Secret Admirer; In The Land Of Fairies
28. The Black Frick

I never thought about the brilliant idea Tom said was a photoshoot with a model with Noah and Frederick. The theme of our photoshoot is apparently in accordance with the theme of this year's school celebration, Fairy Tale. Wanting to refuse, I could not bear to destroy the sparks of enthusiasm in Tom's eyes that were directed expectantly to me. Therefore, I said it with a smile on my face, which was greeted with Tom's joyful cheers and a sudden hug.

“T-Tommy!”

My body was trapped in Tom's warm embrace. Tom hugged me tightly, to the point that I couldn't breathe because my face was depressed by his embrace. Not to mention with a sudden heartbeat that spurs quickly because there is no distance between us. Tom was not as tall as Leonal or Noah, his posture was smaller and muscular, but still he was taller than me.

“Kimmy, you are indeed my savior angel!”

“Stop, Graffen," sergeant Noah. "You hugged him too tightly. Are you going to kill him?”

“Eh–forgive me, Kimmy!”

Tom let go of his embrace so I could breathe well. However, it has not eased my heartbeat that continues to pump quickly.

Always was. It's always like this!

“Then as a thank you.” Suddenly Tom kissed my cheek briefly. Then the guy smiled at a grim smile while winking one eye. “Special kiss Tommy.”

It made me freeze on the spot, as if I was losing my mind.

“I don't know if your taste is a metropolitan city girl like her, Graffen,” said Noah coldly, but inserted a tone of sarcasm.

I, who was still confused by what happened, was immediately drawn back to reality. Those words annoyed me and intrigued me to reply to Noah no less.

“What if I'm from McReych?” my murmur.

“Aren't you better off going back there than settling down in a small town like Fairille?” timpal Noah's.

“Not usually you talk a lot like this, Noah,” said Tom mediated while frowning. Tom's expression suddenly turned bright when he got something in his head. “Oh, I know. Do you also want to be hugged and kissed by me? Here~”

“Stop, Graffen.”

After an agreement and a small talk about preparation for the celebration, we decided to split up. Tom hurriedly returned to his clubroom with light steps, whereas I myself intended to return to the dormitory. However, just as he was about to walk away, Noah restrained my wrist that had been snared by the black shadow in the back area of the school. In the container, the grip of Noah issued a pain and burning that increasingly became so that it made me frown and hiss. Unable to bear it, I reflexively brushed his hand off violently.

"Let go!" my screams stuck.

When I looked at Noah, I realized he seemed very surprised by my rejection of him. I'm just as surprised, actually. Although some time ago we had a bit of a murmur against each other, but I didn't mean to be rude to Noah.

"Sorry."

The words that came out of Noah's mouth, made my shoulders soften and the same word came out of my lips.

“Sorry, I'm just surprised." A little cover up the lie about the real reason why I brushed the guy's hand off. "What's wrong?"

The gaze Noah gave me next was not as cold as before. Maybe the guy really feels guilty.

“What's up?” ask again.

“There is something wrong with your hand," replied Noah.

“Tanku... It's okay,” I said as I glanced in the other direction. We don't want our eyes to meet.

“At 9 tonight, come to the rooftop," Noah said. I stare back at him. There, a serious look on Noah's face. The boy then continued, “Near the little fairy statue. I'll be there waiting for you.”

“Wait. What do you mean---hey, Noah!”

Instead of explaining anything, the guy went in the same direction as Tom, to the side wing of the building. Most likely the guy is heading to the committee room. I, who was left alone, now feel confused.

...***...

I can't stand the black shadow.

My wrists felt blistered as I soaked in the bathtub earlier. In my eyes, there was not a single scar on my wrist. Then how could it possibly feel like that?

I think now, the only way to find answers is to meet Noah. The guy's the only one who's aware of my wrist condition that's not okay.

So, here I am now.

I just got out of the recreation room and tracked down the rooftop floor. Near the statue of the little elf, he said, I really don't know where exactly it is. Over the last few days, I haven't really taken the time to become this great rooftop hostel. In fact, while I was here, I felt like I was in a real park, which could mislead me at any time.

So I decided to go down the rooftop. In the arches of the garden made by the fence of flowering plants, I saw many small groups occupying. Whether they are friends or lovers, a lot of it makes me jealous. Moreover, there was the rest of the disappointment that I experienced today after I greeted my three friends in the chat room.

“Cowok it really is my type!”

“So, when do you want to express feelings?”

“Oh, come. He will definitely accept you.”

The warm conversation I overheard while passing a group of girls in a park niche got me slapped on reality: I can't spend any more time with Sophie, Marsha, and Felly like I used to. My eyes quickly flooded by tears, then fell when the room was no longer able to accommodate it.

How annoying. I just got near the little fairy statue. But when I saw the statue of the little elf, it reminded me of this afternoon, when I groaned before the statue of the fairy prince.

Unexpectedly, someone approached as I tried to brush off my tears that were spilling over using a tissue from my hotpants pocket. I didn't realize it until the man stood in front of me.

“I told you, put on a handkerchief instead of a tissue like this.” I looked up, apparently it was Noah who was busy lecturing me. The guy was already not wearing a cast, making his upright posture look more dashing than that afternoon. “I know it's summer, but your clothes-” words are cut off because of whispers from around.

A group of children had just passed by them, and seemed to be looking towards me, as usual with stunned eyes. But I don't care about that anymore. I don't want to be the center of attention, it's just that I'm unwittingly wearing this–tanktop outfit overwritten with a short-sleeved white shirt that's a bit transparent–because I miss McReych.

Instead of stopping, my tears just got bigger.

“What do you care?” I said between the likes.

Suddenly Noah grabbed me and brought my body closer to him.

The guy then spoke in a low tone near my ear, “Of course I care.”

...****************...