the situation. Indeed, this statement holds true. However, I intentionally omitted disclosing the primary factor behind it to him.
To be completely honest, I couldn't care any less about anything in this place. My sole desire was simply to escape from the Academy. I found it difficult to take any of this seriously, whether it was the notion of saving the world or the idea of infiltrating this Academy. It is possible that I do have genuine concern for Lena and her well-being. Previously, I expressed my desire to establish meaningful connections and cultivate friendships.
However, the multitude of experiences I have encountered in my past has profoundly shaped my perspective. The act of forming emotional connections with individuals, only to have them abruptly severed, has inflicted upon me an unimaginable amount of anguish and suffering.
In any case, I find myself questioning the necessity of providing an explanation. Instead of delving into the details, I could have simply expressed that the matter in question is not within your purview or concern.
I eagerly awaited a reply, yet all that greeted me was a deafening absence of sound.
Did I do something wrong?
I swallowed audibly, feeling a sudden surge of fear or surprise.
I tilted my head downward slightly, allowing my gaze to wander aimlessly as I contemplated the potential mistakes I may have made to elicit such a response.
However, despite my diligent efforts, my search yielded no results, leaving me utterly devoid of any ideas or inspiration.
"Does this bother you?"
I had been harboring that question within me, but the weight of my thoughts was becoming too overwhelming as I endlessly pondered what I could have possibly done wrong.
Without any delay, I was eager to find out the answer.
With a gradual and deliberate movement, I raised my gaze upward, meeting his intense stare that seemed to penetrate into the depths of my being. It was evident that he was in search of something profound within me, as his mesmerizing emerald eyes held me captive once more.
I felt a rush of confusion and unease, yet I never anticipated that he would detect my flustered state.
In an attempt to avoid his penetrating gaze, I purposely averted my eyes and looked away.
I let out a long, heavy breath, feeling the weight of my emotions.
An attractive man, gazing at me in such a way, has always been one of my vulnerabilities... It would be greatly appreciated if you could please divert your gaze!
"Are you done staring?"
In an attempt to convey annoyance, I imitated his words with precision, carefully choosing my tone and inflection to match his exact intonation and delivery.
He had a slight startle, as if coming out of a deep slumber, and in that moment, I couldn't help but observe the faint upturn of his lips.
"Did I heart it right that you are currently taking a tour around the Academy?"
The way he asked the question gave the impression that he was genuinely intrigued and eager to know more.
"That is precisely the action I am currently engaged in."
I rose from the soft grassy surface, carefully sliding the pen between the pages of my sketch pad and securing it shut, ensuring that the pen remained safely in place.
I used a brush to quickly remove any dirt and grass that was still on my buttocks.
"Hmm..."
He raised his additional arm to the same height as his shoulder, and positioned his hand just below his chin, grasping it firmly.
"It is highly recommended that you have a companion to join you, especially someone who is well-acquainted with the vastness of this location."
He voiced a recommendation or proposal.
I faked a smile: "It's okay. I can handle it myself. Besides, there is no one who can do it. I plan to explore the entire academy."
"The entire academy?"
"The entirety."
His voice fell silent, leaving only the rustling of leaves carried away by a gentle breeze that also tousled my hair, sweeping it to the side.
I tucked my hair behind my ear. I was about to take a step when he suddenly blurted out:
"After careful consideration, I have come to a definitive conclusion and made a firm decision."
I raised my eyebrows in confusion, "What did you decide?"
"I am willing to go with you and provide my support and presence throughout the tour."
I was in utter disbelief as I gazed at him, his expression devoid of any humor or lightheartedness. His words were delivered with such sincerity that it left me completely dumbfounded.
I shook my head and said, "Wait a minute, excuse me?"
I inquired, my mind racing with the possibility that I had simply misinterpreted the words that were spoken to me. However, deep down, I desperately wished that my ears had deceived me and that I had indeed misunderstood.
"I said that I am willing to accompany you."
He reiterated his statement, this time with a heightened level of strength and clarity.
A slight movement occurred in my mouth, a subtle twitch that reflected my mixed emotions. In response to the generous offer presented before me, I felt compelled to express my gratitude. However, I found myself hesitant, convinced that there was no necessity for such kindness.
"This wasn't just a simple offer; instead, it has been determined that I will be joining you, and I won't accept a refusal."
"Who decided?!"
"I exist."
I was rendered completely speechless and he had a victorious smirk plastered on his face.
This individual, who possesses a complete lack of shame, is truly astonishing.
"Why do you look disdain? Cheer up."
I smiled bitterly: "Then whose fault do you think it is?"
I softly spoke under my breath.
I directed a piercing glare towards him, intending to convey a menacing message, but to my frustration, he remained unperturbed and responded with a self-satisfied expression on his face.
I am completely clueless about his thoughts and intentions. I have absolutely no understanding whatsoever! Dealing with him is undeniably challenging and difficult! It seems my initial judgments about him are consistently accurate!
If he were to accompany me on this journey, I can guarantee that I would attract a tremendous amount of attention. And by a tremendous amount, I mean an overwhelming, unprecedented level of attention that would surpass any previous experience.
There seems to be an overwhelming amount of focus and attention directed towards something.
However, there is a part of me that is preventing me from expressing my true feelings to him - the desire for him not to accompany me. I am grappling with the internal conflict of wanting to be honest with him while also being hesitant to reveal my sentiments.
"...Are you really sure? I only go for a walk at exactly five in the morning until six o'clock – or maybe earlier."
"Hmm, I see..."
He responded with a hint of hesitation.
"And what about now? Have you reconsidered your decision?"
Filled with hope, I asked.
"No."
I let out a deep breath filled with disappointment, my heart sinking as the weight of my unmet expectations settled heavily upon me.
Oh, great...
"Do you not have any concerns about the possibility of others noticing our presence or detecting our actions?"
On this particular moment, my tone came across as slightly aggressive, a regrettable choice on my part.
"I see no reason to be concerned about that matter. Upon contemplation, it becomes apparent that there is, in fact, an individual whom I would prefer not to witness our togetherness."
My mood brightened, "Really? So -"
"However, it is important to acknowledge that we are simply individuals who do not have a personal connection or familiarity with each other. I am merely offering my assistance without any further intentions or expectations beyond that."
I was taken aback as my mouth unexpectedly formed an opening. It was evident that I did not require any assistance from you...
He is truly an enigma, with his unpredictable and unconventional ways.
I sighed in defeat. "...You know what... Well, do what you want."
He grinned. "You don't have to tell me."
With a playful demeanor, he spoke in a dictating manner.
Yes, yes.
I have reached a point where I no longer have any concern or interest in the matter at hand. I firmly believe that if I simply wait patiently for a certain period of time, he will ultimately abandon his pursuit or goal.
This particular tour could potentially last for a duration of approximately one month or even longer.
I have a concern regarding how people will perceive us, particularly in relation to his popularity and the undeniable attention he receives, evident by simply observing his face.
I am confident that I will experience the most severe mistreatment that the world has to offer. Therefore, possessing this particular thing will not alleviate the consequences that will inevitably follow.
Once more, a deep exhalation escaped my lips.
Oh, fantastic...