Definitely Not a Love Confession (Probably)

"Dear Athey,

I truly wanted to talk to you in private, but as I said before—you're the only one deserving special treatment.

I want to clarify once and for all the situation I was dragged into… and the one that dragged you in.

Don't ever see me again.

Actually, what I meant was that we shouldn't see each other anymore. Sorry if you thought otherwise! dumbface"

What a walking disaster… Is she seriously mad at me for helping her?

"In any case, I shouldn't have dragged you into my mess. You had to step in because of me. I'm thankful for how you treated me, but that's not what I wanted.

I was surprised by the news. I need to rethink everything I want for myself. Atheron, you're a really good guy."

…Something about this doesn't sit right with me. It feels like…

"So we probably shouldn't see each other anymore. I couldn't give you the mommy-treatment you seem to enjoy. I feel like I need to step away, because right now—I'm not the person I want to be.

Thanks for listening. And don't you dare come near me again!!

Ash"

…

There was one thing about that letter that really got to me. It didn't feel like a simple thank-you.

I could tell something was off.

The magical handwriting vanished the moment I finished reading. I crumpled the note and stepped forward. Screw PE.

Meanwhile, the second-years' lesson was just about to start. As I approached their classroom, I saw Ash casually chatting with girls.

How did I recognize her in the crowd? That ass is impossible to mistake.

"Hey, dumbass."

They heard my unapologetic voice. Her friends turned around, stunned. Ash sighed—her face read "I told you not to come."

Soon, it was just the two of us. Her friends wished her luck like I was some kind of monster.

"Ash. What the hell was that note about?"

We walked down an empty hallway. Classes had already started.

"What, didn't you like it? Shame. I wrote it from the heart."

"No," I ran my hands through my hair. "That's not it…"

Ash giggled sweetly.

"Don't worry. I get it. Of course, I thought you'd actually stay away after reading my note. That was the idea—because you're not the kind of person who makes the first move.

Your motto might as well be 'Don't mess with me, and I won't mess with you!'

That's why I wrote not to come. The old Atheron would've obeyed."

"You don't know me very well," I scratched my nose. "Is that what everyone thinks of me?"

Though, to be fair, I spent the whole year being a jerk. It's not like I wasn't.

"So the real Atheron isn't like that at all?" she teased, lifting her chin.

"...Maybe."

"Then why did you go out of your way? Wouldn't it have been easier to let things be, especially since it wasn't your life at stake? So you helped me because you felt sorry for me."

"God, what kind of stupid thoughts are you torturing yourself with now?"

"I've got plenty of those," she crouched slightly with a mischievous smirk. "I'm a celebrity, you know! People worry about me all the time. I'm not surprised you became my fan."

I groaned, palm to my face.

"You really think too highly of yourself around me. Tell me, Ash. Are you like this with everyone? I don't recall hearing rumors about an idol named Ash with a pervy face calling people her slaves."

She flinched like she got shocked. Visibly flustered.

"You're even crueler than I expected! But hey, Athey, how do you think I treat my fans?"

By now we were strolling through the campus. Hanging gardens, small fountains, lush flora—a perfect place for shade and conversation.

"I don't care about fans. I treat them like I want to escape. That's standard for idols, but some cling even when you try to walk away without a word."

"The type prone to obsessive worship. Tell me, how did you deal with stalkers before? Your attitude toward them wasn't like this, was it?"

"How I dealt with them… you ask," she stopped. Her hair covered her eyes.

After a brief pause, she smiled again and kept walking.

"I didn't deal with them at all. Mostly, I gave them the silent treatment.

Some went away. Others sent threats to me and my family. Nothing I could do.

In the world of mages, there's no place for idols."

We arrived at the alley lined with pink crystal trees. Sitting on a bench, I lay back, staring at the leaves above.

"That's why I became a mage," she continued, twirling a pink leaf with her fingers. "I thought life would improve. That people would finally see me as someone worthy. But reality didn't change. The threats still came. They still followed me. Nothing changed."

Ash raised her palm to a tree. From her fingers flowed streams of purple magic, lighting the leaves above. One by one, more trees began to glow bright pink. The entire alley turned into a crystal-lit paradise.

"And I realized I'd always been weak. I couldn't take charge of my own life. I kept hoping things would change on their own. How much I wanted to appear strong — and how easily that strength crumbled. People saw a confident girl in me, but they never wanted to see the real Ash."

She giggled, as if to pretend everything was fine. Who are you trying to fool, Ash? You think I can't see it?

"Ahem. Ash. Were you planning… to die today?"

Her gaze darkened. Even her gentle smile looked empty. Her eyes were voids. Spirals.

"And how long have you been planning it?"

"Oh, Athey. You don't look it, but you're quite perceptive. I'll give you a point for that. I didn't plan to see you today. Just to leave a note and vanish quietly."

"No, you're lying," I folded my arms. "You're not the type to say goodbye with a letter. I figured it out from the start. That letter was your cry for help, even if you didn't realize it."

She just sat there smiling, like it would calm me down. But I could read her face. She was scared.

"I won't lie," she admitted, "I did hope for that. You're right—I was glad you showed up to check on me. But if you hadn't… I wouldn't have asked. I was too detached."

This girl… She used to come to my class uninvited. Now it's the other way around.

"But you were my last hope," she said.

Last… hope?

"I was ready to die much earlier. But when I saw you with that nerd Riven, I thought—maybe even you could be a decent friend. Maybe a human being. Maybe you're like me? Hiding your real face. Then I realized… I needed a helping hand. A last hope that could help me change."

She looked at me, eyes burning again with the fire I once saw. The real face of Ashmourne.

"And I was right! Thank you for everything. Thanks to you, I found something I'd hidden away. Believing and loving your life—it's a great thing. Even I, hopeless as I was, can do that now!"

…So that's it. She saw me as someone who could save her when she was about to fall. And for some reason, I reached out. Sixth sense? Or is there more I haven't realized?

"So, Athey… I know it's bold of me to ask, but boldness is my thing. Be my savior one more time!"

I scoffed. What a dummy.

I placed my hand on her head and gently patted her. She blushed.

"Alrighty then. Don't even think about dying again, got it? Come on, let's get back. I'll walk you to class."

That moment—my caring voice and confident look—stuck with her. She averted her eyes, cheeks red, scratching her cheek.

"Whatever you say, Athey. Geez, when did you get so hot?"

"There you go again with your dumb jokes."

On the way back, we talked like real friends. Her smile was genuine. But one question still haunted me.

Why am I even making friends?

Break time. The hallways were full. In front of us appeared Riven.

"A-Atheron and… Ashmourne?!" he sniffled. "N-no way. Got it. I hope you two have lots of kids!"

What?

We glanced at each other.

Then…

A sharp, evil laugh. A-ha-ha-ha…

Riven was terrified.

Ash and I wore the nastiest, most wicked faces we could muster.

Grins like devils plotting horrors.

One thought united us: Time to tease the nerd!

"Y-you're two boots of the same pair!" he yelped.

"Where you runnin', kid? A-ha-ha-ha!"

"A-a-and what's wrong with that?! You two look like you're about to eat me alive!"

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling…

I can't escape these two youngsters.

They might turn me into their babysitter.

In all this chaos, I completely forgot about Dean's impossible exam.

Five days left until expulsion.