Chapter 7: Rumors, Popularity, and Unwanted Attention
By the second day—
Everything had already gone wrong.
Cleo knew it the moment he stepped into campus.
People were looking at him.
More than yesterday.
Much more.
"…Why are they staring?" he muttered.
Lina, who had insisted on coming early just to "see the drama," looked around excitedly.
"Big brother, I think you're famous again!"
Cleo stared at her.
"…Again?"
"Yeah! You were always famous."
"…I don't want to be."
The whispers were not subtle.
"Is that him?"
"The one who called that guy his brother?"
"I heard he gave up arguing and agreed instead."
"That's so cool…"
"That's so weird…"
Cleo stopped walking.
"…What?"
Cool?
Weird?
Why were those the reactions?
I was trying to survive, not become a trend!
Behind him—
Adrian walked quietly.
But he heard everything.
Every whisper.
Every comment.
Every change.
They're talking about him… differently.
Not as the untouchable young master.
But as someone…
Unpredictable.
"Cleo."
Cleo flinched.
Aria had appeared again.
Without warning.
Without sound.
"…Good morning," he said carefully.
"You didn't message me."
Cleo: "..."
We never had that kind of relationship!
"…I was sleeping?"
"You woke up."
"…Eventually?"
Aria stared at him.
Cleo smiled nervously.
I'm going to die.
Rumor #1: The Changed Young Master
By the time they reached class—
The rumors had already evolved.
"He's nicer now."
"No, he's scarier."
"I heard he's testing people."
"What does that even mean?"
Cleo sat down.
"…I don't like this."
Aria sat next to him.
Of course.
Adrian sat on the other side.
Of course.
Cleo looked at his desk.
I miss my room.
Unexpected Popularity
Halfway through the morning—
It happened.
A group of girls approached.
Cleo noticed immediately.
Danger.
"Um… Cleo?"
Cleo looked up slowly.
"…Yes?"
"We just wanted to ask—"
Before they could continue—
Aria looked up.
That was it.
That was enough.
The girls froze.
"…Never mind."
They left.
Quickly.
Very quickly.
Cleo blinked.
"…What just happened?"
Adrian, sitting beside him, answered calmly—
"They were scared."
Cleo turned.
"…Of me?"
"…Of her."
Cleo looked at Aria.
Aria looked back.
"…What?"
Cleo: "..."
Nothing. Everything is fine. I accept my fate.
Adrian's Change Begins
During class—
Something else started to change.
The professor asked another question.
This time—
Adrian answered again.
Clear.
Sharp.
Confident.
Students started paying attention.
Not just casual attention.
Real attention.
"…He's good."
"Who is he?"
"I heard he's Cleo's brother."
"Really?"
Cleo heard it.
And for some reason—
He felt relieved.
Good.
Focus on him.
Not me.
But then—
Someone whispered—
"If he's that good… why is Cleo still the main heir?"
Cleo: "..."
Why are you dragging me back into this?!
Misunderstanding Level: Rising Again
After class—
A few students approached Adrian.
Not many.
But enough.
They asked questions.
About the lecture.
About his answers.
Adrian responded calmly.
Naturally.
Like he belonged.
Cleo watched from the side.
This is good.
This is how it should be.
He gets recognition.
I stay alive.
Perfect plan.
"…You're staring at him."
Cleo froze.
Aria.
Of course.
"I'm not staring," he said quickly.
"You are."
"…I'm observing."
"Why?"
"…Because he's my brother?"
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You care about him."
Cleo: "..."
This is not going well.
Rumor #2: The Protective Brother
By lunchtime—
The rumors had evolved again.
"I heard Cleo is protecting him."
"Protecting? Or controlling?"
"Maybe both?"
"He even feeds him at home!"
Cleo slammed his head on the table.
"…I'm finished."
Lunch: Round Two
The cafeteria was crowded.
Noisy.
Normal.
Except—
The moment Cleo entered—
It wasn't.
People moved.
Made space.
Watched.
Always watching.
"…I hate this," he whispered.
Aria held his arm.
"You're fine."
"I'm not fine."
They sat down.
Same arrangement.
Cleo in the middle.
Again.
He didn't even question it anymore.
This time—
Cleo made a decision.
Don't do anything.
Just eat.
Stay quiet.
Survive.
He picked up his spoon.
Focused on his food.
Peaceful.
Calm.
Safe.
"…Cleo."
He froze.
"Yes?"
"…Feed me."
Cleo: "..."
No.
No no no.
Not in public.
"Why?" he asked weakly.
Aria looked at him.
"You did it yesterday."
"That was a mistake."
"…So you regret it?"
Cleo: "..."
This is a trap.
Before he could respond—
Lina (who had somehow joined them again) spoke—
"Big brother feeds everyone equally!"
Cleo: "WHEN DID I DO THAT?!"
Too late.
Now everyone was looking.
Again.
The Worst Possible Outcome
Under extreme pressure—
Cleo made the worst decision possible.
He picked up food.
And—
Fed Aria.
Silence.
Total silence.
Then—
Whispers exploded.
"Did you see that?!"
"He actually did it!"
"What kind of relationship is that?!"
Adrian stared.
Cleo wanted to disappear.
Adrian's Inner Conflict
This is strange.
Very strange.
Everything about Cleo—
Was different from the novel.
Different from expectations.
Different from logic.
…What are you trying to do?
For the first time—
Adrian felt something unfamiliar.
Not anger.
Not resentment.
But—
Confusion.
After School Trouble
By the end of the day—
Cleo was exhausted.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Spiritually.
He walked out of campus.
"…I survived."
"Barely," Adrian said.
Cleo looked at him.
"…You noticed?"
"Yes."
"…Thanks."
For a brief moment—
They walked side by side.
Without tension.
Without conflict.
Almost… normal.
Then—
"Cleo."
Aria's voice.
Of course.
Cleo closed his eyes.
"…Yes?"
"…Who was that girl yesterday?"
Cleo: "..."
We're still on that?!
Final Thoughts of the Day
Cleo looked at the sky.
Rumors spreading.
Adrian gaining attention.
Aria getting more possessive.
He sighed.
"…This is getting worse."
Adrian thought—
I need to understand him.
Aria thought—
I need to keep him.
Cleo thought—
I need to survive.