Ch. 56
Selene spent the next few days quietly observing the atmosphere around campus. Classes resumed, students laughed in the corridors, clubs reopened, and schedules filled up yet... something lingered in the air.
An absence.
And it was Liana's laughter.
Her loud greetings... her dramatic storytelling...
Even the small, irritating-yet-endearing habit of linking arms with Selene every morning... all gone.
Needing air, she wandered toward the school garden the quietest place on campus around this hour.
She leaned against a stone bench, staring blankly at the trimmed hedges. Snowmelt dripped from the leaves, creating soft clicks that filled the silence.
She didn't even realize someone had approached until a familiar figure blocked her view of the sky.
Ethan tilted his head slightly.
"Why is our mighty Selene Valen all alone today?"
Selene didn't react to Ethan's teasing, not even a glance.
It wasn't just because Ethan made her uncomfortable as the main lead, but because she genuinely wasn't in the mood.
Her mind was too clouded.
Ethan blinked in mild surprise.
Selene ignoring him wasn't new but this?
This was different.
Her aura felt... off.
Heavy and distant.
He somehow managed to feel that Selene was quite sad.
"Hey... is something wrong?" He tried again, his voice softer.
He expected silence.
Which was why he froze when she actually spoke.
"Do you know Liana Cerez from the Cerez family?"
Ethan straightened, caught off guard.
"Liana... Cerez?" Then his brows rose slightly.
"Are you talking about the girl beside you before? The one who won the archery championship?"
Selene nodded.
"Oh." Ethan looked thoughtful. "Sorry, but... not really. I don't know her personally." Then he added.
"But I have a classmate whose last name is also Cerez. We're not close though, and I doubt she's connected to your friend."
Selene nodded again calm on the surface, but her stomach tightened. Because even that small lead. Ah! Another Cerez made her heart thump painfully.
Selene felt guilt creep into her bones again.
She should've known.
She should've looked deeper.
She should've been more than a passive observer in Liana's life. Who would have thought that Liana is having a hard time?
Ethan watched her quietly, sensing the turmoil despite her composed expression.
"Selene..." he said gently, "are you sure you're okay?"
Selene didn't answer.
She simply turned away, eyes set on the grass.
Ethan sighed softly, running a hand through his hair as he watched Selene stare blankly at the garden.
"Alright," he said carefully, trying to sound casual.
"Since you're clearly avoiding me, I'll just have to entertain myself. But you're coming along whether you like it or not."
Selene glanced at him, eyebrow slightly raised, but said nothing.
Ethan crouched down slightly, pretending to examine the flowers by the path.
"Did you know some of these tulips are supposed to bloom in the snow? Not that anyone actually notices. I mean, humans. We're all too busy being dramatic."
Selene's lips twitched, almost a smile. She didn't answer, just tilted her head and watched him.
"Okay, fine," Ethan continued, "then I'll be dramatic for the both of us. Watch carefully. I'm about to perform the world's most tragic, heartbreaking, utterly heroic solo... in the garden."
He flung his arms wide, did a deliberately exaggerated bow, and then staggered like he'd tripped over an invisible vine.
Selene's composure cracked for just a second a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Ethan caught it.
"Ah-ha! Victory!" he whispered triumphantly. "Mission accomplished at least a little lighter, yes?"
Selene shook her head, the faintest hint of laughter in her eyes.
"You look ridiculous."
"And yet," he said, standing upright and giving a mock-serious nod, "ridiculousness is exactly what the world needs. Especially on gloomy days like this."
Selene looked at him and for the first time since she learned about Liana, she felt the smallest spark of ease. Not enough to forget, but enough to remember that not all things had to weigh so heavily.
Ethan, satisfied, walked a little closer, keeping his tone gentle.
"You know... even if you don't talk about it, I can tell something's wrong. But hey, you don't have to explain. Sometimes, it's okay to just... breathe."
Selene didn't respond, but she stayed near him, letting the quiet warmth of his presence sink in.
The tension in her chest loosened, just a little.
Yeah, being dramatic isn't my thing. I'm Yuna. I should have known better.