“You, what are you all doing!? Trying to sneak a snack again? Got you!”
Alice marched down from the stage, cheeks puffed in anger.
She caught sight of Field secretly kissing Liyakade, and thought about how they’d already shared a secret world of their own earlier.
Now, they were still being all lovey-dovey in secret.
Alice felt her irritation rise.
With a huff, she linked her arm with Liyakade’s empty hand and sat down beside her.
“Ah, I just wanted Liyakade to encourage me too.”
Field, caught red-handed by Alice, coughed twice and tried to explain.
After all, Liyakade hadn’t cheered for her the last time either, and this time, it seemed like there was no intention to cheer for her as well.
“Fi, Field, weren’t you already stronger than most of the class back then? Alice was the weakest in the whole Academy at the time, so it’s normal for me to encourage her, right?”
Liyakade’s face flushed slightly as she touched her cheek—the very spot where Field had pecked her earlier.
Who could blame her?
She felt confident in Field’s abilities, and Field seemed so self-assured that she didn’t really seem to need encouragement anyway.
“I get nervous too, okay? Can’t you cheer me on a little?”
Field pouted, whining to Liyakade.
Liyakade had never seen Field act so spoiled, and of course, neither had Alice.
“Wha-why are you suddenly acting all cutesy?”
Liyakade swallowed.
In her memory, Alice might act like this, but Field?
Not at all—she was always so independent.
Yet, even though her exterior and aura seemed so strong, Field still had a soft spot inside.
And now, that softness was reserved for Liyakade.
After sharing that secret world together, Field felt even more inclined to lean on Liyakade.
“You two… are just too lovey-dovey!”
Sistem watched Liyakade and Field in the front row, then glanced at Alice, who immediately grabbed hands as soon as she stepped off the stage.
She couldn’t help but complain.
What really broke Sistem was Field’s spoiled demeanor.
From childhood to now, Field had never once acted spoiled to her own older sister—not even once!
“That expression… that tone… To think it could appear on your face, it’s just unbelievable…”
Sistem teased Field, hoping to make her feel embarrassed.
However, Field didn’t show a hint of embarrassment.
Instead, she owned it with pride.
“Yeah, that’s how I am.”
Field turned and shot a shameless grin at Sistem behind her.
“I only act spoiled to the people I like.”
“Ugh…”
Sistem felt an internal blow from Field’s words and leaned back.
On one hand, there was the sting of being Field’s sister and never seeing her act spoiled even once after all these years.
On the other, they were just showering her with affection.
“…This is the Great Hall of the Academy, you know. There are so many students around. Your secret kissing might have already been seen. Just wait for the rumors to spread…”
This was Sistem’s last, feeble retort.
In reality, no one was even paying attention to Liyakade and the others.
“I’m so jealous of your relationship. When will I ever be able to date a girl I like?”
Chloe, sitting behind Liyakade and the others beside Sistem, watched the scene of happiness before her and sighed.
She remembered the first time she met Liyakade and the others.
Back then, she had entrusted Liyakade with a letter to give to her parents.
The contents of the letter were to annul her engagement to a certain Noble Young Lord.
Chloe didn’t like that Noble Young Lord, but at the time, she didn’t have anyone she liked either.
In fact, deep down, she vaguely realized she didn’t like men at all.
But such thoughts were considered Forbidden Love in the Societal Norms.
Even if she had those feelings, Chloe had no choice but to suppress them.
Until the Cultural Festival, when Liyakade’s performance in the drama moved her deeply—it was the pure and profound romance she’d always yearned for.
And during the final Festival Queen Election, Liyakade’s speech struck a chord within her, helping Chloe realize her own feelings.
“This Academy really is overflowing with beautiful girls…”
Hearing Chloe’s sigh, Sistem glanced at her helplessly.
After being fed so much public affection, Sistem’s once-calm demeanor had gradually transformed into that of a perpetual complainer.
But at least, the relationship between Sistem and Field was no longer as tense as before.
Though they still hadn’t fully cleared the air, they’d already reconciled.
You could even call them sisters who could have fun together now.
So where exactly is the ‘Forbidden’ in this Forbidden Love?
Why does it feel like everyone has these feelings to some extent?
“Field.”
The Mage Teacher called Field’s name.
Field reluctantly let go of Liyakade’s hand and stood up.
“I’m going now, Liyakade.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
In the end, she still didn’t hear any words of encouragement from Liyakade.
Field felt a slight sense of regret, but it didn’t really matter.
She had always been this way—able to live on her own without anyone’s encouragement or praise.
It was just a habit.
“Field!”
At that moment, Liyakade suddenly called out to her.
Field stopped and turned back to look at Liyakade.
“Ahem… Do your best. Let me see how much you’ve improved lately!”
“…Mm!”
Field froze for a second, then a smile blossomed on her face.
She turned to face the Crystal Ball.
Under the guidance of the Mage Teacher, she placed her hand on it.
“Wow, why did you wait until she was already up there to say it? Was it just for dramatic timing?”
Sistem’s eye twitched as she watched Field beaming with joy.
Sistem couldn’t help but wonder—is being in love really this blissful?
Not only can it make someone who never acts spoiled become affectionate, but a single phrase can bring such happiness.
Does love truly have such magical power?
Sistem even found herself considering getting into a relationship.
She thought for a moment.
As for men… Sistem didn’t seem interested at all.
But she found herself rather fond of girls.
Wait… Does that mean I’m one too!?
Sistem finally realized she had absolutely no desire to date boys!
If she were to fall in love, it would have to be with a soft, sweet, beautiful girl!
Come to think of it, maybe the drama script at the Cultural Festival wasn’t just a cover for Liyakade and the others.
Perhaps the story she truly liked in her heart was that kind of plot all along!