“W-w-w-hy a-a-all of a sudden?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“It’s difficult for me to say this, but it’s time for me to start focusing… and it’s time for you to focus on your studies…” I replied.

“...”

“You know why, right?” I questioned.

“Yes, o-of course… of course I know. I do,” she replied.

“We’re already busy, but we’re going to get even busier. The incident with the 27th Legion shouldn’t happen again,” I told her.

“Yes… y-you’re right… that shouldn’t happen a-a-again,” she muttered.

“I really want to stay next to you every day, but I think it’ll be helpful for both of us if we stop seeing each other until we’ve laid a solid enough foundation. We need to get ready for the upcoming crisis. Otherwise, we would have a hard time in the future. It’ll be hard for both of us, you understand me, right?” I asked.

“...”

Jung Ha-Yan was trembling. She looked like she was about to erupt in fury, which made me gulp. I had already diagnosed her, but I still couldn’t say for sure just how she would react. However, she would probably…

“I-I-I understand… I… understand…”...