Harem Stealing System-Chapter 67 : Her worries

Eiden made his way down the corridor, his footsteps a little heavy but his face neutral. After what had happened during the project presentation, he decided it was best to get a copy of the submission for his own record.

He reached the office door, knocked once, and stepped inside after hearing the professor’s usual grunt of acknowledgment.

"Professor," Eiden started, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "I, uh... forgot to make a copy of the project for myself. I got so caught up with the final touches and... yeah. Is it alright if I could get a copy now?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The professor looked up from his laptop, blinked once, then offered a rare, almost approving smile. "Of course. I assumed someone would forget. Here." He opened a drawer, pulled out a USB drive, and handed it over. "That’s your project file. Don’t worry, I’ve already copied it into the official hard drive," the professor said, waving his hand. "You won’t get into trouble for anything."

Eiden took the pendrive and gave a small, grateful bow. "Thanks, professor." With that, he left the office, feeling slightly better now that he had the project in hand. A piece of evidence to find out how the project changed so suddenly and who did it .

But before he could fully process the relief, a heavy smack landed on his back. "OW !" Eiden stumbled forward, catching himself before he tripped. Turning his head, he saw the all-too-familiar grin of Harry. "Man!" Harry beamed. "Since when were you this smart, huh? Everyone’s talking about you!" Eiden winced, rubbing the sore spot on his back. "What the hell was that for?"

Harry ignored his protest and smacked him again, less harshly but still annoying. Eiden flinched and rubbed the spot again with a scowl. "Come on, bro," Harry grinned wider. "Linda told us everything. She said you filled in her part of the work and basically carried the whole damn thing. The prof said it was high-quality stuff. I didn’t even know we were allowed to be that good!" But it feels like you are her simp though .

Eiden sighed. "Shut up, Harry. I wasn’t being a simp or anything. I just... figured it was best I do it. That’s all." Harry chuckled, nudging his elbow. "Yeah, yeah. Keep saying that. You did her work even though she rejected you. That is peak simp behavior." Eiden’s face twisted in irritation. "I swear, I’ll punch you if you keep talking." "I’m just saying, man. But hey " Harry suddenly brightened again, "I haven’t gotten an A+ in anything this entire term. But this one? This project? I got an A+. So it’s my treat, alright? We’re going out to eat. You and me."

Eiden shook his head immediately, holding up his hands. "Nope. Not happening. I’ve got housework, errands, a mountain of stuff to do today. Sorry, bro. Rain check." Harry groaned exaggeratedly. "Lame excuse. Lame, lame, lame." "I don’t care," Eiden said, already turning away. "Tell someone else to feed you."

As Eiden walked off, he let out a long exhale.

And now, that decision was rippling outward.

He passed through the hallway swiftly, not paying much attention to anything in front of him. Which, unfortunately, caused him to miss the pair of eyes locked onto him from behind.

Linda stood not far away, having just turned the corner. She had spotted him immediately and, for the first time since the presentation, felt a strong urge to speak to him. To thank him. To say something anything that would acknowledge what he did. She picked up her pace, her steps quickening. "Eiden!" she almost called, but her voice faltered. It was too public.

He didn’t seem to notice her. His pace didn’t slow. In fact, he seemed preoccupied, walking faster than usual as if he wanted to get away from something or someone. Linda tried to catch up, weaving through the crowd, but she just wasn’t fast enough. And before she could reach him, someone else did. "Linda?" came a voice from the side. Linda froze. Crysty was flanked by a few others, walking beside her with casual smiles, but her eyes were sharp and observant. She’d seen the moment just now. The way Linda had reached out, almost called out.

"You need something from Eiden?" Crysty asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone friendly but slightly curious. Linda blinked. "What? No. What do you mean?" Crysty tilted her head. "Looked like you were about to call him."

"I wasn’t," Linda said quickly, waving her hand. "You’re imagining things." Before Crysty could follow up, Linda cleared her throat and expertly shifted the topic. "So? What did everyone get for the project? I got an A+, surprisingly. It was tough, but... totally worth it."

"Oh, nice!" one of the other girls chirped. "Same," someone else added. They started chatting animatedly about grades, group assignments, and teachers’ reactions, and just like that, the moment passed.Or at least, it did for most of them.

But Lyra wasn’t like most of them. She had been watching silently from the edge of the group. Her eyes had followed Linda’s path carefully from the moment she stepped toward Eiden, to the moment she was intercepted. It was quick. Barely noticeable. But not to Lyra. She had seen the subtle forward lean, the almost hesitant movement in Linda’s legs. Linda had wanted to talk to him. She was sure of it.

Her heart clenched without warning. Lyra placed a hand gently over her chest, as if that could slow the sudden thump that echoed inside. A strange, quiet ache was forming. She didn’t understand it completely, but she knew it wasn’t just ordinary sadness. Linda had rejected Eiden before. That much she’d heard gossip whispered in classrooms and hallways. No confirmation from Eiden, and certainly not from Linda, but enough rumors made it feel true.

So why now? Why was Linda trying to talk to him? Lyra didn’t want to think about the answer. She knew how she should feel. Linda was her best friend. She should be happy if Linda found something to smile about someone to smile with. But deep down, quietly, guiltily... she hoped that Linda wouldn’t become interested in Eiden again.

She didn’t want that. She didn’t want to admit it either. Her thoughts were swirling two voices arguing inside her. One that wanted to be the supportive best friend, the understanding girl who celebrated someone else’s happiness. And the other...

The other wanted to keep Eiden away from Linda. The contradiction in her heart made her go silent among the girls. Even as they laughed and joked about scores and future assignments, Lyra stood still, smiling faintly but not really hearing anything. She hoped the ache would go away.But it didn’t.Not yet. And not while Linda was still looking at Eiden like that.