Once everyone got busy with their work, Greg quietly returned to Vivian's side.
He found her standing at the edge of the camp with a set of plans in her hands, apparently studying something intently.
"Vivian." Greg walked up beside her and spoke softly.
Vivian raised her head to look at him. "What is it?"
"About all this... no matter how you look at it, I owe you a lot."
For once, Greg expressed his gratitude earnestly. "If you hadn't called everyone over, who knows how long it would've taken me to finish on my own. So, thank-"
But before he could finish, Vivian suddenly rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a finger against his lips, stopping him from saying anything more.
Vivian's face was so close that Greg could clearly see his own reflection in her ice-blue eyes.
"You don't have to thank me."
Her voice was as soft as a feather. "I'm willing to do all this for you, not because you're outstanding, or because the Academy Head thinks highly of you."
She paused, then said each word distinctly. "It's simply because that person is you, Greg Sass."
"..."
Greg's breath abruptly caught.
Those words were far too devastating.
They weren't as grand and passionate as an outright confession, but they were like a silent arrow, piercing his heart with perfect precision.
Greg felt a rush of heat rise from his chest and shoot straight to the top of his head.
If there hadn't been so many people around, he would surely have already lost control and pinned Vivian to the ground.
He took several deep breaths before barely managing to suppress the urge. "...You win. But don't do that again next time. I can't hold myself back every time."
The corners of Vivian's lips curved ever so