[Past]
Frank walked into school wearing his new glove as though nothing had changed.
To everyone else, it was just another ordinary day.
But Frank knew better.
People were watching him.
His sword remained hidden inside the glove, allowing him to carry it wherever he went.
Even so, he believed it was useless.
"I still can't use it... Maybe I'm not worthy of wielding it yet."
As usual, whispers filled the classroom.
His popularity had only grown stronger.
Unfortunately, so had the jealousy surrounding Mary.
Many girls believed she was trying to steal him away from them.
Frank quietly listened to their conversations.
"I have to stop this."
"If Mary stays close to me, she'll only become their target."
"Even if she ends up hating me... it'll be safer for her."
"I can't be rude to everyone, or my reputation will collapse."
"But if I push only her away... they'll leave her alone."
After class, Mary happily walked toward him.
Before she could even greet him, Frank looked at her with cold, emotionless eyes.
Frank: "What do you want?"
Mary blinked in surprise.
Mary: "Frank...?"
Frank didn't look away.
Frank: "I don't remember asking you to come talk to me."
His voice was so cold that Mary froze in place.
"Damn..."
"I didn't think she'd be this hurt."
Mary slowly lowered her head.
Moments later, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Unable to hold them back any longer, she turned around and ran out of the classroom.
Frank remained standing silently.
"Why... is she crying?"
Around him, several girls whispered happily.
Girl 1: "Looks like she finally got rejected."
Girl 2: "I knew she never had a chance."
Frank ignored them.
"At least..."
"They'll stop targeting her now."
A few minutes later, the teacher entered the classroom.
Mary quietly followed behind him.
The teacher looked at her with concern.
Teacher: "Mary... what happened?"
Mary forced a weak smile.
Mary: "...My closest person died."
Frank knew she was lying.
She simply didn't want anyone asking more questions.
The teacher sighed sadly.
Teacher: "I'm sorry for your loss, Mary."
After a moment of silence, he addressed the class.
Teacher: "Tomorrow your juniors will be joining us."
"One of them has never attended school before."
"But according to the academy, that student's knowledge may be equal to—or even greater than—all of yours."
"So treat them kindly."
"And don't bully anyone."
The class answered together.
Class: "Yes, sir."
When school ended, Mary quietly placed a folded note on Frank's desk before leaving.
Frank unfolded it.
It contained only a single sentence.
Please come to my secret place.
The secret place was hidden on the rooftop.
Behind a pile of broken desks and old chairs was a narrow opening that could only be entered by crawling through.
Beyond it was a small space Mary had made herself after moving the old furniture aside.
It must have taken her days of hard work.
From there, the entire city could be seen.
The evening wind rushed across the rooftops as if fleeing from something unseen.
Frank crawled inside.
His expression remained cold.
Frank: "Why did you call me?"
Mary looked at him.
Her eyes were swollen from crying.
Mary: "I don't understand..."
"...Why are you acting like this?"
Frank answered without emotion.
Frank: "Why are you crying?"
Mary's voice trembled.
Mary: "You've been so cruel to me."
"...Weren't we supposed to become best friends?"
For a brief moment, Frank looked away.
Then he forced himself to meet her eyes again.
Frank: "Don't misunderstand."
"You're not my best friend."
"You're not even my friend."
"You're only my classmate."
Every word left his mouth like a blade.
Yet each one pierced his own heart.
"Why..."
"Why does my chest hurt so much?"
"We've only known each other for a short time..."
He closed his eyes.
"No..."
"That's not it."
"I'm in love with her."
"That's exactly why I have to let her go."
"My path is dangerous."
"If she stays beside me... she'll only suffer."
Mary stared at him with a broken expression.
Tears streamed endlessly down her face.
Frank felt his own eyes sting, but he refused to let a single tear fall.
After struggling to calm herself, Mary finally spoke.
Mary: "Even if..."
"...you only see me as a classmate..."
"I've always thought of you as the closest person in my life."
She smiled sadly.
Mary: "When I told the teacher my closest person had died..."
"...I was talking about you."
"...The Frank I knew disappeared today."
She took a slow, trembling breath.
Mary: "I wanted to tell you this..."
"...because I thought this would be the last time we'd ever meet."
She looked straight into his eyes.
Mary: "I love you."
"I love you so much that it feels like I can't live without you."
"I know you're hiding secrets."
"I don't care what those secrets are."
"Even if loving you costs me my life..."
"...I'll never regret it."
She lowered her gaze.
Mary: "I was even thinking about transferring to another school."
"I didn't want to become a burden to you."
She turned around and began walking away.
Before she could take another step—
Frank reached forward and grabbed her wrist.
She stopped.
He gently pulled her into his arms.
Unable to hide his feelings any longer, he leaned forward and kissed her.
Mary froze.
A few moments later, she slowly closed her eyes and returned the kiss.
Time itself seemed to stand still.
When they finally pulled apart, Frank rested his forehead against hers.
Frank: "If you choose to stay beside me..."
"...then be prepared to face many hardships."
Mary smiled through her tears.
Mary: "You liar."
"You hurt me so much with those cruel words."
She gently placed both hands against his cheeks.
Mary: "But I still love you."
"As long as the fire in my soul continues to burn..."
"...I'll remain by your side."
"If you'll have me."
She leaned closer once more.
Their lips met beneath the evening sky for a second time.
This time...
There were no lies between them.
Only love.
[End of chapter]