Mei had been feeling a bit off lately.
For starters, ever since yesterday's class ended, Kevyn had stopped pulling all those antics and confessing her feelings in front of her.
Without Kevyn's 'harassment,' Mei found she could focus much better on her academic research.
She was quite pleased about that, and it even made her view Kevyn in a slightly more favorable light.
After all, Kevyn, with her rare and beautiful long white hair, was actually quite captivating.
Add to that her delicate features, those sky-blue clear eyes that felt like gazing into the heavens when they met yours, and her cheerful personality—so opposite to Mei's own gloom—every aspect of her was rather endearing.
Even if Mei was reluctant to admit it, she had to acknowledge that Kevyn truly had charm.
It would've been even better if she hadn't barged so roughly into her life.
Now that she'd gotten her wish...
Wait, why was she starting to notice how Kevyn always dashed to the back of the classroom after class?
So, Kevyn's interest in her really was just a passing fancy, huh?
It seemed her decision not to easily accept the other's advances was indeed the wise one.
Then, just as Mei was feeling a little down over Kevyn having lost interest in her—this didn't mean Mei had fallen for Kevyn, it's just that anyone would feel a bit pleased after being confessed to, and when that affection faded so quickly, it was hard not to question oneself a little—
Anyway, right at that moment, Mei discovered that Kevyn hadn't actually given up. She'd just switched to a method that suited and was more acceptable to Mei.
For example, today, Kevyn brought a Walkman to class, filled with songs by a rising singer named Eden.
After class, Kevyn insisted on sharing one of the earphones with her.
Alright, Mei admitted, at first she really wasn't interested.
She just thought listening to music might block out the classroom noise during break, helping her focus on her studies, so she reluctantly accepted one earpiece.
But she never expected that Eden's music and voice would instantly resonate within her.
For once, she stopped reading and taking notes on her documents, quietly listening to the music flowing from the earpiece.
When the song ended, and Kevyn paused the next track to ask for her thoughts, Mei, still wanting more, said honestly, "I didn't expect... you'd like this kind of music."
Kevyn clearly missed the subtext of Mei's words, thinking Mei was praising her good taste.
So, Kevyn put on a rare, somewhat self-satisfied expression and invited Mei:
"Mei, in fourteen days, Eden is holding a concert in Nagazora City. Want to go together?"
Mei hesitated at that.
If it were Eden's concert, she wouldn't mind going to listen.
But... just the two of them? Wouldn't that count as a date?
Mei felt she couldn't send Kevyn the wrong message.
Seeing Mei about to refuse, Kevyn quickly added, "It's not just the two of us. I've invited my best friend Su, who's studying in Sapphire City—by the way, her grades are excellent too, you two would probably have a lot in common. Also, from our class, Durandal and Elysia..."
Worried Mei might not know who they were—since Mei paid no attention to anything outside her studies—Kevyn specifically added, "They're the two who transferred with me. They're coming too. So there will be five of us in total."
Actually, Mei wanted to say she wasn't particularly fond of crowded gatherings.
But, the refusal on the tip of her tongue was swallowed back when she remembered Durandal and Elysia were among the group.
It wasn't that Mei was particularly interested in them now.
It was just because Mei had realized that lately, Kevyn always ran to the back of the classroom after class—and that was exactly where Durandal and Elysia sat.
"If I have time that day."
Mei didn't agree directly.
Even so, it was enough to put a huge smile on Kevyn's face.
At that moment, Kevyn was genuinely impressed by Durandal in her heart.
Before, when she used her own methods to get Mei's attention, not only did they fail, she even sensed a trace of impatience in Mei's eyes.
That was why Kevyn had mustered the courage to ask Durandal for advice.
After all, no matter what, she didn't want Mei to dislike her.
She just never expected Durandal's method to work so effectively.
In just one day, Mei, who had previously been indifferent to her, didn't outright refuse the invitation to Eden's concert. This was absolutely a milestone achievement.
Of course, Kevyn felt that Eden's music deserved some credit too.
So, no more words—she was definitely going to be an Eden fan for life!
After the second class, Kevyn lent her entire Walkman to Mei, then ran to the back of the classroom to report the results of her new strategy to Durandal.
"Durandal, you're amazing! No wonder you can..."
As she spoke, Kevyn's gaze meaningfully flicked towards Elysia.
Elysia: ?
Durandal, afraid Kevyn might say something shocking, could only clear her throat to draw Kevyn's attention.
"Ahem, Kevyn, you...?"
So, Kevyn vividly described how, after the first class, she used Eden's music to bridge the gap with Mei and successfully invited her to join them for Eden's concert.
Durandal didn't have the heart to point out that Mei hadn't actually agreed directly.
But, based on Durandal's understanding of Mei, if there was truly no chance, Mei would have refused outright, not said something so ambiguous.
"Wait... Eden's concert... and I'm going too? Why didn't I know about this?"
Elysia couldn't be bothered digging into whatever secret was between Kevyn and Durandal, but when it concerned herself, she couldn't just let it slide.
Hearing this, Kevyn knew she was in trouble.
But she was loyal. So, facing Elysia's questioning look, she immediately pointed straight at Durandal without hesitation.
Durandal: "..."
Thus, Elysia also turned her gaze towards Durandal.
"You know now, don't you?"
Durandal stated matter-of-factly.
Hearing Durandal say something so 'justified' with such conviction, Kevyn felt nothing but admiration inside.
After all, this really was Durandal's fault for not discussing it with Elysia beforehand.
So, when would she herself be able to have that kind of confidence in front of Mei?
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