ᴄᴇʟᴇsᴛɪᴀ ʟᴜᴅᴇɴʙᴇʀɢ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ғᴏᴜʀᴛᴇᴇɴ

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"I'm sorry if I interrupted something important." Celestia said, after the two of them had walked to the school garden together. "Don't worry about it. Naegi was about to leave anyways, just like I said." Receiving a nod from her, the conversation fell silent, only the chirping of birds being heard.

"I heard a few bits of your conversation, actually." Her words made him widen his eyes. Did she hear about what they argued about? Did she now know about his feelings for her? "Oh... I see. Well, what did you hear, if I may ask? Was it something important?"

"It was about Naegi's feelings for Kirigiri, was it not? I apologize for poking my nose into someone else's business." Immediately, relief washed over the (h/c) haired male's body. Since everyone already knew about those two, it wasn't like he was spilling a special secret to the Ultimate Gambler.

"No, you don't have to be sorry. But thank you for being so polite, Ludenberg." Her smile made his knees grow weak. 'She looks so beautiful, it's almost surreal. If I didn't already know her, I would think that she's a princess. She definitely has the looks to be one.'

"It's nothing that you should thank me for. Common manners should be natural for everyone." Folding her hands over each other, the black haired female let her eyes wander around the garden. "I really like this place. It's peaceful, quiet and lively at the same time. Perfect for spending time alone."

'Oh. Does she want me to leave? Was that a subtle hint?' Somehow, he felt like his thoughts weren't true, even though he couldn't read her all too well. Something was telling him that she only expressed her liking for the school garden. 'I mean... This place looks almost royal.'

A smile found its way onto his face. Yes, she seemed to really like expensive and pretty things. Maybe she liked the aesthetic of a princess. Not that she didn't look like one. If her skirt would've been longer, her uniform would look like a dark princess dress.

"I agree. I heard that many students come here to study, mostly when it's summer. And even though it's not used for that when it's winter, people like to spend their romantic gatherings in here." Looking back at her, he gave her another calm smile. "I think that's really cute."

Celestia quietly looked at the male next to her. 'Why did his gaze suddenly grow so much warmer? Does it have something to do with what he said about this place?' Her red eyes wandered into the direction of a few rose bushes. "Yes, I understand why one would meet their loved one here."

"Would you do that as well?" It had taken him a lot of courage to ask that question. "Meeting my loved one here, you mean?" Giving her a nod, he anxiously awaited her answer. "Hm... I don't know, to be honest. I don't have a loved one."

A weird silence laid itself over the two of them. "You don't? That's hardly believable. You're a really beautiful female." The words spilled out of him before he could stop them. "Ah..." Her cheeks became a little red. "Is that so...? Thank you for such a kind compliment... I don't know what to say..."

Carefully, (y/n)'s hand reached for hers. To his surprise, the black haired female's fingers immediately intertwined with his. "Say... Why are you being so romantic? Is it this garden or have you lost your mind?" He laughed, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Neither."
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