‘…What is this?’

In the midst of Jin and Erekaya’s date at the amusement park, the future Erekaya existing in Jin’s inner world found herself harboring a sense of confusion she couldn’t quite articulate.

Indeed, it was strange. If someone were to ask her what exactly was odd about it, she wouldn’t be able to respond, but she was certain of one thing: this whole situation was undeniably unusual.

The reason Erekaya couldn’t provide a clear answer was rather simple.

It was because everything that came into her view seemed strange and incomprehensible.

Currently, Jin and her past self were enjoying their date like a pair of lovers.

Like any ordinary couple surrounded by others, they held hands tightly or pulled away in surprise from the warmth radiating from each other, demonstrating consideration for one another to avoid being jostled by the crowd. A very typical couple’s demeanor.

Yet, Erekaya, the one who had worked meticulously behind the scenes to create such a situation over the past three months, could not hide her bewilderment upon witnessing their interaction.

‘Why on earth?’

First and foremost, it was somewhat understandable for Erekaya that Jin was playing the role of ‘boyfriend’ as if he were drawn from a picture.

This was because the fact that Jin, who had previously known nothing of the female heart, was now performing surprisingly well in that role was due to Erekaya herself, who had rigorously educated him like a teacher instilling knowledge into a student.

Even if the subject were a monkey, she had shoved enough knowledge into his head for him to mimic human behavior to some extent. So, it was within her expectations for Jin, who still lacked understanding of a woman’s feelings, to do quite well in pretending to be a gentleman on this date.

However, in stark contrast, what was she, now playing the role of ‘girlfriend’ looking like she had stepped out of a painting?

‘The past me would never have had such a personality!’

Up until now, Erekaya had demanded Jin become the perfect man tailored to her past preferences to win over her former self.

This was because the current her had never truly experienced ‘love’ and had only learned about the affections between people through books, making her a rather troublesome woman.

Having never loved anyone before, she was a pure maiden, meaning that in some respects, it was exceedingly tiresome to conquer someone like her.

Erekaya was well aware that those who learned about relationships through books tended to dream of perfect romances resembling fairy tales, and if reality did not align with their imagination, they had a significant tendency to deny their love.

‘Because I have already traversed that path once.’

Regrettably, Erekaya also had to face the disheartening reality that the first love she had envisioned in her heart and her genuine first love experience as the protagonist of her own story were shockingly mismatched.

Yet, it was unavoidable. That was, in a sense, an unpreventable circumstance.

Because over the last hundred days, she had come to understand Jin more deeply than anyone else in the world, and as a result, she had to admit that her heart was, in fact, solely directed towards him.

However, the current situation differed somewhat for Erekaya.

As far as she knew, the present Erekaya was not a girl interested in love like her peers, eagerly focusing on a man’s affections. Instead, she was a girl so extraordinarily indifferent to her surroundings that she resembled a mere piece of machinery, completely armored in coldness.

Of course, her innate beauty was such that merely standing still made her akin to a work of art, but that was all there was to it.

With both her body and mind focused elsewhere, all that remained in this place was the pretty facade of a young lady from the House of Pendragon.
Erekaya was well aware that having an interest in love and feeling excited about it was a story from a different world, something her past self had never experienced or comprehended.

That was precisely why she prioritized tailoring Jin to fit the current preferences of her present self, above all else, in her attempts to win over the past version of herself.

But look now. Who is that woman, brightly beaming and strolling beside Jin?

The incredibly cold and utterly composed Erekaya Del Pendragon, who once appeared not to belong to reality but rather to be a mere statue or inanimate object, had vanished without a trace.

In her place stood a woman overflowing with happiness in this moment spent with him, embodying remarkable humanity and affection.

It was akin to the scene of a statue made of stone or iron receiving life and moving. A scene reminiscent of new buds sprouting and blooming on a twisted, withered old tree.

Erekaya was unaware that she was encased in warmth from head to toe, radiating the essence of a woman whose very being was filled with affection.

Therefore, Erekaya simply could not understand. From her perspective, her past self was undoubtedly someone who had fallen in love.

But why? Currently, they were merely attempting to court her rather than actually engaging her in any romantic game.

There was no cause, no motive, nothing at all. It wasn’t as though Jin, as a man, had the sort of appearance or background that would cause a woman to fall for him at first sight. Furthermore, the present Erekaya was not the kind of woman who would fall in love with just anyone.

What was her current self thinking? And what was happening right now?

While future Erekaya was caught in a state of panic, the present Erekaya seized Jin’s arm and pointed towards a location.

“Shall we go over there? They say if couples enter together, there’s a couple’s discount.”

“C-Couple?”

As Jin glanced at Erekaya in surprise, she returned his gaze with a shy smile.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. We’ve already been mistaken for a couple several times today. Plus, whether we’re really a couple or not, saving money isn’t a bad thing, right?”

“…We’ve been mistaken for a couple?”

At her words, Jin looked around in mild disbelief.

“Are those two students… possibly in a relationship?”

“It seems they are. Look, that girl is clinging to that guy so closely. That’s something only love could achieve.”

“Love truly is wonderful. It can even make a girl like that hang onto a guy like him.”

“…..”

In truth, from the moment they entered the amusement park, it was clear to him that Erekaya’s beauty and grace were so extraordinary they captured the gaze of everyone around them.

Jin had grown accustomed to seeing her frequently in Nineveh and interacting with her, but people with such beauty were rarely seen outside of noble gatherings.

Though she hadn’t revealed her status, to the onlookers, Erekaya undoubtedly radiated the air of a noble lady.

However, standing beside such a noblewoman was nothing more than an ordinary young man escorting her, which was ample fuel for gossip among passersby.

Even Jin, who usually paid no mind to others’ glances, felt the weight of their whispers, making him acutely aware. There was no way Erekaya, sensitive to how others perceived her as a noble lady, would remain oblivious to such attention.
If Erekaya were to set her mind to it and reveal her status, everyone gathered here would not even dare to meet her gaze; yet, no matter how one looked at it, she seemed to have no intention of doing so.

Rather, to Jin, the current Erekaya appeared to be enjoying the attention of the crowd.

It was as if she took delight in the lighthearted chatter proclaiming that she and Jin were in a “romantic relationship,” smiling at him with an almost painted-on grin, seemingly unconcerned about the situation.

‘Of course, that can’t possibly be the case.’

Excluding the royal family, Erekaya Del Pendragon was born into one of the most exalted ranks in the Empire, having been raised amid nothing but luxury. It was implausible that a woman of her stature would genuinely be pleased to hear she was rumored to be in a relationship with a drifter of unclear background whom she had only met for about a hundred days.

Perhaps she remained patient so that Jin, who was hearing such remarks alongside her, wouldn’t feel embarrassed, or perhaps she found it unworthy of a response altogether.

“Why? Are you not pleased? You’re actually in a relationship with me, according to what they’re saying, right?”

As Erekaya giggled and spoke, Jin found himself stammering like a fool, unable to gather his thoughts.

“No, it’s not that I’m displeased; I was just worried you might feel uncomfortable…”

“I’m not uncomfortable at all.”

Erekaya shook her head and looked up at him with an expression that suggested her true feelings were inscrutable.

“I’m not the slightest bit uncomfortable with the idea that you and I are being treated as a couple. After all, you’re the knight who accompanied me here to escort me today; how could I possibly take offense at you?”

Just then, a breeze blew in from somewhere, lifting her long violet hair up towards the sky.

In sync with this, the necklace Jin had gifted her gently swayed at her neck.

“So, how about—just for today—we act like we’re a couple to satisfy their expectations? You and I will eventually find our own partners, so we can think of this as a little practice for that…”

What is this? After all, Jin had come to this place intending to win Erekaya’s affection, so her suggestion wasn’t a bad deal for him either. But still, wasn’t the situation developing a bit too smoothly?

Erekaya’s demeanor now seemed as if she were the one enticing him rather than the other way around—

“Then, from now on, could you call me not Erekaya, but ‘Kaya’? Those close to me call me by that nickname.”

Though she spoke in a remarkably gentle tone, at the same time, Erekaya’s hand gripped Jin’s arm tightly like a snake.

Within that hold lay an indescribable pressure that made refusal impossible, so Jin found himself nodding unconsciously.

“Then call me. Quickly.”

“…Kaya.”

“One more time.”

“Kaya.”

“A little softer. And say it with affection. After all, I am your girlfriend right now. It should fit the occasion.”

“Kaya.”

“Good, Jin.”

Saying this, Kaya leaned against his shoulder in an endearing and soft manner.

“Please escort me for the day. So do treat me gently, Jin.”

“…No, my dear.”