Student Lina Rosewell, its now the end of your probation period. You can co out now if you want.
On the day when all the grade assessnts were completed,
Lina Rosewell finished the long probation period and stepped outside.
Her red hair, which had flowed down to her shoulders, beca ssy. Dark circles under her eyes showed how much she had cried.
Wearing clothes haphazardly, hair roughly combed, and shoulders slouched.
One hand held a black handkerchief wrapped around her neck like a choker, while the other clutched a note as she walked down the street.
It was a long ti after the grade assessnts had finished.
Even the sporadic passersby just paused briefly, unaware that she was Lina Rosewell.
Only her eyes were different from her weary gait.
Her eyes were full of hope.
The reason was simple.
The note she held in her hand was Ian Blackangers address.
If you have nowhere else to go, co here later.
One day, she gave a note with my lunch box.
A note handed to her one day with lunch. She thought she had discarded it, but while searching for traces of Ian among the gifts from her friends, she discovered it tucked in between. The joy she felt at that mont was indescribable.
I-I can finally et him.
She endured, fueled only by the thought of eting Ian.
Sobriety in a bare accommodation with thoughts of Ian every hour, every minute, every second.
It was good to be able to do that.
She could make an effort to understand what Ian had gone through, what situation he was in.
The questions Ian sotis asked He must have been falsely accused.
Understanding what mistakes she had made, why she had been so foolish.
I only thought about myself and foolishly ignored Ian.
Despite being so foolish, worthless, and insignificant, she was glad she could think of ways to apologize to Ian and help him in any way she could.
It was fortunate that she could think of Ian, but it was hell not being able to et him.
Linas steps quickened.
She finally arrived at Ians accommodation.
This is Ians ho
Lina hastily put the note she held in her hand into her pocket.
Then, she raised her hand to knock on the door.
As Lina was about to bring her hand to the door, she hesitated.
Trembling.
Her hand trembled as if addicted to a drug.
W-What if Ian doesnt open the door?
If Ian found knocking annoying, or if he got angry and told her to leave, or worse, if he ignored her as if she were nobody?
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, her heart pounded.
The previous Lina definitely didnt have this kind of personality to worry so much.
A personality that could open any door and say Hello! with a bright smile, that was Lina.
But now, it was different.
It was so frightening.
She kept having negative thoughts.
What if Ian really doesnt want to et ?
Suddenly, her vision beca pitch black.
She had fainted several tis during her probation period with this kind of thinking.
If it continued like this, she would collapse after coming all the way here. It wouldnt have any aning.
I-I have to knock.
Lina mustered all her strength and knocked on the door with force.
Knock, knock.
Uhm, Ian? I-Its L-Lina I have sothing I want to talk about.
Despite trying to control her voice, it kept cracking.
Uhm, I have sothing I want to say to you.
Words that had to be said. She had prepared better words, but she couldnt rember them.
No response from the silent door.
Lina swallowed her saliva.
Hell co out in a mont Surely.
Five minutes passed like that.
Hes probably taking a shower, right?
Ten minutes passed.
Uhm, Ian?
Silence without any response.
Is he not at ho?
But the lights are on.
After work, Ian wouldnt be wandering outside sowhere.
That ans as expected.
He probably doesnt want to et .
Like a discarded puppy, her eyes welled up with abandonnt.
Her head hung low.
For Lina, eting him was the top priority, but it wasnt the sa for Ian.
I know this is my problem.
Whenever she was with Ian, she only thought about herself.
She didnt consider Ians feelings.
She thought she had reflected countless tis.
But here she was, doing the sa thing again.
Whether Ian had any intention of eting her, she didnt think about it. She ran all the way here fueled only by the desperate hope that he might want to see her.
But what was the current situation?
Ian clearly didnt want to see Lina.
Lina bit her lower lip.
She was selfish.
But, still maybe, just maybe.
If there was even a 1% chance that Ian wanted to talk to her, she was willing to bet everything on it.
Th-This is the only chance we have to et
Lina gathered herself and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
I-I know I did sothing wrong. So, Ian please. Please
Knock, knock, knock.
Theres so much I need to say. I really thought about it. I know I was wrong. So, just once. Please, just listen to . Please. Please. Please. Please, please.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock
Linas hand, which was pounding on the door, dropped.
A reddened hand.
No more strength left in her hand.
She couldnt call out to Ian like this.
She couldnt cling to him.
No it cant be.
Linas face began to pale endlessly.
Her breath beca shallow.
No matter how much she tried to breathe, her chest wouldnt move.
Just a gust of empty air.
Then, she realized the reality.
Oh, I get it. I know. You probably dont want to see anymore
Perhaps there might be a chance for a few words.
But the hope she had clung to crumbled.
Ian didnt want to et her.
He didnt want to say a word.
Those thoughts overwheld Lina.
Ugh.
Her breath was cut off.
It wasnt a feeling of a strangled throat, but rather, soone squeezing her heart.
The world went dark.
Her right hand, which no longer moved, was replaced by her left hand.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.
Continuing to knock on the door.
If it didnt open, she felt like she would truly truly die like this.
Ian didnt want to see her.
Soone as insignificant as herself should live where Ians gaze couldnt reach.
That might be the help for Ian.
Save , Ian. Please. Please. I know I was wrong. Huh? Just once. Please listen to . Please. Please. Please. Huh? Please. Please
But still
Maybe it will help.
If she dedicates her body and mind, maybe Ian will look back at her.
She would rather be a sl*ve in his presence.
It would make her feel better.
Rather than that, no other way of living ca to mind.
Please, please please
Tears continued to flow.
Drenched in her clothes, she fell to the floor.
Still, she kept knocking on the door.
How much ti had passed?
Ttok, ttok.
Footsteps heard from afar.
Lina Rosewell?
At the sound of her na, Linas head turned weakly.
Lina Rosewell, collapsed in front of Ians door.
Wow.
Silvia was shocked at her miserable appearance.
She shed so many tears that her wet dress was almost transparent.
It was the second ti a different woman was at the door on her two visits, but Silvia was so confused that she montarily forgot about the feeling of jealousy.
Are you okay?
Silvia found herself asking about Linas well-being.
After looking at Silvia with her trembling eyes for a mont, Linas eyes drooped.
Its not Ian Ugh, sorry. Sorry, Ian Please. Please open the door. Just once, please. Please
Thud, thud.
Lina was pounding on the door with her forehead.
Silvia hurriedly tried to stop her.
Hey, snap out of it. Ian is probably not ho right now.
Lina struggled to focus her eyes.
Ian not here?
Yes. Hes likely busy. After the recent grade assessnt, where he went up at least one star, many guilds must be chasing after him.
Oh, hes not here.
Lina wiped away tears with the backs of her hands.
She then laughed and laughed.
I-I I thought Ian was inside, and he just wouldnt open the door for . Thankfully, hes not. Thank goodness.
Linas erald eyes lit up with renewed vigor.
Even her pale face gained a flush.
Sorry for showing you such a pathetic sight.
As if nothing happened, Lina Rosewell stood up and smiled.
Seeing this, Silvia couldnt help but ask.
Arent you embarrassed?
Huh?
About your appearance.
Lina, examining herself, scratched her head and laughed.
Maybe a little? Hehe. But being embarrassed isnt that important.
?
Now I have another chance to et Ian. Besides that, nothing else is important to .
Her voice was full of energetic and cheerful vibes.
It was the Lina that Silvia knew.
But for so reason, it sent shivers down her spine.
Lina looked at Silvia and tilted her head.
But Silvia, why did you co to Ians house?
Oh, um, I brought a rare dessert to share
Silvia stumbled over her words.
Linas eyes were calm, but sohow it felt eerie. Her obsession with Ian seed strangely dangerous.
Silvia asked cautiously.
Are you jealous?
However, Lina responded by widening her smile and shaking her head.
No. Thanks to Silvia, Ian can eat delicious food. Im happy when Ian is happy. Thank you.
Oh
But still, I envy you. If only I had money, I would have bought many nice things for Ian. Ehehe.
I-I didnt buy anything! I just brought sothing that was left over!
Im jealous of that too. It ans you have sothing to give Ian. My place has nothing. Im worried about how to repay him.
Silvia realized.
Youve just beco a pushover.
(TL: Original aning is basically: soone whos very gullible and easily exploited, so Linas a simp.)
Lina Rosewell was now just a pushover for Ian.
Silvia sighed at that blind obsession.
For so reason, it felt like the number of competitors had increased.
Why is this place so popular
Silvia absentmindedly stared at Ians door.
Initially, she thought it was a blue ocean.
But now, its more like a fiery red ocean
Such intense competition wasnt Silvias taste.
But now that she had entered, there was no room for compromise.
Even so, Im probably ahead, right?
The image of that cat coming out of Ians door flashed through Silvias mind But she quickly shook her head.
That sharp cat was nothing more than a pet. Normally, such people that compete with cuteness dont last long.
She needed to be directly helpful to Ian.
Oh, right.
The reason she ca to find Ian. It was partly for dessert, but also because of the summoning of the disciplinary committee.
Lina Rosewell, this girl, could be quite helpful.
Co to think of it, Lina, theres sothing you can do for Ian.
R-Really?!
Lina instantly perked up.
S-So, does that an I can see Ian?
With brightened eyes, Lina looked up at Silvia.
Her appearance was cute, like a puppy hearing the footsteps of its owner returning.
Silvia sighed internally.
Well, Ive beco a rival to a cat, now a dog Am I doing well?
But Ians resolution was the top priority.
Silvia nodded at Lina.
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