Beren casually propped her hand on the armrest, trying to lighten the mood.
Cass initially met Beren’s gaze, but quickly lowered his head. After closing the door, he sat down on a stool five meters away without a word.
‘What does he want? Does he have chuunibyou too, like a high schooler?’
Thinking this, Beren got up, walked to the water dispenser, and poured a cup of water. Cass’s blue bangs covered his eyes, his hands gripping his knees tightly. Beren set the water beside him, returned to her seat, and spoke slowly: “Benoel, you’re a friend of Siloque’s, right?”
“…You… call him Siloque.”
Beren smiled softly: “His health is terrible, and he’s always in the Health Room, so I’m naturally familiar with him.”
“…His health isn’t that bad.” Cass muttered under his breath. The two fell into silence again.
‘This atmosphere is way too awkward. I’m just responding normally, so why is Benoel radiating hostility toward me…’
Beren wasn’t in a rush. She picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip—she had plenty of time. She knew Siloque was currently lodging in the Castle on the Third Floor. During their chats, she’d mentioned how Cass occasionally lingered outside the Health Room door… even the Maid’s affairs. She’d also done a little digging into Cass’s true identity.
She’d asked Siloque what he thought before:
—“Don’t worry, Cass is probably just stewing over some trivial nonsense again.”
—“Ha, aren’t you worried he’s got his eye on me?”
—“That’s impossible. No one likes you more than I do.”
—“Yeah, yeah, I like you the most too.”
Though his reply seemed casual, back then, after sending the message, Beren had buried her face in her pillow. ‘Where does he get that confidence? That smug fool Siloque.’ Just thinking about it made her chest feel tight and hot. She felt completely played by Siloque… and the worst part was, she was doing it willingly. Beren was speechless at herself.
At the end, Siloque had added: “Of course, if he dares lay a finger on you, as your best friend, I’ll blow him to dust without a trace——”
Along with a dog-face emoji. She couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking.
‘Mutual love-hate?… What’s up with you and Cass’s friendship?’ Beren found it both funny and exasperating, but she could clearly feel the importance Siloque placed on her—too obvious to hide. She couldn’t help recalling the “gift” Siloque had given her when they parted. The moment it came to mind, Beren clenched her back teeth.
‘Siloque, I haven’t forgiven you for that chest groping yet.’
Just then, Cass, who had been silent all along, spoke again: “I know your secret, Teacher Gewina.”
‘Fishing, huh.’ Beren sneered internally. ‘No specifics—just testing my reaction?’
“Sorry, a secret? What are you talking about?” Beren forced a bitter smile, looking troubled.
Cass flailed his hands in panic, his face turning red as he bowed his head hard: “…Ah! W-Wait! Sorry, Teacher Gewina, I definitely don’t mean to threaten you. I’m just too nervous, so my words came out stiff—please don’t misunderstand!”
Cass’s legs pressed tightly together, his thighs rubbing against each other. If someone liked Cass’s kind of looks, they might find this adorable. But to Beren, a grown man acting timid, with unnatural feminine gestures, felt a bit nauseating. ‘Compared to my Siloque, he’s worlds apart.’
Cass seemed to have pulled himself together. He stood up, straightened his back, and put on a serious expression: “I know you’re dating Siloque… Sorry, my Maid told me about your date that day. You’re boyfriend and girlfriend—teacher and student, boyfriend and girlfriend.”
By the end, Cass’s voice dropped, and his fists clenched briefly.
Beren smiled without speaking. ‘Threatening me? Don’t think I won’t do anything just because you’re the Benoel family’s young master. I know his friend status is high, but can we skip inviting him to the wedding… Digging up some dirt and slapping it on your record wouldn’t be hard, you know? Want me to blast you online? If Beren got serious, manipulating public opinion with her Talent wasn’t that tough.
“Oh, I see.” Beren kept her professional smile, unmoved. “Is that what you’ve been standing at the Health Room door every now and then to tell me?”
Beren still didn’t answer directly—neither admitting nor denying.
“Siloque… he’s my best friend.” Cass suddenly said calmly.
Beren picked up her coffee cup and took a sip.
“He always helps me enthusiastically, saving me and my friends. Like a prince. Every time I see him, I feel at ease. I just want my friend to be happy.” Cass lifted his moist eyes, his voice a bit choked.
‘Prince? That slacker Siloque? Your word choice sounds like a girl in love…’ Beren looked at Cass, still feeling uncomfortable—an indescribable, strange sensation.
“Please don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone, and I haven’t told anyone about your relationship. I’ll keep my friend’s secret.”
‘Doesn’t seem like a lie.’ Beren judged, but she didn’t let her guard down. She sipped her coffee and narrowed her eyes slightly, observing Cass’s state.
After saying this, Cass seemed noticeably relieved. He downed the water in one gulp, then looked at Beren with determined eyes: “I hope you… treat him well. Let Siloque stay by your side for now.”
“…You came just to say that?” Beren set down her cup and asked flatly.
“Yeah.” Cass responded with a sense of release, then stood and bowed, ready to leave.
The matter should have ended there. Beren watched his back and gave a sly smile—the confidence of one in full control: “Who do you think I am? My relationship with Siloque is fine.” ‘You’re meddling a bit too much as the Benoel young master.’ She kept that part unsaid.
“…As expected of the one Siloque likes. Not even afraid knowing he’s two-timing—impressive. I can’t compare at all.”
Beren’s brow furrowed, all traces of smile gone: “What did you say?” Her tone was chillingly cold.
But Cass didn’t notice. He pulled the door open, stepped outside, his face a mix of crying and smiling—an “isn’t this okay?” kind of grin.
“I respect Siloque’s choice. But—you, you, you’d better not think he’ll like you forever—!!!”
Cass covered his face and ran—tears about to burst forth.
Fizzz—!
“Whoa?! Wha—?!”
The Ring Chart burst with an orange-yellow current, letting out a small explosion and emitting black smoke. Caught off guard, Cass stopped after three steps and hurriedly unfastened the burning-hot Ring Chart.
“Benoel.” Teacher Gewina’s voice was as steady as ever, but Cass felt as if the symphony of fate was playing behind him.
“I’m not angry. Not a single quark of anger. I’m just a bit curious—Siloque is two-timing? Out of concern for my student, please tell me in detail.”
“Ugh ohhh——” Cass felt cold sweat shoot down his spine, afraid to turn back.
Siloque shivered. In the Kitchen, he was scooping the stir-fried seaweed sardine pasta from the Pan onto a plate. The jolt nearly made the noodles spill, but he managed to get it all in.
“Foolish human, I’ll take this out.” Hertanid gave Siloque a cold glance.
Sunlight pierced through the white mist outside the window. In the quiet Giant Tree Forest, the survival battle of life and death was unfolding as usual.
‘It’s tomorrow.’ Siloque watched the Pterosaur flying across the sky, hoping it wouldn’t dump another load of its pheromone aggregate.
‘Come on, Cass. The Stage is set. Now it’s your turn as the lead.’
Buzz buzz—
The Ring Chart vibrated. Siloque opened it to see a new message from Beren on LINE.
‘Just got off work and already wants to chat with me.’ He happily swiped down to read the message.