The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 85

Episode 85

Adela took a sip of tea and then spoke. 

“Do you like him too, senior?”

By “him,” she meant Jasper Conway. 

Rose brought the teacup to her lips and hesitated, then cleared her throat. She hadn’t expected the conversation to head in this direction so abruptly.

Adela had a calm and indifferent demeanor, but surprisingly, there was a straightforward aspect to her. Rose was taken aback but found it somewhat relieving. 

It was comforting to engage in a direct conversation without subtle hints or mind games.

After clearing her throat, Rose spoke.

“…Are you curious about how I feel about Jasper?”

“Yes. And it’s quite important to me. I like him.”

Rose was left speechless by Adela’s candid words. She was surprised by Adela confidently revealing her feelings, but soon worry crept in.

Recent conversations with her mother, Anna, flashed through her mind.

“Priscilla wouldn’t do such a thing. If she had intentions to report, she would have done it by now. Even when she met me last time, she turned a blind eye. But I’m not sure about the other Bluewoods besides Priscilla.”

‘If Adela finds out about my secret…’

It was uncertain whether Adela would overlook it as the Countess did. Moreover, there was no reason for her to protect Rose.

Rose thought it might be more natural for Adela to hate her. 

Carefully choosing her words, she opened her mouth.

“You probably don’t like that I am close to Jasper.”

Adela stared at Rose without a response. It wasn’t a gaze of resentment or hatred. Instead, it seemed deeply engrossed in thought.

After Rose swallowed the lump in her throat, she spoke again.

“As I mentioned last time, Jasper and I are not in a romantic relationship.”

Not yet. Though the words caught in her throat, she swallowed them back down. The words “not yet” that Jasper had said echoed in her mind.

Adela tilted her head slightly. It was a skeptical look, not fully believing the statement that they weren’t lovers.

“It’s strange. He likes you.”

“…Do you think so?”

“It would be stranger to think he doesn’t. It’s been noticeable for a while.”

Rose held her breath for a moment. Why was it that she, out of everyone else, didn’t see Jasper’s feelings so transparently?

“I’m curious about how you feel.”

“I…” 

Rose couldn’t respond immediately. Her hesitant lower lip trembled.

The emotions she had felt at Central Train Station just tens of minutes ago were still vivid. Unable to brush it off as mere friendship anymore, it was an intensity that she had to acknowledge as love.

The moment Jasper held her hand, amidst the bustling train station, it felt as if a brief calmness had come over the chaos. The vague sensation, as if she could hear her pulse racing in her wrist held by his hand, overwhelmed her entire being.

Should she tell Adela or bury all these emotions?

Adela and Jasper suit each other well. She hopes it works out for them.

Stepping back as always, assuming the role of a supporting character.

Rose clenched her hand that rested on her knee tightly. Her thin wrist trembled, and the blue veins showed on her transparent white skin.

Adela was frank about her feelings. Rose admired Adela’s confidence but at the same time felt a sense of sadness. It was possible because honesty had not been a weakness in her life.

Rose couldn’t be like that. She always had to armor herself firmly to not appear vulnerable to others by holding onto her secrets.

‘My emotions….’

Had there ever been a time when she fully adhered to her emotions, without hiding them under duty or responsibility?

No. Perhaps there might have been in her very early years, but even searching through those memories yielded nothing.

Rose slowly raised her head to look at Adela. A beam of sunlight peeking through the clouds outside the window illuminated Adela Bluewood.

She envied that beautiful and honest girl.

But at least for this moment, she didn’t want to be helplessly envious.

“…Yes, I have feelings for Jasper too.”

The end of Rose’s words trembled, but sincerity was evident.

As Rose uttered her feelings aloud, it felt like the words turned into a colossal wave crashing over her, making it hard to breathe, and her chest heaved.

Yet, Rose continued calmly and gracefully.

“But, as you know… Jasper and I, it’s a relationship that’s difficult to realize. It’s only natural for our relationship to be in a state of stagnation.”

Adela listened to Rose’s words without affirming or negating. Rose decided to pour out her current emotions transparently.

“Adela, you could use this aspect to capture Jasper’s heart. I have no intention of hindering you.”

Adela, who seemed lost in thought, responded.

“But you don’t have any intention of actively helping me either.”

“…Yes, it seems that’s not possible.”

The busy times when she pretended to connect Jasper with another girl flashed rapidly through her mind.

Now that she thought about it, it seemed utterly unrealistic and naive. In the end, she might be falling for Jasper herself.

Feelings weren’t calculated. She had thought it wasn’t just love, but the result turned out to be love.

Rose swallowed a sigh and spoke.

“Should I draw a clearer line and let go of Jasper? Maybe I’ve been vying for him aggressively. But… even if I’m selfish and don’t know my limits, I can’t bring myself to help him move on with someone else.”

She didn’t have the confidence to watch it calmly. It would undoubtedly be miserable and painful. Just like when she witnessed Adela and Jasper facing each other at the train station.

Adela, who seemed lost in thought for a while, calmly spoke.

“No. It’s not selfish. Isn’t it about staying true to each person’s feelings? Since you both aren’t lovers yet, I’ll do my best in my own way.”

Rose was surprised by how serene Adela appeared. 

“…I thought you’d be a bit more annoyed.”

“Is it necessary for us to hate each other like in a novel?” 

“Right. I don’t hate you, Adela.”

“Yes, me neither.”

A faint smile spread across Adela’s face, which had remained composed throughout. At that moment, she looked quite youthful, like a new student.

“But why do you like him?” 

Adela asked seriously.

Rose hadn’t seriously pondered this question. After all, she had only become aware of her feelings a mere few tens of minutes ago.

Without much deliberation, Rose blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“He’s affectionate.”

Adela’s eyes widened in surprise. It was the most significant change in Adela’s expression since they entered the tearoom.

Rose absentmindedly fiddled with her jacket pocket. The letter she had received from Jasper earlier was inside. She hadn’t yet checked its contents, but any sentence in it would likely make her heart swell.

Curious, Adela asked in a puzzled tone.

“Is that so? I like him because he’s indifferent. I don’t know how else to express it. Other boys are a bit… I’m not sure how to put it. They’re uneasy. Sometimes it’s even ridiculous.”

Even though Adela liked Jasper’s indifference and found that aspect appealing, it just felt oddly strange to Rose. Perhaps, being too popular, at some point, the attention might become burdensome and wearisome.

“However, wouldn’t you naturally feel tense in front of someone like you? I think even if I were a boy, I’d feel that way.”

“Why might that be? Is it because I’m the Count’s daughter and pretty?” 

Adela spoke in a tone that seemed to be merely confirming facts. There was no hint of arrogance or boastfulness.

Rose suddenly broke into a light smile. 

“You know it well. And your personality is charming.”

Even though she was undeniably an intimidating individual, Adela didn’t make Rose feel uncomfortable, which was quite fascinating.

“I appreciate you saying that. …Um, this is a completely different topic, but may I ask another question?”

“Of course.”

Adela hesitated for a moment, quite unlike when she boldly admitted her feelings for Jasper. Rose was both anxious and intrigued about what unexpected question Adela was about to ask.

Adela then brought up something entirely unexpected. 

“…I find the third law of motion in dynamics confusing.”

“Huh?”

Though it came out of nowhere, Rose’s eyes widened at the word, which, although surprising, was familiar to her.

‘Right. Adela did mention she wants to major in magic engineering.’

Adela’s words about liking magic engineering seemed sincere.

“They won’t cover dynamics formulas in the introductory lecture. Did you self-study it?”

Adela nodded slowly, looking a bit embarrassed. 

Just a few minutes ago, she had been composed and calm. It seemed like the point of embarrassment had shifted a little for her.

But Rose was genuinely delighted that they could talk about magic engineering.

“I might have some notes on mana dynamics. I don’t need them anymore, so I’ll give them to you.”

Adela asked, surprised and slightly shaky in her voice.

“Really? How much should I pay?”

“Hmm? I don’t need money.”

“But that’s valuable… Magic engineering majors would probably be willing to pay a lot for it.”

“It’s not my research, and I can’t sell lecture notes. Also, feel free to ask me any questions about magic engineering anytime without hesitation.”

“…Well, I think I know why he fell for you.”

“R-Really?”

“You’re affectionate. It’s challenging for me. I often hear that I have no expressions. This is something I just can’t overcome.”

Adela spoke quite seriously and earnestly. 

Rose took a sip of her lukewarm tea, thinking that her romantic rival was not an ordinary one.