Raven said that while Melody was a member of the Ghost Story Investigation Club, he would also join in their activities.
Eastern suddenly recalled something Melody had told him.
She had asked that, in exchange for him joining, Raven be excluded from the investigation club.
The reason being that the ghost story cases were dangerous, and she was worried about Raven.
Just like siblings, they were the same.
“We’re short-handed, so we’d be grateful if anyone could join us...”
Eastern sighed and spoke to Raven.
“There’s something we need to do first. Follow me.”
“What? Why would I follow you? Where are we going?”
“Just follow me, no questions.”
Raven reluctantly stood up at Eastern’s insistence. Seeing that, Eastern gave a small smile.
“Not honest at all.”
If only he were half as honest as his sister, but oh well.
Outside the hospital room, students were gathered in large numbers.
Most of them seemed to be from F-class. Eastern recognized some familiar faces from the courage test incident.
Pushing through the students, they entered the hospital room where Melody was.
And there, Noah, sitting next to Melody’s bed, noticed Eastern and Raven and calmly spoke.
“About time you arrived.”
Noah was sitting on the right side of the bed, while Erica and Leonard were playfully bickering on the left.
“Raven?”
Melody’s face lit up with surprise, shock, happiness, and longing as soon as she saw him.
It was a striking change.
Eastern glanced at Raven. He could see that Raven, with a face full of emotion, was staring at Melody with his lips tightly pressed together.
‘Ah, I never asked that.’
I was curious as to why, despite worrying about his sister, he had been avoiding her all this time.
At that moment, Leonard, who had been leaning on the side of Melody’s bed, looked up at Eastern and Raven and raised a question.
“Aren’t you two supposed to be the most famous rivals at this school? Did I hear wrong? But now, you two are close friends?”
“What are you talking about? We’re rivals, alright!”
“Who’s calling who a friend?!”
Both Raven and Eastern shouted at the same time. Leonard shrugged his shoulders with a face full of disbelief.
“Then why do you two always hang out together?”
Raven and Eastern seemed speechless and just stayed silent.
As they remained silent, Melody, who had been quietly watching Raven, burst into tears.
“It’s been a long time, Raven.”
The others, who had been observing the situation, started to stand up one by one. Noah took Erica, Leonard, and Eastern out of the hospital room.
Soon, only Melody and Raven remained in the room, and the sound of crying began to leak out.
It wasn’t just Melody’s crying. Eastern decided that, on that day, he would pretend not to notice the tears of his rival, Raven.
In the hospital room, with only Raven and Melody left, Raven approached the bed and squinted his eyes as he watched Melody cry.
“Why are you crying?”
Just being alive and here with him was enough. Now, they could talk.
What had it been like when he heard the news of Raven’s death? There were so many things Melody wanted to say. So many unspoken words.
She regretted not being able to express her love, regretting it over and over again.
“I missed you. Really.”
Raven looked at her with an expression of confusion, unsure of what to make of her reaction.
“Sis, I’ve only been in this school for half a year. You do realize how over the top your reaction is, right?”
“Yeah. I know.”
For Raven, it had only been half a year, but for Melody, it had been two whole years.
Raven didn’t know how many near-death situations Melody had been through to get here.
He wouldn’t even know that she had turned back time just to meet him.
“I was worried about you. That’s why. I had a bad dream. A really scary dream.”
At her words, Raven closed his mouth with a face full of emotion. He stayed silent for a long time.
They stared at each other in silence, their mouths tightly shut.
It wasn’t until a long while later that Raven finally spoke.
“Yeah. Maybe it’s better this way.”
Melody tilted her head, puzzled by his cryptic words, and Raven explained.
“I’m glad you’re in school.”
That statement pierced deep into her heart, and Melody was left speechless.
How could she even attend school?
She had no idea what it was like for Raven to endure life at school in the year 903.
She still didn’t know the cause of his death, but at least she knew his school life hadn’t been easy.
“So, don’t worry too much, and enjoy your school life too.”
Raven’s words left Melody speechless.
How could she enjoy school without Raven by her side? She came here because of him. How could she leave him out of it?
Raven, unaware of her feelings, continued speaking.
“I’m sorry for running away.”
Raven moved a little closer to her bed. Then, he knelt down and took her hand.
“At Johannes Castle, I thought you were in trouble. I thought you were suddenly leaving me...”
Raven’s face contorted with a frown before he let out a sigh.
He thought she was avoiding him, but to know that Raven had actually been worried about her was a relief. Melody exhaled deeply in relief.
“And honestly, I think you’ve adapted to school better than me. Well, I knew you would.”
Raven spoke without changing his expression.
Leaning on Raven’s kind response, Melody hesitantly spoke the words she had been holding back.
“...Raven, will you leave with me?”
“Huh?”
“Let’s leave together. Let’s go study abroad on the Eastern continent. You used to say you wanted to do that.”
As Melody spoke while holding his ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) hand, Raven’s pupils wavered.
“I don’t think this is something we should talk about right now.”
“Why not?”
“Sorry, but I’m not planning to quit school.”
He looked embarrassed as he averted his gaze and suddenly stepped backward.
Something felt off.
“That’s not it,” Melody said, realizing something was wrong.
But, as expected, it had come true.
Raven apologized once again.
“No. You don’t have to apologize. Come with me...”
“Oh, it’s already time for class. You should go to class, sis. Good luck. Let’s meet after the exams.”
Raven pulled out a pocket watch to check the time, muttering incoherently as he backed out of the room.
“Wait? Where are you going...?”
Bang.
Raven opened the hospital room door and fled without a word.
The Student Council President, Eastern, Leonard, and Erica, who were outside the door, watched Raven’s unexpected exit with stunned expressions.
They quietly watched as Raven disappeared down the hallway, and Leonard turned to Melody.
“Are you still going to keep playing tag?”
There was no way that was happening.
With a disappointed look, Melody slumped her shoulders.
‘I still have Plan B. It’s okay.’
No matter what it takes, I’ll protect Raven, even if it means sacrificing myself to the ghost stories.