When Julian was about to leave the school, suddenly a man called him from behind, causing him to turn around.
"Aren't you Mr. Romano's husband?" he asked.
"Oh, that's right. I'm Arcane Romano's husband. If I remember correctly, you're the principal of this school, right? Mr..."
"Donald, Donald Stamford. May I ask why you are here at the school? It's still during school hours," he asked seriously, though his voice was still soft.
Afraid of being mistaken for a stalker, Julian explained that he was just bringing a flash drive for his husband. Arcane had left it at home, so he took the initiative to bring it because he was sure the man needed it.
He was able to enter because the security guard told him to bring it himself, considering that he was the only one working that day.
"He worked on math materials for his students all night. It would be a waste if it went unused just because it was left at home," he explained.
Donald nodded in understanding after hearing his reason. "I see. Usually, we don't allow outsiders to enter during class hours like this. We're worried it might disturb the students' learning environment. But since that's the case, I'll make an exception this time."
"Thank you. Next time, I'll remember not to enter without permission."
There was a brief silence between them. Finally, the principal decided to continue his tour of the school, monitoring the teachers who were teaching.
"All right, see you again next time."
Watching him walk away, Julian felt like he was seeing Arcane from behind. He didn't understand why he suddenly thought of that man, or perhaps it was because he had been thinking about Arcane constantly lately.
However, he felt that Donald's gaze really reminded him of his husband.
"Coincidentally, their eyes are both green. How strange, why do I think they have something in common?" he muttered.
Just a few steps away from where he was standing, Julian remembered something that made him immediately turn back to chase after the principal. It was as if there was something he wanted to talk to him about.
That day, Arcane felt that Freya was much quieter than usual, when she would always come up to him and invite him to talk.
It did feel strange, but he was sure it was because of Julian's arrival that morning that made Freya suddenly withdraw.
'Let it be. Isn't it actually good that she's not bothering me anymore?' he thought at the time.
However, another feeling arose within him when he recalled the moment Julian came to bring him his flash drive.
'He even thought about me. Walking all that way to bring me that little thing. He knew what was important to me.'
He then returned his focus to grading the math tests from other classes at his desk. Several teachers came and went as usual, until one teacher came and sat down in the chair next to him.
"You seem happy today. Did something happen?" asked the teacher sitting next to Arcane, Kyle.
He turned his head and shook it. "Nothing. Why do you say I look happy?"
"You're smiling. Just like when I asked you about your husband. You smiled without realizing it. Is there something to do with that?" he asked again, sounding very innocent.
Although neither of them realized it, there was a hint of envy and jealousy in the question.
"Of course he's happy! This morning his husband came to deliver something very precious to him. I myself took him to class 2A," said Jonathan, the gym teacher who had taken Julian to meet Arcane that morning.
"So the rumor is true? Mr. Romano's husband came to see him this morning?"
Jonathan confirmed this, saying that they were very romantic when they met. Arcane even ruffled Julian's hair right in front of the students who were watching them.
The teachers in the classroom immediately teased Arcane. They said it must be because they were still newlyweds. Considering that they had only been married for eight months.
"Newlyweds are bound to be enthusiastic about each other. Especially since they seem like the type who don't want to be apart! How romantic!" teased one of the female teachers.
The others laughed, enough to make Arcane feel a little embarrassed. But he also felt happy. Although he didn't understand why he should feel happy about their teasing.
Until one of the teachers talked about Kyle.
"Isn't Kyle also a newlywed? If I remember correctly, Kyle got married about two months before Arcane started working at this school. How is your relationship with your husband? Are you two also inseparable?"
Kyle, who was asked this question, immediately blushed with embarrassment. It was unclear whether he was embarrassed because he was being teased or because of something else. Moreover, his husband, Ethan, rarely paid attention to him.
Is he embarrassed because he's not like Arcane and Julian, who seem so romantic?
"We're just like any other couple. My husband is busy with his work on the project site, and I'm busy teaching at school. So we don't always have time to spend together," he replied.
Arcane realized how much Kyle wanted to avoid the question. Especially since he remembered Kyle had gotten married because his mother wanted him to marry Ethan.
He opened his mouth to ask them to stop talking about it.
"I don't think it's necessary to ask that far. It's very private for some people, and maybe Kyle doesn't want you to ask any further," he said.
Realizing that they had crossed the line, the teachers who had asked the questions apologized to him, which made the gentle man smile again and forgive them.
He then turned to Arcane and thanked her for speaking up for him. He was too shy because of his gentle nature, which prevented him from saying "no" to other people's requests.
"Thank you for speaking for me. Sometimes I don't feel comfortable saying something because I'm afraid of ruining someone's fun," he said.
"You may not want to ruin someone's fun with your words. But don't let yourself be cornered or harmed because of it. Do you understand?" asked Arcane, who was answered with a nod.
He patted his coworker on the shoulder and then looked back at the students' books on his desk. Kyle continued to watch him silently.
This time with an admiring gaze and a spark that appeared unexpectedly.