Peace

Dawn, with moonlight pouring through the thin clouds. I had been watching Luna, who was fast asleep, for hours.

After showering together, we lay in bed talking, and Luna, unable to resist her fatigue, fell asleep. Just lying next to her and watching her filled me with a strange feeling, making it hard for me to fall asleep.

I spent the dawn discovering that she has long eyelashes and a cute habit of twitching her lips when I kiss her cheek.

Just watching my lovely girlfriend was enough to fill something deep inside my heart, a strange feeling that was both unfamiliar and pleasant.

The house was a bit far from the sea, so the surroundings were as silent as a graveyard, except for the occasional sound of waves in the distance.

Piercing through that silence, only Luna’s regular, soft breathing reached my ears like beautiful music.

Her sleeping face, with her eyes closed and lips tightly shut, was so lovely that I unconsciously ended up touching her.

Of course, all I did was gently stroke her cheeks or hair so as not to wake her, but that alone filled my heart with happiness.

The only thing I didn’t like about this perfect room was just one thing. For some reason, the number of glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling had increased since earlier.

Aria probably secretly stuck them on while I was preparing dinner. I’ll have to take them off and move them to Aria’s room tomorrow.

Gently stroking Luna’s hair, I watched her for a long time. Finally, Luna’s eyes twitched as if she was about to wake up.

I hastily closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep, and felt Luna stirring as if she was trying to get up.

A moment later, I felt Luna’s hand touching my cheek. A pleasant shiver ran down my spine following her fingertips.

Worried that I might wake up, Luna, with a cautious touch, stroked me and whispered in a very small voice.

,I love you.”

At those words, I couldn’t help but open my eyes and look at Luna. Our eyes met. Luna, not expecting me to be awake, looked at me with wide, startled eyes.

,I love you too.”

Hearing those words, Luna smiled beautifully and snuggled into my arms. I was truly grateful that just being together could be so comforting and happy.

***

In the morning, as we had said beforehand, Roel and Bella came to the clubroom to apologize.

I tried to leave to give them space, but they seemed to want me to stay by Luna’s side, so I silently stayed with Luna.

Bella sincerely apologized. Whether it was acting or her usual periodic political maneuvering, it was the satisfactory humble attitude I wanted.

She explained in detail how her actions were wrong, what misunderstandings (though they were lies I created) led her to do such a thing to Luna, and promised that such a thing would never happen again.

She said that she would visit Luna’s family during the vacation to formally apologize and offer a large compensation separately.

Roel also apologized to Luna for his girlfriend’s wrongdoing. Luna finally looked relieved at Roel’s repeated promises that there would be no further harm from this incident.

Considering what Bella had done, it would have been difficult to trust her easily. But Luna had no choice but to trust Roel, who was the top student in the grade for two years in a row and my own brother.

The two bowed their heads in apology one last time, and Roel suggested that if it was okay, he would like to treat us to a meal with me next semester.

For a clean finish and for my brother’s honor, I nodded, and Luna agreed as well.

The two of them left the clubroom after finishing their business. Roel seemed to have something to say to me, but he wasn’t so clueless as to intrude on the time with his soon-to-depart girlfriend.

The other members had made an appointment to visit in advance, so they were avoiding the situation and enjoying their last swim on the island.

That is, it meant that only Luna and I were in the clubroom.

A strange silence flowed between us. I nervously bit my fingernails.

Bella apologized, saying it was her fault, but Luna must have realized that I was the cause of the bullying. I was afraid of how she would react.

Was the clock in the clubroom always this loud? Just as I was thinking that, Luna, who had been sitting next to me silently organizing her thoughts, opened her mouth.

,Thank you. You must have worked hard to keep your promise….”

Seeing Luna looking at me with an apologetic expression, I felt ridiculous.

Could it be that I still don’t fully trust Luna? Thinking that, I let out a hollow laugh and said.

,I’m sorry.”

Luna tilted her head. She looked like she didn’t know why I was suddenly apologizing.

,I was worried that you would blame me… honestly.”

Only then did she seem to understand, and Luna smiled gently and shook her head.

,There’s no way I would do that to Ross-ssi. I know how hard you worked for me. I even saw you kneeling for me.”

I felt embarrassed at Luna’s words and scratched the back of my head.

,It’s not like Ross-ssi wanted that to happen, and it all started from a misunderstanding. You must have suffered alone trying to resolve that misunderstanding… I’m the one who’s sorry, for not being able to help when I was right beside you.”

Suddenly, the presumptuous thought crossed my mind: could I ever be hated by Luna?

I felt inexplicably happy and wanted to joke around.

,Haa, Luna-yang, you’ve given me a dilemma.”

Letting out a big sigh as if for her to hear, Luna looked at me with a flustered gaze.

,W-What kind of dilemma?”

,You’re so pretty, and you speak so beautifully, I’m struggling with what to praise first.”

Luna’s cheeks were flushed with a sly smile. Feeling embarrassed, Luna buried her face in my chest.

The fact that Luna still felt so shy around me made me feel strangely good.

,…Then don’t worry and just say everything. I’m always willing to listen to Ross-ssi.”

Stroking the back of Luna’s head as she spoke such lovely words again, I impulsively tried to kiss her.

,Ahem! I know you two are dating, but isn’t this a bit too hot for the clubroom?”

I snapped back to my senses at the sudden sound of Aria’s voice. Luna also seemed flustered and suddenly stood up.

,I know you’re sad to be breaking up! But the restaurant reservation time is here! Let’s hurry before we’re late!”

The previous conversation must have been longer than I thought. As Aria said, the clock was already pointing to lunchtime.

After having a pleasant lunch with the members at the restaurant Aria had reserved, we arrived at the portal station in the south of the capital.

It was finally time for everyone to leave for their respective homes.

,Okay, everyone, make sure you keep your promise to travel together! If you forget later, I’ll leave permanent teeth marks on your arms! I’ll also send letters from time to time, so make sure you reply!!! Especially Kane! If you don’t reply because you’re too lazy, you’re dead!”

Aria said, holding gifts from her parents in both hands.

,Let’s all meet again next time, having grown even more.”

Kane sighed softly at Lacar’s sincere words.

,Sigh, I wish I could stay at the academy too.”

Because he was the only one in his family who practiced alchemy, Kane didn’t get along well with his family. It might have been because of his status as an illegitimate child.

I was only guessing, since the details were personal.

However, he had no choice but to return home in order to pay for his academy tuition for the next semester.

I was sad to be parting with the members, but I pretended to be nonchalant so as not to show it.

,Hurry up and go. You have to go and wait 5 minutes early.”

Thanks to Aria, who loved to make a fuss, I learned that the magician in charge of the portal was very strict about time.

It wasn’t exactly information I wanted to remember, but Aria had explained it while flinging pasta noodles she had chewed on at my hand, so I couldn’t easily forget it.

,Okay, see you next time~! Luna too!!!”

,Ross-ssi, you don’t have to clean up what’s on the alchemy table, just leave it. That’s how I organized it in my style!”

,President, let’s see each other again in good shape. You can look forward to it.”

Everyone left a word with a regretful expression at my words and headed to the portal station building.

The portal heading east was a little later, so I decided to stay with Luna until the very end, even if it was just for a moment.

There was a churro shop outside the station, so I bought a churro with Luna’s favorite orange juice and sat down at an outside table.

Luna, who was cutely munching on the churro with her small mouth, suddenly shed tears.

Surprised by Luna’s sudden tears without any warning, I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped away her tears.

,Are you okay?”

,…I don’t want to break up. I want to be with Ross-ssi.”

To be honest, I was happy at Luna’s words. I had never had such a deep relationship with anyone that they would cry because they didn’t want to break up with me.

I felt conflicting emotions, happy about Luna’s tears but also wishing she wouldn’t cry. Confused, I moved to Luna’s side with a troubled expression and stroked her back to comfort her.

,I don’t want to break up either, but Luna, you should go home and have a good time with your family. You have to show your parents that your hands have gotten a lot better.”

I think I persuaded her with words like that. Luna, who was expressing with her whole body that she didn’t want to go, pouting her thick lips like a spoiled child, eventually took my hand and headed to the portal station.

It was time. It was really time to say goodbye now.

Knowing that as well, Luna, who had burrowed fiercely into my arms, was silent for a moment before looking up at me and saying.

,I’ll write to you often. Ross-ssi will be busy training, so you don’t have to reply every time. I’m just doing it because I want to tell Ross-ssi… and I’ll always miss Ross-ssi. Because I really love you so much.”

Luna said that and looked at me as if to gauge my expression.

If there is no mirror, you cannot see your own face. That means I don’t even know what kind of expression I’m making right now.

,Of course I’ll reply. I’ll send you letters first too. Because I still have so much I want to say to Luna. It’s just a temporary separation, but I’ll think of you every day as usual. So Luna, have a fun vacation without any worries. And sincerely… I love you.”

However, I could tell that my sincerity had been conveyed by Luna’s reaction, as she smiled brightly at my answer.

Listening to the voices and footsteps of people heading to the portal station, we shared one last kiss.

It was a short kiss, but it was sweeter and warmer than ever.