Chapter 160. All participants
The pastry shop in town felt warm and cozy, filled with the sweet smell of fresh pastries and brewing tea. Sunlight streamed through lacy curtains, making pretty patterns on the shiny wooden table where Rin and Velmera sat.
Rin, glowing in a soft lavender dress, held a warm teacup, its smooth surface gentle against her fingers. Velmera, across from her, looked stunning in a shiny gold dress, her blonde hair catching the light as she ate a buttery croissant, her eyes sparkling. This afternoon was their break—a fun girls’ day to relax from the Academy.
Velmera put her croissant down, brushing crumbs off her hands, her voice playful but surprised. "He just flat-out turned you down? That’s cold, senior!"
Rin sighed, her pink eyes following the slow swirls of steam from her tea. "I knew he might say no, but that idiot didn’t even soften the blow."
Velmera leaned forward, her tone light as she took another bite. "Oh, come on, Senior. Brother in law buried in work—section leader duties, training with Professor Gidon, prepping the tournament team. He’s probably running on fumes."
"I get that he’s swamped, but he’s been avoiding me for three days straight. What if... he doesn’t even like me?"
"Avoiding you? What makes you think that?"
Rin’s fingers tightened on her teacup, her voice shy, almost weak. "Remember when he said he’s looking for someone special? He told you that, right?"
"Yeah, when I teased him about having a crush," Velmira said, her tone thoughtful. "But that doesn’t mean—"