SRC 22

Ah, of all things, why did he have to catch that part?

I quickly rolled my eyes.

“It’s better if you don’t make excuses and just tell the truth. I’m good at spotting people who lie.”

“I’m writing a novel, and I was talking about the candidates for the male lead. I’m trying to create a male lead based on cool people as models.”

The lie slipped out without me even taking a breath. My quick thinking really was amazing.

“You’re writing a novel?”

“It’s just a hobby these days.”

I had never written even a single line before, but the lie came out smoothly.

“Then can I see it?”

“No. It’s my secret hobby.”

“For something secret, you said it pretty easily.”

“You told me not to lie, Aiden sunbae.”

“Did I? Why does that sound like a lie too?”

Did he really have the ability to see right through people?

Cold sweat ran down my back, but I absolutely couldn’t let him find out that this place was a romance comic.

“It’s just your imagination. Haha.”

Please, just let it go at this.

Maybe he sensed my desperate wish, because thankfully Aiden didn’t dig any further.

“Then who’s your third model for the male lead?”

Aiden stepped closer and looked toward where the third-years were playing magic soccer.

While thinking, I remembered someone once said that to make a lie believable, you have to mix in a bit of truth.

“It’s you, Aiden sunbae.”

For some reason, I felt embarrassed saying it, and my face grew hot.

“M-me…?”

Aiden stuttered, clearly flustered.

“Someone like you, sunbae—popular, smart, and good at sports—definitely qualifies as a male lead candidate.”

At my flood of compliments, Aiden wore an awkward expression, unsure whether to smile or not.

“I-is that so? Thanks.”

For a while, we shyly avoided each other’s eyes.

Then suddenly I realized this wasn’t right.

I almost forgot my original purpose.

I was supposed to find out how Aiden felt about my sister, but the focus had shifted.

After hesitating over how to say it, I decided to continue my excuse.

“As for the female lead… I was thinking of making it my sister. What do you think?”

“Emma?”

Aiden’s eyes widened again.

I could almost see his brain working quickly.

“Emma and… me?”

His expression twisted into something strange.

Huh?

I thought he’d look shy or happy.

“Yes, my sister is a perfect female lead candidate too.”

She actually is the female lead, after all.

“I’m not saying Emma isn’t charming. It’s just a very… unexpected combination.”

He reacted as if he had never even considered it.

“Do you not like it?”

“No, not at all.”

Aiden waved his hands in surprise.

Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he thought negatively of my sister.

But he didn’t show any particularly positive reaction either.

Had male leads 1, 2, and 3 all decided to hide their feelings tightly?

Or was it because I’m her younger sister, and he didn’t want to show any weakness in case his feelings were exposed?

Or did he really just see her as a friend, a nice junior?

“But you said I’m male lead candidate number three, right? Who are the other candidates?”

“It’s a secret.”

I could drop a hint or two, but I couldn’t reveal everything.

If I kept talking, I might end up blurting out that this world is inside a romance comic and that he’s the third male lead candidate.

“Why? I’ll help you observe them.”

“How would you do that, sunbae?”

“I may look like this, but I’m the well-connected student council president.”

Aiden pointed to himself and winked.

I didn’t know what method he’d use, but it sounded like he planned to use people somehow.

Should I accept Aiden’s help?

He’s closer to Liam and Noah than I am, and since he’s the same gender, maybe they’d reveal their feelings to him more easily.

“I’ll think about it a little.”

I couldn’t agree too easily.

If Aiden started digging around, I couldn’t let it be exposed that I used writing a novel as an excuse—or worse, that this world is actually inside a romance comic.

“You’re not as easy as I thought.”

“So you thought I was easy?”

Foolish.

The one who understands this world best is me, the one who remembers my past life.

Even if that fact hasn’t increased my magic abilities or knowledge.

“Anyway, that novel you’re writing—let me read it someday. If I’m your model, you owe me.”

It looked like I was going to become a novelist despite never wanting to.

Aiden spoke as if I had no choice but to show it to him eventually.

“It’s not very good, so I’m a bit embarrassed to show it.”

“You improve by showing your work to others.”

“Do you write novels too? How do you know so much?”

“I have a friend who writes.”

Considering how well-connected he is, it wouldn’t be strange if he had a friend who did just about anything.

“If I ever finish it… maybe.”

That novel would probably never be completed—at least not until I find my future brother-in-law for my sister.

“I hope you finish it.”

As if genuinely cheering me on, Aiden patted my shoulder and headed toward the third-year classrooms.

Right on cue, the bell rang to signal the end of lunch.

Reflexively, I ran back to my classroom.

Unfortunately, the Aiden mission was a failure. Not only did I fail to figure out how he feels about my sister, I ended up giving away information instead.

No, seriously—who am I supposed to root for?

I’ve looked at all three male leads, and I still can’t choose.

This is serious.

Why won’t any of them honestly show or say that they like my sister?

Now there’s only one male lead left: Lucas.

Even without observing him closely, it was obvious that Lucas liked my sister.

At least his feelings for her passed the test.

What remained was Lucas’s character. From what I’d seen so far, he seemed decent, but I wanted to observe a bit more.

To learn about the real Lucas, observation would be best.

Back in the classroom, I continued thinking.

During class, I happened to look out the window and spotted a male student I assumed was Lucas.

Is S-Class having swordsmanship class right now?

Lucas seemed to be holding his sword in an awkward stance.

The students were grouped in pairs, but no one stood near Lucas.

After the teacher finished explaining, it seemed to be time for sparring, and the students paired up.

Lucas, who failed to find a partner, was left alone.

And then—oh my.

He ended up pairing with the teacher.

No matter how I think about it, Lucas, who only seems book-smart, doesn’t look skilled enough to face the teacher.

Isn’t that unfair treatment?

At the same time, I was curious how Lucas would handle it.

I craned my neck, waiting for his match to begin.

After a brief standoff, the sparring started.

Surprisingly, Lucas blocked all of the teacher’s attacks.

‘Oh! Nice job, Lucas!’

I cheered for him silently with just my mouth. I wanted him to show up those classmates who openly excluded him.

Lucas smoothly dodged the teacher’s decisive strike.

And then…

He slipped and ended up covered in dirt.

Lucas dropped his sword, and the teacher mercilessly pointed his blade at his neck.

Just like that, the match was over.

I could see a few classmates pointing at Lucas.

Those jerks!

Let them try fighting the teacher themselves!

If he managed to hold his own that well, doesn’t that mean Lucas has decent skills too?

Unlike me, who was fuming, Lucas calmly brushed the dirt off his body.

Then he took his stance again, ready to spar.

Even from afar, I could feel his solemn determination.

Even after losing once, he didn’t give up.

His passion was evident even from a distance.

Wouldn’t someone like that suit my sister best?

I could feel my heart gradually leaning toward Lucas.

Just as I was about to reach the touching conclusion that my future brother-in-law would be a younger man…