Chapter 65 - Like Fire And Ice (1/2)

[Music Recommendation: ”A Sweet Smile” by Yu-Peng Chen (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

”It seems my brother is not so stupid after all,” Crystal flipped her hair smugly, clapping her hands slowly. ”Great answer. Now, let me teach you how to properly court a woman later.”

”No, thanks.”

Leaning towards Crystal, Hora whispered, ”So it seems I'll be winning the bet, huh?”

”Nuh-uh-uh. Don't be too sure yet. As I told you before, my brother is—”

I immediately glared my eyes at Crystal, signaling her to stop whatever it was that she was about to say—because it probably was, or better yet—definitely, the one I'm thinking about. Good thing she read my eyes and caught on.

Few minutes later, food arrived. Finally, we could all eat and stop the mind-blowing, heart-thumping, crazy conversation about romance. Despite my thirty years of living in my previous life, and reliving my life again, love life was still uncharted waters for me.

So yeah, I better keep myself safe for now by just enjoying my friendship with Kaiden. I had to admit though, I felt really hopeful with what Kaiden said. I guess it was okay to hope a little bit, right?

After eating, we headed back to our respective departments to attend our next subjects. Kaiden and Verrill had something to do, and Hora and Crystal's department was in an opposite direction of mine… so basically, I got stuck with Callan on my way back.

Ugh. Of all people, it just had to be him. It wasn't like I hate him per say but… okay, maybe I do hate him. I almost died back there from a heart attack! Though it ended up good… but still! If there's anyone who could make my blood boil easily, it's him—Callan.

”Haaah…” I sighed deeply as I walked with Callan back to our departments.

”That's the gazillion time you sighed,” he complained, sounding extremely irritated. ”I get it. You don't like me, and I don't like you, either. So the feeling is mutual.”

My eyes widened and my mouth scoffed the moment he said that. I stopped walking and faced him eye to eye, glaring at him.

”What did I do to you that made you hate me so much?”

”I can ask the same thing,” he shrugged.

Annoyed, I instinctively clicked my tongue—a trait I probably got from Crystal, damn it! Due to that, he raised his eyebrows and smirked.

”Soooo, you're finally showing your true colors.”

”Huh? What color?”

'I really don't understand this guy. First meeting, he sizes me up rudely. During the barbecue party, it was either he ignored me, or laughed at me deliberately. Then earlier, he, without any filter or better wordings, asked Kaiden the most ridiculous question that almost killed me! Ugh. Everything he does is just so… urgh!'

”Don't play innocent with me.”

”What playing innocent? I won't understand what you mean unless you tell me plainly. Like what you just did back there! At the cafeteria!”

”Hmf! I know the likes of you. Deliberately acting nice in front of Kaiden, then becomes the devil when he's not around.” He looked at me again from head to toe.

”What? I'm only like this because you're so mean! It's as if you're doing it purposely.”

”I am doing it purposely because I don't like you.”

”Why? Don't tell me that the moment you saw me, you just decided that you hate me for no reason. Oh! Wait a minute. I think I get it now. You're gay! You like Kaiden, don't you? And since I'm his first female friend, your position is being threatened and—”

The disgusted look on his face couldn't be more apparent. He looked like he wanted to throw up.