The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 77

Episode 77

Rose glanced sideways at Jasper.

Listening to their ongoing conversation, it seemed like Jasper had sought help from Caleb who had been wandering around accidentally, according to the conversation she overheard.

Caleb pretended to wince in pain and patted Jasper on the shoulder as if it hurt a lot.

“He doesn’t appreciate this kindness? Is this the same Jasper Conway who used to beg and cry?”

“You brat… When did I ever cry?”

“You were almost crying.”

The tips of Jasper’s ears turned as red as if they were about to catch fire. 

Rose awkwardly glanced between Jasper and Caleb and spoke softly.

“But… Jasper, why were you outside?”

Jasper turned to Rose and twitched his lips for a moment. It was a stark contrast to how he had ruthlessly dealt with people just an hour ago. 

After hesitating for a while, Jasper opened his mouth.

“Just went out for some fresh air.”

“…During club activities?”

“I had something to do.”

Caleb burst into laughter and chimed in.

“What are you talking about? You came out to find Rose, thinking she might be in danger.”

“Caleb, cut it out with that mouth of yours….”

As Jasper stood halfway, Caleb leaned back and raised his hands.

“Alright, alright. You’re no fun. I was trying to help you find Rose’s father. Don’t you want help?”

As Jasper sat back on the couch, looking a bit flustered, Caleb chuckled.

Rose couldn’t quite catch up with the flow of the conversation and felt bewildered. 

She couldn’t understand why Jasper thought she was in danger from the beginning, what Caleb meant by saying he helped, and it was all a puzzle.

Caleb poured tea and spoke.

“I was planning to drop out of Berkley soon and travel around. Remember George fled using a boat on the West Coast? I’ll personally investigate the routes connected to the West.”

Rose felt more perplexed than thankful for Caleb’s offer.

“Dr-drop out? Seriously?”

“Yeah. I planned to rent a place monthly like here and wander overseas. I didn’t have a specific destination in mind… Well, it works out. I’ve got a goal now.”

“I appreciate your help, but I don’t quite understand, Caleb. Why do you want to quit the academy?”

As someone who had struggled to stay at Berkley, Rose couldn’t comprehend Caleb’s choice. 

He had been somewhat lax in his academy life to the point of taking a leave of absence last year, but to drop out in the graduation year was beyond her understanding.

Jasper, with silent contemplation in his eyes, gazed steadily at Caleb. Caleb, as if having already made up his mind, spoke in a relieved tone.

“I have my reasons. I just don’t want to continue. After graduating from the academy, well… the usual stories about arranged marriages will circulate. I don’t want that. I’m tired of getting yelled at by my father.”

“Is it perhaps… because of the broken engagement?”

With a warm cup of tea rising with steam, Caleb pushed it towards Rose and replied.

“No. I was never a fit for the aristocratic society from the start. I was forced into it, and it didn’t suit me. I want liberation from my family. Well, there’s the option to confront them head-on, but…”

Glancing at Jasper, Caleb continued.

“I’m a coward. Haha. Running away causes less stress than fighting, you know?”

Jasper, who had been quiet, interjected in a low voice.

“How are you going to survive overseas without any money from the Earl?”

“Well, things will work out as I travel around. When I search for George, maybe our benefactor could provide some travel expenses, don’t you think?”

Jasper let out a quiet sigh. 

“Do as you wish. It’s your life. I’ll provide ample travel funds, so make sure to find George Bell.”

“Thank you, employer. Well, truth be told, I would have helped even without pay. It’s a matter concerning a friend’s lover; I can’t just stand by and watch.”

After Caleb spoke with a cheerful smile, a moment of silence filled the room. 

Rose hesitantly brought her lips to the teacup, her hand pausing mid-air, and Jasper held his breath.

A few seconds later, both Rose and Jasper spoke simultaneously.

“It’s not like that!”

“Not yet.”

Caleb blinked rapidly, his expression filled with confusion.

“Huh? What kind of reaction is this?”

Rose turned her head slowly, looking at Jasper in disbelief. Jasper had an incredibly composed expression as if nothing extraordinary had happened.

‘Did I hear it wrong?’

He clearly said ‘not yet,’ didn’t he? Not yet? Did that mean becoming a couple later on?

Rose’s hand trembled in confusion. The liquid in the teacup she was holding shimmered back and forth. 

Caleb observed Rose’s bewildered eyes and made a peculiar expression before speaking.

“Ah… no? Uh, I see.”

Rose shook her hand slightly and took a sip of her tea, trying to swallow it down smoothly. She almost choked on it. Caleb burst into a genuine laugh, realizing he had mistaken the situation.

“I must have misunderstood. You’re just close friends, and I misinterpreted it. I didn’t know Jasper was so good at taking care of his friends.”

Caleb’s voice carried a note of amusement. When Jasper gave him a piercing look, Caleb swiftly got up from his seat.

“Jasper! I’ll lend you a shirt, so go change.”

Caleb disappeared into a room with a wardrobe. 

In the peculiar silence that lingered in the room with only Rose and Jasper left, Rose drank her tea and contemplated a myriad of thoughts within herself.

‘Should I ask what he meant first? Would that be appropriate? Ah… my insides are all jittery. Ah…’

After experiencing so much in just a few hours, Rose’s mind went into overload.

* * *

Jasper changed into the shirt borrowed from Caleb and stepped outside with Rose. The shirt was a bit tight on Jasper, and the shoulders and chest area felt a bit stretched.

Jasper looked down at Rose and spoke.

“Should we go back to the academy right away, or would you like to take a walk?”

“Ah, umm, let’s walk a bit. It’s an opportunity to talk too…”

In truth, there were many things Rose wanted to ask Jasper. 

Jasper nodded lightly and slowed down, taking slow, deliberate steps. Rose quickly caught up and walked beside him.

They walked without much conversation, and the two of them arrived at the riverside. It was a place they had been to during a previous walk for a club activity.

The weather was warm this weekend, and many people were out enjoying picnics. Small boats floated gently on the river.

As Rose gazed at the river in contemplation, Jasper spoke softly.

“Would you like to go for a boat ride?”

“Huh? Oh, no.”

“Let’s go for a ride.”

“Ah, I said no…”

“But I want to ride.”

“Uh, okay.”

Rose wondered why she was asked if he had already made up his mind, but she followed Jasper nonetheless. 

Jasper quickly paid the fee and rented a boat. Before she knew it, Rose found herself sitting on the boat.

Jasper rowed smoothly and slowly. The sunlight on the setting river shimmered like scattered diamond dust.

The scene before her was so peaceful and beautiful that it felt unreal, considering the chaotic events at the inn just a few hours ago.

From the musty smell and cockroaches crawling in the inn to the boat gently navigating the water with Jasper. It was truly a world of extremes. 

Rose and Jasper’s lives were at opposite ends, reflecting the stark contrast.

So different. How did we end up so deeply intertwined like this? Rose hesitantly broke the silence.

“…You mentioned knowing my father at the inn. Is it true?”

Jasper blinked his eyebrows.

“I’ve heard the name George, especially from the ‘Night Owl.’ If it’s the person I often saw there… I think I know that person.”

“You’ve been to such places too?”

“Well, sometimes. To relieve stress. No one knows me there, so it’s fine.”

Jasper spoke calmly, briefly releasing the oars. The boat moved very slowly with the current.

“It seemed like I saw your father a few times too.”

“…Really?”

“I don’t think he recognized me as Jasper Conway. I used a pseudonym.”

Jasper meeting George was an unexpected revelation for Rose. She clasped her trembling hands together. Suddenly, her heart felt constricted.

While they had lightly discussed the dire family situation at the inn, hearing Jasper confirm that he had met George sent a shiver down her spine.

So he’d seen it all. The shattered and broken man. The fact that he’s her father… Now he knows everything…

George was the deepest blemish in Rose’s life. And now that Jasper knew even that, all the strength seemed to drain from her body. She couldn’t quite discern if the turbulent emotions in her heart were embarrassment or relief.

One thing was certain: there was no need to hide anything about George in front of Jasper now. 

Rose, her voice weak and broken, whispered.

“How did he… seem?”

“At the gambling den?”

“Yeah. Did he… appear odd to you? Did you happen to discuss family matters?”

“….”

“No, did he ever, even for a moment, think about his family? Did he seem like that? Was there even a single instance…”

In truth, Rose wasn’t expecting an answer to her question. She believed Jasper wouldn’t know.

As she recounted the story she had kept to herself, Rose couldn’t hold back her surging emotions. Unconsciously pouring out her resentments in almost a murmured soliloquy, her eyes started to well up.

“Ah….”

Moisture began to gather in the corners of Rose’s eyes. It was the third time she had let her tears flow since they arrived at the riverbank. Ironically, Jasper was there for all three of those moments.

Trembling lower lip, Rose mumbled.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I don’t usually cry… Why is this happening…”

Amidst her confusion, Jasper’s hand gently reached out. His warm fingertips wiped away the tears forming at the corners of Rose’s eyes.

Trembling, Rose looked at Jasper. 

In his gaze, as he looked back at her, she could see compassion and pain. It was a face that empathized and suffered as if he had experienced it firsthand.

The warmth lingered in the spot where Jasper’s fingertips had passed. 

Bowing her head deeply, Rose mumbled,

“Why… are you so gentle?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you look at me like that? Why wipe away my tears… Jasper, if you act like this, I might misunderstand again.”

It felt like how he’d treat someone he liked. 

As Rose swallowed her words and tried to steady her breathing, Jasper’s soft voice resonated in her ears.

“It’s not a misunderstanding.”