The unfortunate incident happened exactly while I was eating pizza with Lucien. Misfortune struck suddenly and intensely, like a thunderbolt. From what was briefly known about the event that caused more than a dozen Lilith members to be expelled at once, it was on a scale the school could not handle.
Probably due to efforts from the school and parents, details were never revealed, but what was certain was that most of them either dropped out or transferred, scattering so that Lilith was cut in half.
No one knew exactly what kind of accident it was or why it happened. Of course, for their futures, it was best for everyone that the scandal was buried as quickly and deeply as possible. That’s also what they wanted.
The remaining students were also investigated. Luckily, among those not involved was Lucien. Naturally, he was with me at that time. I even served as his alibi witness. Since entering through the window after lights out was against the rules, Lucien had to write a reflection paper, but the punishment was not severe.
Afterwards, other incidents kept happening—one, two, or three members disappearing at once. A club that once had several dozen members now barely had five left. And no one knew when or how the next disaster would strike.
Strangely, Lucien was still among the few remaining members. At this rate, wouldn’t he soon become president? If he became the last member, it would be possible. As I thought this nonchalantly, I realized—
The two months he promised were almost up. And during that time, one by one left the school, until finally only Lucien remained in Lilith. It was exactly one month and twenty days since Lucien left the rowing team. And with the birth of the school’s tradition and pride, the Lilith club completely disappeared into history. All this happened less than two months after Lucien joined.
“Is it really true that Lilith is gone?”
The sudden loud voice made me sigh and rub my forehead with my fingers. I’d been bombarded with the same question since morning. In the classroom, everyone eagerly repeated the same thing to me.
In some ways, it was natural. I was an outsider, but I was acquainted with all those club members and even hung out with them once. That was before I befriended Lucien to recruit him for rowing.
Still, I was an outsider. I knew as little about Lilith as the others did. In other words, I only knew what they knew.
Of course, I was curious. How did a club over 50 years old just vanish like that?
But no one was left to ask. All members had already left the school.
Except one—Lucien Hearst.
The remaining question was simple: would he really return to the rowing team as promised?
The answer came quickly. One day, when more than half the ice on the lake had melted, he returned to the rowing team. The only Lilith member left, also the president—holding all those titles.
It was exactly two months since he left the team.
“Dilly.”
Lucien, who came to practice, called my name first. Everyone looked at him in surprise, but he walked straight to me and hugged me without hesitation.
“I missed you.”
“Uh, uh…”
Caught off guard, I awkwardly patted his back. Just then Emilio entered the practice room and greeted us cheerfully.
“Ruth, you’re back! Welcome, we’ve all been waiting for you!”
Not many agreed, but Lucien didn’t seem to care.
“You look taller. Have you been practicing? I hope you’ve improved a lot.”
Though friendly words to anyone, Lucien didn’t take them well. His frown and glare at Emilio clearly said, Who are you? Get lost.
“Alright, everyone, what are you waiting for? Get to your spots, come on!”
The coach suddenly clapped to get attention. Those who had been lingering awkwardly headed to their positions. The coach noticed Lucien late, paused, and then averted his eyes.
Even if the coach had no expectations for Ruth, that attitude was harsh.
Annoyed by the coach’s disregard for Lucien, I couldn’t cause trouble, so I bottled up my frustration. My pent-up anger turned elsewhere. Seeing someone about to sit next to me, I abruptly said,
“Why are you sitting here? Go over there.”
Everyone, including him, turned to look. The hesitant guy glanced around confused, then looked back at me, pointing at his chest with his second finger, as if asking, Are you talking to me? I didn’t bother softening my tone.
“Yes, you. Why are you sitting here? This is Ruth’s spot. Now that Ruth’s here, you have to move.”
“What?”
He muttered in disbelief. I didn’t stop there but called out to Lucien.
“Ruth, what are you doing? Come here.”
Lucien, who was looking for a spot some distance away, brightened immediately. He hurried over, glared at the guy briefly, then sat in his own seat. The guy, scolded for trying to sit there, looked between Lucien and me in disbelief, shook his head, and went to find another seat. Then I sat down, and everyone returned to their tasks, adjusting posture or getting on equipment, filling the room with busy activity.
“If it gets hard, don’t overdo it.”
After confirming nearly everything was ready, I gave one last piece of advice. Lucien nodded brightly. The coach blew the whistle, and practice finally began.
“Haaah.”
As the practice ended, gasps of heavy breathing and the sound of people collapsing echoed. But there was no time to linger, so I forced myself up and started walking. Lucien followed right beside me. Seeing him, I couldn’t help but smile, and he smiled back. Somehow, it reminded me of Elliot, so I absentmindedly patted his head.
“You did really well today. You must have practiced a lot.”
“I said I would.”
Lucien puffed up proudly. It reminded me of my little brother. His confidence was well deserved. Remarkably, Lucien hadn’t once fallen off the machine today. Before, he slipped several times daily, screaming. It was amazing. He didn’t drop the handlebar once either. He performed perfectly from start to finish. I was amazed and proud of his effort and kept praising him. Seeing Lucien smile proudly, I praised him again. Then I caught Emilio’s eye.
Emilio smiled and greeted me with a glance. I smiled back, and just those few seconds without a word made my heart race wildly. My mind went blank from the thrill.
“…Di, Dilly.”
I snapped back when Lucien called me, frowning. He seemed in a bad mood, so I awkwardly smiled and roughly patted his head.
“I’m glad you improved a lot. Now you just need to keep the rhythm.”
He still seemed to lack stamina. I remembered how he initially kept pace but then fell behind and kept going off-beat. Poor guy. But his posture was good now, and he didn’t drop behind during practice, so that was enough. There was still time—months left to catch up.
He was still a candidate, after all.
I brushed it off and was about to say we should go when Lucien suddenly asked.
“Dilly, want to go get ice cream?”
“Ice cream?”
Surprised by the sudden offer, I asked, and he nodded.
“I want some. Let’s go out for a bit, okay?”
“Well…”
Getting permission to go out wasn’t hard. I was tired and wanted to rest, but it was Lucien’s first day back on the rowing team, and tomorrow was the weekend, so it wasn’t a big deal. I thought briefly and nodded.
“Okay, let’s do that.”
Lucien’s eyes sparkled and he smiled brightly. Suddenly, someone spoke from behind.
“Dilly, what are you doing? Not coming?”
I turned my head and saw Brad, a member of the rowing team, looking at me. I quickly answered.
“Yeah, I’m going. Just getting ready now.”
He greeted lightly and was about to leave but spoke again.
“If nothing’s going on, want to come with me? I’m starving and want to eat something.”
“I… have plans…”
I was about to say that when Emilio suddenly interrupted.
“You’re going to eat? Can I come too?”
My ears perked up suddenly. Emilio was joining?
“Dilly.”
I heard a small whisper from below. Looking down, I saw Lucien shaking his head at me. You promised me first. He said silently, but I couldn’t say no easily. Still, I couldn’t break my promise to Lucien. The only option I had was one suggestion.
“We were going for ice cream. How about the four of us go?”
“Dilly!”
“I’m good.”
“Me too.”
The only negative response was from Lucien. Brad and Emilio readily agreed, making Lucien’s reaction stand out even more. I smiled bitterly and tried to persuade him.
“It’s more fun with more people, isn’t it?”
“But you promised me.”
Lucien stubbornly said. Brad quickly cut in.
“I’ll drive. Let’s go together, okay?”
He pointed to himself with his thumb as if asking me to trust him, but Lucien’s response was the same.
“We already agreed it’s just the two of us.”
He was firm and wouldn’t budge. I understood his feelings—it might be unpleasant to have someone else join now. But giving up Emilio wasn’t an option. My choice was clear.
“Come with us, Ruth. Brad’s driving.”
Cowardly, I offered Lucien a condition he couldn’t refuse.
“I’m tired to drive.”
I apologized, and a faint blush appeared on Lucien’s usually pale face. Seeing his clearly angry expression, I hesitated. Was I making a mistake? Just then Lucien suddenly lowered his gaze.
“…Okay.”
His murmured answer eased my worries. Feeling relieved, I impulsively hugged him lightly.
“Thanks. Next time, just the two of us.”
Though an empty promise with no set time, Lucien seemed to believe it. He quietly nodded, and I followed Brad and Emilio out of the practice room. Seeing Emilio get in the back seat, I quickly got in too. Just as I was about to close the door, Lucien suddenly pushed himself in.
“Huh?”
Surprised at being squeezed in the middle, I gasped, and Lucien immediately looked up at me as if to ask if there was a problem. I forced a smile and pointed at the front passenger seat.
“Wouldn’t it be better to sit there? It’s too cramped for three.”
“I’m sitting here. If it’s cramped, you can move up.”
Lucien immediately pushed himself forward to point at Emilio. Emilio, who was fastening his seatbelt, looked wide-eyed at the sudden gesture.
“Huh, me?”
“Yeah, you. What are you doing? Go to the front quickly. Dilly says it’s cramped.”
Emilio looked at me like, What are you talking about? I wanted to sit with Emilio, so I couldn’t back down.
“Ruth, come on, sit up front.”
“I don’t want to. Why me?”
Lucien showed no sign of backing down. Brad, who had started the car and was turning around, frowned. What are you doing? I shook my head, clueless.
“Ruth, we’ll be late if this keeps up. The diner closes soon.”
“Exactly why you should go up front. Hurry up.”
“You got in last, so you should go.”
Emilio sounded unusually angry. It was the first time I’d seen him like that, but even that looked cute. Just as my mouth fell open in surprise, Lucien grabbed my hair.
“Ah, ahh! What are you doing?”
Screaming in shock, I struggled, but Lucien yanked me out with enormous force. Stunned, I was pulled outside by the back of my head and staggered. Lucien quickly got in and slammed the rear door shut.
“What are you doing? Ruth, Lucien!”
I tried to open the door, but it rattled and wouldn’t budge. Lucien had locked it. I was speechless, dumbfounded. Brad, sitting in the driver’s seat, shouted.
“Just come up front, Dilly! If you don’t, we’re leaving!”
My head still stung. The situation was real enough, but I still couldn’t believe it. Only after Brad threatened to leave did I come to my senses and reluctantly opened the passenger door.
Buckling my seatbelt, I met Emilio’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Emilio shook his head slightly, as if exasperated, but said nothing. Looking at Lucien, he stared at me fiercely, as if I were a sinner who had committed a grave crime.
Who was I to be angry at?
I was angry for being grabbed by the hair for no reason, yet they looked at me like I was a criminal. In the chilly atmosphere, the car drove toward the nearest diner.