The two walked slowly along the lakeside.
Neither of them mentioned what had happened at noon in the empty classroom.
It was like a secret that couldn't be put into words, carefully hidden deep within their hearts.
"This is fine as it is."
Mary's voice quietly echoed by his ear, almost like she was talking to herself.
"Hm?"
"I said, this is fine as it is."
She looked up at Russell. Her blue eyes, illuminated by the afterglow of dusk, shone like two jewels.
"There's no need to rush home, and no need to worry about Father finding out and getting angry."
Mary spoke quietly, withdrawing her gaze and looking straight ahead.
"Just walk slowly. Don't think about anything. Don't think about anything at all."
There was a faint hint of satisfaction and reassurance in the girl's voice.
Russell looked at her profile. Her fair face, bathed in the warmth of the sunset, looked even softer.
"Me too."
He said quietly.
Hearing this, Mary smiled. Bathed in the sunset, she shone especially brightly.
The two continued walking along the lakeside path. Neither spoke again along the way.
The afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long and diagonally, intertwining and separating on the ground as they moved.
After walking for a while, Mary suddenly broke the silence.
"That thing you mentioned during this afternoon's class... someone died, and there were bloodstains..."
She paused for a moment, her tone filled with concern.
"You didn't get hurt, did you?"
"Don't worry. It's nothing."
Russell shook his head. "The bloodstains weren't mine."
"That's grea..."
"They were Billson's."
"Huh?"
The girl opened her mouth in feigned surprise. "You weren't hiding it?"
"Charlotte figured out his hiding place, so we went to catch him together. But afterward, a few small accidents happened, and Billson died."
Russell sighed.
Hearing this, the girl nodded deeply and buried her chin in her scarf.
She didn't bring up the topic again.
This romantic and comfortable atmosphere wasn't meant for discussing such things.
The two walked further.
"Will you be free soon?"
Mary asked.
"What?"
"Just... I can't say exactly when, but there might be literary salons or similar events soon."
The girl spoke quietly.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to take you along."
Hearing this, Russell raised an eyebrow.
"Is this your father's idea?"
"He..."
He did say that, but I didn't want to take you just because he said so.
Mary spoke in a slightly flustered tone, as though trying to distance herself.
"Of course, you might not be interested in salons. After all, it's just people sitting together eating desserts and chatting about various things..."
She paused before continuing. "If you don't like crowds or feel the atmosphere is awkward, we can go to the theater instead. There are private boxes too. How about it?"
"Sure."
Russell agreed almost without hesitation.
"Re—really?"
Mary seemed surprised that he had agreed so quickly. A flash of astonishment appeared in her eyes.
"Don't you think those kinds of places are boring? Having to wear formal clothes and listen to those people talk about trivial things..."
"It does sound pretty boring."
Russell said vaguely. "I mean, going to the theater."
"Theater, theater— theater is fine. I'll have someone arrange a private box."
The girl said excitedly.
"But... I don't know if you'll like that play... It might not be enough on its own... Popular one."
"It's fine," Russell shook his head, a smile appearing on his lips.
"In the worst case, I just won't watch it."
"Not watch...?"
Mary tilted her head. "If you go to the theater but don't watch the play, what will you do?"
You can't just eat the fruit platter, right?
"Just watch you."
Russell said.
"I want to see you."
"..."
The moment he finished speaking, Mary suddenly stopped walking.
The twilight light reflected off the girl's fair face, casting a faint warm blush on her delicate skin.
It was as though fire were burning, making her entire body feel hot.
Her mouth was slightly open, and her eyes, which should have been serene, were now filled with panic and helplessness.
Like a fawn that had suddenly wandered into someone else's territory, eyes wide open, staring at the unexpected guest with a look of confusion and anxiety.
"How can you... say something so rude."
Mary instinctively buried her cheeks in her warm scarf, trying to cover her faintly heated cheeks with the soft cashmere.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Russell blinked innocently.
Hearing this, Mary raised her face and glared at him with her beautiful blue eyes, a slightly embarrassed expression on her face.
"You... did that on purpose."
Russell looked at her charming expression and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Who was the one who made a move on me at noon?"
"I..."
"Why... can you say that?" The girl's voice grew softer and softer until she finally turned her face away and refused to look at him.
Russell smiled and didn't pursue the topic further.
Let's keep the level low.
Just like at noon.
If they had taken one more step forward, they might have stepped on and broken that invisible line.
He didn't care about the consequences afterward, but at least for now, this was fine.
It should come at a more appropriate and fitting time.
Like when choosing your favorite playlist while taking a shower—not this rushed, casual, yet serious and earnest feeling.
When there are meticulously prepared gorgeous outfits, roaring cheers, grand flowers, and wonderfully moving music.
A sense of ceremony is very important.
This was probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and shouldn't be treated lightly.
"Let's go."
Russell broke the silence and spoke.
"It's getting dark. If we don't head back soon, Mrs. Hudson will start talking about me again."
"Yeah."
Mary answered briefly and stepped forward to continue walking.
The two walked quietly along the lakeside path bathed in sunset hues and eventually arrived at the school gate.
The Morstan family's carriage was already waiting quietly.
"Well then," Russell stopped and looked at Mary. "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah." Mary also stopped but didn't get into the carriage right away. She simply turned her face to look at him.
"See you tomorrow."
She spoke quietly, her voice carrying a faint nasal tone.
With that, the girl lifted her skirt and climbed into the carriage.
The carriage door closed, and the girl's slender figure disappeared from view.
Russell stood there, watching as the black carriage slowly began to move, merged into the flow of traffic, and finally disappeared around the street corner.
Only then did he turn around and head toward Baker Street, carried by the early winter evening wind.
"By the way, it seems like I forgot to ask something earlier."
Suddenly, Russell thought of something and knocked on his forehead, shrugging.
"It's fine. I won't ask."
Wait, and keep holding on to hope.
…
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