As soon as I was kicked out of class, I headed toward my dorm before entering my room.
Honestly, I didn't care much about the class because, on the first day, the teacher just gets to know the students and then makes it an open day. So, I sluggishly headed toward my bed before jumping on it and falling into a deep sleep.
---
The church bells were quietly ringing throughout the small town, announcing the start of a new morning. The saint woke up early as usual, but her sleep had not been deep that night; she kept tossing and turning in her bed until the sun rose. Every time she closed her eyes, the memory of that warm touch she had felt yesterday returned to her… the soft hand that held hers for a brief moment but left a deep mark in her heart.
She opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling of her room, which was decorated with simple engravings that expressed purity and peace. "I must not think this way…" she whispered to herself as she rose from her bed. She put on her loose white clothes, a symbol of the purity that everyone who serves the goddess must uphold. She knew that people saw her as a symbol of purity and mercy, and that burden alone was enough to make her heart heavy.
She stepped into the long corridor leading to the great prayer hall. The ancient stone walls reflected the coldness of the place, and the smell of candles lit since dawn filled her nose. The church was quiet except for her light footsteps.
She entered the hall, knelt before the statue of the goddess, and began to pray. But just like the previous night, she could not focus. Her mind was completely distracted.
That hand…
It was warm in a way she had never experienced before. Delicate fingers, its touch smooth as silk. Even now, she could feel the slight shiver that had run through her body when their hands met.
She shook her head forcefully, trying to drive the thoughts from her mind. "I am the saint… I have no right to indulge in these feelings." But they weren't just fleeting emotions; her heart was pounding hard every time she remembered that moment.
A few hours passed as she carried out her daily duties in the church: reading prayers with the monks, supervising the distribution of food to the poor who sought refuge in the church, and listening to the problems of the townsfolk who asked for her advice. She smiled at them and tried to give them hope, but inside she was unsettled.
At noon, she climbed up the small bell tower to take a moment of quiet away from everyone's eyes. From there, she could see the entire town: the simple wooden houses, the children running through the alleys, and the green fields stretching to the horizon.
She placed her hand on her chest. She didn't know why she felt that way, but it was as if the goddess wanted her to meet him again.
"Why do I feel this weakness?"
Since childhood, she had been raised to believe that the saint was a symbol of purity, that her heart should not be attached or think of anything that would distract her from serving the goddess. But that small touch yesterday, which happened when she was helping that boy…
"I must meet him again," the saint said firmly.
---
As soon as I woke up, I smelled an incredibly delicious aroma. I couldn't remember the last time I had smelled something like that.
I got up from bed and headed toward the source of the smell, but what was in front of me was utterly insane.
Sylvia was sitting on the couch, calmly flipping meat on a small indoor grill.
"Hey Sylvia, what are you doing here, and why are you grilling inside?" I couldn't help but shout.
"Finally, you woke up… do you know how bored I was while you were asleep?" Sylvia said before pulling me into her arms.
"Hey Sylvia, tell me, what the hell are you doing here?" I tried to pull away, but because of her great strength, I could only speak from within her embrace.
"Do you remember when I told you I spent the whole night in the principal's office?" Sylvia said with a muffled laugh.
"Wait, you spent the entire night trying to stay in the same place?" I asked in surprise.
"Yes, and I succeeded," Sylvia said before lifting up a paper stamped with the principal's seal.
"Okay, I get it, but why are you grilling indoors?" I couldn't help but ask.
"….." Sylvia simply stayed silent before taking a piece of meat and holding it up to my mouth.
"I thought it would be nice to eat some delicious food to celebrate the first day of school."
"Aaah…" I couldn't help but sigh before sitting on the couch and starting to eat.
"So, can you tell me what happened on the first day?" Sylvia asked mockingly.
"Yes, the students introduced themselves," Sylvia said tiredly.
"So, aren't you supposed to be happy?" I asked in confusion.
Sylvia clung to me lazily before speaking. "Do you know how many boys kept coming up to me during the introduction session?"
I knew Sylvia was popular because of her beautiful appearance, but this was a bit of an exaggeration, wasn't it?
I picked up a pair of chocolates and handed one to Sylvia and the other to myself.
"Do you want this kind?" Sylvia kept staring at mine, so I couldn't help but ask.
"No, don't worry," Sylvia said with a faint smile.
I took some time to finish my chocolate bar while Sylvia and I talked about various things. As soon as I finished my chocolate, I tried to get up to drink some water, but I felt something pulling me back.
"I haven't eaten my chocolate bar yet," Sylvia said as she lowered her head.
I looked at her chocolate bar, but it had disappeared. "No, you already ate it—"
I felt something pull me before I fell to the ground.
"No, I haven't finished it yet," Sylvia grabbed my cheek and stroked it gently, but the most concerning thing was the hearts shining in her eyes.
"Thanks for the food," Sylvia said as she brought her face close to mine.
"Damn it"........
End of the chapter.