16 If it Weren't For Love

I was in shock, gaping shamefully at the girl in front of me who didn't bear any resemblance to the face I had imagined in my head.

"... Miss Asura?" The girl asked again.

I blinked, pulled out from my stupor. "M-My! Nice COINCIDENCE meeting you here, um... Lady... "

Shit. I don't remember who she is at all!

Was there a person like this at our school? With such sleek black hair?

"It's Caroline, Miss Asura. I'm the adopted daughter of Baron Baske," Caroline introduced herself, gently curtsying.

"Ah, ha! Caroline!" I chuckled awkwardly, tucking a lock of golden hair behind my ear.

Shit, I cursed again.

I suddenly remembered something.

I-I was crying previously... so my face must be a mess! And my wet sleeves!

URGHHHHHH!!!

I dug the heels of my navy formal shoes into the soil to quietly vent my frustration.

As I expected, the next thing that came out of Caroline's mouth was: "Are you alright, Miss Asura?! You do not seem too well!"

My mouth slightly twitched.

This would be the, what, hundredth time I'm hearing these words today?

Maintaining a small, tired smile, I perfunctorily replied, "I was, carelessly, not paying attention to my surroundings. A few grains of sand fell into my eye while I was walking along the road just beyond this area. Feeling embarrassed, I decided to hide in the forestry to wait for my eyes to return to normal before going back. And that's when you found me."

I let out a low chortle. "I apologize for letting you see such an unseemly side to me, Caroline."

Heh. Even I felt amazed that I was able to come up with such a flawless explanation in less than a second of pause.

(VA note: Whoever finds some loophole in her explanation can diss me and comment to tell me where's the loophole, but the next time someone sees your comment, it won't make sense anymore cuz I can just apply the fixes. Authors are invincible, aren't they? Kek XD)

Having superior reflexes and intelligence comes in handy at times, no?

Ah... but I'm just too intelligent, aren't I? So smart that it gives trouble... Sigh.

Perhaps God created me too perfect, and that's the reason he is making things so hard for me in this life...

I watched as the girl named Caroline look at me in a daze full of admiration-- perhaps forgetting all about her male companion.

Sigh... should I be sorry for being too awesome?

Before my mind could completely derail, I bid farewell to the girl in front of me after making sure my face wasn't so puffy.

Now... Should I continue taking a walk around the school, or should I just head to class early?

But upon being reminded of the incident that took place just now, I was hesitant to continue on my way.

W-What if I find Lancera fooling around with a man?

If I accidentally stumble upon her, what if the scene I see isn't one that I want?

'The one that I want'?

My heart tensed.

Indeed.

This... This feeling... It's love, isn't it?

If it isn't because of love, then why would I be so concerned if Lancera was with someone else, so impatient if she was out of my sight for too long?

If it isn't because of love, why would I cry when imagining a future where I won't be able to see her anymore? Why would I be so mad, so down, when we haven't met for merely a few more hours than usual?

It all made sense once you thought about it.

Though there was one point that I didn't get.

Perhaps the most crucial point of all?

W-W-WHY WOULD I BE IN LOVE WITH THAT DAMNED HALL BRAT?!

No matter how many times I think about it, she isn't fit to be my better half at all!

I mean, if my lover was a female, then she must have at least one of the following traits:

1. be more beautiful than me-- on second thought, this trait is invalid. No one can be more beautiful than me, because I'm the most beautiful in this world!!

2. be richer than me-- though I don't really need someone like that

3. be more intelligent than me -- this trait is invalid as well. You know why.

4. Be cuter than the cutest cat-- this one is also invalid. Cats are the cutest! No one can beat them (besides me, I'm maxed out on all categories)

All in all, no one like this probably exists.

Hmm... What should I do then? No one deserves me. I'm just too good for mortals.

But... I-I-I guess... I can accept someone as long as they're close enough to my level.

Maybe... Someone like--

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"