I Don't Need To Log Out

Mirek's expression slightly shifted as if he hadn't considered that before.

Mei continued, her voice calm but firm. "That's why what you've been doing is unnecessary. If I wanted to accept you, I would've already done it—under the condition that you get stronger. But the truth is, I don't. I'm not interested in you that way, and no duel is going to change that."

Mirek opened his mouth, hesitated, then let out a small chuckle. "So... does that mean I still have a chance?"

Mei groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Is that all you understood from what I just said?"

Mirek grinned sheepishly. "I mean, technically, you didn't say 'never'..."

Mei shot him a glare so sharp it could've been a spell attack. "Mirek."

He laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need to fry me with that look. I was just joking—kind of."

Mei studied him for a moment and then her expression softened. "Honestly? I appreciate you being upfront about your feelings. That takes guts. But dragging this out any longer isn't going to help either of us."

Mirek sighed, nodding. "Yeah... I had a hunch it would end up this way. But still, this is the first time you've really rejected me. Like, really rejected me."

He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Ahhh... it's gonna hurt for a while."

Mei rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're so dramatic."

Mirek smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. "Well, at least now I can say I challenged Arlon to a duel for a good reason. Even if I got wrecked."

Mei chuckled. "That you did."

Mirek exhaled, glancing up at the sky. "Alright. No more chasing after you. Guess it's time to figure out what to do with my life now."

Mei smirked. "Maybe start by winning a duel next time?"

Mirek clutched his chest in mock pain. "Low blow, Mei. Low blow."

Despite everything, the two of them shared a laugh, the tension finally easing.

And with that, Mirek finally started to let go.

---

When they got back, Arlon and Carole approached them.

"Are you done with your talk?" Carole asked, glancing between Mei and Mirek.

"Yeah, but... who are you?" Mirek asked, tilting his head.

Carole's eye twitched. "Excuse me?"

Mei groaned and smacked Mirek on the back, loud enough to make an impact. "At least remember someone you shared a meal with."

Mirek flinched and rubbed his back. "Alright, alright! But in my defense, I was too focused on Arlon, so I didn't pay attention to anyone else." His expression suddenly turned dramatic. "Wait, don't tell me... are you here to confess to me? I'm sorry, but I just got out of a long-term relationship."

Carole immediately stepped back. "I am definitely not here for something like that!"

Mirek chuckled. "Whew, dodged a bullet there."

Carole sighed, deciding to ignore him. "If it's okay with you, can I ask you a few questions about priests?"

Mirek's demeanor shifted back to normal. "Oh, that's it? Sure! Let's eat together, and I'll tell you everything you need to know." He paused, then pointed toward a nearby tree. "By the way, does he also have questions for me?"

Behind the tree, a black-haired figure was awkwardly trying to stay out of sight.

Carole followed Mirek's gaze and immediately recognized Zack. He had probably seen her approaching Mirek and Arlon and decided to check things out from a distance.

"Zack!" Carole called out, barely holding back a laugh. "Wanna come with us?"

Zack hesitated before stepping out from his hiding spot. "Huh? Oh, you were here too? What a coincidence!"

Carole rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Just come along already."

Zack sighed, realizing he had no escape. "Fine, I'll tag along."

With that, the three of them headed off. Most of the others had already left by now, leaving Arlon and Mei as the last ones standing there.

Mei hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Should we also get going?"

Arlon nodded but stopped when she quickly added, "Actually... do you mind if we don't eat at the cafeteria today?"

Arlon raised an eyebrow. "Are there other places to eat?" He wasn't opposed to the idea.

The cafeteria food wasn't bad, but he wouldn't mind trying something different, especially if it meant eating non-colored food and avoiding the stares from students after the duel.

"You can buy food at other places," Mei said. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "And it's my treat."

Arlon thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Let's go, but I'll pay."

Mei sighed. "You really don't let people treat you, do you?"

Ignoring her comment, Arlon followed as Mei led them off-campus to a small food district near the academy.

The area wasn't too crowded, mostly filled with students who had either finished eating at the cafeteria or wanted something different.

Mei took them to a cozy place that served what looked like pizza—flatbread with various toppings, slightly charred at the edges, served hot on wooden trays.

Arlon didn't assume it was real pizza, but it was close enough.

When it came time to pay, he handed over the money without hesitation.

"I said I'd pay," Mei grumbled, crossing her arms.

"I heard you," Arlon said, sitting down and taking a bite. "I just ignored it."

He was already rich, so he didn't care about money.

Mei sighed but let it go.

For a while, they ate in comfortable silence, the warmth of the food making the atmosphere more relaxed.

But Arlon noticed something—Mei kept glancing at him like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Finally, he set his food down. "What do you want to talk about?"

Mei fidgeted with the edge of her tray. "I thought you would've figured it out by now and led the conversation... It's kind of embarrassing."

Arlon stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

What Mei didn't know was that Arlon, despite his strength and intelligence, had almost no experience with these kinds of conversations.

Let alone a girlfriend, he hadn't even had proper friends for the past ten and a half years. If he had allowed himself to be more open, he likely would have made many friends—people naturally gravitated toward him.

But he had spent so much time distancing himself from others that he wasn't even aware of it. His serious expression didn't help either.

When he didn't respond, Mei sighed. "You really don't get it, do you?"

Still, no reaction.

"So..." Mei took a deep breath.