Right after the glitter faded from the festival's night sky, reality struck with cruel timing: the dreaded midterms.
"Ren, exams… what're those again?" Lilia tilted her head, nibbling on a pencil like it was candy.
Ren sighed deeply. "They're tests. That decide your future. And grades. And sanity."
"W-What?! Why didn't anyone warn me that humans use such torture devices!?"
"You were too busy eating yakisoba and winning goldfish last week," he muttered, rubbing his temples.
Sayaka, who'd been silently flipping through a thick biology textbook at the far end of the classroom, peered over her glasses. "If you fail, Princess, I'm not sure your 'brother' will be able to protect you."
Lilia pouted, glancing at Ren. "He won't let anything happen to me… right?"
Ren tried not to choke on air. "Stop looking at me like that… And don't say things that'll cause misunderstandings."
THE NEXT DAY MORNING:
"NOOOOOOO!"
That scream came from Lilia's room.
Ren, holding a mug of coffee, didn't even flinch anymore. It was the third scream today.
He casually knocked on her door. "You forgot what Pi equals again?"
Lilia burst out of her room like a tornado, hair wild and books flying from her arms. "WHY DOES MATH HAVE LETTERS IN IT?! I THOUGHT THIS WAS NUMBERS!!"
Ren sipped his coffee. "Algebra."
"WITCHCRAFT."
He blinked at her. "…It's literally high school."
"I can't do this, Ren!" she wailed, dramatically collapsing onto the floor. "My brain has fled the country like I did!"
Ren sighed. "Then I guess I'll have to drag it back like I dragged you from that alley."
Lilia looked up with stars in her eyes. "Wow… you're so cool sometimes."
"Focus."
They all gathered at Ren's flat the next afternoon. Lilia sat cross-legged on the floor surrounded by notebooks, her face a blend of confusion and despair. Kaito sat beside her, trying to explain equations while munching on chips. Sayaka, ever elegant, sat upright and kept trying to out-answer Kaito on every question.
And then came Lorenzo, the new transfer student. No one called him that though. He was "Leo" — Ren's mysterious butler-in-hiding. Dressed smartly even in casual wear, he walked in holding a tray of tea.
"Even while studying, the young master deserves proper service," he said with a bow. "And Lady Lilia, perhaps a scone for motivation?"
Kaito blinked. "...Why do I feel like this guy's not normal?"
"Because he isn't," Ren muttered under his breath.
Leo joined the group study without even asking. "I'll take care of explaining world history. I taught the young master once—"
"I passed that exam by myself," Ren shot back.
"After I told you what was likely to appear," Leo said with a smirk.
Sayaka narrowed her eyes. "This butler guy... knows Ren pretty well."
Lilia, overwhelmed by the number of words on the page, suddenly slammed her head onto the table. "Uwaahhh... these symbols are dancing! They're mocking me!"
Ren blinked. "That's math."
"It's evil."
Despite the chaos, something amazing happened.
Hours passed. Lilia began remembering formulas. She even solved one entire algebra problem by herself. Everyone applauded like she'd discovered a new element.
"I… I did it!" she squealed, eyes sparkling.
"Good job," Ren muttered, giving her a small smile.
The Big Day
Somehow, by pure miracle (and Ren's genius), Lilia actually remembered stuff. The exams came. She filled the pages. She didn't even cry.
And when the results came…
"PAAAAAAAAASSSSEEEEDDD!!!" Lilia screamed, waving her paper in the classroom.
Ren casually leaned on the wall, arms crossed. "Told you. Not impossible."
Lilia ran across the room and threw her arms around him. "REN!!! I DID IT!!"
The class gasped.
Ren froze. His arms stuck in mid-air. His ears turned bright red.
Lilia was too happy to notice. "You're the best teacher ever! I'm gonna make you cookies or name my firstborn after you!"
Ren blinked. "…Please don't."
"Renina it is!"
Sayaka stood at the door with her mouth open.
Kaito smirked. "Siblings, huh?"
All the guys in the class froze. Some dropped their lunches. Others looked like they were about to cry.
"Dude… I study like mad and no girl ever hugs me," one muttered.
"Why does that guy always win…" another whispered bitterly.
Boys in the class: How is HE living the dream?!
Girls in the class: How is SHE hugging HIM!?
Sayaka: I will destroy her smile with my bare hands.
Meanwhile, Leo coughed into his fist. "Ah, young emotions. So pure."
Later that evening, back at the flat, Ren sat on the balcony, sipping juice and staring at the sky.
Leo joined him. "She's getting attached to you, you know."
Ren didn't answer right away. "She's… unpredictable. Annoying. Loud. Always messing things up."
A pause.
"But I'm glad she passed."
Leo chuckled. "I served you since you were a child. I've seen you act cold to nobles and diplomats. But this girl… you let her stay."
Ren didn't reply, but his soft gaze told the truth.
And somewhere inside, Ren knew: it wasn't about duty or obligation anymore.
It was only a matter of time now.