Two days later, the semester started again.
As it was Susan’s first time around, Vivian wanted to accompany her to the campus to report in. However, Kurt analyzed the situation and thought that it was not appropriate for her to keep Susan company.
“Susan’s in accounting, and it has nothing to do with your design. It’s best for Ian to keep her company instead. Ian’s in finance, and they’re in the same school.”
“Oh, you’re right!”
Vivian found sense in Kurt’s words.
Instantly, she ran to her brother’s room.
“Ian, accompany Aunt Susan to campus today. Her major is similar to yours, and her classes are also physically closer to yours. Kurt said you’re the better choice to bring her around.”
Ian was in the middle of packing his laptop and his books when Vivian ran in. When he heard her voice, he lifted his head to look at her.
However, before he could say anything, Sigrun walked over from the room next door.
“The Faculty of Finance isn’t the same as accounting. They’re two different fields, and the classrooms are pretty far apart. Why don’t I bring her there instead? I’m in business management, and my classes are closer to Ms. Susan’s.”
It was truly a sudden turn of events.
Vivian, who was standing by the doorway, was taken aback by it.
To everyone’s surprise, Susan, who had packed up her things upstairs, suddenly came downstairs with her bag. When she heard the voices in Ian’s room, she, too, came over.
“It’s fine if it’s a little far. Ian knows my situation better. I think it’ll be better for him to lead me there. Ian, will you mind?”
When her bright eyes looked into the room, even Kurt could not help but turn to look at her a little longer.
It seemed like something about her had changed.
In the end, Ian agreed to it. Sigrun was disappointed about it, but she did not dwell much on the matter.
To her, Susan was just their aunt.
Soon, the few of them reached the campus.
“Ian, I’ll head over with Kurt first. Let’s get in touch once we’re done with our classes.”
“Okay.”
Ian nodded.
In the blink of an eye, Vivian and Kurt were gone; the only ones left at the campus entrance were Susan and the other two. Susan, naturally, had no other plans, but after Sigrun watched Vivian and Kurt leave, she headed straight to the bicycle zone by the entrance.
“Ian, let’s ride over.”
“Sure,” Ian agreed.
Susan guessed it was their routine.
A second later, she came to a decision.
“Huh? Ms. Susan, why aren’t you getting a bike?”
“Oh, I don’t know how to ride one…” Susan gave them an apologetic look as she stood rooted in place awkwardly.
Sigrun never thought that Susan would be unable to ride a bicycle. Once she registered what Susan had said, she immediately offered, “You don’t know how to ride a bike? Why don’t you… Why don’t you ride on mine as a passenger?”
Susan fell silent.
However, she did not reject the offer. After Sigrun got onto her bicycle, Susan moved to take a seat behind her as well.
Nevertheless…
“Ah!”
Thump!
Both cried out at the same time. If not for Ian supporting them in time, they would have fallen to the ground.
It was inevitable. The bicycle was designed differently from the models back home. The designs of the wheels and the handle were meant for a solo rider. Even if someone wanted to take a passenger, they would have to be extremely skilled in balancing the bicycle.
Susan had noticed this at first glance, which was why she had taken up Sigrun’s offer.
After finally getting on Ian’s bicycle, Susan glanced at the lonely young woman on the other bicycle and guiltily looked away.
However, she did not regret her decision.
Susan had to try walking back into the young man’s world again. Regardless of what the results were in the end, she was going to try her best.
Not long after, Ian brought her to her faculty.
Those who knew Ian noticed the unfamiliar face and curiously asked, “Ian, is she your new friend?”
Pursing his lips, Ian nodded and replied, “Yes, she’s my aunt.”
Susan blinked, a little shocked.
Even after finishing up her enrolment procedures, she was still feeling disappointed. There was no trace of joy or anticipation in her despite having transferred to a new university.
Ian turned around to glance at her for a beat before saying, “Don’t worry. The culture here is fine. The people here won’t put you in a difficult spot and are friendly.”
“Is that so?”
It was only then Susan seemed to brighten up a little.
“In that case… Ian, can I come and find you more often? I… I just came here, and I’m not too fluent in French. Vivian and Kurt are too far from me. I…”
“Sure,” came the young man’s swift response.
Upon hearing that, Susan finally smiled. When her wide smile reached her bright eyes, Ian found himself lost in a trance for a moment.
It was a pure and sweet smile.
The joy on her face when he said yes was as if she had gotten everything in the world. The eyes that reflected no one but him made his heart ache.
Ian left.
That day, he kept staring out of the windowsomething he rarely did. It was as though he was waiting for something.
When Sigrun came to look for him, she spotted him staring right at her.
“Ian?” the young woman happily called out.
