Ch.52Secret (2)

I stared blankly at Marie, completely unable to comprehend the situation. Her expression was a mixture of anxiety, impatience, and anger.

She was also clutching a book preciously to her chest, which appeared to be the newly released Biography of Xenon volume 9. I looked back and forth between Marie’s face and the Biography of Xenon, feeling greatly confused.

Not only was Marie’s timing strange, but I also wondered how she even knew where to find us. Had she accidentally discovered us while visiting this café, or had she been following us?

While I was still confused, Marie’s intense gaze shifted behind me—precisely to where Cecilly was sitting.

After staring at Cecilly for a long while, she returned her gaze to me. Her blue eyes were filled with strong suspicion.

“…Issac.”

Marie called my name in a chilling voice. I responded with a hesitant “Huh?” as I faced her.

She stared at my face intently once more before curling up the corners of her mouth. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“Your face is red?”

“… …”

I couldn’t easily answer Marie’s question. No, it was impossible to answer in this situation.

Because until just moments ago, I had nearly gotten into trouble with Cecilly. If Marie hadn’t barged in, things would likely have progressed further. Only a strange person would proudly admit to that.

But that wasn’t the important thing. The priority was figuring out how to answer Marie’s question.

“Well…”

“Cecilly was playing tricks again, right?”

Marie cut in sharply while I was hesitating and mumbling. As I mentioned earlier, though her mouth was smiling, her eyes weren’t, making the situation feel somewhat eerie.

It felt like being caught red-handed by a girlfriend while cheating. Marie’s interrogating tone and the overall atmosphere made it feel that way.

“Right?”

“… …”

Now Marie was looking past me at Cecilly behind me, seeking confirmation. At the same time, her voice trembled slightly, and her blue eyes began to shake as if an earthquake had struck.

I slowly nodded, thinking that avoiding an answer any longer would cause trouble. It wasn’t a lie—Marie’s expression looked like she might cry at any moment.

When I nodded, Marie seemed slightly relieved and straightened her curled lips. Then she shifted her gaze from Cecilly back to me and said coldly:

“…Can I talk to Cecilly alone for a bit?”

“… …”

After hearing Marie’s question, I looked back at Cecilly. I didn’t mind, but I wondered if she would allow it.

When Cecilly met my eyes, her stiff expression softened, and she smiled gently while nodding. It was a sign of acceptance.

I wondered what she was thinking to give permission. While I was pondering this, Cecilly spoke in a calm voice.

“It’s unfortunate, but we’ll have to end our meeting here today. I’ll talk with Marie and then leave, so you go ahead first.”

“…Alright.”

There was nothing I could do here. Getting caught between them would only make me the victim in a fight between whales, and it wouldn’t be good for anyone.

Moreover, Marie’s current “misunderstanding” was hardly a misunderstanding at all. This was the biggest problem—Marie wouldn’t easily believe anything I said.

So I looked at Cecilly, who seemed disappointed, then shifted my gaze to Marie. When our eyes met, she curled her lips and smiled gently. Hadn’t she just had a terrifying expression moments ago?

“You won’t say anything strange, will you?”

“Who knows?”

When I anxiously asked that, Marie tilted her head and responded questioningly. Her answer suggested she wasn’t sure herself, which vaguely indicated how angry she was.

Of course, I understood since she currently had feelings for me that were more than friendship but less than romance. But that didn’t make the situation any better.

I hesitated slightly before passing by Marie and stepping outside. As I passed, Marie didn’t look at me, focusing entirely on Cecilly.

“Oh? Customer? Your order…”

“Ah. I’ll pay on my way out. There are other people inside, so you can serve it to them.”

Just as I was about to leave, I ran into a waiter and paid before leaving. The waiter gave me a strange look for a moment, but I deliberately ignored it.

Finally escaping the suffocating atmosphere, I looked back. Marie was no longer visible, having already gone into the room.

‘She really won’t say anything strange, will she?’

I’ve never experienced a situation like this, even in my previous life, so I’m not sure how to handle it, but this seems like the best option. Getting involved in that situation would make things worse, and I might risk damaging the relationships I’ve built.

But I strongly felt that a day would soon come when I’d have to make a choice. I realized that Cecilly’s attitude toward me had changed 180 degrees since she noticed my secret.

If what Cecilly mentioned then about being willing to give her all was sincere… and if we had actually crossed the line… what would have happened?

“Sigh…”

I sighed in frustration while massaging the back of my neck. I should probably return to the dormitory and study for the exam.

I don’t think I’ll be able to write today, as Cecilly’s words to me will likely keep lingering in my mind.

‘I hope nothing happens…’

For now, that’s all I could pray for.

*****

“Your cappuccino and americano are ready.”

“… …”

“… …”

After Issac left, a heavy silence filled the small room.

Even when the ordered coffee was placed on the table, the two women just stared at each other without saying a word. The waiter quickly fled from the breathtaking atmosphere.

Even after the waiter left, leaving only a desolate silence, no words were exchanged between the two women. The difference was that Marie’s face was completely stiff, while Cecilly maintained her composure.

Cecilly gazed steadily at Marie, who was looking at her with a fierce expression from across the table, then lowered her gaze. She saw the steaming americano in her field of vision.

If it had been Issac instead of Marie, she would have enjoyed this coffee more. That thought made her feel slightly upset, but she didn’t show it.

Clank-

Cecilly picked up the cup of americano and brought it close to her lips. Every movement she made exuded elegance, drawing attention.

However, Marie found Cecilly’s demeanor irritating. It wasn’t just because of Issac’s flushed face earlier.

‘His pants were definitely…’

Marie wasn’t sure what Cecilly had done to Issac, but the center of his pants was noticeably bulging, and his posture was awkward. Having received thorough sex education from her family, Marie knew what that meant.

Men are true to their instincts, and their reactions appear immediately. Especially if a beautiful and seductive woman like Cecilly were to tempt them?

The body is always honest—no matter how much one tries to resist, a man cannot overcome his instincts. This is why men are said to be sad creatures.

So the fact that Issac’s male instincts had emerged… there could only be one explanation.

Grind-

As soon as that thought occurred to her, Marie ground her teeth audibly. During their gathering, Issac had only blushed when Cecilly linked arms with him, showing no further reaction.

That meant Issac was generally good at suppressing his instincts and was quite proper despite being at an age of vigorous vitality. Or perhaps he was just slow.

But this time was completely different. The emergence of male instincts meant that Cecilly had crossed a line.

Moreover, the space they were in was thoroughly soundproofed. Whatever happened inside couldn’t be heard from outside.

But Marie could roughly guess what had happened inside. That’s why she couldn’t help but be angry.

“… …”

Meanwhile, Cecilly observed Marie’s expression while savoring her americano. Marie’s expression had gone beyond fierce to downright hostile.

Of course, this posed no threat to Cecilly. It was like watching a cute little cat with its fur standing on end, hissing. Honestly, it was a bit adorable.

Clank-

She put down her coffee cup and smiled gently. She had suspected it during their gathering, but today confirmed it.

The girl before her, Marie, had romantic feelings for Issac. It was an affection fitting for her youthful age.

“Why don’t you say something? You sent Issac away because you had something to say, right?”

Cecilly’s charming voice dispelled the silence that had filled the room. She rested her chin on her hands and asked Marie.

Her red eyes were full of composure, and her lips formed a curved line, asserting her superior position.

Marie, having attended social gatherings since childhood, understood what Cecilly’s behavior meant. She twitched under her eyes before speaking coldly.

“…Cecilly.”

“Yes?”

“Tell me honestly. What did you do with Issac here?”

She had to ask Cecilly since Issac would surely evade the question if asked. Now was the perfect time, with just the two of them.

Cecilly heard Marie’s question and smiled more deeply. It was her own playful smile.

“I wonder? What might happen when a man and a woman are in a small, soundproofed room?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

Surprisingly, Marie responded calmly. She conveyed that she already knew that much.

Cecilly raised one eyebrow, showing slight surprise, then snickered. Some people become more rational when they’re extremely angry, and Marie seemed to be one of them.

She then straightened her posture and placed her hands neatly on the desk. It was a dignified appearance befitting a princess of a nation, not a playful smile.

“Marie.”

“Speak.”

“How much do you know about Issac?”

Marie frowned at that question. She didn’t quite understand Cecilly’s intention behind such a question.

After trying to figure out Cecilly’s intention for a while, Marie decided to answer first. If nothing else, she was confident about Issac.

“At least more than you. I can guarantee that.”

“Even Issac’s secret?”

“…What?”

Marie’s voice trembled slightly. She had vaguely suspected that Issac was hiding something. So she was hoping that he might tell her that secret once they became closer.

But when Cecilly brought it up, Marie couldn’t help but feel confused beyond surprise. It felt like her heart sank and all the blood in her body turned cold.

Did she really know Issac’s secret? If so, did that mean Issac was closer to Cecilly than to her? She desperately hoped not.

Cecilly noticed Marie’s face turning pale instantly and smiled, sensing she had gained the upper hand.

“I share secrets with Issac. He even told me voluntarily, not because I had leverage over him. But you? You don’t, do you?”

“… …”

“I know that you have romantic feelings for Issac. It would be strange for anyone not to notice, given how obvious you make it.”

Marie couldn’t refute any of Cecilly’s articulate statements. They were all true.

But more shocking was the fact that Issac was closer to Cecilly than to her. Nothing is more devastating than learning that the man you like is closer to another woman.

When Marie didn’t respond, Cecilly wondered if she had gone too far and examined Marie’s expression. Her eyes were trembling aimlessly, and her body was stiff.

She looked so pitiful and miserable that Cecilly felt somewhat sorry for her. So she was about to speak to lighten the mood.

“…Is that all?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if that’s all.”

Marie, who had regained her composure, asked Cecilly in a trembling voice. It was a question that naturally raised doubts for Cecilly.

But Marie’s subsequent explanation caused cracks to appear on Cecilly’s face.

“Sharing secrets… Fine. That’s good. Voluntarily sharing secrets means trusting the other person that much.”

“… …”

“But I don’t care if Issac doesn’t tell me his damn secret. If trust is formed by sharing secrets, then to hell with it. That’s a transaction, not sincerity.”

Now it was Cecilly’s turn to stiffen. As she said, Marie had no idea that Issac was the author of Biography of Xenon. She couldn’t even guess it.

Nevertheless, Marie had feelings and affection for “Issac” himself, not the author of Biography of Xenon. What could be more “sincere” than that? Nothing, one could assert.

Even Cecilly herself, who had feelings for Issac, was somewhat ambiguous. She was going back and forth between Issac the person and the author of Biography of Xenon.

Marie saw Cecilly’s expression stiffen and became confident. There was something special about Issac’s secret.

If Cecilly, who usually just played mischievous pranks, went so far as to forcibly bring out Issac’s instincts…

‘…Could it be?’

The illustrations in “Steam Locomotive,” Issac’s hobby of writing, and Cecilly, a “demon,” seducing Issac.

It felt like the puzzle pieces were fitting together in her mind. But these things alone couldn’t be decisive evidence. Above all…

‘So what?’

What did it matter? Even if Issac’s secret was really that, it didn’t matter. She never cared about such things in the first place.

She only liked his honest attitude in everything, and she felt affection for his deep consideration and kindness. Marie only needed Issac as a person, putting aside everything else.

“If you like someone for such reasons, I would absolutely oppose it. That’s just liking the person’s secret, not liking the person themselves.”

“… …”

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going now. I have a mountain of things I want to say, but I’m busy too. So—”

Marie left those words behind as she stood up, gathered the Biography of Xenon volume 9, and went out the door. She didn’t forget to take a sip of her cappuccino before leaving.

Left alone in the room, Cecilly remained dazed for a long time before lowering her gaze. Her face was reflected like a mirror in the americano in the coffee cup.

Every word Marie had left felt like a dagger piercing her heart. It was like being hit hard on the head with a hammer.

For others, these words might have been a great shock, but…

“…Thank you.”

Instead, Cecilly smiled more deeply.

“Thanks to you, I understand well now.”

Though uncertain, it was a terrifyingly scary smile.

She maintained that smile while looking at her reflection in the coffee and muttered:

“That was a close call.”