As the group ventured deeper into the forest, Astrid slowed her pace and walked beside Charlotte, lowering her voice.
"Charlotte, does the professor dislike me?"
"Huh?" Charlotte blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Why would you think that?"
"I just get that feeling," Astrid muttered. "It's like he avoids me whenever he can."
"But he came on this trip, didn't he?"
"That's because you're here," Astrid sighed. "I don't think he would've come otherwise."
Earlier, Astrid had tried several times to approach Vanitas—asking questions about his thesis or just trying to start small talk.
But each time, he responded briefly, and kept some sort of distance.
She understood why. It wasn't surprising, given his personality.
However, what bothered her wasn't his cold responses—it was the way he looked at her.
A look Astrid couldn't quite put into words.
"...."
It truly puzzled her.
