Chapter: 141
After finishing her fully packed schedule late into the evening, Sylvia returned to the mansion and collapsed onto her bed, dragging her exhausted body along.
Staring blankly at the ceiling in the dark room, Sylvia’s mind was swirling with various thoughts alongside the scenes she had witnessed at the Academy.
“…I never imagined Miss Scarlet would be interested in dieting or makeup.”
Wanting to look good for someone she likes—this was something very ordinary for girls in their prime.
Yet, the fact that the person displaying such behavior was Scarlet, who had just left the mansion not long ago, complicated Sylvia’s feelings.
Scarlet Evande. The girl born with a tragic fate shaped by the darkness of the Astra family.
With her basically expressionless face and her uncanny ability to do what ordinary people can’t, Sylvia had always secretly thought of her as someone far from ordinary.
However, today she had realized something. Beneath the seemingly extraordinary girl was the very ordinary heart of a girl who just wanted to look good for someone she liked.
Remembering how she had shyly denied the teasing from other kids about having someone she really liked, Sylvia couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
She had been completely oblivious. She had thought that just being able to enjoy a luxurious life with good food in the mansion would make her happy.
But that was just her own selfish desire to be with her.
Seeing her escape the hellish mansion to be with someone she liked made her seem so ordinary yet happy.
The person who could bring her happiness was not Sylvia herself.
That undeniable fact settled heavily in Sylvia’s heart, accompanied by a pang of jealousy and a greater sense of resignation.
In the overwhelming feeling of defeat, Sylvia impulsively made a call.
The target was…
“…Sylvia? What’s up?”
It was Yoon Si-woo.
Since it was such an impulsive call, she hadn’t thought he would actually pick up, causing her to feel slightly flustered as she asked.
“Are you, um, busy right now?”
“I’m on a break actually. A moment is fine. But what’s the matter?”
“Uh… um…”
When asked about her purpose, Sylvia questioned herself.
Why had she called Yoon Si-woo?
After pondering for a moment, she grasped the lurking base feelings within herself.
She didn’t want to admit it—to the fact that Yoon Si-woo could do what she couldn’t.
“…Do you remember what you said during the last interrogation? You said that if Miss Scarlet was a danger to humanity, you would kill her yourself.”
“…Yeah.”
“Was that sincere?”
She found herself asking that, now back in her senses.
Her heart wanted to find something to criticize him over as a form of self-comfort.
“If that’s the case…”
“…So you wouldn’t care if Miss Scarlet died?”
Upon hearing Yoon Si-woo’s reply, Sylvia questioned him with disdain.
Maybe she was even smiling as she asked that.
She thought she cared for Scarlet more than Yoon Si-woo did.
Therefore, she was much more suited for Scarlet than Yoon Si-woo.
Knowing that it was cowardly to pull others down to feel better about herself, she could still comfort herself with such thoughts.
“…That’s not true.”
However, with his words on the phone, Sylvia stiffened.
“Thinking about Scarlet dying… I can’t even imagine it. But, Scarlet hates causing harm to others even more than dying. If something like that happens, she would be enormously sad…”
His voice trembled as if he didn’t even want to imagine Scarlet dying.
Yet, despite that heavy sincerity of caring for her weighed down on Sylvia for some reason.
“…Miss Scarlet asked you to do that, didn’t she?”
“…!”
She was certain by the sound of him gasping over the receiver.
Sylvia let out a hollow laugh.
So she was prepared for such a thing in case it came to that.
Only now did she understand why Scarlet had tried to keep her distance.
She was worried about making Sylvia sad, on purpose.
Incredibly kindly, considering that she might make her sad in the future.
Yes, Sylvia knew that Scarlet was that kind of person.
Therefore, she understood why Scarlet hadn’t asked her to kill her.
As much as she knew about Scarlet, Scarlet must have known her too.
The girl who was quick enough to pick up on the thought of wanting to eat a macaron would have already realized that Sylvia could never fulfill such a request.
She might say she’d do anything for her, but that was something she definitely could not do.
The mere thought of killing her with her own hands made her feel crushingly sad.
It only made the realization hit her harder.
Despite having such strong feelings for her, it was Yoon Si-woo—who could put aside his own sadness to make such a choice for her.
He might indeed be closer to Scarlet than she had ever been.
At least it was clear that he thought about Scarlet much more than she did herself.
It was an undeniable defeat.
With a sigh, Sylvia extended her apology over the phone.
“…I’m sorry for saying such things earlier. I know Yoon Si-woo cares about Miss Scarlet, so I just…”
“Wait… Why does everyone seem to know I like Scarlet like it’s obvious…?”
Sylvia felt her mind go blank at Yoon Si-woo’s question.
Then, she genuinely expressed her disbelief as she responded.
“…Um, did you really think you could give off such obvious hints and no one would notice?”
“…I thought I was hiding it well…”
“Of all people, you couldn’t hide it from me. I even know you and Miss Scarlet are living together.”
“…That’s true.”
Sylvia couldn’t help but smile at Yoon Si-woo’s reaction.
If anyone heard he was living with a girl, he might faint from embarrassment.
To begin with, after going that far with Scarlet…
As those thoughts crossed her mind, a slightly mischievous feeling arose.
Perhaps just a little teasing would be fine.
So, Sylvia subtly said to Yoon Si-woo.
“By the way, no matter how much you’re living together, don’t lead too wild a lifestyle. After all, Miss Scarlet is still a student.”
That remark got the expected intense reaction in return.
“Wh-what do you mean wild!? Me and Scarlet are not like that!”
“I know about that too! You and Miss Scarlet went alone to a motel in District 15. It’s free for couples to love wherever they want, but Yoon Si-woo, you’re a public figure, so you better be careful. One slip-up and you could end up on the front page of the news!”
“No!!! That’s not true!!! Okay, we did go to a motel… But, we just talked! We’re not like that at all!”
Sylvia was a bit taken aback by Yoon Si-woo’s protest.
His sincere feeling of being wronged came through in his words.
Huh? But, are you telling me two people who like each other went to a motel and nothing happened?
Besides, it’s not like you guys aren’t like that…
“…Um, Yoon Si-woo. So, you and Miss Scarlet… are dating?”
“N-no! Of course, I like Scarlet, but… I don’t think she feels the same way about me…”
“…But you’re living together.”
“That’s more like a roommate situation, I guess.”
Yoon Si-woo’s sad muttering left Sylvia speechless.
Then, she huffed in exasperation as she murmured in disbelief.
“Miss Scarlet said she’s on a diet lately. She’s even taken an interest in cosmetics she usually wouldn’t look at.”
“…Really? Is there someone she wants to impress?”
“…Who do you think she wants to impress? With her boyfriend living with her.”
“…!”
Realizing it only now, Sylvia shook her head and continued speaking.
“…Perhaps Miss Scarlet has never experienced romantic feelings, so she may not know how to express them. It seems like you both are quite clueless, but I think it would be better if you took the initiative.”
“But how could I be more proactive…?”
“How about asking her out on a date on the holiday? I’m sure she would like it.”
“A date…”
Yoon Si-woo hesitated at the mention of a date before finally seeming to come to a decision and replied.
“…Okay, I’ll gather my courage. Thanks for the advice, Sylvia.”
“…You’re welcome on the thank you part.”
Sylvia shook her head at Yoon Si-woo’s gratitude.
She didn’t need any thanks.
What she wished for was simply…
“…Make Miss Scarlet happy.”
Only Scarlet’s happiness mattered.
Feeling the blush rise, Sylvia hung up the phone without waiting for a response.
“Ugh, why am I saying such embarrassing things as if I was some ex-girlfriend…!?”
And that night, Sylvia had to spend the whole night tossing and turning under the blanket.
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