Ch. 10 #3
In the end, he simply sighed and let her go. He had a feeling he already knew where she was heading. His gaze shifted toward the PE field. Specifically, toward the shaded area where Selene was standing with her tumbler in hand.
"...Yep," he muttered. "Definitely going there."
"Selene!"
Shibal! Yuna nearly jumped out of her skin. Instinctively, she clutched her chest and turned toward the source of the voice. Only to find Lina standing right beside her.
Since when did she get there?!
Yuna hadn't even heard her approach. For a brief moment, genuine shock flashed across her face before she quickly composed herself.
"...Lina." Her tone remained calm, but internally she was still recovering from the sudden attack on her lifespan.
Why does this protagonist move like a ninja? So, what now? Why is she here?
"U-Um..." she started softly. "Hi, Sel— I mean, Miss Valen."
"Hmm?"
"You were amazing earlier, Miss Valen," she said, her voice shy but sincere. "I didn't even know someone could play like that. It was like watching a professional athlete."
She saw me playing?
"Ah. Thanks."
Lina smiled, visibly relieved that Selene hadn't ignored her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Lina clasped her hands behind her back.
"You're really good at a lot of things, aren't you?"
Yuna blinked.
No, I'm just old.
Of course, she couldn't exactly say that. So instead she simply took another sip from her tumbler.
"Not really."
Lina looked unconvinced. After all, she had personally witnessed Selene win a debate and defeat two badminton players in a one-versus-two match. From Lina's perspective, that answer sounded suspiciously humble.
"Well..." Lina hesitated before smiling again. "I still think you're amazing."
Yuna nearly choked on her water.
Why was the protagonist complimenting her so much? Wasn't this supposed to be the part where she admired Ethan instead?
Then, as if remembering something, Lina suddenly fidgeted and rummaged through her small bag. A few seconds later, she pulled out a small silver feather keychain. Holding it with both hands, she stretched her arm toward Selene and showed it to her.
"I wanted to give you this," Lina said quickly.
"It's, um... an apology. For the coffee." She lowered her gaze slightly.
"I know it's been months, but I still feel bad about what happened."
"You don't need to apologize over and over. It's already over," Yuna said while staring at the keychain.
It was true. Unlike the original Selene, she genuinely wasn't upset about the coffee incident. In fact, she had completely forgotten about it. She had been too busy avoiding the protagonists.
Yet judging from Lina's expression, she had apparently been carrying that guilt around this entire time.
"I didn't do it on purpose, but I still ruined your clothes and embarrassed you in front of everyone." Lina held out the keychain once more.
"So... I wanted to apologize properly."
For some reason, Yuna felt a little awkward. The protagonist was standing in front of her, nervously offering a tiny silver feather as a peace offering. And somehow, she looked more nervous than the person receiving it.
Does this girl suffer from chronic guilt or something? Yuna looked down at the charm. It wasn't expensive, but it was obvious that it had been chosen carefully. The silver feather was simple kind of cute, actually.
After a brief pause, she accepted it with a small nod.
"Well. Thanks."
"You're... not mad anymore?"
"I was never mad," Yuna replied. "You don't need to keep apologizing."
For a second, Lina simply stared at her. Then a small but genuine smile appeared on her face.
"You're really cool, you know that?"
"Cool?" Yuna raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Like... calm and strong. You don't care what people think. I wish I could be like that."
Yuna almost laughed. If only Lina knew. Most of the time she was just trying to survive the plot.
"People say a lot of things and most of them are wrong."
"I doubt that, Selene. I have this feeling that you're really a good person." Lina smiled sheepishly.
"And... I'm happy that I got to talk to you."
Before Yuna could think of a response, the bell suddenly rang across the campus.
The end of classes.
Students immediately began gathering their things as the noise around them grew louder. Lina glanced toward the academic building before looking back at Selene.
"W-Well, I think I should go now." She took a few steps backward.
"Thank you, Selene." Then she pointed at the silver feather keychain now resting in Yuna's hand.
"And keep that keychain for me. It's my lucky charm."
Yuna looked down at it.
A lucky charm?
Why would someone give away their lucky charm?
Before she could ask, Lina had already started backing away.
"Bye!"
With one last bright smile, she turned around and hurried off. Yuna remained standing there. The keychain dangled from her fingers as she watched Lina disappear into the crowd of students. For a moment, she stared at the small silver feather. Then she sighed.
"...What a strange female lead."
Still, she slipped the keychain into her bag instead of throwing it away.