Chapter 27: A Change of Heart

Totomia dejectedly ambled along the path behind the teaching building.

His mood had been exceptionally low these past few days.

Ever since that day he had inexplicably fallen down the stairs while trying to lecture Yalin, he had become the laughingstock of everyone.

Not only had he been sprawled ignominiously on the ground, but he had also been clad in nothing but his underwear; it was a comical sight that would make anyone burst into laughter.

As a demi-human, Totomia possessed more heightened senses than ordinary people, easily detecting the whispers and pointed fingers of those around him.

Yet, he was powerless to act against them, as the academy strictly prohibited all acts of violence. During his last encounter with Yalin, he had never actually intended to resort to physical force, merely wishing to intimidate him.

Thus, Totomia could only seek out a secluded spot to hide from everyone’s gaze.

It was at this moment, however, that his eyes met Yalin’s.

Enemies meeting should have sparked fury, but Totomia no longer had the heart to seek trouble with Yalin.

He averted his gaze, intending to walk around, but Yalin unexpectedly grabbed him.

“Right, Celeste, this is my good buddy Totomia. He’s always admired you, I think, so please have a chat with him for a bit!”

Yalin vigorously clapped Totomia’s broad back.

“Alright then, I have something urgent to do, so I’ll be leaving now. You two take your time.”

With that, Yalin turned and bolted.

He knew that Celeste, with her earnest nature, would never ignore anyone or treat them with indifference.

Even if she were to refuse, she would at least offer a response.

‘So, I’m counting on you, cat-man brother.’

‘Whatever it takes, can you just keep that woman occupied for a while?’

‘If she catches up to him again, Yalin truly would have no recourse.’

“No, why did you touch me?”

Totomia angrily shouted at Yalin’s retreating back.

He had been inexplicably dragged over, utterly bewildered by what had transpired, and was just about to chase after Yalin to demand an explanation when he recalled Yalin’s earlier words.

‘Wait, he just mentioned Celeste, didn’t he?’

Totomia suddenly realized something, turning his head to look at the young woman beside him, his eyes widening in astonishment.

The fiery red long hair and that exquisitely beautiful face undoubtedly belonged to the goddess he had fallen in love with at first sight.

However, this Celeste did not possess the confident and unrestrained demeanor he had witnessed at the Magic Division.

Her eyes were downcast, and a faint sadness tinged her brows, stirring an involuntary sense of pity in him.

“Th-that, you… are you really Celeste?”

Overwhelmed with shock, Totomia stumbled over his words.

He had once been infatuated with Celeste.

But it had merely been a love at first sight, drawn by her unique aura.

As Celeste’s reputation grew, Totomia came to realize how foolish he had been.

How could someone as exceptional as her ever be within his reach?

Consequently, that initial affection gradually transformed into pure admiration.

Yet, now that his former goddess stood right before him, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of nervousness.

Celeste did not hear Totomia’s voice.

She stood silently, her heart brimming with grievances.

Yalin had just left.

He had made a clumsy excuse and walked away without a backward glance.

It was just like their final farewell at the Magic Division.

Had he begun to dislike her from that moment on?

Yalin’s retreating figure was still visible; he ran slowly, just like when they were children.

Celeste remembered how they used to play hide-and-seek together.

Even though Yalin was a boy, his stamina couldn’t compare to hers; she would always catch him with ease, and he would respond with a somewhat embarrassed smile.

Now, Celeste was faster than she had been as a child, and catching Yalin would be even simpler.

However, she found herself unable to take another step forward.

What good would it do even if she did catch him?

His attitude clearly showed that he wanted no involvement with her whatsoever.

Their relationship had long since shattered, and there was no going back to how things once were.

And all of this was her own doing; she could blame no one else, only bury her hurt and sorrow deep within her heart.

“Th-that, um… Miss Celeste?”

Although he had called out once before, Celeste seemed not to have heard him, so Totomia waited a moment before cautiously calling again.

This time, Celeste finally heard him, raising her head to look at the tall demi-human man before her.

She found him somewhat familiar, yet she had no distinct recollection of him.

Like those annoying noble scions, he too forced a fawning smile.

The difference, however, was that his eyes held none of their sycophancy or greed, only a clear foolishness.

Yalin had mentioned his name before leaving, but she hadn’t caught it.

Still, they must have been quite close, right?

“Are you Yalin’s friend?” Celeste asked.

“Fr-friend?”

Totomia was stunned.

Rather than friends, they were clearly enemies.

Yalin had not only stirred up trouble at the banquet that day but had also humiliated him in front of the entire class; Totomia had practically hated him.

But now, upon reflection, Yalin hadn’t actually done anything wrong, had he?

It wasn’t his fault that Totomia had fallen down the stairs; it was merely bad luck.

If anything, it was because Totomia had sought trouble with Yalin that he had ended up in such a predicament.

It would be more accurate to say he had brought it upon himself.

As for the incident at the banquet, though Totomia had harbored a grudge, a closer look revealed Yalin to be a pitiful soul.

Both he and Yalin were merely  ‘simp’  (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to someone who excessively flatters or tries to win affection from another person, often to their own detriment, similar to a ‘doormat’ in English slang.) who received no response no matter how much they fawned.

Moreover, unlike himself, who had confessed in a fit of passion, Yalin was Celeste’s childhood friend and had been ‘simping’ for years.

Yet, in the end, he still had nothing.

From this perspective, he was far more miserable than Totomia.

Why, then, should two such fellow sufferers harbor resentment towards each other?

What’s more, that day in the classroom, when everyone else was gloating and watching his humiliation, only Yalin had left without a word.

He had been the one to seek out trouble with Yalin, yet Yalin was the only one who hadn’t mocked him.

He had even set aside their past grievances, and despite being rivals in love, had pulled Totomia to the goddess’s side.

The most important point was that he had even called Totomia his ‘bro’?

What a magnanimous spirit!

At this moment, Totomia couldn’t help but be deeply impressed by this man.

He puffed out his chest and unequivocally declared,

“That’s right, he’s my best bro.”

The thrumming of his heart echoed distinctly in his ears.

Totomia took a deep breath.

He knew that by uttering those words, he would forfeit any remaining chance with Celeste.

Any lingering illusions in his heart would likewise vanish entirely.

But…

‘If you call me your brother, what more is there to say?’

“Miss Celeste, the next class is still a while away, and Yalin certainly has no urgent business right now.”

“Do you want to go after him?”