Ch. 132 Except For One Thing (1)

Louise paused, leaning against a long broom. Opposite her was Simon with a rake, efficiently clearing away the autumn leaves on the ground, the dried leaves rustling and cracking as they were swept into a sack. The pair had been cleaning up fallen leaves since early morning at Professor Wayne Hill’s request—though it would be more accurate to say that they had volunteered rather than been recruited.

Louise had discovered the Professor covered in fallen leaves, and she immediately came running back with a broom in hand. Simon was passing by and joined them. He was an efficient and skilled worker at the Sweeney Greenhouse, and always had been a great help.

Simon looked at the pile of leaves with a far off expression.

Louise and Ian had to sweep up the leaves again, and Simon, ever patient and caring, pitched in.

Despite Professor Hill’s timid personality, he had made enormous contributions to the academic community. Unfortunately, his classes were still unpopular though.

After a short break, Louise resumed sweeping the path with a broom, causing the autumn dust to rise and tickle her nose.

She gave a loud sneeze, then she hurriedly looked back at Simon. He might have a big misunderstanding.

He laughed aloud.

Louise wanted to cry. She should tell him not to laugh, but Simon’s smile was precious, even if it was at the expense of a runny nose.

He was about to describe how Louise sneezed.

He stopped smiling and looked at her worriedly.

A cold could even be life-threatening, and Louise nodded quickly.

Louise then slightly shifted topic.

As she talked about with Ian, Simon didn’t like sweets. He would hardly drink the lemon tea, let alone eat the caretaker’s pudding.

However Simon nodded, and Louise smiled brightly and boasted of the lemon cheong made by the student council.

Even from only watching from behind his quick knife were skills were obvious.

Simon reached out to Louise as if he recalled something.

He wanted her hands? She didn’t know what for, but because it was Simon that asked, she held out hers to be scrutinized. He inspected her hands thoroughly, from the tip of her fingernails to the back of her hand to her wrists. He didn’t let go until he was satisfied there were no scars.

He reluctantly picked up his rake again.

Louise shouted with a stunned look, and Simon nodded silently.

Of course Ian was good at anything, so even his sweet talk was great. Simon still looked worried, so Louise spoke with a bright expression to ease his anxiety.

Simon brushed some dust from Louise’s hair. She stared at Simon. His eyes were still kind and friendly, and she felt guilty that nothing between them changed at all.

Simon’s voice suddenly dropped to a whisper.

He smiled again. It wasn’t a large smile, but a natural one like a moment ago.

He didn’t know how to have it though.

The two resumed their work again. Louise, who was busy with the broom, spoke up as she remembered something.

His brow wrinkled in thought.

Louise remembered the night where they sat at the window sill and sampled dozens of cakes and frosting. She had enjoyed herself so much, to the point that she had completely forgotten about the exam period and kept smiling.

They finally finished sweeping up all the leaves, and Louise—who loved to eat—was ecstatic when Professor Hill gave them ten large sweet potatoes in return.

The Academy was such a great place. Work was paid with food.

Simon peered into the paper bag of sweet potatoes, which still had a light layer of soil on them. Perhaps he could send the potatoes to Ian, who might have mastered them with his survival skills. Louise and Simon were discussing all the ways one could prepare sweet potatoes, when they ran into a few students exiting an office.

Louise stopped walking before she even realized it. They were the ones who had bullied Stella. The room they just exited had a door plate with the inscription of “Juliana Lassen.” Was the Professor deciding on their punishment? What would happen to them? Louise recalled the school regulations she had looked over with the student council, and remembered that bullying and physical harm could result in expulsion.

Louise had written in her statement how dangerous they were. Perhaps their punishment wouldn’t be taken lightly.

The sound of Simon’s voice brought Louise back to earth.

Louise looked at the students again. Their gazes met briefly, and they turned away first.

Louise looked at Simon.

Well, it was in past anyway. Louise couldn’t do anything more.

She was sure he checked it thoroughly, but he had bragged so much about his writing skills that he’d be humiliated if he’d omitted anything. She was amused just thinking about it.

So first she had to go to the office, talk about the paperwork, find Ian, then ask him to make a delicious dish out of the sweet potatoes. She would ask him to study with her as well. The two of them couldn’t miss out on the position of first in class.