Chapter 527: Clearance Interlude

“Ahhh… that was fun…” Janica stretched her arms high, letting out a satisfied sigh as she walked beside me, the light breeze gently fluttering her hair.

“Yeah…” I replied, a bit dazed. And honestly? I meant it.

I knew she’d enjoy the casino—after all, that hidden personality trait of hers, the one that adored gambling and competitive games, was something few ever saw.

But I didn’t expect her to completely blaze through the entire casino floor like that.

Machine after machine, game after game… she swept through it all with a kind of focused glee that was both impressive and borderline terrifying.

Of course, we were careful. We stayed away from the games flagged too illegal or shady for students—even Clara warned me earlier.

Still, she managed to enjoy pretty much everything that was fair game.

Now we were walking down the glowing evening streets, heading back through the outer edge of the commercial district.

The faint sounds of city life—the humming of enchanted streetlamps, the passing chatter of other students and citizens—added to the peaceful atmosphere.

“Hehe… I didn’t expect I’d have so much fun there,” Janica said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Thanks, Riley.”

“Don’t mention it.” I glanced at her with a soft smile. “I just wanted to cheer you up.”

“I see…” Her voice grew quieter, her gaze dropping slightly as she looked down at her feet. A soft smile played on her lips—subtle, but sincere.

There was a pause.

Then she spoke again, her voice a little more thoughtful this time.

“You know, Riley… I think I was actually wrong about you.”

“Hm?” I turned to her, arching a brow.

“About… a lot of things, actually,” she continued, her expression softening. “I didn’t think you were the type to be… well, personally silly. But today, I realized something. Maybe I should’ve known. Maybe you’ve always been like this from the very beginning…”

She looked up at me then, eyes shimmering in the glow of the nearby lights.

“That’s why… once again, thank you—for giving me such a wonderful date.”

For a moment, I didn’t know how to respond as I tilted my head at her words.

“Please don’t think too much about it. I’m just… honestly expressing myself right now.”

“Is that so…” I said, watching her for a moment.

………

It didn’t take long before we reached our destination.

Tucked away near the Stradfield Line—just beyond the bustling footpaths of the academy—was a small place most people didn’t even know existed.

A quiet, secluded ledge nestled slightly above the rest of the city.

Overgrown bushes veiled the narrow path leading to it, and even during the day, hardly anyone passed by.

It was a sort of secret hideaway—a personal sanctuary.

One that, as far as I could tell, only I knew about.

“Where are we, Riley?” Janica asked, looking around curiously.

“Probably… the corner of nowhere,” I replied with a grin.

“Huh?”

“Just think of it as a secret spot. No crowds. No noise. Just this.”

The area opened out just past a lonely tree whose branches fanned outward like protective wings. Its leaves rustled softly in the wind.

At the edge, a short railing lined the drop, offering a stunning, panoramic view of the city below.

Spires and towers glistened under the setting sun, with cabled rails and floating airships weaving between the skyline like clockwork gears in motion.

Behind us was a tiny, long-forgotten tea stall, and a few weathered benches shaded by overgrowth.

This place always had a strange magic to it.

A peaceful corner of the world where time felt slower.

Janica walked up to the edge, her red hair dancing gently in the wind, and stared down at the shimmering city.

Her emerald eyes widened slightly with awe.

“Wow…”

A soft, genuine smile touched her lips.

I took a seat on one of the benches nearby, quietly watching her as she took it all in.

In all honesty, this wasn’t just a personal spot.

In the original game, this was one of the highest bond-point locations with her.

A hidden flag, of sorts—a place where characters opened up and where relationships could quietly shift.

I glanced away with a subtle smirk. Even in this world, I guess some things still held true.

After a moment, Janica turned and slowly walked over.

Without a word, she sat beside me, the wooden bench creaking slightly under her weight.

The world seemed to hush.

Only the rustling of leaves and the faint hum of the city below filled the silence between us.

Then, softly—

“Riley… can I ask you something?”

Her voice was quiet, but there was a weight behind it.

I turned to her, only to meet her gaze—steady and serious.

This wasn’t just idle talk anymore.

She was finally letting herself open up.

“Sure.”

A beat passed.

Then she asked, “What do you do… if someone hurts you?”

I blinked, surprised by the sudden weight of the question.

My eyes narrowed slightly as I considered it.

“…I guess it depends on the context. And how badly they hurt me.” I paused. “But normally? I’d probably hate them. At least at first.”

She looked down at her hands, fingers lightly clasping together.

There was something fragile in the way she held herself then.

“Then… what if you were the one who caused the pain?”

That hit a little deeper.

I didn’t answer right away. My eyes drifted to the cityscape, thinking over my words.

“…I don’t know.” I said finally. “But if it really was my fault—if I was the reason they got hurt—then I’d have to own up to it. Live with it.”

I glanced at her again.

“And try to make it right… if I still can.”

She didn’t say anything for a while, just looked down, absorbing my answer.

The wind picked up again, blowing strands of her red hair across her cheek.

She brushed them away with one hand, then leaned back against the bench, eyes focused on the distant lights of the academy’s upper spires.

“Riley…” Janica’s voice was quieter now, almost hesitant. “You’ve probably noticed by now, right?”

I looked at her.

There was no need to ask what she meant.

The weight in her voice said it all.

The slightly forced smile, the way her eyes kept drifting to the ground, the tension beneath her casual words all throughout the day—it had all been building to this.

“Yeah…” I said softly.

She gave a breathy laugh, not out of amusement, but resignation. “Haha… What did I expect? I mean—it was obvious, wasn’t it? This whole… thing today—it was part of it, right?”

I looked up at the twilight sky for a moment, then turned back to her. “I wouldn’t say my intentions were all that clear. But… I just wanted to help you out. However I could.”

Her eyes softened.

“Thanks… really. That means more than you probably realize.” Her tone grew gentler, a bit more honest. “And, well… today was actually a lot more fun than I expected. You helped me forget things—just for a while. And that kind of momentary peace… it’s more of a blessing than I realized.”

She paused, and her expression became distant.

“But I guess I can’t keep running from it forever, huh?”

Her fingers fidgeted on her lap, and I could feel her trying to summon the courage.

“I won’t beat around the bush, Riley. So I’ll just say it straight. Something happened between me and Lucas. And I… I honestly don’t know what to do anymore.”

Her words were calm, but her voice betrayed the shakiness underneath. The crack she was trying so hard to keep hidden.

“I know I shouldn’t be dragging you into this. It’s not your burden. But… you’ve already gone out of your way, and I… I don’t think I can keep this all bottled up anymore.”

She turned to me, and for a moment her emerald eyes met mine with a quiet plea.

“Would you be willing to hear me out?”

I nodded without hesitation. “Of course. That’s what I’ve been here for. From the start.”

That looming issue—the quiet weight that had been hanging between her and Lucas—it was finally surfacing. I braced myself for what I assumed would be a long, tangled story.

But then she said—

“I confessed my feelings to Lucas.”

“E-Excuse me?”

She dropped the bomb right at my feet.

“But as I half-expected… he rejected me.”

’This girl just went straight into the climax’

……

“Do you think I was in the wrong there, Riley?”

Her voice was quiet, uncertain—something I wasn’t used to hearing from Janica.

After a long and emotionally tangled explanation, she had finally laid it all bare—what really happened between her and Lucas.

It was a relief, honestly, that she opened up.

But also… what a mess.

From what I gathered, the whole thing started because of someone interfering in their usual rhythm—most likely Evelyn, just as I had suspected.

The way Janica told it, her feelings had spiked uncontrollably.

A rush of jealousy, of insecurity.

And in that emotional storm, she did something impulsive: she confessed to Lucas.

No build-up, no gentle lead-in, no proper groundwork.

Just… heat-of-the-moment honesty.

To be fair, I couldn’t really blame her.

It was chaos.

And in chaos, people make choices not because they’re ready—but because they’re afraid of what will happen if they don’t.

Still, even if I now understood what happened, the situation felt deeper than she’d described.

And if Evelyn was involved, then this whole mess was even more complicated than just unspoken feelings.

I paused before speaking, trying to find the right words.

“I don’t know if it’s about being right or wrong, really…” I began. “But I do think you were being a little too forceful—and maybe, a bit selfish toward Lucas.”

She looked at me, startled—but she didn’t interrupt. So I continued.

“Yes, you’ve had feelings for him. That much is clear. But… just because you love someone doesn’t mean they’re obligated to return that love.”

Janica’s brows furrowed. “But… he should’ve known. I mean, from how close we were… from how I’ve always tried to be there for him. And then he just goes and flirts with another woman right in front of me?”

“You can’t control what he does.” I said gently. “And besides—these signs you say you’ve been giving him… were they really clear? Were they romantic? Or were they just part of the friendship you’ve always had?”

She blinked. Her lips parted to respond but no words came out.

“You’ve always been by his side, sure. But did you ever actually pursue him? In a romantic sense? Did you ever make your intentions known clearly before that confession?”

“…..”

“You’re upset because someone else entered the picture. I get that. But… you had all the time in the world. If the other person is the one you’re mad at, you need to ask yourself—are you really angry at her? Or are you mad at yourself for waiting too long?”

Janica looked down at her hands.

“But… I loved him first.” she whispered.

I nodded. “Exactly. That’s your privilege. You had the head start. But that doesn’t mean just because you were the beginning… you’re automatically the ending.”

Silence settled between us.

She didn’t respond—not immediately. Her face was unreadable, a swirl of conflicting emotions barely held together. The truth was painful. But it had to be said.

Because someone had to help her see clearly, even if it wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

“I’ve always known you loved Lucas, Janica.”

My voice was quiet, calm—neither accusatory nor sympathetic, just honest. “So I don’t think the blame falls entirely on you, especially considering how dense he is.”

She let out a soft, ironic laugh at that. Even in pain, the truth could still amuse her.

“You two are childhood friends, after all. Your love for each other is obvious… but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same kind of love. Or even that it’s real in the way you hoped it would be. I think?”

Her expression shifted, lips parting as if to speak, but she hesitated.

“You think what he feels for me isn’t real…?” she asked quietly, eyes meeting mine with a hint of vulnerability she rarely let show.

“I didn’t say that. Maybe what he feels is real. Just not… the same kind of real you’re hoping for.” I took a breath. “You also mentioned earlier that you were hesitant to confess. Why was that? What made you hold yourself back all this time?”

Janica looked at me for a moment, studying me in silence—then turned her gaze away, looking down at her knees, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.

“I was confused.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I kept questioning if what I felt for him was truly love… or if it was just comfort. Familiarity. Habit. And then… there were these two contradictory feelings constantly pulling me apart….” she looked at me with a pause before continuing “Part of me wanted to hold on. The other… wanted to run.”

She let out a slow breath, as if releasing the weight of her own thoughts.

“When your heart and mind are at war like that, you start second-guessing everything. And before I realized it… those doubts had taken root. They wrapped around me, pulled me under, and by the time I tried to act, Lucas’s heart had already begun swaying toward someone else.”

I didn’t interrupt.

“But even so… even if he hurt me, I don’t hate him.” She smiled, but there was no joy in it. “I love him. I really do. But I’ve come to understand—he doesn’t belong to me. And maybe he never did.”

She paused, eyes drifting to the sky as if trying to keep the tears from forming.

“If he’s happy with someone else… then I’m happy for him. If he decides to walk away from me, then… that’s fine too.” Her voice trembled slightly. “But even if that’s how things end… even if he chooses someone else…”

Her voice cracked, her hands curling tightly into fists.

“I still want to stay by his side. I don’t want him to leave me behind.”

The ache in her words was raw. Real. The kind of pain that comes not from losing someone—but from not knowing if you ever had them in the first place.

I took a slow breath.

“Then…” I asked softly, “Why did you push him away?”

Silence.

Janica didn’t speak.

Her lips parted slightly, then closed again.

Her eyes were wide, overwhelmed, caught between the truths she wanted to say and the ones she didn’t want to face.

Her emotions swirled behind them—hurt, confusion, longing… regret.

“I—I don’t know…”

Her voice trembled, caught in that narrow space between fear and uncertainty.

She truly didn’t know.

And I could see it clearly now—how lost she was.

Even after everything we’d talked about, all the truths she had just admitted to, she still stood in the middle of it all… paralyzed by indecision.

Despite everything I’ve experienced with people, despite all the complex relationships I’ve come to understand—this kind of emotional mess wasn’t exactly my specialty.

But I couldn’t just leave her like this. If nothing else, she needed someone to push her in the right direction.

A proper, clear answer.

I stood up from the bench, brushing the dust off my pants as the city lights shimmered in the distance behind us.

“You should go and talk to Lucas.”

She blinked at me, startled. “Huh…?”

“Talk to him. Face him. You two need to resolve this—properly. Trust me… that idiot is probably starting to realize his mistakes. And so are you.”

Her hand reached out almost reflexively, gripping the cuff of my sleeve with a kind of desperation. She stood up slowly, her eyes searching mine.

“But… I ignored him. I pushed him away…” Her voice cracked again. “I’m sure he hates me by now.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Then how do you know?” she asked softly, hurt flickering behind her emerald gaze.

I paused for a moment, looking away as I let out a quiet breath.

“I just know.”

Because the truth is… I’ve seen myself in him far too many times.

I’ve watched that damn protagonist trip over his own feelings, get hurt, get rejected, and still find it in himself to care.

To forgive. He was stubborn like that—too kind, too understanding for his own good.

A push like yours, Janica… it wouldn’t be enough to drive someone like Lucas away.

If anything, right now… he’s probably wishing he could see you more than anyone else.

“You still matter to him. I’m sure of it.” I said, softer this time.

I stepped back, gently easing her grip from my sleeve.

“I’ve done what I can for now. The rest is up to you.”

She looked at me—really looked.

Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something more.

But no words came out. Just the sound of the wind passing through the leaves, the city humming quietly below us.

I could see the doubt still lingering in her eyes.

Of course she was scared.

Of course she wasn’t sure.

’Goddess, why did these two lovebirds have to make everything so damn complicated?’

Then again… part of that complication was my fault, too.

“Just go. See him. Talk to him, even if it’s hard. You won’t regret it.”

I gave her a slight smile. “You owe yourself that much, Janica. And so does he.”

“W-Wait, please…”

Her voice broke.

“The truth is… I haven’t really been honest with you yet…”

I paused, eyes locking with hers.

Well… same could be said for me.

There were a few things I hadn’t been completely honest about either.

But right now, none of that mattered.

The most important thing was still the same—it was her meeting with Lucas.

That came first.

I raised my right hand and, without saying anything, gently placed it on her head.

My fingers threaded softly through her red hair, and I gave her a comforting pat.

“I don’t know what you were about to say, and you don’t need to say it right now.”

I looked into her eyes—those uncertain, tear-glossed eyes.

“And maybe I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking, either. But if you can’t trust me, then at least trust yourself.”

She blinked, her lips trembling.

“Yeah, maybe you’ve been selfish. Maybe you’ve acted foolish, or too emotional. Maybe even a little annoying sometimes. But so what? That’s what it means to be human, Janica.”

Her expression trembled.

“Even the most logical people make irrational choices. Even the kindest ones hurt others. We all stumble through the same mess. You’re not some broken exception. You’re just… a person.”

I smiled gently. “And I think you’re doing the best you can.”

There was silence.

Then her expression cracked completely—emotion flooding her features like a dam breaking.

The fear, the guilt, the confusion… it all came pouring out at once. And with it came the tears.

One by one, they fell silently down her cheeks.

“Haha… I guess… you’re right…” she whispered, laughing quietly through the sobs as she tried to wipe them away with her hands. “Damn it… I didn’t want to cry…”

She turned her head slightly, embarrassed, trying to hide her face with the back of her hands.

But it was no use.

The tears kept flowing, freely now. And even through the tears—

She looked beautiful.

Raw.

Honest.

Vulnerable.

“Don’t cry too much… You’re much more beautiful when you smile.”

She paused at that, blinking through the blur, and then glanced at me.

A soft, wobbly chuckle escaped her lips as she lightly squirmed in embarrassment, cheeks flushing.

Even crying, even breaking down—Janica still found a way to laugh.

That was her strength.

One she probably never even realized she had.

I was about to let go.

Her tears had slowed.

Her breathing, steadier.

My hand, once gently resting on her head, began to slide away as I prepared to give her the space—and the push—she needed.

But then—

—Grab!

A strong, almost punishing grip clamped down on my right arm.

It wasn’t clumsy or impulsive.

It was deliberate. Firm. Controlled. And laced with unspoken anger.

“What… did you do to her?”

The voice came low and steady—but it carried weight.

It wasn’t just a question. It was an accusation.

“L-Lucas?”

Janica gasped, spinning around, her eyes wide in disbelief.

This bastard finally decided to show up.

Took him long enough.

I didn’t even need to look at him to guess what he’s thinking about me right now…

Mana sparked instinctively in my fingertips.

Crackle.

BZZZZTT—!

A ripple of electric energy surged down my arm.

The moment it touched his skin, Lucas recoiled as if struck by a bolt of lightning, his grip snapping away from mine.

“You’re finally here…”

I muttered, turning to face him, my voice calm despite the buzz still dancing on my knuckles.

His brows furrowed, caught between confusion and realization.

I didn’t give him a chance to speak.

“Go and take care of her now.”

I gave him a wave—not friendly, but final.

Electricity gathered around me like a halo—A storm cloaking my body in silvery blue light.

Then—

[Hidden Blade Technique: Second Form]

[New Moon]

Fwoosh—

In the blink of an eye, I vanished in a trail of lightning.

The last thing I saw was Lucas’s stunned face and Janica turning to him, tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes.

I hoped she’d find her clearance with this….

Since there’s still a bit more time…. I should probably visit Seo.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep