It took a long time for Professor La.s.sen's scheming to finally be sorted out. Louise discovered one thing about the professor; once she conceived a purpose, she never gave up. She had dragged on and delayed the hearings, giving excuses such as:
Strained self.
Can't eat.
Personal schedule.
Louise's hands trembled as she held the papers for her hearing. Such trivial reasons kept delaying them, and Louise hadn't been able to speak to the Ethics Committee until today—one day before her exams! The importance of the first exam couldn't be overlooked. It was said that a good start was already half the battle.
“Miss Louise Sweeney.”
Louise quickly looked up from the doc.u.ments when the committee chairman called her name. There were three elderly men seated behind the table, each one of them fixing her with strict stares.
“Let's look at page 48.”
Everyone turned over their papers, and Louise quickly unfolded page 48.
“Professor La.s.sen has admitted that she was deeply involved in Professor Hill's exams. Is it true?”
It was true. Louise was in Professor Hill's cla.s.s, and she had vowed she would take the difficult exam questions.
“From the look on your face, it must be true.”
“But.”
Louise firmly gripped the doc.u.ments and lifted her head.
"Professor Hill gave me the usual test questions. The Professor's past problems and average score will prove it."
Everyone took an equally difficult, but fair, test.
“Very well, that's all I want to check. You may go back.”
“Already?”
“Yes. There is no reason to hold a student during exam period.”
Hearing that remark, Louise realized that the resolution must nearly be decided. She spoke up carefully.
“What about Professor Hill?”
The chairman smiled awkwardly.
“Well, Professor Wayne Hill is popular in the Academy.”
“…Huh?”
Except Professor Hill wasn't popular at all. Even with the help of the student council, he could barely fill his cla.s.ses.
“Stella Lapis has asked the same question with a look of concern for Professor Hill.”
“Stella?”
“Yes, and Ian Audmonial as well. Students must be enthusiastic over the young genius professor.”
“O-oh, that…yes, he is a great professor! He's the light of the Academy and the future.”
Louise inadvertently lied to the ethics committee. It was closer to wishful thinking, really. The Academy should love a great professor! She hoped that Professor Hill would be treated generously.
The chairman smiled as if he found Louise's excited reaction amusing, however, when he spoke his voice was an austere tone.
“Professor Wayne Hill's fate will be announced once a decision is made. Professor La.s.sen as well.”
Louise bowed to the elders and stood up. She stepped out onto the chilly hallway and spotted Stella wearing a gray coat.
“Stella?”
“Louise.”
Stella walked up to her with a worried look on her face.
“Did it go well?”
“Yes. There was nothing special. Were you summoned here?”
She shook her head.
“No?”
“You were summoned here when the first exam is tomorrow.”
“So?”
“It's not fair.”
Stella's cheeks were pink and her gaze was averted. Was she embarra.s.sed?
“Oh.”
Louise decided to hazard a guess.
"You were standing here in the cold because it seemed unfair if you studied hard while I was here?"
Stella peeked at Louise and gave a small nod.
Oh my G.o.d, Stella. Why did you show all this cuteness now?
“I don't think this is unfair!”
“But I…I wanted to do this.”
Louise gave a chuckle.
“To make me the top student?”
Stella gave a hasty protest as they started walking together side-by-side.
“What are you talking about? I just don't want you to make excuses when I become top student.”
“Stella, don't tell me you pay attention to me.”
“Who cares about you!”
Louise stopped walking gave a delighted laugh.
“You do care about me, Stella Lapis.”
“I dare you to say that again! “
“You like this, don't you? Speaking this way together.”
Louise started walking again, her eyes alight. Stella stared at the other girl's back for a moment, before hurriedly catching up to her.
“I don't like it!”
“Yes, okay.”
“I don't like you!”
“Okay.”
Stella followed her all the way to the library, yelling, "I don't like you!" The librarian said, "Stella Lapis! You shouldn't confess to Louise Sweeney loudly in the library." Stella spoke in a smaller voice, "I don't like you…" but no one except Louise heard her.
*
*
*
The next day, Louise successfully completed her first exam. This time she set her own rules, never paying attention to anything other than her paper. Especially things that fell to the ground. She didn't want to get involved in another incident.
When Louise stepped out of the exam room, she happened to spot Simon coming out the next room over. The pair faced each other with surprised expressions, and then shared a laugh. It was funny how they took different exams yet finished at the same time.
Louise rushed towards Simon. She had seen him in the library a few times recently, always studying. He hardly ever seemed to move from that spot, and she worried that he was skipping meals.
“My concern was right.”
Simon's face was thinner than it used to be.
“You haven't been eating properly, have you?”
“If I leave the library, I'll lose my spot to another student.”
It was a valid excuse. According to the rules of the library, if you were away for more than 20 minutes, they could move out your things.
“So, how was the exam?”
“I'm not sure.”
However, he wore a quiet, satisfied smile. He must have done well.
“Do you have another one tomorrow?”
“I have two.”
“So you'll go to the library again.”
Louise glanced at her watch. It was just about the end of lunchtime.
“Simon, if you're not busy, would you like to eat with me?”
“Now? We'll have to run quite a bit.”
“We can run!”
Louise started running with her bag flapping at her side, and Simon jogged after her. Just as they caught view of the cafeteria, the caretaker was putting up a sign that said "Lunch closing." Louise pleaded at her as they approached, and the caretaker generously allowed them inside.
Today's lunch menu was highly acclaimed for its excellent combination of perfectly juicy meat and sweet fermented vegetables.
“There's no more meat.”
Louise sighed as she saw the tray of broccoli, carrots, and onions with the meaty flavor left over.
“Well everyone likes meat, so it can't be helped.”
Simon pulled out a piece of meat from underneath a piece of broccoli and set it on Louise's plate.
“I'm alright.”
“That's fine. You like meat, don't you?”
Of course she liked meat, but Simon did too. Louise cut the small piece of meat in half and placed a piece it on Simon's plate. The pair had always shared everything since they were young. The caretaker tearfully watched the both of them.
Louise and Simon finished their plates of meat and vegetables, and even cleaned their bowls of yuzu sherbet afterwards. The cool citrus dessert was the perfect palette cleanser after greasy meat. The caretaker was a genius, as the satisfying meal completely wiped away their exam fatigue.
“Simon, are you going back to the library?”
“Yes.”
“Aren't you tired?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, then…”
“Hmm?”
“I never said it, but I'm cheering for you. Really.”
Simon gave a soft smile and patted Louise on the head. He already knew that she was cheering for him. Whenever he occasionally ran into her at the library, her eyes sparkled whenever she waved at him, as if her mind was inclined towards him. He thought she looked adorable that way.
“Thank you.”
“I feel bad about you studying abroad, but…I think it's a great choice.”
“It's two years.”
“I hope you can find what you're looking for in that time.”
Louise did not specify what he would find. There were so many possibilities for him, and no one knew which one of them would blossom.
“You know, Simon. I heard there were trees in Ajentin so big that it takes ten people to encircle it.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so be sure to see it in person. And I want to know if the leaves really are as big as an umbrella.”
“I suppose I'd better get one. You need a new umbrella after you gave it away to the street florist.”
“But if you bring plants from other countries without permission, you'll go to jail.”
“Well, I've got a little immunity…the chance for me to succeed the throne is pretty high.”
Louise looked surprised at his joke. Simon never really like to talk about his position before.
“Of course, you'll bother me if I break the law. I'll just draw a sketch of it.”
“Yes, please do that. We can't have newspaper headlines of 'Lord Hillard smuggling large leaves as an umbrella replacement.'”
“That would be a great article.”
Simon looked pleased, and Louise became a little nervous. Simon was becoming more playful, and at this rate he really would return home with a giant leaf.
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