Damn Academy - Chapter 201

[Episode 201] Backstage Maneuvers (17)

Cecil, arm in arm with me, seemed to be in high spirits. She hummed a little tune and her steps appeared light.

A question suddenly crossed my mind, and I asked her,

“What would you have done if someone else had brought it?”

She chuckled to herself, resting her head on my forearm as she replied,

“You know, I was really anxious too.”

“So you just threw it without aiming?”

“I needed to make sure. If I left things ambiguous, other guys would keep clinging on. Now that you’ve firmly stamped on them, they probably won’t bother me anymore.”

We left the noisy ballroom and strolled in the garden.
Th is was copie d f ro m ki ng mt l. o r g

The cool early evening air was fragrant with flowers. Cecil unlinked her arm and stepped ahead before turning and walking backward facing me, continuing our conversation.

“Candy, why did you choose me?”

“What do you mean?”

“You fought to be my partner.”

“Yes, I did.”

“What about me caught your fancy?”

A tough question. There were many reasons, but in this mood, listing them off seemed far from the right answer.

“You’re pretty.”

Half flattery, half truth. A short and direct response was far superior to a long detour.

“A score of sixty out of a hundred for that answer.”

“That’s a bit stingy.”

“But it’s kind of cute, so I’ll let it slide.”

“Should have played with someone who gives out high scores more easily.”

“Funny, you don’t have any other girls besides me, do you?”

“Maybe there’s one if I look hard enough.”

Cecil then teased in a singsong voice,

“With that monstrous face of yours, they’d all run away~”

“Aren’t you going to run?”

“Hmm. As long as it’s not… vomit-inducing?”

“…”

“If it’s just kissable… Besides, we’re friends, right? It’s not like we’re going to kiss or anything.”

“Then there’s no need to see my face at all.”
T hi s w a s c o pie d f r om k in gm t l . o r g

Suddenly, Cecil stopped and grabbed me, looking up at my face with a fierce expression.

“If I said I’d kiss you, would you show your face?”

“…”

She stared at my face for a while before changing her attitude.

“Actually, it’s too precious to waste on you. I’ll save it for when I meet a handsome guy.”

“Hope it goes the way you want it to.”

As I responded casually, Cecil spoke with a hint of annoyance,

“Maybe someone like senior Elliot would qualify.”

Hearing that name from Cecil’s lips, my heart felt suddenly doused in icy water.

The laughter beyond the wide-open window, the lively music, the subtle thrill of the ripening festival—all vanished like a dream at that single mention.

And in place of the fantasy stood a cold, dry reality.

Cecil was just like the other girls, selecting me as the optimal choice for her current situation, ready to swap me out for a better offer.

“Where are we going?”

“…Huh? Just follow me quietly. I don’t like bumping into others while dancing. My favorite music will play at the end of the first part. There’s a place with a good atmosphere where we can still hear the music…”

“Let’s go back.”

“…What?”

No thoughts came to mind. I just wanted this damned ball to disappear.

Cecil’s eyes wavered.

“What do you mean? We… promised. I get to have it my way.”

T h i s w as c o pi ed fr om k i n gm tl. o rg
“I’m not interested. Let’s go back.”

She stood there dumbfounded for a moment before responding in a calmer tone,

“Alright. Let’s dance in the ballroom.”

Maybe in a few weeks, or even days, things would get better. But not now. Even if Cecil’s words weren’t sincere, I couldn’t just let them go.

T h i s w a s co pi e d f r o m k in g mt l .o r g
I realized just how petty I was.

It wasn’t her fault. She had merely chosen someone suitable for her circumstances, ready to switch if a better option came along—just like any other girl.

My enthusiasm had simply waned.

We walked back the way we came in silence, and though I wasn’t sure what Cecil was thinking, the atmosphere between us quickly cooled.

Entering the hall and reaching the center of the ballroom, we did not exchange a single word.

In the middle of the dance floor, we joined hands like the others around us. Yet, our mood was as cold as if we were strangers.

Cecil maintained a composed face, but occasionally her lower lip quivered.

“Candy, I wanted to dance at the very end…”

Her voice was slightly trembled.

“What will we do after the dance?”

“Our partnership ends there.”

“But that’s different from… the promise.”

“…”

“You were supposed to be my first partner. I don’t want it to be ruined like this.”

I hadn’t expected a single sentence to make me this detached from someone. But complaining wouldn’t change my feelings on the spot.

Even this formal dance seemed like a waste of time.

“Why are you acting like this? You seem like a different person.”

Cecil couldn’t focus on the dance. Neither could I.

I didn’t feel much guilt. If things ended this way with Cecil, it didn’t matter to me anymore.

There were plenty of students who would court Cecil. Like other girls, she’d find a replacement quickly. It might take a month, or maybe just a week. Possibly even a few hours later.

Maybe I was someone’s replacement, too.

Once the music ended, I let go of Cecil’s hand.

Her eyes unfocused as she murmured,

“Did I… did I make a mistake? Right?”

The lively and assertive Cecil had vanished, replaced by someone overwhelmed with insecurity.

“Candy, is this the end?”

“Have fun.”

“If we end it now, I might… play with someone else. Are you okay with that?”
Th i s w a s c o pied f r o m ki n g m tl. o rg

If that was the case, there was even less reason to stay. Without a word, I turned away.

Cecil remained silent.

I walked out of the ballroom.

***

Cecil, huddled in a corner sobbing quietly, was surrounded by her fellow female students. Marta, who had come for a break after dancing with her partner, was taken aback by the sight.

“What… what’s going on?”

Naughtyas, who had been comforting Cecil, pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

How had this well-matched couple ended up this way before the first part had even concluded?

“Aren’t you popular with the guys?”

“How can he just leave you like this after getting upset? What a scene.”

“Candy was a bit odd. You’re better off without him.”

“Getting involved with a problematic guy will pull you down, too. You know that?”

Her classmates poured out comforting words to boost her spirits.

Cecil hid her face and remained silent.

The typically tough Cecil was reduced to tears, leaving others feeling dizzy with confusion.

Marta, who had seen Brissel clicking her tongue in the corner, approached and inquired,

“What on earth happened? Did Cecil get dumped?”

Brissel whispered so no one else could hear,

“Cecil made a misstep, it seems.”

“What happened?”

“The guy was lukewarm, so… she tried to make him jealous by mentioning another guy. But he got really mad and left without looking back.”

Marta slapped her forehead,

“I should have stopped her from reading that weird book.”

“Weird book?”

“Madame Michelle’s ‘The Men of My Life.’ She’s been devouring it because it’s the ball season.”

“Wait, she read that rubbish?”

“Sigh.”

The so-called autobiography, infamous for its questionable tales and strategies for winning over men, had once been wildly popular among noblewomen.

The book detailed the men Madame Michelle claimed to have associated with, but those mentioned insisted they had never met her nor even seen her face, which caused a significant scandal.

Marta sighed and approached Cecil,

“Cecil, go talk to him honestly. That’s the best way. If you play games, it’ll get to the point of no return.”

Just then, as if on cue, several girls who seemed to have been sent by Cecil rushed towards her, gasping for air,

“Cecil! We found where Candy is.”

Cecil, who had been unresponsive until now, slowly lifted her head.

“…Where?”

“At the entrance of the maze garden, pacing alone.”

“Is he with someone?”

“Alone.”

Cecil rose without hesitation.

***

I walked briskly, nearly out of breath.

If I lost this opportunity, it might take weeks to see him again.

I had to untangle this mess with words before the emotional rift deepened. That was the only thought in Cecil’s mind.

She hurried toward the maze garden near the student plaza.

With the first part of the ball still in full swing, there were no passersby in the vicinity.

T h is w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g mtl . o r g
And there, on a hill overlooking the maze garden, stood Candy, still and alone.

Cecil took a deep breath and was about to approach when she spotted someone else.

A girl, hands behind her back, approached Candy first.

She moved stealthily like a cat, her voluminous skirt and the grey hair swaying in the breeze were familiar from behind.

The girl reached Candy’s back and then suddenly embraced him tight.

“…!”

Witnessing this, Cecil felt her throat tighten. She quickly hid behind a nearby tree and peeked at the two.

Candy seemed taken aback, not having expected this.

As he tried to pry loose the girl’s arms wrapped tightly around his waist, she spoke,

“Don’t turn around.”

T h i s wa s c o p ie d f r o m k i ngmtl .o r g
“…”

After a pause, Candy ceased struggling.

“I might not say it if we were face to face.”

Cecil’s hands trembled as she recognized the voice—it was Lilith’s.

This w a s c o p ie d f r o m ki n gm t l .or g
“Who are you?”

“I know you. And you know me.”

“When have we met?”

“Of course. We’ve danced together every day. Remember, you promised to greet me during the ball?”

T h i s wa s cop i e d f r om k in g mt l . o r g
“……”

“I know who you are. I know your habits when you dance, your unusual appearance that stands out from the rest, and what’s behind that mask.”

T h is w a s c o p i e d fr om ki n g m t l .o rg
Candy remained silent for a long time.

“Is it okay for you to abandon your partner like this?”

“I’m a wax flower. Other guys are just too bland. The only one who sparks my interest… is you.”

“…”

“And you’ve abandoned your partner too, haven’t you?”

“What do you want?”

“I came to tell you that you don’t owe me anything. The debt from the entrance exam is paid, and now we’re even.”

“…”

“Just… greet me next time we meet. Like nothing happened. Like you did with the other girls.”

Lilith slowly released her hold and turned, running away as if escaping.

Candy stood still, as if lost in thought.

Cecil could do nothing.