As expected, he’s still such a beautiful unicorn. He wasn’t someone that could be overshadowed by such a dull graduation gown. Louella would bet that every student around here has looked back once to see his beauty.
“Hmm. But don’t you think it’s a little weird?”
“Why?”
“Because there’s no one around that stood next to Gerald.” A circle was formed around Gerald, putting him at the center of attention.
And yet, no one spoke to him. In his previous life, Gerald was good with his friends and interacted with them quite well.
“……Isn’t it obvious?” But Flora’s reaction was different from what she thought.
“What?”
“I told you I ran into Gerald at the academy before. If he acted the same way when I met him, of course, he wouldn’t have any friends.”
“……was it real?”
“Didn’t you believe what I said?” Flora asked.
“I’ve never seen him like that before.” Flora stuck her tongue out in reply.
Gerald is… Louella was alone the whole time. But not having any friends? That’s too much, though. Wouldn’t it be lonely for him? He spent years at the academy.
Billiers just caught Louella’s eye. He came up to her and Flora. As a professor, he must have felt free to walk around. Flora smiled and quickly clung to Billiers’ arms.
“Long time no see, Billiers.”
“Long time no see, Louella. How have you been?”
Flora clung to Villiers and chattered. “Look. Lulu doesn’t believe me, Billiers.”
“What?”
“Lulu only thinks that Gerald is a nice and sociable friend.” Villiers stared blankly at Louella and burst out laughing.
What was so funny? Was there anything wrong with it? Louella thought to herself. Billiers laughed for a long time, after that, he cleared his throat, and said, “Of course, that’s possible. Gerald is special to Louella.”
He continued, “It’s just amazing that she didn’t know until now. That’s how special he was, right? It must be because he hid it well.” Billiers shrugged.
Just in time, the girls approached Gerald. The students who were holding Gerald’s arm said something, but Gerald ended the interaction with a glance. Or maybe, a glare.
Then the girls shook off their arms roughly. There was a brief silence. Gerald’s cold words made the atmosphere turn cold as well. Louella could even barely hear it.
“Look at that. Gerald is only used to Louella. Don’t you think so?”
Wow. That’s true. It was something Louella never imagined. She believed all along that Gerald would mingle well with his friends.
Looking at Gerald with an unfamiliar face, Billiers added. “That’s why Lulu, you should never abandon Gerald.”
Louella couldn’t form any words from her mouth and stared at Billiers.
“He really only has Lulu, but if Lulu abandons Gerald, he’s left with nothing, you know?” He was such a blind man.
Gerald left Louella alone with no one else by her side. She gave way to others for a short time, but that was it. It was that moment that Louella made eye contact with Gerald, who turned his head towards her as if he felt something.
Gerald’s pupils dilated. Louella felt like she found herself through him. Gerald walked straight toward her. He spoke to her, pushing Billiers aside, who was standing in front of her.
“How did you get here?” he asked.
“Surprise!” Louella belatedly spoke and paired it with an awkward smile. But it seemed like she was more surprised than Gerald.
Was Gerald, who was kind to everyone, just acting like one in the past? People said that he was not a unicorn for a reason. Gerald smiled and held Louella’s hand, staring blankly at her.
“Your mother told me to attend your graduation.”
“I see.”
“Gerald, by the way, what was that?”
“What?”
“Just now… with the girls. I wonder if you’re acting too much..”
“What do you mean?” Gerald laughed briefly. “Lulu,” Gerald said, looking only at Louella. “Do you want me to be nice to them? Should I smile and accept their words.”
If you ask me that… Louella thought. There was a scene that suddenly came to her mind.
I’m sick of it, Gerald. I don’t know. You’re kind to everyone. Have you ever loved me? Have I ever been special? Other women say that you love them. Whether it’s an illusion or whatever… I’m saying there’s nothing else for me to say. Am I just a friend to you and someone whom you should live together with? That’s what Louella had said.
Gerald didn’t hug me until the end, and Louella’s pride collapsed to the bottom, and she was consuming any kind of thoughts. She had hated Gerald’s kindness to other women.
Because she looked no different from them, too. So… that’s the reason why he did that? Gerald smiled as if he knew Louella had come up with something.
His smile made me realize something. Gerald remembered everything Louella said. How did Gerald endure this kind of feeling? The love and affection they had for each other felt heavy for the people involved as well.