The school’s bicycle shed was behind the teaching building, hidden beneath several tall plane trees.
Very few people came here. Only a few scattered bicycles stood there in lonely silence.
Most of the noble young ladies and gentlemen had no need for something like a bicycle.
Felyn found a clean step and sat down. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering dappled light and shadow on the ground.
In the end, Sophia had become hesitant and let him go without saying much.
What a strange grade teacher.
Felyn pulled a spell sigil from his pocket and stuck it to his lunch box.
Before long, steam began to rise from the box.
“Spell sigil is really convenient.”
He opened the box. The fragrance immediately filled the air.
Soft, sticky white rice, paired with a few fried eggs, pan-seared meat patties, and lightly stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Felyn always brought his own lunch.
Low oil and low sugar, to keep his figure in shape—it was part of his job.
Besides, it was a cost-effective way to get enough carbs, protein, and fat.
His brain worked overtime—whether it was for studying or dealing with the young ladies.
He couldn’t afford poor nutrition.
Though it was a bit late, the best part of today was about to begin.
The shadows of the plane trees swayed gently in the wind. Occasionally, a few leaves drifted to the ground, adding sound to the quiet world.
This solitary noontime brought Felyn a deep sense of peace.
The sound of leaves crunching underfoot was exceptionally clear in the silence, slowly approaching.
Felyn didn’t turn around. Just by the rhythm of the steps, he already knew who it was.
Viloti stood beneath the plane tree in her school uniform. A few golden leaves had fallen on her shoulders.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting a soft glow on her pale pink hair.
The whole scene resembled a meticulously composed painting.
“Gurgle—”
A soft sound came from her stomach, breaking the mood.
Her amber eyes widened slightly. A hint of disruption appeared in her elegant expression.
Viloti’s face flushed instantly. She turned her head away instinctively, but the alluring aroma made it hard to maintain her usual aloofness.
She hadn’t eaten.
Someone like her had never been inside the school cafeteria and had no idea what to eat.
This morning, her butler had prepared her meal, but thinking Felyn would still bring her lunch, she’d left it at home.
“You haven’t eaten?”
Felyn didn’t turn around, focusing on his meal.
“Mm.” Viloti nodded.
“There’s food in the cafeteria. Don't you have money?”
Felyn didn’t want to play along with this young lady anymore. He just wanted her to leave quickly.
Otherwise, if someone saw them, it would cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
Viloti stared at Felyn’s back, bit her lip, took a deep breath, and finally spoke.
“Your lunch tastes better.”
Felyn put down his half-finished lunch and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
He couldn’t let this young lady go hungry since her father doted on her like crazy.
“I’ll take you to the cafeteria. Tell me what you want to eat. Remember to have your butler send your lunch tomorrow.”
Viloti’s gaze fell on Felyn’s lunch box.
Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
“Don’t tell me you want to eat this.”
Please Spare me.
Felyn sighed inwardly.
There was no way he could give his half-eaten food to Viloti.
“I’ll buy it.” Viloti didn’t look away. She pulled a pink unicorn-printed wallet from her pocket.
“I refuse.”
“One thousand crowns. Is that enough?”
“Deal.”
Cash on the table, food in hand.
Once again, Felyn’s bottom line crumbled under the weight of money.
Damn capitalism.
Viloti stepped forward, crouched beside Felyn, and reached out with both hands to take the lunch box.
Felyn grabbed her hands, making her look up in confusion.
“A thousand crowns doesn’t mean you get my leftovers. If people found out, I’d be accused of being heartless.”
Just imagining this beloved popular young lady eating his leftovers made Felyn feel like a creep.
He pulled another box from his backpack and handed it to her.
“This is…”
“My dinner.”
Felyn had a habit of bringing an extra meal with him.
In case a client needed him to work late, it saved money and didn’t lead to weight gain.
And if he didn’t end up eating it, he’d just save it for lunch the next day.
Thankfully, the preservation sigil in this world were reliable enough to keep it fresh.
“Thank you.”
Viloti accepted it with both hands, placed it on her white-stockinged knees, and then took out a thousand crowns.
“There was only half in the last box. This one has more. So I’m making up the difference,” She said, as giving him another thousand crowns.
Felyn looked at the serious young lady before him and wondered if rich people didn’t even flinch when spending two thousand on a meal.
“No need. I’ll take the loss.”
Felyn didn’t take the money. He picked up his lunch box and scooted a little farther from Viloti.
“Then… then take it as payment for tomorrow’s lunch…”
Felyn raised an eyebrow. Who did she learn this trick from?
“I’m not bringing you lunch. Today’s an exception.”
If Silafiel found out he was still involved with Viloti after the contract ended, he wouldn’t let him off.
Besides—
Felyn tilted his head to look at the young lady sitting on the step beside him.
Viloti sat quietly next to him, taking small bites of the bento.
She placed the fried egg into her mouth, a flicker of satisfaction passing through her eyes.
She lightly swung her legs, lips gently curved upward.
And Felyn didn’t want too much contact with this young lady, either.
After finishing the meal, the young lady at his side didn’t seem like she planned to leave.
She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then handed the box back to Felyn with both hands.
“Being with me will cause misunderstandings. So it’s better if you keep your distance, Miss.”
Felyn spoke while packing up.
Viloti pressed her lips together, her eyes fixed on Felyn’s backpack.
“Got it.”
As expected, Felyn pulled out a candy wrapped in pink foil.
After every meal, Felyn would reward himself with one of these delicious sweets.
Viloti’s pupils widened slightly when she saw Felyn reaching out toward her. She extended her hand to receive it.
Crap.
Felyn realized what he was doing.
He was still following the behavioral patterns from the contract period—giving her a candy after each meal.
That wouldn’t do.
Felyn unwrapped the candy and popped it into his own mouth.
Viloti’s hand froze in midair, a hint of surprise flashing in her amber eyes.
She slowly withdrew her hand and lowered her head. Her slender fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of her skirt.
The expression of hope she wore moments ago dimmed instantly. Her lashes trembled slightly.
“Class is starting. I’m heading off.”
Felyn slung his bag over his shoulder and nodded toward Viloti.
Viloti wanted to say something, but in the end, remained frozen in place.
Her pink bangs fell over her eyes, but they still couldn’t conceal her flawless face.
Watching Felyn’s retreating figure, Viloti suddenly remembered the important thing she had forgotten.
She was supposed to go to Felyn’s house to tutor him.
She’d have to wait until near the end of class, then go call him from his classroom.
(End of Chapter)