6.

“As you all know, history class isn’t fun.”

Professor Harper’s description was perfect. History, which began with the founding myth of the Priston Empire, was hard to call fun even as a lie. Every student seated there could relate deep inside but on the outside, they all shouted, “No way!” and “That’s impossible!”

“I’m well aware of your feelings. Thank you very much for saying that. But I also know that is not true. Even though I’m standing here as a professor right now, history was the last class I wanted to attend when I was a student in the Academy.”

Harper discredited the white lies of his students in one fell swoop. At thirty-eight, Harper was one of the youngest professors in history. He understood the boredom of the students better than anyone else.

“I thought about how I can make you guys focus a little more on your boring history class. After long consideration, I got an exciting idea for the assignment. Now, let’s discuss the assignment I mentioned last time.”

All of a sudden? Question marks popped up everywhere, but Harper didn’t care.

“You’ll do your assignments in pairs. Any complaints?”

“….”

“All right, it’s simple. The pair who become partners will take turns asking questions and answering them. The source of the questions asked must be all textbooks for this semester. Shall you break this rule, you’ll lose points.”

Bellissa, who liked him, flinched at the word partner. How problematic. Somehow, I have a bad feeling about this.

“Everyone gets one chance. If you get one question wrong, you can move on, but bear in mind that there will be no next time. I will base your marks on the number of questions you ask each other, and the winning pair will get bonus marks.”

In short, it’s both a group and an individual project. The more questions we ask each other, the higher the basic score, so we shouldn’t ask difficult questions in the beginning, and in order to get more right answers, the pair has to study together.

“

“Jo-hann…”

“It’ll be fine.”

Dreading that she had to memorize a wall of text, Bellissa made a crying face. Johann smiled to reassure her. Bellissa’s expression turned bright like a child’s who was offered candy.

That’s what he said, but Johann wasn’t really comfortable. Both the partners have to carry each other’s weight. This is why I avoided group projects even at Münew Academy. But there’s no use crying over spilled milk. If they mess up, Johann will also suffer. Johann thought he needed to come up with a plan before that happened.

“Then, now I’ll be listing the partners for this semester’s assignment. You’ll be together for a while, so I hope you guys will get along.”

Bellissa, who was smiling with the expression that said she wasn’t worried about anything with Johann, jerked her head at the professor’s following words. Fearing her interruption, Johann beckoned to listen first.

“I’m going to say it only once, so please listen carefully and remember. Then, Miss Peony with Mr. Ethan. Miss Helena with Miss Izrel…”

Professor Harper continued amidst the silence.

“… Johann and Miss Elena. And that’s it. Is there any student who missed their name?”

Elena? And me? Johann, who was listening to the names being called without much thought, suddenly straightened his back. He was a little flustered because he didn’t expect her name with his. Johann turned his eyes towards Elena’s back sitting in the front seat.

“Professor!”

“Yes, Miss Bellissa. Your partner is Mr. Jayseph.”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying, Professor. I meant that we can change partners, right?”

“I’m afraid that would be difficult.”

“Why?”

Bellissa asked back in a shrill voice but Harper didn’t seem to mind her. He was used to students throwing tantrums every year.

“First of all, I divided you by considering your respective grades. After many years of teaching, I’ve seen how students may unintentionally suffer. So, we started grouping kids at a similar level together and found that they are often motivated by each other. This is why we have been doing so in the recent years. But of course, there are other reasons as well. Since not all students feel equally the same for their friends, we decided in advance in order to prevent students from getting hurt. Do you still have any complaints?”

“Still…”

“My students are wise and I believe they will do well without me telling them, but sometimes we need to get involved.”

Bellissa shut up at his words. She didn’t realize that she wouldn’t make a good impression if she continued to argue with the stubborn Harper. She just regretted that she missed an opportunity to stay with Johann. It was a good excuse for me to stick next to Johann for a while!

‘I got lucky… No, wait. What the hell?’

Johann denied the thought in surprise as he looked at Elena’s stubborn back. Hah! How ridiculous. What’s so lucky about being partnered with a girl who won’t even turn her neck when your name was called alongside hers?

“This is so annoying. Why don’t you talk with the professor separately? Huh?”

“Bellissa, I’m really sorry, too. But if I say any more, you will fall out of the professor’s good graces. But if you ever need any help, just let me know.”

“Johaaann!”

Bellissa whined and pouted, but eventually slumped back on her seat. Johann was still looking at Elena, who never looked back.

***

“Johann, so I told Bach…”

“Wow, really?”

Johann knew several suitable exclamations to continue the conversation if and when he had nothing to say. Many people come to talk to me but there’s only so much to tell. In such cases, these few words that I use often are quite handy.

In particular, this method was perfect while conversing with Bellissa. Since she had a habit of repeating her words if she forgot, Johann had to go through the same story several times. Despite knowing the whole story by heart, Johann was still listening to her chatter today.

“Sorry to interrupt, but do you have a minute?”

Of course, the next class will be like this, too. An unexpected figure intervened as he endured listening to her with his trained smile. Johann stiffened when he reflexively raised his head to the shadow that appeared on the desk.

“Miss Elena, can’t you see that Johann and I are talking?”

“I don’t have much time. But if it’s important, I can talk to him next time. Sorry.”

“Well, I’m sorry…”

“Now- We can talk now.”

Johann? Bellissa stared at him wide-eyed, but Johann remained still regardless. Elena, who was about to turn around, looked at him with surprise, then beckoned him to follow her.

“I’m sorry for calling you when you looked busy.”

“It’s fine. What’s the matter?”

She didn’t even spare me a glance. Not that she needs to. Johann grumbled and recoiled inside. He couldn’t tell why he was being so sarcastic.

Wait, this situation-

I knew that troubled face looked oddly familiar. Come to think of it, I’ve been through this often since my days at the Münew Academy. They would take Johann out for a moment and confess to him. I spent oh-so-much time rejecting those confessions.

“Ha, is that how it is?”’

Ding! Ding! Ding! Johann discovered the answer with the sound of a cheerful bell. So, that’s how it was. Well, that’s possible. Most people try to hide their feelings, but not all of them can. However, once in a blue moon, there comes someone who is good at hiding their innermost thoughts.

That sort of person often acted contrary to their true intentions. They pretend not to like or desire the other person. It’s a very classic trick used to pique the other person’s interest.

‘I can’t believe I didn’t notice such a basic trick.’

Elena Evoy’s a great actress. I almost fell for that indifferent face. Fortunately, rejection was not a difficult thing for Johann. He just had to recite his usual lines with a somewhat sad face.

But something feels off. Johann suddenly paused trying to make a sentimental expression. What kind of face should I make? Not just that. I can’t even recall my usual words.

Eyes that looked like amethyst glanced at him. Every time light touched her hair, it glowed with a subtle shade of purple. He could only see those things. Johann gulped his saliva.

“I figured it would be good to set a date to discuss the quiz. It looks like the professor wants to see everyone cooperate.”

“Elena, about that, I… huh?”

Huh? Johann uttered blankly.

“So I’d appreciate your cooperation.”

“Ah, yes, the professor. Oh, we’re partners. Yes. Right.”

Johann’s ears were set ablaze in an instant. If the heat had reached his face, he would’ve looked like a living tomato. Johann was repeating a series of ohs like an idiot, as he was stunned realizing his delusion. What the hell! Should someone find out, I’d become a laughingstock. I’d rather die than have Todd find out.

“I need this scholarship. Set the date for when you’re ready. Oh, I can’t today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and the day after that.”

Didn’t you say whenever I’m ready..?

Since Johann was struggling alone in shame, he unconsciously made a weird face which made Elena laugh. Johann stared as if possessed by her naturally folding eyes.

“I’m kidding. You had a weird expression on your face.”

“Oh, you were kidding…”

She was always stoic but now she’s joking. I wonder who else she jokes with? Weirdly enough, Johann felt touched, forgot his embarrassment and laughed along.

“I’m serious about getting the scholarship. Let’s set a date properly.”

“I’ll be going to the library later.”

“Hmm?”

“Elena, you’d be working- no, I mean you’ll be there anyway.”

“That’d be great.”

“But no talking.”

Elena quickly returned her expressionless face and warned him lightly. He tried to refute, but Elena turned her back without hesitation.

“See you later, then.”

“… Okay.”

Somehow, he thought that Elena looked a little cool, turning slightly and waving her hand. Johann wondered for a moment if he had lost his mind.