Honestly, this one's a bit shorter than some of the others. Just thought I'd let you know. But, there is another one posted just after this, and that should balance it out. Enjoy!

Yeah, The beginning of that chapter was interesting to write. I mean, I wanted to mimic the dream MC had in the game, but it made more sense to make it a sort of wet dream for innocent little Eli, because those are supposed to be normal for hormonal teenage boys, no? I had to research it a bit (because I tend to do extensive research for the smallest details) and hope no one peeked over my shoulder as I read articles about it. Honestly, I'm worried that someone from IT is going to come and ask my why I'm researching everything from wet dreams to types of knives while on the school wifi. I'm a writer. I research random things. Please understand that I do not look up baby names because I'm pregnant, or knives because I'm going to stab someone (in real life). Writer struggles, eh? And I liked Luca's nickname for her, too. Luca, in my opinion, is someone who likes giving nicknames. And since Selene is "Little Vixen," I thought Kittycat would be appropriate for Katalina. And as much as I loved Eli's route (it's my favorite), I always felt he was lacking something to give him depth as a character, and so I feel the background and the inner thoughts does that. I'm glad you think so, too!


Chapter 9—Sincere Feelings

I was walking to class the next morning when I heard: "Ah, Elias!" I looked behind me to see Katalina running up to me. "Good morning, Elias." she said brightly, approaching.

And I panicked, my eyes turning wide. I whirled around and scurried off. Oh gosh, what am I doing?

I couldn't bring myself to look at her during class the entire day. While last night I was feeling like my head was in the clouds, this morning I came crashing back into reality.

Oh gosh I acted so embarrassingly yesterday!

I heard carbuncle hissing.

"Haha, it seems it hasn't forgiven me for calling it a hairball. I don't think it likes me." Luca chuckled.

"Oh hush you!" Katalina scolded the pink creature. "Sorry about that…"

"It's all right, I don't mind." Luca said, "That said, something seems off about you. Did anything happen?"

"No, it's nothing really." Other than I was really friendly yesterday and now I'm completely avoiding her. Oh gosh. I'm a terrible person.

"Nothing? That's not how it looks."

"There really isn't anything wrong." she insisted.

"Don't hold back, we're classmates, right? Ask me about anything." Quit flirting you jerk! I thought as I scribbled a magic note.

It irritated me so much I stood up and my chair made a loud scooting noise. I grabbed my bag and released the note. It folded itself into a bird form and fluttered over to Katalina.

"Huh? What's this?" And she's never seen one before. Good job Elias.

"It's a magic note." Luca explained as I left the room.

'I'd like to cancel today's training. —Elias'

I tried to keep my walk calm and even, but I knew that I was trying to hurry away as well. I just couldn't bring myself to face her after that embarrassing display yesterday.

I had made it to a passageway that led to the prefect's office, where I planned to spend the afternoon hiding and studying, when I heard someone call my name.

"Elias!" That was...Katalina. "Wait!"

I froze, then slowly looked behind me. "K-katalina?"

"I read your note." she said as soon as she caught up to me.

"I see." I kept emotion out of my voice and face as best I could. "Then you can go back for today."

"Wait!" she cried when I was about to start walking, "Uhm, did I offend you or what, Elias?" No. You didn't. I was just a lovesick moron yesterday and can't bare to face you now. "You've been avoiding me since this morning."

"I wasn't...avoiding you…" I said weakly. Yes I was, but not because of you. Well, in a way, it was. But not for what you seem to be thinking.

"Don't lie to me…" she said sadly, "I might be an idiot, but this I know. If I did something to make you feel bad, I want to apologize."

"I want to keep my distance from you a bit."

"Huh?" Don't give me that heartbroken face. Please. It's for your own good. It's because of me. Please stop looking like you're going to cry. Please. Please. Please. "W-why would you…?"

"I-I don't know very well how to say it…" I don't even know what I looked like at this point. I was hurting because she looked like she was hurting. I didn't want to hurt her. But I've realized that's all I'll do by being around her. If I cut things off now, the pain for her will be minimal, right?

She looked worried. Worried for whom? "Elias…"

"You see, I feel weird when I'm with you." I know why, too, but I can't let you know that. For your own good. "So, I'm sorry, but please leave me alone, for a while."

"O-ok-ay…" Don't make that face. It's killing me. It's hurting me. And I'm going to be selfish and run away from it. So I averted my eyes and left. "Elias…" I heard her whisper. I sped up.

I hurriedly unlocked the prefect's office and shut the door behind me. I didn't even bother turning on the lights. I leaned back against the door and let myself slide to the floor, feeling absolutely miserable. I kept seeing her sad face. And hated myself for causing the beautiful, happy smile of hers to slip away...

They say Fortitudio, my class, is the class of courage.

Ha. What a joke.

…. …. ….

I didn't say a word when I finally got back to the dorm. I went straight to bed without even studying. I couldn't sleep though. So I did my best to make it look like I was, not moving and keeping my breathing even. Until sometime around midnight, when I heard faint movement. I cracked my eyes open to see Yukiya putting on his shoes. Was he going out?

I closed my eyes and listened. His footsteps were almost silent, but that tell-tale click of the door shutting showed that he had left. I sat up. As dormmaster, it was my job to keep the boys in this dorm in order. I got up and crept around, hurriedly getting dressed. I slipped on my shoes and was out the door. I felt completely visible and my heart was pounding, and I felt like I was going to get in trouble. How does Luca do this so often? I was terrified, and it wasn't fun. At all. Luca must be insane.

I wasn't able to find him until I saw him and Katalina disappearing into the woods. What are they doing?! I felt a jealous rage, like a dragon in my stomach. I felt betrayed and angry, though I had no reason to do so. I had no claim on her.

But reason set in as I was about to follow them. Unlike Yukiya, I didn't have an innate sense of direction and would easily get lost if I tried to follow them. But they eventually had to come back. So I went and stood in front of the girls' dorm. Yukiya, being Yukiya, would drop her off before going back to our room. And when they came, I was going to catch them and demand to know what they were doing.

It was over half and hour before they came back. I heard them approach. Neither were talking. I muttered a spell and the end of my wand lit up, illuminating me.

"Elias!" Katalina gasped, before clapping her hand to her mouth. Then she lowered it. "Why are you here?"

"That's my line." I said cooly, a contrast to the raging jealous anger at my core. "What were you doing up until now?" I was glaring at both of them, but mostly Yukiya, who didn't bother to say anything, but looked completely apathetic.

"I-it's not what you think…" Katalina stuttered.

"How so?" I snapped, "I thought it was strange that Yukiya would leave the room, so I followed him. But I lost him on the way, so I waited here. And now, he's come back with you? Explain! Or is it something you can't?"

She looked a bit frightened, but I was far to mad too care at this point, "E-elias…"

"What were you doing with Yukiya?!" I demanded.

"What do you…"

"We can't say." Yukiya said emotionlessly.

Katalina looked surprised, "Y-yukiya?"

My eyes widened. Then my eyes narrowed slightly, "As the dormmaster, I will have to report your suspicious activities to the prefect!" Nevermind that it's me at the moment!

"W-wait!" Katalina cried, "There's no need to get that angry! We just took a walk!"

"Be quiet, you!" I snapped at her.

"No I won't!" she snapped back. "What are you so mad? It's weird, Elias!"

"It's just that as the dormmaster of the boys' dorm, I cannot overlook such acts that are against the rules." Excuses excuses.

This seemed to surprise her, "A-against the rules? It's nothing that bad, is it?"

"It's forbidden to go out at night!"

"I'm sorry. It's true that violating the rules isn't good." Don't give me the puppy eyes. Don't you dare. "But really, I couldn't sleep, so I just went for a walk."

"So what?" I growled, "That doesn't change that you broke the rules, does it?"

Now she was apparently mad, "How mean! You don't need to say it like that? Why are you so angry today, Elias?" Her face turned sad, "Is it...because you hate me or something?" She laughed bitterly, and I was taken aback. "That must be it, you dislike me, so that's why you act so mean. I'm nowhere near as amazing as your precious Selene, so I'm just a pain, aren't I?"

"Th-that's not it…" I said weakly. Selene had nothing to do with it. It was just me and my pride. Me and my stubbornness. Me and my social incompetency.

"Then what is?!" she demanded.

"I-I just get irritated when I look at you." Now she looks like she wasn't going to cry. Damn it!

"Elias." Yukiya inserted, "You went too far."

"It's none of your business, Yukiya!"

"Yes it is. I broke the rules too."

I blink, "Aw, yes, you're right!"

"Elias, calm down."

"I am calm!" I yelled. I paused. He was right. Why is he always right?! "Fine! I won't report you! Do whatever you want!" I stormed off. I don't want to be near them. Either of them!


Fun Fact 10: I hate making Eli and Yukiya fight and argue. I hate it. I wanted to cry at the end of this chapter.