Chapter 118: A Different Kind of Comfort

After the lunch event was over, I decided to help wash the dishes in the kitchen. While I was busy alone with soap and water, I suddenly felt a pair of arms wrapping around my waist from behind. I flinched, but immediately smiled when I realized it was Kevan.

"Kevan, you startled me," I whispered softly without stopping what I was doing. "This plate almost slipped to the floor because of you."

"I just wanted to steal a little time with you without Alvin and Ari interrupting. They really don’t know when to give us space," Kevan replied, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Thank you for your attention at the dining table earlier, Darling. Your attitude was very sweet. It meant a lot to me."

"Is that all? Isn’t that already my duty as your partner?" I asked while lightly nudging his stomach.

"Duty? That sounds very formal." Kevan chuckled softly in my ear. "But I prefer to call it the reason why I feel like the luckiest guy in our school. Not every guy has a girlfriend as beautiful and as cute as you, who can make me miss her so much."

"You’re really good at flirting now, Kevan." I let out a soft laugh, then turned my body until we were now standing face to face at a very close distance. "Besides, I don’t want you to feel ignored just because they’re around."

I looked into his deep eyes and smiled mischievously. "And of course I’m sweet. Did you think I was a monster like Alvin said?"

Kevan burst into laughter at my joke. His laughter sounded so sincere and light.

"Alvin often talks carelessly, but this time he’s clearly very wrong," he said between laughs. "Maybe the most beautiful monster I’ve ever met," he teased while fixing the strand of hair covering my eyes.

"Only beautiful?" I asked in a spoiled yet challenging tone. "Isn’t there another word that sounds cooler than that?"

"Beautiful, smart, and completely mine," Kevan answered with an amused smile. "Is that enough, Princess?"

I burst out laughing. "Okay, that’s enough."

Suddenly he held both of my still-wet hands. "Darling, forgive me if I was too much this morning. I just ... I was just afraid of losing communication with you even for a moment. It felt like losing my direction."

I smiled sweetly, hiding the tightness that suddenly appeared in my chest. "I understand, Kevan. I’m not angry. I’m actually happy because it means you really think about me."

"I always think about you, every second," he replied softly. "Even during class earlier, I had trouble focusing because I just wanted school to end quickly so I could bring you here."

He looked at me with a gaze so full of adoration. "Stay like this, Frel. Keep being the reason why I’m always excited to go to school every morning."

I let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the atmosphere that was starting to feel too heavy for me. "Alright, Sir. But in return, you have to help me dry all these plates."

"Just drying the plates? That’s a task that’s too easy for me," he replied jokingly.

Kevan laughed again, then bent down and placed a gentle, lingering kiss on my forehead.

"I love you, Frel," he whispered right into my ear.

Strange. When his lips touched my skin, I only felt a calm sense of comfort. It felt like receiving protection from an older brother or a close best friend. Very different from the intense tremor, the irregular heartbeat, and the burning sensation I felt when I was simply standing near Kenn.

There was something missing, something that should have been more than just comfort.

Yet cleverly, I hid that thought behind my eyes. I returned his gesture with a tight embrace and pretended to be very happy with all the attention he gave me.

We helped each other. I washed the dishes, while Kevan dried them, as we kept exchanging small stories accompanied by laughter.

Today went according to my expectations. Kevan became his warm self again, often smiling and laughing freely. Meanwhile, I began to think more seriously about Tomi’s suggestion.

Should I ask my own heart about it? Am I truly ready to face the truth that might be revealed?

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