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Once they left for their respective colleges this summer, would they even be able to see each other once a year?
Just thinking about it brought tears to her eyes.
Before leaving, Jiyu wanted to spend one last memorable time with Chloe. She wanted to take photos making silly faces with her best friend, dance awkwardly, and enjoy teasing one another.
[I think I'll go with Chloe. I'm not entirely sure, but...]
[Hmm.]
Hunter made an ambiguous sound, his face lost in thought. Regardless, he seemed to be in a better mood than before.
[Let me go now. It's cold, I want to go inside.]
In truth, she wasn't cold at all because of Hunter's body heat as he wrapped around her in a bear hug. However, she felt that if they stayed this close, she might invite something she couldn't handle.
With a sigh, Hunter reluctantly loosened his grip.
[I'll go up first.]
Jiyu hurried out of the courtyard as if someone were about to grab her by the hair from behind. Then, standing by the window overlooking the treehouse, she stole a glance back into the courtyard.
Wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt, Hunter was doing pull-ups, hanging from the swing bar with one arm. Swallowing hard as she watched him, Jiyu forced herself to look away and walked away as if fleeing.
✾ ✾ ✾
[Oh, it's Josh!]
Chloe stood up awkwardly and waved her hand vigorously, still holding a fork.
Jiyu, who had just set her fork down on her chicken Caesar salad, looked back. Joshua, having picked up an untoasted bagel from the salad bar, raised his hand toward Jiyu and Chloe.
[What brings you here?]
As Jiyu tilted her head in curiosity, Chloe bit her lip and slid over to the side. It looked as though she was clearing the seat in front of Jiyu for Joshua.
There was no need to go that far.
Jiyu had thought it was strange that Chloe insisted on sitting at the Popular Clique table by the window today instead of their usual two-person table; it was clear she had known in advance that Joshua was coming.
Since most seniors, with graduation only a few days away, went out to buy lunch, the window seats were sparse. It was a bit uncomfortable that Sienna and her friends happened to be sitting nearby in the cafeteria today, but Jiyu was no longer afraid of her.
Even if she tried to bully her again, Jiyu only had to endure a few more days before she could go the rest of her life without ever seeing her. Ironically, now that she was a couple of years older, she felt a slight sense of pity for her.
Sienna had pointedly befriended only Hunter's friends. Jiyu had realized long ago that this was driven by a desire for revenge against the boy who ignored her, and a contradictory urge to attract his attention by any means necessary.
The problem was that no matter who Sienna was with or what she did, Hunter showed not a shred of interest. Perhaps that was why she never looked happy, even when she was with her boyfriends.
Rumors were circulating that she wouldn't be going to prom because she had broken up with her recent boyfriend after catching him cheating with another girl.
Jiyu could never forgive what Sienna had done. However, she could empathize with the misery and vain hope Sienna must feel. Perhaps that was why Sienna, who used to be terrifying, now just seemed like any other girl her age.
She felt she was beginning to understand that this process—slowly comprehending, becoming numb, and enduring—was what it meant to grow up.
[Hello, ladies.]
Joshua sat down in front of Jiyu. Then, he abruptly held out a book.
[Oh, this...!]
[<Dune>. Take it.]
It was a sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert that Josh had recommended several times, saying it was interesting. Jiyu had actually been planning to read it since she had some free time now.
[Thanks, Josh. But... what's this? A bookmark?]
Jiyu grabbed a thin satin ribbon peeking out from the middle of the book and pulled it out.
Will you be my prom date? Your friend, Josh.
It was written in Joshua's terrible handwriting on a long paper bookmark.
Jiyu burst into a cheerful laugh.
Hunter had told her not to laugh, but who cared?
She thought she knew how this had happened. Until very recently, Joshua had emphasized that he had no intention of wearing a foolish tuxedo and shaking his hips while dancing with the ignorant creatures of Alton School, who possessed the intelligence of primates.
So, Chloe must have specially asked him. The naturally kind Joshua had changed his mind and decided to attend the dreadful prom for the sake of his friend. And to ensure Jiyu didn't misunderstand, he had even emphasized "Your friend."
[Ollie, say yes quickly before I change my mind.]
Joshua threatened her, tapping his fingers on the table as if he were anxious.
[Yes! Thanks, Josh.]
Now she could go to the prom with a light heart.
At that moment, the noise in the cafeteria abruptly cut off, and a silence fell for a few seconds. Then, the noise resumed all at once.
[My mom used to say a ghost passes by when this happens... actually, it's Hunter Hamilton passing by.]
Startled, Jiyu dropped her fork.
[...Who?]
Surely, he didn't come to see me.
[Gasp, he's coming this way! I think he came for you!]
Chloe whispered with excited eyes. Joshua rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, looking bored. Jiyu squeezed her eyes shut.
'Why of all times, when I'm with Josh...'
He would surely be angry and press her tonight.
'He'll kiss me until my lips are swollen, as if he's punishing me.'
'Anyway, why did he come all the way here? If he had something to say, he could have said it at home.'
[Please, just don't do anything that will keep people talking for more than a day.]
While she was grumbling and praying fervently in her head, Hunter came and stood beside Jiyu's table. Steeling herself, Jiyu gathered her courage and looked up.
Hunter was glaring at Josh, his jaw muscle twitching. Then, with a short sigh, he sharply shifted his gaze to her.
He took something out of his pocket and placed it on the table with a distinct thud.
Jiyu's shoulders visibly flinched.
It was a flat, light-blue box.
[Open it.]
Hunter commanded, gesturing toward the box with his chin.
Following his instructions, she untied the white satin ribbon and opened the lid. Inside lay a luxurious black velvet box.
When she opened the box, there was a business-card-sized card and a bracelet with a round frame. The pendant on the slender, feminine bracelet sparkled under the cafeteria lights.
The pendant, about the size of a pinky nail, was a delicately crafted flower made of a gemstone as deep blue as Hunter's eyes. It reminded her of a prom corsage worn on the wrist.
[W-why are you giving this to me...?]
[Read the card.]
No way.
With trembling hands, Jiyu opened the card resting on the table. It was a familiar, fluid handwriting that looked as if it had been scribbled quickly.
Go with me. H
Jiyu's eyes wavered.
He definitely said he couldn't go because of the tournament.
She looked up. Her eyes met his. Since there was no object in his sentence, she had to confirm once more.
[G-go where?]
He chuckled, as if she were asking a stupid question.
[Where else?]
[...You said a few days ago that you couldn't go to the prom. Aren't you going to the tournament?]
Hunter's face distorted as he noticed something strange.
[I canceled it. Wait, is this a rejection? Are you insane?]
He glared at her as if he couldn't believe it.
The cafeteria became deathly silent. Jiyu wanted to hide under the table.
If this was a nightmare, she prayed she would wake up right now.
But that didn't happen. Swallowing hard, Jiyu spoke.
[It's not that, it's just that there's already a per-person I'm going with...]
Before she could finish her stuttering excuse, Hunter's gaze whipped over to Joshua.
[The one you're going with is this rat?]
[What?]
Joshua, who had been crossing his arms and looking between the two with a serious expression, flared up.
Just then, Sienna's voice was heard from behind Jiyu.
[Hunter!]
The attention of all four people shifted to Sienna simultaneously. It was unclear when she had stood up and approached them, but her destination was always in front of Hunter.
Frozen, Jiyu kept her gaze fixed on the velvet box, unable to even lift her head.
[You really... were you dumped again? Don't be like that, go with me. I don't have a prom date either.]
Tall, beautiful, and slender, Sienna stood out wherever she was. And she knew that fact well.
She spoke lightly, as if joking, with a bright smile while naturally brushing back her honey-blonde hair, but the corners of her mouth trembled slightly.
[Do whatever you want.]
Hunter spat out the words indifferently, not even looking at her. Then, he turned around and disappeared, leaving a cold draft in his wake.
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