Chung could still remember Eve's reaction to the event clearly. She was taken aback, retracting slowly as if she'd kissed a monster. The same Minister he knew wasn't there at all— a helpless girl appeared instead, and she scrambled off him. Chung tried really hard to force an apology to her, but the words didn't come out. Instead, his heart had twittered at what happened. But was she disgusted? After all, she rushed out the room rather irked.

What if Eve never forgave him?

... Perhaps he was approaching it in a depressing mood. He would have to fix that— it was, after all, in the past, wasn't it? At least Eve finally stopped avoiding him. Well technically, she'd only ignored him for one day, but it felt like eternity. Things were certainly healing between the two, weren't they?

Her quiet tinkering was the only noise in the unnervingly silent room. Eve had insisted on making a telescope today. Nothing big, just a telescope. Chung asked why she was doing so, but she avoided the question and simply demanded harder on the task.

"Pass the hammer." Eve held out a hand to the blonde, forcing herself to speak— it was a harsh and uneven tone. Gingerly, he handed the tool over to her and continued leaning against the table that held her toolbox, like he always did.

Chung lifted a finger to his lips, tracing the outline of it. Even though he realized the little event was unintentional— an outcome of him overstepping his boundaries and irritating Eve— he couldn't help but feel warm on the inside. A simple, ordinary, and mediocre person like himself actually 'kissed' someone so classy and brilliant. Eve was frail in his arms then, and, as unusual as the though was, he felt the presence of a normal person in that very moment.

Chung was immediately snapped out of his, admittedly embarrassing, thoughts. The breaking of metal had caught his attention. The blonde looked over at Eve, and there in front of her was a thin sheet of metal snapped in half by the hammer in her trembling hand.

Eve stood suddenly and placed the hammer on the desk. "I'll be back." With quick steps, she left the room and headed down the hall.

... Eve didn't look alright.

Since the moment she came into existence, Eve had never broken any material, part, or invention. Today, she just couldn't concentrate with him nearby— escape from his presence was needed. The beating inside her chest was growing quicker and more wild in giant leaps, and she knew something bad would happen if she let it control her. It was a simple case of infatuation. She could handle it for now, but she'd have to take care of it immediately before it spiraled out of her hands. Such an emotion was not to exist inside her— to be diminished. Eve never expected it to creep up on her and attack like this, though, in the form of such an ordinary person. The Congress of Engineers would be ashamed to discover her bending over like this.

The kitchen was, believe it or not, the one place Eve rather enjoyed being. In a grand place with marble floors and fancy furniture, the kitchen was special, and Eve had grown to admire the diversity it gave the estate. The walls were dark bricks, and many of the appliances old fashioned. The stove and oven were both turned on by a flame fueled by wood logs. That was beside the point though— what really mattered to her was how one could do work off their own accord and efforts in this kitchen instead of by an automatic device. It reminded her of how much had developed over time.

Eve's heels clicked against the brick hard floor as she passed through the door. For minutes, she paced back and forth in equal steps. Even though she could deny in her head that the accidental contact with Chung was but a detestable blunder, but an outcome of his irritable persistence, she knew a part of her really hadn't minded that much. Chung... though from a small town and of minor importance, and holding no significant position, was definitely special to Eve... But not special enough to jeopardize everything! No, not in the least! All of her life accomplishments were worth more than he could ever become! He was like every other banal simpleton! Yes, every one that was undeveloped and juvenile young. Every one with blonde hair and blue eyes. And a warm smile and dangerously eager personality— what in the world was she thinking?!

Leaning against a counter, Eve sipped a glass of water she had poured. Because of their little... moment, that occurred between them, Eve had been losing valuable hours of sleep. She'd restlessly tossed back and forth under her covers during the night. The most sleep Eve had gotten was about an hours-worth before Ophelia entered and began rummaging through her closet for the day's outfit. Her body felt weak and fatigue, as well as deprived of something neccessary for her well-being. A nap was in order for today. Surely, that would revive her strength, would it not? She would ask Oberon to work on some tasks with Chung to keep him distracted while she caught a bit of—

"Hey."

Gentle footsteps stepped through the kitchen. Eve almost chocked on the water slithering down her throat when Chung stopped next to her and leaned back on the counter as well. How had he managed to discover her whereabouts so quickly? What a nuisance!

"So, um... nice weather today, don't you think?" Chung lamely asked.

... The weather? That was a rather mundane topic, particularly focusing on today's own. As poor a conversation starter that was, though, the silver-haired girl didn't care to fix him. She was far too preoccupied forcing herself to mouth a word, still bothered by his sudden presence. "Yes." Slowly, Eve turned her head to look at him, silently thanking herself that her voice was holding firm and steady.

Chung looked away with a smile, staring at everything but Eve. "Yeah, I mean... It's not extremely sunny and it's not raining." There was a pause. "Although, rain is nice sometimes. Like when there's a drought and the plants need a drink. Rain is good then—" He stopped talking and blushed, "...am I actually talking about the weather? How strange. I haven't even been outside today..." Gosh, if Chung was trying to make things feel natural, he wasn't doing such a great job right then!

"Er," His attention went back to Eve, cheery. "So how's your day been Eve?"

Her expression was as still and empty as ever. The continuous blink of her eyes, though, told Chung that she was, indeed, still alive. But why was she looking athim like that? He didn't believe he said anything stupid...

"Eeeeeeeve?" Chung waved a hand in front of the girl's face, back and forth, staring into her pupils.

"I..." Eve blinked about thirty times as she rewinded his words in her head. "I am..." Despite the effort, the question was stored nowhere in her memory. What was she supposed to say? What words were supposed to come from her mouth? There was not one piece of information she could respond with, and, for the first time in forever, she was absolutely at a loss for words.

So Eve slapped the blond boy.

There was no conscious order inside of her to slap him, but slapping him happened. Chung held his face where her hand touched him, rubbing it in hopes of soothing the pain— luckily, the drones weren't with Eve. Why had she just done that so spontaneously?

With mixed thoughts, Eve rushed by Chung in an attempt to escape quickly. Too quickly, in fact, to notice the brick that was sticking of the floor dangerously. The tip of her shoe caught the edge of the brick, and she tripped and fell.

"A-Are you alright?!" Chung asked, ignoring the stinging cheek and attending to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders gently. "Does it hurt Eve?"

Of course it hurt— it stung and throbbed and pounded. But the tingling sensation from his hands on her shoulders radiated in her, and that felt even worse. She had to fight it off. "Unhand me."

Eyes a bit wide, Chung didn't let go. Instead, his grip tightened— there was nothing wrong with helping a person in need. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I said let go!" The Minister fought against his hold, trying to pry his fingers off. This was the same feeling she felt last time— a mixture of anger and frustration, but also unease. It was like this every time he was around! Eve tried one final push, which didn't knock him back, before finally giving up. This was just too much, and her head was spinning from fatigue. Her head drooped over and her hands pressed against the brick floor, balling up and turning her fingers even paler than they already were. Eve had felt many different pressures before, but this truly was something different— it was deteriorating her mentally and physically, and definitely emotionally.

And so, she let a very small teardrop run down her right cheek. And then many more.

... Well, Chung was absolutely shocked. He had no idea how to act in regards to an Eve with emotion. "... E-Eve? What's the matter?"

"You are, you incompetent...!" The last word faded out, and she slammed the palm of her hand against the floor in frustration. Although she had some choice words she wanted to yell at him, there wasn't a thing she could force out her mouth. "You're overwhelming." That was all she could muster.

"I'm overwhelming?"

She nodded. "You're constantly by my side. I can no longer concentrate, and I'm guilted by your care for me!" Eve slapped him on the arm. "Why must I feel this way towards such an... an idiot! I can't succumb to such feelings."

For a little while, Eve's crying was the only noise being made as well as the tears hitting the floor. Chung processed her words carefully— he was ninety percent sure she just confessed something. How long had Eve been feeling this ways? Chung, cautiously, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a light and gentle embrace.

"Please... Stop." Eve began, pushing him away slowly. "Do not touch me so intimately."

Ignoring her order, Chung rested his chin on her shoulder. "Eve, what makes you think love is such a wrong and impossible thing for you?"

Her tears were starting to disappear as she calmed down, and Eve's voice clearned up. "The Congress of Engineers stated to me that I couldn't fall in love— doing so would be a distraction, as they put it. And if they ever found out I overstepped that boundary, they'd take back my title as Minister of Mechanics." She still felt tense, but her head progressively rested on his shoulder as well. Eve was tired, and it was too much work to fight at all.

"So... you think you can't fall in love because of that?"

"Precisely."

"... That might just be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, Eve."

Her head shot up and Eve stared at him. "What?"Was he challenging the Congress' ideals?

"Worst that you actually believe it." Chung added. For an intelligent lady like her to be so misled, that actually surprised him. "The Congress has no right to tell you what you can and can't do for yourself."

"Chung, they have the authority to get rid of my authority—"

Chung shook her hard. "Eeeeeeeve, you're missing what I'm saying! My point is that you are the owner of your own life! If you want to love somebody, then you should! Nobody can deny you of that!"

Eve stared at the ground. She was the one in charge of her own life, wasn't she? It was like something so simple, so obvious, had been revealed to her. She was the one in charge of her own life. But still... she couldn't really give it all up. "I can't just turn away my position, Chung. I worked too hard and too long for it."

Sadness filled the blonde's eyes. A relationship really wasn't likely to happen in the first place, was it? "It's not like the Congress has to know..." Chung mumbled quietly. He should've known better than to think something would come out of talking about this.

... Her golden eyes shot wide. They didn't have to know. Why hadn't she thought of that?! In fact, why didn't she come to that conclusion before him?! It was certainly a much safer idea. And in public, they would just be a Teacher and Assistant. But ultimately, it would put to an end the stress and anguish inside her. Yes, that would work.

"...Alright, I will become your lover."

"W-Wait, what?!" He probably would have been happier about her declaring to be his girlfriend if she hadn't gone out of the blue like that. Technically, he never asked her out! And lover?! T-That was such a weird way to put it! "E-Eve, are you sure?! I mean, I'd love to be your boyfriend and all! It's just, your request is coming out of nowhere, and you still have the whole Minister thing—" Wow, perhaps he wasn't ready for this!

While he stuttered aimlessly, an exhausted Eve rested herself against Chung. He could talk so much, Eve thought, and ramble on and on— there was no need to hear him now when she knew his response. Her action brought Chung back to a quiet and calm reality as she quietly began snoozing against him on his shoulder, breathing at a steady pace. Indeed, it was awkward for Chung.

But at least now she could take that nap she planned.