Ten years ago at Valcrest University.
In spring, the air always carried the distinctive yet subtle scent of cherry blossoms.
That morning, the Valcret University campus sparkled with students passing by, laughing, the sound of classroom doors opening, and the footsteps of shoes mixing together to form a harmonious symphony.
Amidst the bustle, Lovita Carter walked down the campus corridor with slow, graceful steps. Her golden brown hair fell softly under the sunlight streaming in from the classroom windows. Lovita was a beautiful, charming girl who was very friendly to everyone—her steps reflected her cheerfulness in every moment. Other students waved, called her name, or simply stared in admiration.
That morning was different. Her eyes stopped at a figure at the end of the Business Management Faculty classroom.A male student in a black shirt sat alone, looking down at a thick business book.Part of his face was covered by thick glasses perched on his sharp nose, and his forehead was slightly covered by his jet-black hair.
Rafaello Ashford.
A scholarship student.He had an above-average IQ and many recognized his genius—but even so, almost no one ever invited him to chat or even just say hello. Rafaello always seemed to be alone and busy with the little world he had created for himself.According to the students at Valcrest University, the man was too strange—too stiff and very quiet. But Lovita knew that this was not entirely true.She herself had seen another side of Rafaello Ashford when they first met at the campus library.
At that moment, Lovita was looking for a rare French literature book. She seemed to be having difficulty finding it on the shelf, but a voice came from beside her, even though she wasn't looking at his face.
"I can see it in the world literature section, third shelf. Usually, that book is tucked away there because its size and cover design are different from the others."
Lovita fell silent. She was both amazed and surprised.
"Ah... okay... thank you... but how do you know so much?"
Rafaello glanced at Lovita and nodded slightly.
"People who often spend their time here, of course know the location of almost all the books."
And without realizing it, that became the first moment of their conversation.
It was a very simple thing, but somehow Lovita felt enveloped in warmth.
That afternoon, Professor Parker was explaining financial management in class. Rafaello, as usual, finished his notes long before the others. The seat next to him was empty as usual—other students were uncomfortable sitting next to him, or rather, no one wanted to sit next to him.
Lovita, who arrived a little late, glanced at the empty seat next to Rafaello or some reason.
Without thinking twice, she filled the empty seat.The class suddenly fell silent.Some students whispered quietly, while others stared in surprise. Rafaello slowly turned his head, looking shocked by what he saw.
"You? What are you doing?" he asked in a low, almost trembling voice.
Lovita smiled cheerfully, her voice light and carefree.
"Of course i'm sitting down. Is that not allowed?"
"That's not it. But... Maybe you've heard the rumors about me?"
"I'm just sitting down, not doing anything wrong. Besides... I don't care what people say about you."
Rafaello smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly.
Professor Parker's eyes glanced at them, signaling them to pay attention to his class. Lovita and Rafaello understood, but under the table, Lovita handed him a small pink piece of paper that she had neatly folded.
"Can i borrow your notes later for what i missed in class today?"
Rafaello stared at the pink paper for a long time, then replied under Lovita's writing.
"Okay. You can borrow them."
Lovita read that notes with a smile before finally folding it carefully.
***********************************************
A month passed.Their small bond grew slowly in silence. Lovita often passed by the corridor when Rafaello was still in the library. She pretended to forget her book just so she could talk a little longer.
And Rafaello, who was considered strange, too stiff and serious, began to get used to Lovita's cheerful nature.One afternoon, they spent time together on the campus rooftop—a rooftop that was usually empty. Not many students visited that place. Lovita brought two bento boxes.
"My mom told me to give you these because you always help me with my classes," she lied as she sat on the only long chair on the rooftop.
Rafaello seemed hesitant, but accepted it anyway.
"Thank you. Tell your mother thank you."
Lovita replied with a sweet smile.They ate the bento together.
"This is delicious," Rafaello said softly, his eyes sparkling.
"Yes, i made the tempura by myself," Lovita said proudly.
Rafaello smiled slightly in response to Lovita's words.
"So you're good at cooking too?"
"Just a little. If you really like it, i'll bring it to you often."
"Ahh... I don't want to trouble you and your mother,"
Rafaello said awkwardly.
"No. Not at all."
They finished their lunch. The wind blew, carrying the scent of cherry blossoms. The atmosphere was very peaceful, light, and colorful.
"I like this place. Even though it's high, it doesn't scare me,"
Lovita stared at the blue sky above her.
"That's because you're not looking down."
Lovita turned to him. Then she laughed
"You're right. Do you always look down?"
Rafaello nodded.
"Yes. I like seeing the world from up here."
Lovita smiled.
Then she looked at his face for a long time and said without thinking,
"You have beautiful eyes, you know?"
Rafaello was silent.
"Me?"
"Yes. Beautiful eyes that look different behind your thick glasses."
Then suddenly Lovita's small hand touched Rafaello's face and carefully removed his glasses.
"W-what are you doing?"
Rafaello was surprised by Lovita's actions.
"I was right, your eyes are very beautiful, and you even look more... handsome."
Rafaello's cheeks flushed. He immediately looked down, pretending to be busy with the book in his hands. Rafaello couldn't believe that Leika said those words so easily.
"Eyes are just organs, Lovita."
"Hmmm...you always look at the world through the lens of science. Eyes are not just organs. They are windows to the soul. Lovita smiled slightly, her voice echoing softly in the afternoon sky.
Rafaello just stared at her silently. There was somethingwarm in his heart.
***********************************************
A few months later.
Their closeness slowly became known to several students at Valcrest University. Including someone who was not happy—Victor Drexler, Lovita's boyfriend.
Victor was the opposite of Rafello—popular, rich, always surrounded by people. But Lovita knew that behind the perfection that all the girls admired, there was a harsh and possessive side.
He often demanded more attention, sometimes making unreasonable requests. And he always liked to pressure Lovita with his sharp words and possessive nature.
Lovita tried hard to stay with him. But her comfort with Victor slowly eroded over time.
And every time she spent time with Rafaello, the world around Lovita felt a little lighter.
One afternoon, it rained heavily after Professor Han's class ended. Some students ran to the campus gate with umbrellas, while others waited in the cafeteria.
Lovita got lost in the hallway of the Faculty of Arts—and there, she found Rafaello standing, reading a manhwa in his hand.
"You didn't bring an umbrella?" she asked.
Rafaello turned his head, a little surprised.
"Unfortunately, no."
Lovita chuckled softly, then opened her transparent umbrella.
"I can be your umbrella taxi today until the bus stop."
Rafaello chuckled softly at Lovita's joke.
"Oh my—wait, you can laugh like that too, I thought you didn't have a laugh box,"
said Lovita, a little surprised.
"You're exaggerating, Lovita"
"You should laugh like that more often."
Silence fell upon them.
"So, do you want me to take you to the bus stop?"
Lovita said, breaking the silence.
"No need, Lovita—I'll wait."
"Then i'll keep you company."
Rafaello looked at her, confused.
"Why?"
"Because we're friends,"
Lovita replied softly.
There was a strange flutter in Rafaello's chest. How could there be a person like Lovitaa? Not only was her face and physique perfect, but her heart was too. Besides being beautiful, Lovita had a kind heart; she didn't hesitate to be friends with an orphan like him.
They sat on a long bench. With the soothing sound of rain in the background.Without words, only warm and comfortable silence.In the midst of that silence, Lovita boldly said,
"I know people here treat you unfairly, but i hope you always remain a good person, just like you are now."
Rafaello looked at her for a long time, mesmerized, then nodded slightly.
"I'm not that good, but i'll try. And you're strange, Lovita Carter."
"Strange? Why?"
"You're the only one who wants to talk to me. It's as if I'm part of this place."
Lovita stared at the rain, then her gaze shifted to Rafaello, their eyes met, and Lovita smiled slightly.
"Maybe it's because i'm not really part of this place. I'd rather be where you are."
Deg.
Rafaello wished time would stop right then and there. He wanted moments like this with Lovit to last forever.
Dusk had fallen.They parted ways in the campus corridor, and Lovia stared at Rafaello's sturdy back as he walked away in the rain, carrying the umbrella she had lent him.
Behind the campus gate, Victor was waiting in his black sports car. His gaze was sharp and impatient, and Lovita didn't realize that from a distance, someone—Rafaello—had turned to look at her getting into the sports car.
In those beautiful eyes, there was admiration and the fear of losing something before he had even had it.