The campus was crowded with students today. They were all out with parasols and mats, having picnics and playing cricket. Anita prefers the outdoors, but on a day like today, it seemed like a waste to stay indoors.

A few days ago, Anita had borrowed a book from the library and brought it with her, leaning against a tree. She didn’t bring a mat with her, so she just sat on the grass. Unfortunately, she was wearing a yellow dress, which might easily gather grass stains, but Anita had enough money to buy herself a new dress if needed.

However, even after she opened the book under the tree, the words didn’t seem to appear in her eyes. Despite the shade, the sun was penetrating through the branches and making her eyes ache. Eventually, to relieve her stinging eyes, she closed them and leaned her back against the tree.

“Shall we go eat lunch?”

“Try throwing the ball properly!”

“So, about this lecture…”

A gentle breeze blew by, carrying the sounds of various conversations. Normally, such noise might have prompted her to move, but today, those sounds somehow felt like a quiet part of the scenery. Despite pretending otherwise, dodging the route of the ever-bustling Rutger had apparently drained her energy.

“You?”

Even though the voice nearby spoke to her, Anita didn’t respond or open her eyes. She couldn’t have imagined the words directed at her.

“You look like you’re sleeping.”

Only then did Anita realize that the person calling her was a senior. Her eyelids slowly opened.

“Senior?”

“Hello.”

As soon as she opened her eyes, the face she saw was so close that Anita jerked back.

“Oh!”

She bumped her head hard against the tree trunk she’d been leaning on. Anita was more worried about the embarrassment of being stared at by Edmund than the pain in the back of her head.

“Uh, hello.”

Seemingly aware of Anita’s embarrassment, Edmund’s lips curved upward.

“Ah, try it.”

“What?”

Edmund simply placed the spoon he was holding into her mouth.  Anita, who was blankly blinking her eyes, was dazed by the flavor that filled her mouth.

“Strawberries?”

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious.”

“See? I told you Wellington ice cream is the best.”

Finally, Anita understood what Edmund was talking about.

“It sure is.”

Anita’s gaze descended to Edmund’s hand.

“But are we using the same spoon? That’s what I had in my mouth earlier….”

“Hmm? Is there a problem?”

Edmund smiled innocently, like an innocent child, and put the spoon in his mouth. Seeing the man who had just been using the spoon in her mouth, Anita stumbled over her words.

“That, that’s unhygienic. There could be so many germs or viruses transmitted through saliva…”

Bam!

At that moment, a loud slapping sound occurred, and suddenly, Edmund fell to the side. His golden hair fluttered and settled downwards.

“You bothering another freshman again, you pathetic little bastard?”

Anita looked up at the reprimanding voice. A woman with neatly tied brown hair stood in front of her.

“If this guy has done something wrong, I’ll apologize on his behalf.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“We have a proper upbringing, and everyone else in our family is normal, but he’s the odd one out. Probably picked up from somewhere. That’s why Edmund’s grandma-“

“Lice…. “

The man lying on the ground like a corpse spoke in a small voice. The woman called Lice grabbed Anita, stopped chattering, and helped Edmund up.

“Are you a child? Can’t you get up by yourself? First, you can’t write a speech, and now you can’t even hold yourself up.”

“Are you… by any chance the senior who wrote Edmund’s speech?”

“Huh? Well, that’s…”

Lice hesitated for a moment, then delivered another slap to the back of Edmund’s head. Edmund fell forward this time and couldn’t get up. Anita scrambled to her feet to move away from the odd pair.

“Let me properly introduce myself. I’m Lice Noheim. I have a relationship somewhat like childhood friends with the guy lying here. I’m currently holding the position of vice president.”

“I’m Anita Rodel.”

“Rodel?”

At Anita’s introduction, Lice’s expression turned strange. She looked back and forth between Edmund and Anita, then smirked.

“Yes, Ms. Rodel. I can see why you and Edmund have become close.”

“Close, is that so?”

Anita asked hesitantly. She glanced to her side as if seeking an answer, but the fallen man was silent.

How hard did she hit him?

“Oh, right. It’s you, the one who sent the ice cream.”

“Yes. Did it suit your taste?”

“Edmund, look at her. He’s being completely polite. She’s asking you if the ice cream suited your taste.”

After futilely shaking, she turned back to Anita.

“More than that, I like you, do you want to join our group?”

“…….”

“We do in-depth analysis on animal rights and environmental pollution and….”

“Don’t listen.”

She finally spoke, Pale-faced Edmund pushed himself to his feet and looked at Anita, shaking his head.