"Really? I felt your expression said otherwise" I countered, teasing her with the very words she had used against me a few days prior regarding her exam results.

Claire knit her brows. "And what exactly was my expression? Did I not look perfectly ordinary?"

I shook my head slowly, offering a random answer just to keep her off balance. "Your brow furrowed the moment you finished reading"

Instead of being confused, she looked genuinely startled. her amber eyes rounded in surprise. "Are you serious? You pay that much attention to detail? I didn't even notice. Or perhaps—" Claire paused, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

"are you secretly have a crush on me, mr Harrie?"

My eyes widened in disbelief. 'crush' Honestly, far from liking her in that way, the mere thought was something I was loath to even entertain.

I took a deep breath, fighting to remain calm. I knew that if I acted nervous or overly blunt, I couldn't be sure this girl would maintain a healthy perspective moving forward. Besides, there was the matter of boundaries. This felt like the perfect moment to remind her of them.

"Whatever do you mean, Miss? Of course I like you—as my student"

As I spoke, it might have been my imagination, but the smile that had been etched on her face seemed to wither. a gray cloud settled over my heart as I watched her offer a strained grin, fidgeting with her fingers just as she did when gripped by great anxiety. "Of course" Claire said with a forced smile. 

"I-it's not as if an affection like that could 

c-come from anything else. Ahaha." Her voice faltered, and her laughter rang hollow, like a brittle facade.

I saw everything clearly—the disappointment, the shift in the air—but like a boundary born of an absolute pact, those who agree to the terms must obey the rules. If the line is crossed, consequences follow.

A suffocating awkwardness settled over us, heavy even in the open air. Claire lost her smile entirely and began to pointedly avoid eye contact. I respected her need for space, but a lingering silence would only make my job harder in the long run. I decided to change the subject, hoping to shift the atmosphere before it soured further.

"By the way, you haven't answered my initial question"

"How is it you are out here? Is there not still two days left of your punishment?"

Silence followed. Claire pressed her lips tightly together before letting out a heavy sigh and falling back onto the grass.

"What are you doing? You'll ruin your clothes lying there like that"

"Why? I've been doing this since I was a child. Besides, the ground isn't damp. So Don't worry about the gown"

"I'm not worried about the gown itself, it's just—"

Claire cut me off with a stray remark. "Rei will have a hard time washing it"

I blinked, confused. "What?“ 

“what on earth do you say?"

Claire gave a small, lighthearted laugh. 

"Never mind. I just felt like saying it"

"And, I'm not exactly 'free' from my punishment"

My heart nearly stopped. Who wouldn't panic? The only daughter of the house where you are employed has just escaped her confinement and is sitting secretly with you on a hilltop.

"Pardon?"

Claire burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as if the sight of my face was too much to bear. "Hahahaha! Ho-honestly... Mr Harrie, you actually believed that?"

She took a deep breath, struggling to catch her wind. "Of course I am free, mr Harrie"

"Though I'm not entirely allowed to visit the city center yet. But Still, this is better than being locked in a room that feels like it's shrinking"

"Especially after seeing the assignments you left in my room, accompanied by all those 'motivational' words. To be honest, I'm afraid I'll develop a phobia of exam papers if I look at them too often. I hope you'll consider reducing the load"

Claire laughed softly and closed her eyes, letting the autumn wind brush against her skin and toss the stray hairs she had tucked so neatly behind her ears.

I had expected the awkwardness to last much longer, but it seemed I didn't need to put in much effort to dispel it. Gradually, the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in a sunset that was breathtaking even from our height on the hill.

Claire opened her eyes, "Do you like sunset, mr Harrie?"

"Of course. I'm quite fond of them" I replied, leaning my back against the tree.

"What part do you like? The beauty or the philosophy?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps the beauty?"

"Why?"

"Maybe.. because every time I see the sun go down, a sense of peace—and a certain longing—stirs in the wind that sweeps through the city"

"And you, Miss?"

Claire was silent for a moment before answering. "The philosophy"

"To me, a sunset is a symbol of parting and a great act of grace"

"How the sun says goodbye to the sky because its time is up. But those who say goodbye don't leave forever. Just like the sun, which will return tomorrow"

"I often read romance novels where the dusk is the point of their separation. Some say they will return, but if the sky has already fallen in love with the moon, there is nothing the sun can do but let go, isn't there?"

"You right"

"And again... do you truly not want to tell me anything about your private life?"

I could only chuckle as I stood up, brushing the dust and debris from my coat and trousers. I walked toward her and extended a hand.

"I cannot say. But if you can manage to go with me to the city center tomorrow, perhaps I will show you a glimpse of it"

Claire smirked. "Are you underestimating my ability to persuade someone?"

I offered a subtle smile. "No. In fact, I believe you can do it"

Claire rolled her eyes as she took my hand and pulled herself up. "I shall wait for you at the front gate. Be warned, I do not tolerate tardiness, not even by a single minute"

…

I stood before the great gates, which loomed nearly half a foot taller than I was. The sun had fully risen, and the air was filled with the sound of birds whistling as they darted through the sky.

I checked the small pocket watch in my vest, the short hand was exactly on ten. I tucked it back and looked toward the dark brown mansion, hoping to see her small frame emerge in one of her characteristically bright gowns.

A faint sound reached my ears. I recognized the voice, but as the mansion doors finally swung open...

BAM!

"RUN!" Claire screamed, sprinting across the courtyard with an expression of pure panic.

I stood frozen by the gate, blinking in confusion, until Claire grabbed my hand and yanked me along with her.

Behind her, a maid and a guard were giving chase, shouting Claire's name at the top of their lungs.

"MISS CLAIRE, STOP!"

"MISS CLAIRE... PLEASE STOP!" the guard yelled, his pace quick enough to close the gap between us.

"Huff... why are we running?!"

"Why... huff... are the servants chasing you fool?"

"What? But why—” 

"Quiet!"

"Huff... you'll be the death of us if you ask too many questions. Just be silent for a moment please!" she snapped, increasing her speed until she was a blur of motion.

I was well aware of her stamina and agility, especially when it came to making an escape. My stiff, sedentary body was no match for her. If I had to describe my current state, I would say my soul was hanging by a thread.

Eventually, we ran aimlessly through a grove of massive trees that grew tall enough to blot out the sun.

Huff

     Huff

Claire finally released my wrist, gasping for air. I, luckily, was still alive and had just enough oxygen left to breathe. I bent over, taking long, deep draws of air, pulling in everything the surrounding woods had to offer before exhaling slowly.

"Hahahaha! I swear, we were almost get caught" Claire blurted out, her voice breaking the silence of the trees.

Once my breathing steadied, I stood up and crossed my arms. She owed me an explanation for nearly working me to death.

"I believe you have some explaining to do, Miss claire" I said firmly.

Claire stopped laughing and turned to me with a slight smile. "The long version or the short version?"

My brow furrowed. "What?"

"Just choose. Long or short?"

I sighed and massaged my temples. "Short?"

"We're both dead"