Chapter 19

“It’s sweets after studying, right? Even Bella would agree, right?”

“Only you studied.”

“You’re supposed to agree when it’s a moment like that! Now eat!”

Bellver hesitated.Though he hadn’t studied, his bl**d sugar was indeed dropping rapidly as Roho had said.But he knew the moment he took a bite, there’d be no stopping.

The memory of eating with Bellatrix last time played vividly in his mind.

As his thoughts deepened, Bellver’s face turned into an expression of pure anguish.How sorrowful it was to see golden pastries so close yet unreachable.And worse, it wasn’t that he couldn’t reach them—it was that he wouldn’t.

Roho, who had already begun savoring her dessert with her fork, tilted her head.It was obvious from his behavior that Bellver wanted it but was debating whether or not to indulge.

“Bella. Ah, try it.”“Ah?”

After nearly ten minutes of indecision, Roho decided she couldn’t take it anymore.While his cuteness in deliberating over dessert was endearing, it had reached a point of frustration.She scooped a piece of her cake and brought it to Bellver’s mouth.He obediently opened wide and let her feed him.

“You have plenty, so it’s fine to eat. Besides, the Bellas are rich, aren’t they?”

Bellver nodded in response.Recalling his earlier antics made his head boil like a teakettle.Was this what it felt like just before a volcano erupted inside your brain?Not only that, but he’d even let Roho feed him.

Too embarrassed to speak, Bellver secretly tapped his toes together beneath the table while avoiding eye contact.

Roho noticed the small tapping sounds coming from below.Her mischievous side peeked out as she inserted her foot between Bellver’s legs.

“Hehe. Go ahead and eat.”

“Mm…”

Finally, Bellver hesitantly took a bite, trembling like a newborn fawn.They say good things come to those who wait—and he believed it.Even though he’d only waited a little, the dessert tasted several times better.It melted in his mouth, setting off fireworks in his brain.Regaining strength, his hands eagerly continued ferrying dessert to his mouth.

Watching Bellver enjoy himself made Roho feel the same way.Achieving her bucket list item of sharing dessert with a friend who didn’t struggle brought genuine happiness.Even toothpaste-flavored desserts might’ve tasted good in this situation.

“Do you want more?”“Mm… No, I don’t.”

“Why? It’s delicious.”

“Well…”

Bellver wanted to hide how deeply immersed he’d been in enjoying the dessert but suppressed the urge with superhuman willpower.Despite trying to act normal, his voice kept dropping lower, and his limbs tensed up.He almost instinctively agreed to having more before catching himself at the last second.

He didn’t want Roho probing further.To her, it was an unforgivable question after witnessing how much Bellver enjoyed eating.

What could he say?It sounded too girly even to himself.I’ve been gaining weight because I’ve eaten too many sweets lately!

Lately, he’d started noticing his clothes fitting tighter—especially his underwear.What else could it mean but gaining weight?

But there was no plausible excuse to deflect with.In the end, he confessed honestly.

“Because I’ve gained weight…”

“Huh? Gained weight? Where exactly… oh…”

Roho scanned Bellver’s still slender frame, finally spotting the subtle change.What used to be average-sized was now subtly asserting its presence.No hiding it—his chest had grown.

He seemed to be transforming both physically and mentally into something more feminine.Romance novels weren’t wrong; love really did bring bodily changes.And in her eyes, it was all for the better.

“Just eat. Bella needs to gain some weight. Waiter? Another round please.”

“Should we?”

“Yes. Trust me. You definitely need to gain a bit.”

Roho was confident.From romance novels, men liked bigger chests, and Bellver’s were nowhere near big enough.A little plumping up would do him good.

With Roho’s assertive attitude, Bellver wore an overwhelmingly joyful expression, as if he’d overcome great adversity to achieve his goal.His smile was so bright it could blind someone.All he wanted was more dessert.If even Roho thought it was okay despite his weight concerns, then it must be fine.Maybe he could aim for two desserts daily moving forward.Happy at the thought, he savored the new dessert placed before him.

*

After finishing their desserts and meeting Bellatrix around sunset, Bellver happily recounted the day’s events: attending lectures together, visiting the library, and sharing dessert.Of course, he conveniently omitted the embarrassing parts.

“So, something happened? Did you have fun?”

“Yes!”

“That’s good to hear. Better than being lonely, isn’t it?”

Grateful that Bellatrix hadn’t noticed his omissions, Bellver let out a sigh of relief.She looked exhausted, pushing her damp bangs back, clearly having trained hard.Had she trained so much that her usual radar for detecting secrets had gone offline?Still, her gaze remained firmly fixed on him.

Seeing Bellatrix work diligently filled Bellver with admiration.She wasn’t recklessly pushing herself to beat someone, which was evident.If she were still striving solely to surpass Roho, her attention should’ve been elsewhere entirely.This meant she’d moved past her obsession with Roho.

“You did great today!”

“Hey, I’m sweaty. Stop.”

“It’s fine!”

Bellver stood on tiptoe to pat Bellatrix’s head, returning the favor she often gave him.Since it always made him feel good, surely it would make her happy too.Look!Even though she pretends to dislike it, she’s smiling!

Bellatrix sighed deeply at Bellver casually touching her sweat-drenched hair.Though it should’ve bothered her, her expression didn’t change.Still, receiving praise made her genuinely happy.Far more so than compliments from professors or prestigious figures.

‘Sorry in advance. Will you forgive me?’

The playful prank itch returned thanks to his encouragement.Apologizing inwardly to the idealized version of Bellver, she sprang into action.

“By the way…”

“Yes?”

“Did you have more fun with them than with me?”

Alarm bells blared in Bellver’s mind.Frantically, he tried to think of what to say.It was an impossible question since he liked them both equally and had never compared them.Please let this be a joke.But Bellatrix’s serious gaze revealed no hint of playfulness.He recognized the underlying meaning immediately—jealousy.Whatever the reason, it was jealousy.

Suppressing the urge to burst out laughing at Bellver’s flustered state, Bellatrix found immense satisfaction.He was irresistibly cute.All the hard training paid off just to see this reaction.Deciding to escalate matters slightly since she hadn’t pranked him all day, she failed to notice her face lacked its usual playful twinkle due to exhaustion.

“I see. Got it. That’s understandable.”

“Ah…?”

Pretending to be disappointed, Bellatrix leaned closer.Surely Bellver would now lecture her about playing tricks.She’d simply get to admire his adorable squirming.

However, Bellver’s mind had plunged into darkness.What had he done wrong?The single thought consumed him.His teeth chattered, and his body grew cold.

‘I need to apologize.’

Desperate to act before it was too late, Bellver scrambled to move.Unfortunately, his frozen legs refused to cooperate.Forcing them only caused him to trip and fall flat.

“Kyaa!”“What happened?! Are you okay?!”

Realizing Bellver had fallen, Bellatrix rushed over to check for injuries.Thankfully, aside from minor abrasions on his palms, he seemed unharmed.

While she relaxed, Bellver gripped her sleeve with his stiff hand.He wanted to hold her hand but feared offending her.

“I’m sorry… Please don’t abandon me… I’m really sorry…”

“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have joked knowing you’d catch on. I’ll stop.”

Finally recognizing her mistake, Bellatrix admitted it honestly.

Bellver’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing her confession.That was quite the cruel prank.Didn’t jokes need clear indicators?

Receiving Bellver’s heartfelt reproach left Bellatrix speechless as she scratched her head nervously.He appeared truly upset—a first.

“Don’t pull pranks like that again.”“Got it. I’ll remember.”“At least give hints so we know it’s a joke. That’s against the rules, so I’ll punish you.”“Bring it on.”

Bellver pondered what punishment to assign.Being new to doling out punishments, he wasn’t sure what to choose.Remembering how Bellatrix had given punishments in the form of what she desired, he considered what he wanted now.The decision came quickly.

“Hug me while calling my name.”

“Now? I’m drenched in sweat.”

“Right now.”

“Alright.”

Briefly hesitating, Bellatrix awkwardly embraced Bellver.She regretted not cleaning up after training when realizing this earlier.Despite feeling clammy against her sweat-soaked skin, Bellver pulled her closer.

“Sorry, Bellver.”“I really like you, Miss Bellatrix, so please don’t ask questions like that again.”“Is that a confession? Will you marry me?”

Startled by Bellver’s earnest declaration, Bellatrix struggled to respond.Though she liked Bellver, wasn’t this too soon?They hadn’t known each other long.

Nestled in her arms, Bellver chuckled softly.This was the first time seeing Bellatrix flustered.So this is why she teased people.He finally understood a bit of her mischief.

“It’s a joke.”“Hey!”

“This is payback. Enjoy.”

Bellatrix realized her true error.Teaching Bellver her own tricks was the real mistake.She bitterly regretted it.Still, she had no plans to stop teasing him.

“Kyaa!”“That’s s*xual harassment! Don’t poke a girl’s ribs like that!”

“I’m a guy.”“No, I’m a girl now… Huff!”

How could he resist this?