One day, during Ace's visit to Marianne, they found themselves strolling through the garden in silence. Neither of them initiated any conversation, content with the quiet companionship. However, out of the blue, Ace broke the silence with a question that caught Marianne off guard. "So, do you and Derek have something going on now?" he asked. Marianne looked at Ace, perplexed by his inquiry. "What made you think that there is something going on between us?" she responded, her confusion evident in her voice. "Well, you see, Marianne, you and Derek are always together, so maybe... the wedding is canceled now, right?" Ace asked, his tone tinged with a hint of playfulness. Marianne couldn't help but chuckle at his assumption. "Hah! No, Ace, Derek and I are just good friends. As for you, it seems like there might be something between you and Yoma!" she replied, teasingly emphasizing the word "something." Ace raised an eyebrow, returning the playful banter. "Ooh, are you jealous of Yoma?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Marianne laughed, shaking her head. "Me? Jealous? Perhaps it's you who's jealous of Derek!" she retorted, enjoying the lighthearted exchange between them.
Ace couldn't help but laugh gently as he playfully tickled Marianne, enjoying the opportunity to tease her further. Marianne, caught off guard by the tickling, let out a squeal and quickly ran away, prompting Ace to chase after her. They playfully raced through the garden, their laughter filling the air as they reveled in the carefree joy of the moment. In the midst of their playful antics, Ace didn't even realize that a bright smile had formed on his face, a rare sight that hadn't been seen in quite some time. As Marianne caught sight of the genuine smile on Ace's face, she couldn't help but be captivated by the sight. In her moment of distraction, Ace, unaware of her sudden halt, accidentally bumped into her, causing both of them to tumble to the ground. Ace looked at Marianne and let out a gentle laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Meanwhile, Marianne found herself simply gazing at Ace's face, filled with happiness at the sight of his radiant smile. A soft smile formed on her own lips as she admired the handsome features of Ace, cherishing this precious moment of connection between them.
As Ace became aware of Marianne's unwavering gaze, he ceased his laughter and cleared his throat, a hint of self-consciousness creeping in. Slowly, he rose to his feet and extended a hand to help Marianne up from the ground. With his assistance, she gracefully stood up, their eyes locked in a tender moment of connection. Sensing the need for a more intimate setting, they both settled down on the ground, side by side, their bodies close but not touching. In this serene moment, they found solace in each other's presence, silently admiring the unique qualities that drew them together. As they sat in comfortable silence on the ground, Marianne broke the tranquility with a gentle remark. "You should smile more," she said to Ace, her voice filled with sincerity. Ace blinked in surprise at her comment, not expecting such a suggestion. "Why?" he asked, genuinely curious about her reasoning. Marianne smiled warmly and replied, "Because when you smile, you look incredibly handsome." Ace couldn't help but chuckle at her compliment, his laughter carrying a hint of playfulness. "Yes, I suppose I am," he responded teasingly, enjoying the lighthearted banter between them.
The following morning, a wave of surprise washed over the students as they witnessed Marianne and Ace together once again. However, Ace maintained his usual cold demeanor, determined not to reveal his affectionate and joyful side that he reserved solely for Marianne. It was clear that his genuine smile was reserved exclusively for her, a secret treasure that he held close to his heart. As Marianne and Ace strolled through the hallway, Derek approached them with a friendly greeting. Ace's gaze immediately shifted towards Derek, a flicker of jealousy evident in his eyes. "Hey, Marianne, it's great to see that you and Ace have sorted things out," Derek remarked. Marianne smiled in response, appreciating Derek's concern. However, before the conversation could continue, Ace interjected with a cold tone, his hand gently grasping Marianne's arm. "Let's go now, we don't want to be late," he stated curtly, his possessiveness subtly revealed in his actions.
Derek's gaze lingered on Marianne and Ace as they walked away, a mix of emotions swirling within him. Jealousy gnawed at his heart, causing him to whisper to himself, "No, this can't be." In that moment, Yoma, who had been observing the interaction, approached Derek with a smirk on her face. "Feeling jealous?" she taunted. Derek's eyes narrowed as he met Yoma's gaze, his voice laced with defiance. "Nope, not like you," he retorted, refusing to let his emotions get the best of him. With that, Derek walked away, determined to navigate his own path amidst the complexities of their intertwined relationships.
Yoma, undeterred by Derek's initial response, persisted in her pursuit. She reached out and grasped his arm, her voice low and persuasive. "How about this... if you follow me, you can have Marianne," she whispered enticingly. Derek, however, swiftly pulled his arm away, a confident expression on his face. "No, I won't force myself on her," he declared firmly. "I'm not like you, willing to manipulate and deceive. I respect Marianne's autonomy and will let her choose whoever she genuinely cares for." Yoma chuckled, attempting to provoke him further. "And what if Ace ends up with the one you love the most?" she questioned. Derek's response was resolute and unwavering. "If she loves Ace, then I will accept it," he replied, demonstrating his selflessness and genuine concern for Marianne's happiness. Yoma's words lingered in the air as she questioned Derek further. "And what about you?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.
Derek's response was resolute and filled with determination. "I don't care," he stated firmly. "I can still recover from this situation. But seeing Marianne being forced to be with me, against her own desires, would be far worse than any feelings of jealousy I may have." With those words, Derek turned and walked away, leaving Yoma behind. His actions reflected his deep respect for Marianne's autonomy and his commitment to allowing her to make her own choices, even if it meant accepting the possibility of heartache for himself.