Chapter 15: Chapter 15

"You really like him too?" she asked. "I know she is wonderful. She became the idol of every man in this country. I really like it too," said Jonea.

Upon touching the billboard and looking closely at the model's face, Aland suddenly took a few steps back. Aland was astonished to see Miller there.

"You? What are you doing out here at night?"

"I must also ask you the same question, Senior. But, if you hold a billboard like that, your hands can get dirty, "said Jonea.

Aland watched his palms which were black with dust. "Ah, you're right."

Jonea took something out of the plastic bag she was carrying. Plastic bag with 24-hour pharmacy logo.

"If you just buy medicine? Are you sick?" he asked.

Jonea ignored Aland's question. She took out a wet antiseptic wipe from her plastic bag.

Aland was ready to reach out to receive tissue from Jonea. However, Jonea ignored Aland and walked towards the billboard. She used the wet tissue to wipe the dirty and dusty billboard.

Aland was stunned to see what Jonea was doing. Then Aland laughed, realizing how ridiculous Jonea's actions were.

'He… instead of giving me a tissue, he used it to clean the billboard.'

"It's finished!" said Jonea, satisfied while looking at the billboard. Jonea stepped back and stood beside Aland. "She's beautiful, isn't she," Jonea muttered. "Like an angel."

Aland turned to Jonea. "You know her?"

"Who doesn't know her? Everyone must know her, right? She is not only beautiful but also has a kind heart. She always donated most of her income to poor children in Africa. I heard she also just finished filming her new movie in Hollywood."

Aland was surprised to hear Jonea's confession. "Really? You really know her?"

"Of course!" Jonea answered cheerfully. "She is my idol. If I were a man, I would definitely date him."

Aland suddenly pulled Jonea's shoulder. "Dating her? If you're a boy...?"

Jonea was surprised and immediately raised her hand. She smiled awkwardly. "That's not what I meant, Senior. Every man will admire her beauty and dream of becoming her lover. But it's impossible for me. Besides not being rich, I also don't have the good looks of famous models. I realized that beautiful girls like her are only there to be admired, not possessed."

Aland, who looked frustrated momentarily, suddenly raised his hands and Jonea's shoulders. He tapped Jonea's shoulder twice and smiled awkwardly.

"You're always loud and a little annoying. You better not have to say much if you know nothing about her."

"Senior!" Jonea said when she found Aland walking away, leaving her alone in front of a billboard.

Jonea returns to the dormitory regretting her attitude towards Aland. She returned to the dormitory after midnight sneaking around quietly so no one would find her.

In the morning, when she was going to school, Jonea opened her bedroom door very carefully. She has learned enough from previous experiences. Jonea was worried that the students would tease her in a way she had never imagined.

Jonea looked around. Nothing happens. She walked into the hallway, and the dormitory was very quiet. Still, she waiting for something to happen. She walked to school, and everything went fine and as normal as in other schools.

Such a quiet and peaceful situation made Jonea even more suspicious and uneasy.

When Jonea opened the classroom door, all the students rushed out. They bumped into Jonea, standing in the middle of the road.

Jonea blocked Axel, who came out the back. "What is this? Why is everyone running?" she asked.

"You just arrived? Now it's time for swimming class. Everyone is heading to the pond. Come on, let's go there together."

"Swimming?" repeated Jonea.

Suddenly Jonea's brain was too late to respond. She opened her mouth wide as she realized the disaster that would be waiting for her ahead.

Jonea sneaked into the locker room. She stopped between the male students changing from their uniforms into swimsuits.

The locker door closed, and Jonea was shocked when she came face to face with Aland. Aland only wore short swimming trunks and was bare-chested. Jonea's eyes widened when she saw Aland's perfectly formed chest and arm muscles.

"What are you doing?" said Aland. "You're wasting your time. Immediately change clothes and go to the pool. I will not tolerate anyone slacking off and arriving late."

Jonea didn't understand. 'Aland has become very cold to me since last night. Also, why did Aland join the swimming class?'

Jonea looked around for Axel to ask for an explanation from him.

"Aland..." Jonea said to Axel.

"Yes, what about him?"

"Why is he in our swimming class?"

"Miller, have you completely lost your memory now? Are the rumours true?"

Jonea looked confused. "Well, actually… my memory is messed up. I do forget the little things. According to the doctor, this is only temporary due to trauma."

"Aland Hamilton, he is the best rower and swimmer in the country. We are lucky because Senior Aland is willing to be the swimming mentor for our class. He was usually reluctant to step in and join in. But, for some reason, he was willing to provide special training this time."

Jonea could only round her mouth.

The girl was still frozen in front of her locker door. Beside her, Axel began to take off his uniform one by one. Axel was still amazed by Miller's slightly odd behaviour.

"Why are you silent? Miller? You didn't get changed?" said Axel.

Jonea just nodded.

"You brought a swimsuit, right?"

Jonea suddenly thought of something. "Ah, you're right. I didn't bring a swimsuit. How about this? I didn't even know there were swimming lessons today."

"What to do? I don't think you can swim," said Axel.

Students from dormitory two, who always bully and annoy Jonea overhear their conversation. The student turned around with a sly grin. He took a swimsuit from inside his locker and walked over to Jonea.

"Miller, you can use this!" The student handed Jonea his swimsuit. "I bought it last year. But I never wear it because it's too small. It looks like this swimsuit is perfect for your body."

"What do you mean by perfect?" Jonea squinted disapprovingly at her friend's suggestion. "I don't want to wear it!"

Students from dormitory two are getting suspicious. Since the beginning of Miller's return to school, he felt something was strange with Miller.

"Hey, he said he lent it to you. Thank you," said Axel.

"Axel is right. Please accept this swimsuit. I already gave you a hand. Just use it!"

The student from dormitory two pulled Jonea's uniform by force.

"Let go!" he shouted. "What are you doing?"

"Take off your clothes! Come on, open it! Quickly change into this swimsuit!"

Jonea was distraught. "Stop! What are you doing? Why are you forcing me? Let go!" Jonea shouted while pushing students from dorm two.

Axel, who had just finished taking off his uniform and was only bare-chested, was amazed to see the behaviour of the two.

"Come on, stop! Don't force it. He refused; why are you still forcing him?" Axel said to the students from dormitory two. "He said he didn't want to. Go!"

"Tch!" grumbled the student from dorm two. He immediately left the locker room and let Jonea be with Axel.

Axel returned to his locker. When he was about to open the locker door and get a swimsuit, the locker door wouldn't open.

"What's with this locker door?"

Axel tried to pull as hard as he could, but it still wouldn't open. He kicked it and then pulled harder. Suddenly the door opened, and three girls from another class fell out of the lockers.

The three girls fell on Axel.

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" said Axel.

"You're... Axel White, right?" asked one of the girls while taking a picture of Axel's bare-chested face and body.

"Hey, stop!" shouted Axel.

"Sorry," they said as they stood up. "At first, we just wanted to take photos of Aland Hamilton. But… come on, run away!" she shouted at the other two girls.

Several male students who were in the locker room and not wearing any clothes started to panic. They saw three girls carrying cameras and taking nude photos of them secretly.

"Hey, they took my picture! Chase them!" shouted several students.

The locker room was suddenly quiet and only left Jonea alone. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Jonea went to the pool. She saw all the students practising swimming in turn. After two rounds, they finally got out of the pool. Jonea was only wearing a tracksuit and sitting by the pool. She was amazed to see how fast Aland could swim.

Axel, who had just come out of the swimming pool with a wet body, rebuked Jonea. "Miller, you don't swim?"

Jonea raised her hands. "Ah, no. I'm allergic to chlorine, so I can't swim."

"Since when are you allergic to chlorine? That must be really troublesome."

"Yes, after this, I will go to the infirmary to submit evidence from the hospital."

"In that case, okay. I'll change clothes first," Axel said, waving at Jonea.

Jonea started to get up and headed to the medical room. The swimming pool was quiet, and only gurgling water could be heard. When Jonea walked by the pool, her feet slipped in a puddle.

"Aaah..."

Someone supported Jonea's back and pushed her aside. Jonea was pinned against the wall.

"Senior?" whispered Jonea when she found Aland with his hair and body soaked.

It was Aland who saved Jonea and pushed her against the wall. Aland pinned Jonea between his muscular arms. The wet ends of Axel's hair dripping with water made Jonea swallow hard in awe.

"Chlorine allergy, huh?" Aland whispered into Jonea's ear. Jonea could feel Aland's warm breath.

The girl was shaking violently. She was terrified. Jonea is afraid that her lies will be exposed.