My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 35

Before I knew it, Friday of the last week in October had arrived.
In honor of Halloween, several students had come to School in modest costumes.
Among them was a student wearing the black blazer jacket that was the uniform of Wharton School, which immediately sent the Principal’s blood pressure skyrocketing.
The Principal regarded Wharton School, another prestigious private academy in New York, as his destined rival, so he couldn’t possibly laugh it off as a mere prank.
“Where on earth did they get a Wharton School uniform?”
As I passed students being punished in the Hallway while holding signs that read “I love Riverside School,” I couldn’t help but giggle.
School uniforms weren’t particularly common in the United States, so the mere existence of one became a source of pride.
Especially Wharton School, famous for its arrogance, was sensitive about uniform leaks, so even secondhand transactions rarely occurred.
“I heard they exchanged uniforms with a Wharton School student.”
Aemerus relayed what he’d overheard this morning.
“What?”
I covered my mouth in surprise before bursting into laughter.
“Do you think they’re being punished at their school right now too? Holding signs that say ‘I love Wharton School’?”
“Maybe.”
The rather ridiculous scene naturally formed in my mind, and I couldn’t stop laughing.
To be honest, my mood was elevated because I had a date planned with Jessie tonight.
‘Though calling it a date is a bit of a stretch.’
The three of us—including Robin—would be going around trick-or-treating together.
Still, it felt wonderful. To be able to match his pace again, carefree like old times.
“Aemerus, what about you?”
“Hm?”
“It’s Halloween today. What are you going to do? Party with the Hockey Team?”
Riverside School had defeated Minnesota and then Texas, and was currently in the quarterfinals.
Except for the initial matchup against Minnesota, the remaining bracket wasn’t bad at all.
Most predictions were optimistic that we could even aim for the championship this year.
So no one would point fingers if he enjoyed himself for just one Halloween night.
“Your friend Randy is throwing a party today, I heard.”
Everyone secretly hoped Aemerus would throw a party, but as you know, he wasn’t that type of person.
Randy was reaping the benefits in his stead.
“I’m not going.”
Aemerus said it flatly.
“Then what?”
“I’m just going to stay home.”
I clicked my tongue.
When I thought about it, Aemerus was just as much of a homebody as Robin.
Maybe that’s why they got along so quickly.
“Hmm….”
Should I ask Aemerus if he wants to hang out with me today?
But the memory of feeling uncomfortable whenever he and Jessie were together made me hesitant.
Besides, today was going to be entirely centered around Robin.
Would Aemerus really enjoy spending time that had to accommodate a child’s needs?
I shook my head as I wrestled with the decision.
“Right. Getting proper rest is important too.”
I patted Aemerus on the shoulder, then asked as if something had just occurred to me.
“By the way, how’s your stalker these days? Has he mentioned anything about the fake shoulder?”
“No. Always the same.”
“…I’m not sure whether to be relieved or not.”
I had suspected the stalker might be someone else after witnessing Faye’s suspicious behavior at the Hockey Rink.
It was fortunate that Faye wasn’t the culprit, but unfortunate that we hadn’t caught the malicious stalker.
I sighed and entered the Classroom.
It was one of the classes we attended together.
“Aemerus, you’re here?”
While others greeted him from various corners, he merely gave a slight nod of his chin.
But no one seemed bothered by it.
It was already widely known that unlike most athletes, he was introverted, and most of the female students found even that trait endearing.
Besides, everyone’s attention was focused on the upcoming Homecoming Party.
“I guess I was wrong about this.”
I let out a deep sigh as I opened my textbook to prepare for class.
“Could it really be Tyler?”
I shook my head at my own muttering.
“No. When I saw him last time, something felt off about him being the one.”
I had always had good instincts, even before.
Aemerus kept his thoughts to himself, his mouth covered.
“Who could it be?”
I narrowed my eyes and carefully examined each student in the Classroom one by one.
On the surface, they all appeared normal.
‘But somewhere among them, someone is hiding behind their phone, attacking Aemerus.’
Such thoughts always filled me with deep doubt about humanity itself.
If I, a third party, felt this way, how much more must Aemerus, the victim, be suffering.
Perhaps that’s also why he couldn’t enjoy the party.
‘I need to be there for him.’
It wasn’t just because Aemerus was Jessie’s friend.
I felt our friendship deepening with each passing day.
Soon our eyes met, and I smiled brightly at him.

***

“Have fun at Halloween.”
After saying goodbye to Aemerus, I headed home.
I planned to help Robin with his costume, grab a quick dinner at home, and then go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.
[Sister! Why are you so late!]
Sure enough, Robin had been waiting for me with bated breath.
[Sorry, sorry. Robin, you’ve already changed into your costume?]
[Don’t even get me started. He’s been wearing it since lunch.]
Mother followed behind and greeted me.
She looked slightly exhausted from dealing with Robin all day.
[I just need to put on the cape and mask.]
[Good job.]
[When is Jessie coming?]
At Robin’s question, I pulled out my phone.
Jessie still hadn’t responded to my message asking what time he’d arrive today.
Something felt off.
Jessie was always busy with one schedule or another, and unexpected things came up all the time.
‘Not today, please.’
Robin had been counting down the days until Halloween.
While Jessie had shown his face here and there, this was the first proper outing he’d planned all year.
‘I’m used to being stood up, but…’
If today’s plans fell through too, Robin’s disappointment would be as enormous as his anticipation.
Hiding my unease and anxiety, I forced a smile.
[Well, let’s get everything ready so we can leave right away once Jessie arrives.]
[Okay.]
[Now that you’re here, I’m heading to the Restaurant. Robin, be good and don’t fight with your sister.]
[Got it!]
[Have a good shift, Mom.]
[Have fun with Jessie and enjoy yourselves.]
I saw Mother off as she left for the Restaurant and headed to my room.
I told myself it was to change into my costume, but really it was to call Jessie.
[Jessie…]
The longer the dial tone rang, the heavier my sigh became.
It reminded me of that day when the Homecoming Party was held.
No matter how long I waited, Jessie wouldn’t pick up.
I bit my lip and left him a text message.
「Jessie, you’re coming today, right?」
「If you can’t make it, just let me know」
I understood perfectly well that Jessie might break his promise.
It wasn’t intentional on his part.
There must be unavoidable circumstances keeping him away.
But Robin was still too young to understand Jessie’s situation.
[Sigh….]
How was I supposed to explain this to Robin?
As I dragged my hand across my face, my phone buzzed with a vibration.
I hurried to check, thinking it might be Jessie, but the message was from Aemerus.
「Are you having a fun Halloween?」
The moment I saw his text, I nearly poured out all my complaints.
Jessie, who I was supposed to meet today, had gone silent, and I had no idea how to tell Robin in a way that would hurt him as little as possible.
But I couldn’t do that.
This was something for Harry and Robin to handle alone—I couldn’t drag an innocent Aemerus into it.
「I’m about to start getting ready」
In the end, I didn’t let on anything to him.
Even as I exchanged messages with him, pretending to look forward to tonight, Jessie never called.
With a heavy heart, I put on my costume and stepped outside.
Robin sat in the living room, clutching the basket for candy with determined hands.
[Robin, put the basket down and come here. Let’s eat first.]
[Can’t we go out now?]
[We have to wait until the sun sets.]
At my gentle persuasion, Robin reluctantly set down the basket and came to sit at the table.
I was reheating the stew and side dishes from the refrigerator to prepare a simple dinner.
That’s when the call I’d been waiting for finally came from Jessie.
“Jessie!”
My expression, which had been bright as I answered, gradually darkened.
“Yeah, I saw the news about that actor on SNS too. Ah… So you’re taking his place? That’s great.”
My premonition hadn’t been wrong.
Jessie wouldn’t be able to join us today.
“No, I’m fine.”
Without realizing it, I glanced at Robin.
Robin, equally tense, was watching my face intently.
Swallowing a sigh, I called to him carefully.
“Listen, Robin. Jessie has something he wants to say to you.”
“No!”
Robin, sensing what Jessie was about to say, refused to take the phone.
“If you don’t come today, I’m never seeing you again!”
With that, he stormed into his room and locked the door.
“I’ll calm Robin down. Yeah, don’t worry and film well.”
After ending the call with an apologetic Jessie, I collapsed into a chair at the table.
From beyond the door, I could hear Robin crying.
“I want to cry too.”
Why did Aemerus’s face have to be the one that came to mind?
I glared at the phone clutched in my hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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