The exam started normally. Louise slowly looked over her test paper. It was a combination of short answers and an essay. Time distribution was the key. If she dawdled on either for too long, she wouldnt be able to complete the exam. Louise wrote down the answers she was confident of.

About fifty minutes later, she found she was able to fill out most of her test. The questions were as expected, and she was in good spirits, even more so because Professor Juliana Lassen, who did not like Louise very much, was the writer of the exam. Louise, who was now working on the remaining problems, lifted her head for a moment.

Stellais she okay?

The red-headed girl sitting in front of her was also staring at her sheet with deep intensity.

Her hands are moving more vigorously than before. That means shes well enough to go to the party, right?

Finding herself burning time on unnecessary anxiety, Louise quickly lowered her gaze. If she had time to waste like this, shed better go over her answers again.

When suddenly, something caught Louises eye. It was a sheet of paper, just below her desk. At a glance, she saw the contents written on it related to the exam.

What is that?

Did Stella drop it when she was rushing to put away her notes? She must have. Louise looked away from the notes as much as possible, but the presence of the notes was niggling at her.

She felt anxious. She was afraid of being misunderstood. On the notes was a formula she could memorize without having to cheat.

The test continued in deep suspense. Professor Lassen, who was seated at the head of the room at the beginning of the exam, must have been tired of staying still and started slowly walking among the students one by one.

What do I do

If she looked at Louise, she would definitely see the notes that had fallen in front of her desk. Shed rather say it first. I think Stella dropped her notes. But if she did that, the professor would criticize her for not saying it in the first place.

The professor was drawing nearer from behind. As the sound of her shoes rang louder and louder, so did the thumping of Louises heart, and her hand, which was writing down her answers, was now frozen.

What do I do? Do I just stay still?

Somehow she didnt think it would work. Louise carefully tried moving her feet and caught the sheet of paper on the tip of her shoe.

If I pull slowly like this

Finally, the notes came right under Louises shoes.

Ttogag, ttogag.

As the professor passed by Louise, she quickly turned to her paper again. She didnt want to give the professor reason for an unnecessary misunderstanding. Professor Lassen wouldnt grant Louise the virtue of fairness. Finally, the professor passed Louises side completely. Louise exhaled in relief.

I wasnt caughtThank God.

In many ways, it would be disastrous if she was caught cheating on the test. Not only would her reputation be tarnished, but the school would punish her as well, and she couldnt possibly hold on to being the top student anymore.

Louise began working on her sheet again with a lighter heart. She thought she should let Stella know when the exam was over.

Louise Sweeney.

Professor Juliana Lassen suddenly looked back at Louise.

Yes?

Louise was startled. Did she see it?

Have you solved all the questions?

Yes, almost.

Louise replied tensely, and Professor Lassen began to approach Louise. Professor Lassen cut Louise a frightening look through her sharp glasses, and Louises hair stood on end as anxiety penetrated into her heart.

Let me check for a moment.

Oh, I but still!

The professor disregarded Louises answer and looked at her paper.

Thats enough. Lets stop your exam.

She folded Louises exam in half and lifted her chin. Stop and get up.

But theres a problem I havent solved yet, Professor.

It doesnt matter.

Louise stared at the professor.

It doesnt matter.

Louise didnt understand what that meant. The other students taking the exam had stopped writing and were looking at them.

Please let me finish the question. Im not

Enough.

The professor adjusted her glasses, the edges of her mouth pulling into a disgusted expression.

So you dont mind me exposing your dishonesty in front of all these students?

Dishonesty?

Louise repeated, but the professor didnt answer.

Professor, I know what youre seeing and it looks bad. But its a misunderstanding.

Misunderstanding, you say?

Yes.

Then you dont mind showing everyone the notes youve been hiding under her feet?

The room broke into shocked murmuring. The professor looked around and shouted, Silence!

Professor, it was on the floor and I only accidentally saw it.

The professor simply held out her hand without saying a word. She wanted the notes underneath her feet. Louise had no choice. She picked it up and placed it in the professors hand.

This is interesting.

The professor looked at the sheet of paper wondrously.

Its a coincidence that you found notes fallen on the floor, and its a coincidence that information about the test is written on it.

I didnt write it! If you compare that with my test you just saw, youll see that the handwriting

What does it matter? Nothing matters except that theres evidence of your cheating.

But its not mine!

Then whose is it?

The professor yelled, turning around and waving the notes around the classroom so that they could see the handwriting. A brown-haired student sitting nearby quickly shook her head. Students on the other side reacted the same way. The professors eyes were now on Stella, who was sitting in front of Louise.

Stella Lapis.

Unlike the other students, Stella had continued concentrating on her exam, but now she put down her pen and looked up at the professor.

Yes, Professor.

Are these your notes?

Stellas eyes fell on the sheet of paper. Louise closed her eyes briefly in a moment of regret. She was worried that she might have accidentally wronged Stella. Should Louise have left the notes alone? No, the professor would have found it anyway. Louise was worried how Stella would be treated, but Stella answered calmly.

No, its not mine.

Louise stared at Stella. Her first thought was a question that went beyond resentment and sadness.

Stella Lapis is honest and sweetand the heroine of this worldright?

Louise Sweeney. I will confiscate your bag and lock it in the counseling room.

The professor picked up Louises bag that was sitting beside her.

Her bag.

Louise wondered if Professor Lassen was looking for proof in it. But there will be nothing in it. Except

The letter

At that moment, she realized her letter for Ian was in that bag. A strange feeling that she didnt want the letter to be taken away overcame her. The last sentence of the letter contained the sincerity of Louises heart.

Louise tugged the bag away from the professor, and the half-opened bag returned to Louises arms. She couldnt give Professor Lassen one private thing. The moment she was about to say so

Jjaag!

The professor struck Louise on the cheek.

You should be ashamed of your dishonesty!

The professor ripped the bag from Louises hands. The handle of the bag broke, and everything in it scattered onto the floorbooks, notebooks, and even her thin letter.

Pag!

A little ink bottle broke and stained her things. Louise stood in a daze as she watched the black ink run over her white letter.

Youve always acted wild from an early age, but I think you can make beautiful words. I look forward to your letter.

Why? In such a ridiculous situation, she couldnt help but think of his jokes.