Chapter 47: Shoreline Proposals

The afternoon sun beat down gently on the university campus, casting a warm glow across the open grass fields. Stella sat quietly on a wooden bench, her shoulders slightly slumped. Her green eyes were completely unfocused, staring blankly at the ground as she lost herself in dark, heavy memories of the past. The cheerful mask she usually wore was entirely missing, replaced by a deep, quiet exhaustion.

Clink.

The sudden, cool touch of a metal can against her cheek snapped her right out of her thoughts. Stella flinched, looking up to see Leo standing right in front of her. He offered a relaxed, casual smile, holding out a can of iced coffee toward her.

Stella blinked in surprise, a soft blush coloring her pale cheeks as she reached out to take the beverage. "Leo... thank you."

Leo stepped over and sat down right next to her on the wooden bench, leaning his broad shoulders back. He looked at her quiet profile, his tone shifting into a gentle, teasing rumble. "You know, Stella, I usually find your noisy, annoying nature incredibly irritating. But honestly, seeing you this quiet... I actually kind of miss it. Are you okay? Did something happen?"

Stella’s face flushed a bit redder at his words, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down at the coffee can, cracking it open slowly. "I'm fine, Leo. Really. I'm just a little bit stressed out because of some personal things."

Leo stayed silent for a moment, tracking her nervous expression. "You know, you can tell me if something is bothering you. You're incredibly mysterious, Stella, and I have a mountain of questions I want to ask you. But for now... just take a break. Don't overthink things too much."

He offered a reassuring nod, placing his hands in his pockets as he stood up from the bench to leave her to rest.

"Wait, Leo!"

Stella’s voice called out sharply, causing him to stop in his tracks. He turned around, watching as she stood up from the bench, her green eyes wide with a sudden, intense emotion. Her lips parted, as if she was desperately fighting herself to reveal the deep secret terror involving Professor Julia. But after a long, agonizing pause, her shoulders dropped, and she gave a soft, gentle smile. "Never mind... just, thank you."

Leo nodded slowly, his mind still filled with curiosity. But before he could take another step down the pathway, three familiar voices cut through the air.

Chloe, Nicole, and Cynthia came marching across the university lawn block together. The moment Chloe’s crimson eyes locked onto Leo, she sprinted forward, throwing her arms tightly around his arm and hugging him securely against her body. "Leo! Listen to me! We have officially come up with the most amazing plan today!"

Cynthia walked over with her usual elegant, disciplined grace, her amber eyes carrying a warm glow. "She's right, Leo. We all sat down after reviewing the test results and thought about the best way to celebrate the end of our midterms. We decided we should all go to the beach together this weekend. How does that sound?"

Leo offered an effortless grin, his dark eyes shifting between the girls. "Going to the beach? Yeah, that sounds like a really good idea." He turned his chin slightly, looking back toward the silver-haired girl. "Hey, Stella. You should come along with us too."

"What?!" Chloe instantly erupted, her yandere energy flaring up in absolute, aggressive frustration as she yanked his arm tighter. "Why are you inviting her, Leo?! She's just going to ruin our quiet vacation!"

Seeing Chloe’s furious reaction, the heavy, terrified weight inside Stella’s chest instantly dissolved. The familiar, mischievous spark rushed back into her green eyes, and she let out a loud, entertained giggle. Sprinting forward, she aggressively grabbed Leo's other arm, sticking herself tightly to his broad shoulder to tease Chloe. "I am definitely coming with you guys! And guess what, Leo? Since I need a brand-new outfit for the ocean, you are absolutely coming with me to do some bikini shopping tomorrow afternoon!"

"No way! Absolutely not!" Chloe screamed out, her face turning bright red with furious jealousy as she stamped her foot. "Leo is not going to choose your bikini, you shameless woman!"

Standing right next to them, both Cynthia and Nicole instantly froze, their entire faces painting themselves in an intense, white-hot shade of crimson blush. The mere thought of going swimsuit shopping alongside Leo and having his dark eyes track their curves made their tsundere pride completely overload, their fingers nervously twisting their bag straps.

"What is all this rowdy commotion out here?"

The entire group went rigid as Professor Genevieve walked right past their lawn area, her clipboard tucked under her arm.

Before anyone could offer a formal apology, Stella broke away from Leo’s arm and ran straight up to the professor, a wide, playful grin on her face. "Professor Genevieve! Perfect timing! We are all heading down to the beach this weekend to celebrate passing our midterm exams, and you absolutely have to join us!"

Genevieve stopped dead in her tracks, her beautiful face locking into absolute, wide-eyed shock. "W-What?! An outdoor beach trip with students? Absolutely not. As a faculty proctor, I must decline—"

She cut her own words off, her eyes naturally drifting over to meet Leo’s gaze. Seeing his tall body standing there, she felt a sudden flashback of their intense, hidden office encounter, and a deep pink blush colored her cheeks. Desperately trying to hide her sudden, intense excitement behind a strict, authoritative facade, she forcefully cleared her throat. "Well... I suppose it is vital for a faculty member to supervise off-campus student safety during post-exam breaks. Fine. I will attend."

"Yay! The professor is coming too!" Stella cheered loudly, clapping her hands together as Chloe and the other girls let out mixed groans of competitive panic.

Leo stood in the center of the cheering group, a relaxed, warm smile tracing his sharp face as he watched the chaotic harem banter unfold. Standing just a step away, Stella looked up at his handsome jawline, her green eyes softening as a genuine, deeply sweet, and completely real smile colored her face, completely free of any fear.