I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 135 Rejection

Mirek's expression slightly shifted as if he hadn't considered that before.

Mei continued, her voice calm but firm. "That's why what you've been doing is unnecessary. If I wanted to accept you, I would've already done it—under the condition that you get stronger. But the truth is, I don't. I'm not interested in you that way, and no duel is going to change that."

Mirek opened his mouth, hesitated, then let out a small chuckle. "So... does that mean I still have a chance?"

Mei groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Is that all you understood from what I just said?"

Mirek grinned sheepishly. "I mean, technically, you didn't say 'never'..."

Mei shot him a glare so sharp it could've been a spell attack. "Mirek."

He laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need to fry me with that look. I was just joking—kind of."

Mei studied him for a moment and then her expression softened. "Honestly? I appreciate you being upfront about your feelings. That takes guts. But dragging this out any longer isn't going to help either of us."

Mirek sighed, nodding. "Yeah... I had a hunch it would end up this way. But still, this is the first time you've really rejected me. Like, really rejected me."

He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Ahhh... it's gonna hurt for a while."

Mei rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're so dramatic."

Mirek smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. "Well, at least now I can say I challenged Arlon to a duel for a good reason. Even if I got wrecked."

Mei chuckled. "That you did."

Mirek exhaled, glancing up at the sky. "Alright. No more chasing after you. Guess it's time to figure out what to do with my life now."

Mei smirked. "Maybe start by winning a duel next time?"

Mirek clutched his chest in mock pain. "Low blow, Mei. Low blow."

Despite everything, the two of them shared a laugh, the tension finally easing.

And with that, Mirek finally started to let go.

---

When they got back, Arlon and Carole approached them.

"Are you done with your talk?" Carole asked, glancing between Mei and Mirek.

Mei sighed. "You really don't let people treat you, do you?"

Ignoring her comment, Arlon followed as Mei led them off-campus to a small food district near the academy.

The area wasn't too crowded, mostly filled with students who had either finished eating at the cafeteria or wanted something different.

Mei took them to a cozy place that served what looked like pizza—flatbread with various toppings, slightly charred at the edges, served hot on wooden trays.

Arlon didn't assume it was real pizza, but it was close enough.

When it came time to pay, he handed over the money without hesitation.

"I said I'd pay," Mei grumbled, crossing her arms.

"I heard you," Arlon said, sitting down and taking a bite. "I just ignored it."

He was already rich, so he didn't care about money.

Mei sighed but let it go.

For a while, they ate in comfortable silence, the warmth of the food making the atmosphere more relaxed.

But Arlon noticed something—Mei kept glancing at him like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Finally, he set his food down. "What do you want to talk about?"

Mei fidgeted with the edge of her tray. "I thought you would've figured it out by now and led the conversation... It's kind of embarrassing."

Arlon stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

What Mei didn't know was that Arlon, despite his strength and intelligence, had almost no experience with these kinds of conversations.

Let alone a girlfriend, he hadn't even had proper friends for the past ten and a half years. If he had allowed himself to be more open, he likely would have made many friends—people naturally gravitated toward him.

But he had spent so much time distancing himself from others that he wasn't even aware of it. His serious expression didn't help either.

When he didn't respond, Mei sighed. "You really don't get it, do you?"

Still, no reaction.

"So..." Mei took a deep breath.