Durandal: ?
"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that Hayato and I have only met twice. How could he fall for me so easily?"
Durandal felt her analysis was perfectly logical.
However, Elysia simply pulled her phone from her pocket, switched it to selfie mode, and held it up for Durandal to take a good look at herself.
Durandal: "..."
Alright, who was this stunning beauty with the flowing blonde waves?
Oh, it was just her... Never mind then.
Durandal always had a habit of overlooking her own looks. It wasn't as if Elysia was the only one who attracted a sea of admirers.
Back at Chiba Academy, the reason no one ever stepped forward to confess to Durandal was primarily because the competition was simply too intimidating.
Elysia had already declared her "affection" for Durandal during her self-introduction on the very first day she transferred in.
As for Durandal? She remained completely unfazed even by a world-class beauty like Elysia. Who would have the confidence to walk up to Durandal and confess their feelings after seeing that?
As for her memories of being at Schicksal Headquarters...
While there were always rumors of Valkyries who idolized her, it seemed no one had ever actually come forward with a confession.
And as for her life as a college student? Sorry, she hadn't been interested in men or women from the 3D world. Even if someone had confessed to her, she wouldn't have bothered remembering it.
"Fine. Even if Hayato really does like me, what of it? It's just like that Kendo Club President who likes you. You don't like him, and I don't like Hayato. I love you—that is something that will never change."
Durandal looked at Elysia, her expression filled with earnest sincerity.
Hearing this, a small smile tugged at the corners of Elysia's lips.
To be honest, isn't that all there is to a girl being jealous?
At its core, she just wanted to hear those "I only love you" type of words from her lover's mouth. Of course, this didn't apply to cases where there were actual signs of cheating.
As the two talked, Durandal caught a glimpse of Hayato out of the corner of her eye, leading the officials from the Education Bureau out of the building.
After a moment's thought, and to Elysia's utter surprise, Durandal leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Then, she whispered into her ear, "Are you satisfied now?"
As Durandal's voice faded, Elysia spotted Hayato approaching with a stiff expression, followed by the somewhat embarrassed-looking Education Bureau officials.
The reason for Hayato's stiff face went without saying. As for the officials, their awkwardness was just the typical reaction of ordinary people witnessing a young couple being intimate right in front of them.
"I truly didn't realize the two of you shared such a... relationship."
Hayato forced a smile as he looked at Durandal and Elysia.
His gaze lingered mostly on Durandal. At this moment, perhaps a final shred of hope remained in his heart; after all, it wasn't unheard of for close female friends to hug or kiss.
However, Durandal's next words shattered that last vestige of hope.
"Is that so? Elysia and I have been together for a long time. I thought you had noticed already, Mr. Hayato."
In reality, "being together for a long time" actually amounted to less than two months.
Durandal was intentionally creating an illusion—the idea that she and Elysia were already a couple the very first time Hayato met them.
Since their relationship was now a reality, it didn't change the facts regardless of when Hayato thought they had started.
However, making Hayato believe they had been together for a very, very long time was a far more effective way to discourage him.
As for where Durandal learned such tactics?
Well, it could only be said that some people are naturally gifted both in being oblivious to their own feelings and in rejecting the feelings of others. The only difference is where they put their "talent points."
For someone like Durandal, who had zero points in self-awareness but maxed out her talent for rejection, she would have been destined for a life of solitude if she hadn't been paired with a lover as proactive as Elysia.
"Haha, well, it's not too late to find out now."
Hayato didn't catch the intentional or misleading nature of Durandal's words. He simply laughed it off and let the matter drop.
He had indeed developed feelings for this powerful and exceptionally beautiful woman, but fortunately, his affection wasn't deep enough to prevent him from moving on gracefully.
Setting personal matters aside, Hayato turned to business. He introduced the Director of the Education Bureau who stood beside him to Durandal and Elysia.
Once the introductions were over, Hayato chose to ride in the same car as the Director and the secretary, leaving his private car and driver to Durandal and Elysia.
The first stop on their itinerary was a place both Durandal and Elysia knew well: Chiba Academy.
In the car, although Elysia couldn't directly praise Durandal's handling of the situation due to the presence of Hayato's driver, she showed her good mood through her actions.
Elysia spent the entire ride resting her head on Durandal's shoulder, her arms tightly encircling the other girl's firm yet slender waist, proving that her bout of jealousy had completely vanished.
"Why do I feel like you're acting like a child who just won a toy?" Durandal teased, finding it a bit amusing.
"A toy?"
Elysia's eyes flickered. "Using that to describe yourself... isn't entirely wrong."
Durandal: ?
Then, she watched as Elysia mouthed something silently to her.
Saying it out loud would have been far too embarrassing, and the setting wasn't exactly appropriate.
When Durandal read Elysia's lips, her face instantly flushed a deep red.
Ahem. To some extent, she actually agreed with Elysia's sentiment.
But such private "bedroom secrets" were certainly not for the ears of outsiders.
Chiba Academy wasn't far from the Education Bureau. Ten minutes later, the two cars pulled up to the school gates.
Since classes were currently in session, only the Principal and other school administrators were there to welcome them.
The Principal had a very vivid memory of Durandal and Elysia.
These two students had transferred to Chiba Academy once, though they hadn't stayed for long.
Later, officials from the Education Bureau had personally come by to handle their graduation certificates—along with those of Kevyn and Sakura.
Seeing them again now—and noting that they seemed to stand on equal footing with Mayor Hayato—the Principal's heart skipped a beat with a sudden sense of awe.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.