A Romance That Ended Before It Began

As expected, Penelope reappeared right on time after Hermione left.

Bell was speechless as she looked at the senior student who had plopped down in the seat next to her.

He had specifically asked Hermione beforehand if anything had happened between her and Penelope.

Hermione then revealed that she didn't know any of Penelope. Aside from Bell, she didn't know anyone else in Ravenclaw.

Since Hermione said that, the problem must lie with Penelope.

Although Bell was very curious about why, he had asked Penelope before.

But clearly the other party had no intention of telling him, so he had no choice but to suppress his curiosity.

"Bell..."

Penelope's expression was somewhat subtle.

Bell stared at Penelope, wondering what was wrong with him today. Why did he stop talking after calling his name? Was something the matter?

(￣~￣)

"That..."

Finally, Penelope, unable to bear Bell's stare any longer, gritted her teeth and continued speaking.

"I just saw something... something strange between you and Hermione? Did something happen between you two?"

Chew~ Chew~ Swallow~

"Strange? What's strange about it?"

Bell, who had just been scolded by his girlfriend, still felt the pain in his ear. So this time, he chewed carefully, swallowed properly, and then spoke carefully.

Don't praise him, or he'll become arrogant.

"It's just... it's just that you two seem to have gotten much closer?"

Penelope hesitated before asking the question that had been bothering her; she had a bad feeling about it.

"Oh, you mean that? Hehehe~"

Bell, suddenly realizing what was happening, let out a smug laugh.

Don't be fooled by his calm and composed demeanor in front of Hermione; as a perennial bachelor who has been given the title of "Great Wizard," his excitement is many times greater than Hermione's.

It's just that, relatively speaking, he's better able to control his emotions.

"Senior, let me tell you..."

Bell's voice betrayed an undisguised smugness.

"Actually, Hermione and I have started dating!"

"You're dating!?"

As if struck by lightning, Penelope jumped to her feet and shouted. She didn't even care that the chair behind her had fallen to the ground.

The Little Wizard Ravenclaw wizards around them looked on curiously.

It's worth noting that in Ravenclaw, very few people shout during meals.

Not to mention, they were surprised to find that the one who shouted was Penelope Clearwater, one of the beautiful senior students in their own college and one of the class Prefect.

Some of the Little Witch who knew Penelope immediately gathered together and whispered excitedly.

Although Bell was unaware of it, rumors about him and Penelope had already spread throughout Ravenclaw in private.

Many people are speculating about the relationship between Bell, Penelope, and Hermione.

Now, their intuition tells them that perhaps a good show is about to begin!

"Um... yes, yes."

Bell was somewhat taken aback by Penelope's reaction.

Although it was truly astonishing that he was able to get a girlfriend, he still has the illusion that he's dreaming.

But no matter what, there shouldn't be such a big reaction, right?

Bell felt as if several arrows had been pierced his chest; he was deeply wounded...

"When did this happen?! What happened?!"

Penelope gripped Bell's shoulders tightly with both hands, staring intently into Bell's eyes as she pressed for an answer.

She actually knows that her current behavior is very inappropriate, and can even be described as excessive.

After all, it's Bell's freedom to date whomever he wants, and I'm just his senior from school. I have absolutely no reason to interfere in his relationship.

But!

She understood the truth, but she couldn't control her behavior.

She was unwilling to accept it!

I am extremely, extremely, extremely unwilling to accept this!

Although it was true that the other person met Bell first, Penelope did not feel that she was inferior to him at all.

Penelope felt that she had the advantage in terms of knowledge, physique, and appearance.

Perhaps the only disadvantage is age.

So why did she lose?

Why did she lose so inexplicably? She didn't even know what had happened before everything was already over.

"Well, it was yesterday morning. Hermione confessed to me, and I said yes, and then we got together."

Bell said somewhat cautiously.

Wait a minute! Why is he being so cautious and acting all guilty? He hasn't done anything wrong at all!

So why is he now hesitant to look Penelope in the eye?

Perhaps it was because the emotions revealed in those eyes were so intense, so heavy, so... familiar...

Penelope's arms slid down limply. She hadn't expected it... no, she should have.

Often, things are actually that simple.

Because the other person became friends with Bell before she did, Penelope always felt that Bell's relationship with the other person was closer than his relationship with her.

Now, because the other person beat her to it, Bell and Hermione have become lovers, while she has become an outsider.

Whose fault is it all?

Besides herself, who else could she blame but herself for being too timid to take that first step?

But why? Why is she so unwilling to accept this?

Penelope bit her lip, struggling to hold back her tears. As Bell's friend, she should be happy for him and wish him well.

A drop of liquid slid down and landed on Bell's cheek.

Bell stared at Penelope in shock, unwilling to believe his own suspicions.

However, as a man, Bell had to face all of this.

He had to give Penelope, Hermione, and himself an explanation.

Bell extended his right hand and lightly touched Penelope's lips with the tip of his index finger.

A flash of blue light appeared, and Bell healed Penelope's bitten lip.

Bell was no longer in the mood to consider what others would think when they saw him Wandless Magic. All his energy was focused on the person in front of him.

"Senior, Hermione and I have started dating! Although we may not be in a position to say we're in love yet, there's no doubt that I really like Hermione and hope to be with her forever!"

Every sincere feeling deserves a sincere response. Bell looked directly into Penelope's eyes, his unwavering determination unyielding.