Chapter 124: Comfort
"Ugh, I don’t want to do this anymore." I looked at Andy after he said that. It’s self-study time and the teachers aren’t around. "How come you’re not complaining at all, Ellie?" He turned to me while he rested his head on his desk.
"It’s rare for you to read books quietly like that. Before, you would always complain and start playing with your phone."
Ace slapped Andy’s back because of that. "Why are you trying to make her go back to being lazy?" She asked. ’Was I really lazy back then?’ I thought as I smiled.
"It’s great that Noelle’s focusing on her studies. If she doesn’t, she won’t be able to pass the test."
I scratched my cheek. It’s not that I really want to study right now, but it’s just because I don’t have much of a choice. Ever since I asked Night to tutor me again, he’s been enthusiastic that it kind of surprised me. He told me not to sleep in class and always focus on the lessons.
Night also banned me from lazing around and doing something else when it was study time. To be honest, I didn’t expect Night to fulfill his promise to me, he hasn’t called me stupid even though I’ve been a slow learner all this time. Instead, Night tells me that it’s alright.
"He’s been weirdly kind to me these days."
"Who is?"
I froze after realizing that I said that aloud making my friends look at me.
"Hoho? Is your relationship with... that guy going well?" Andy hesitated to mention Night’s name so he just called him ’that guy’ with a smile on his face.
"I actually prefer that blonde hottie more than your crush right now, but I guess if he’s treating you well, then it’s fine." He said making his eyebrows go up and down as if teasing me.
"What are you guys talking about?" We all looked at the person standing in front of my desk. "It feels like it’s been so long since I last talked to you people," Ryzen said with a huge smile on his face.
"Who cares about you? Just ignore him."
"Well, that’s mean, Andrei. I wonder why you hate me so much."
I wonder too, Andy used to really like Ryzen before. Was it because Ryzen unknowingly rejected Andy when we were younger? "So, are you guys free to talk right now?" Ryzen asked.
"Why?" Ace asked back as she took a sit.
Ryzen sat on the chair in front of Andy as he showed us five tickets. "I actually got this from my friend and it’s free." He said with a blinding smile.
"That’s a ticket for what?"
"For that newly opened museum near the xxx park," Ryzen said. He gave us the tickets even though we haven’t said our answers yet. "I’m proud to say that one of my artworks is going to be exhibited there. That’s why I wanted to give everyone tickets, and these tickets have no expiration. You can only use it once, but you can use it whenever." He explained.
"Wait... your artwork?" Ace raised an eyebrow. "Isn’t that such a big deal? Your art is already being showcased despite being an amateur." She said.
I agreed. Ryzen’s so talented and kind that sometimes I wonder what goes inside his head. Lots of people from the art department of Westside University were trying to scout Ryzen, although I don’t think that will make him feel enough since he could go to art schools overseas.
"It will make me happy if you go, Noelle." He said while looking at me.
"Why? Do you have feelings for Ellie too?" I immediately slapped Andy’s arm after he said that. ’Why does he need to say it like that? It’s not like Ryzen would really have feelings for me.’
Ryzen laughed. "I know Noelle’s really pretty, but there’s no way I could have a chance." He said. He’s not denying what Andy said, instead, he’s saying that?
"I’ll be there after the exams so you guys should visit. And here, I think you’ll like this." Before leaving, Ryzen gave me a strawberry milk candy.
"So Ryzen was in love with Noelle too." Ace said in conclusion.
"You’re only noticing now?" Andy sighed. "That’s why he rejected me. Because he had always been interested in Ellie." It was my fault that Andy got hurt when we were younger. I really didn’t know that Ryzen sees me like that.
’What about Carla? What if she learned of this?’
"It’ll hurt Carla if she knew."
"Carla? I think she already knew that. Everyone knew that." Andy said. "It was only Ellie who didn’t know. Must be because you were focused on Night."
Ryzen liked me since way back? Not just friends, but he saw me in a romantic light? How will I believe such a thing? Who would look at me like that?
"But he said that he sees me like a younger sister."
"That’s the present, but before, he was smitten by you too."
’Too? Why does Andy keep using that word as if it’s not only Ryzen?’
"Let’s stop talking about that and go back to studying. There are only two days left."
I agreed. This examination will determine if I could graduate with my friends or not, I need to focus!
After studying my butt off at school, Kenji fetched me, and looks like he wanted to say something to me but couldn’t because of Kaoru being inside the car with us.
"Does the lady want some ice cream to comfort you from all the stress because of school?" He asked out of the blue while looking at the rear mirror. It’s not like him to ask something random like that.
"Sure."
Kenji stopped the car right in front of an ice cream parlor. "Here, buy the lady some ice cream." He told Kaoru and the innocent guy obeyed without asking many questions. When he left, I waited for Kenji to say something, but he was not saying anything at all.
"What is it?"
I saw how he balled his fists. "I don’t know if this makes me look nosy, but I want the lady to comfort the young master later." He said.
’Comfort? What does he mean?’
"I know that the young master and the lady will have another study session later, but I don’t think the young master will be okay."
"Why not?"
Kenji looked out the window. "It’s because the oyabun had called for him this early morning. He was told to come directly to the office after class."
"And what does that do with me comforting him?"
"As the lady knows, the oyabun could be harsh towards the young master." That’s right, grandpa Kenta’s stricter towards Night than me.
"That is because he has high expectations from the young master, and when the young master fails to reach those expectations, the oyabun gets angry. This might look silly to the lady, but the young master isn’t mentally strong when it comes to the oyabun’s harsh words. He often gets sleepless nights after being scolded, and his perfectionist side always gets triggered."
Kenji turned to me. "The only time when the young master fell asleep well was when he started sleeping with the lady." Does that even make sense?
"We would always need medicine and sleeping pills to help him before, but now, he doesn’t need it anymore."
I looked at my hands after hearing that. Am I really able to help Night fall asleep well?
"If the young master’s mood turns sour again today, I apologize in advance on his behalf," Kenji said as he bowed his head. "The young master wasn’t good at controlling his emotions, most especially his anger. I know that the lady doesn’t have the obligations to deal with him but—"
"You don’t have to say more." I smiled. "I already get it."
"Milady! There are only chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavor left. I bought it all for you." Kaoru arrived with the ice cream in his hands. "Was it alright?"
I nodded. "Thank you."
Kenji started driving us home, and I could already feel my heart beating faster. Will Night lash out at me again because he’s angry? I hope not.
’I don’t want to see him like that anymore, and I don’t want to hate him again.’
When we arrived at the mansion, Rika greeted me with an awkward look on her face. "Did something happen?" I asked her but she couldn’t answer, and it looks like the other servants were also conscious of something.
"The young master had just arrived," Rika said. "Uhm... he said not to let the miss go to the room." The room? Does he mean our room?
"Why?" I walked into the hallway while Rika followed me.
"I-I don’t really know either, young miss. But the young master looks like he’s in a foul mood." Rika said as we reached my room. "I-I think the miss should stay in her own room for this day."
"Hmm, is that so?" I said as I looked in the hallway. Should I really just leave him be? No.
"Young miss? Where are you going? Young miss!"
