“What? Why? It’s not that hard.”

Liliana stubbornly clung to the edge of Rutger’s coat, as Rutger, with an irritated expression, pulled his arm away.

“It’s not difficult? Why do I have to pretend to be your boyfriend?”

“Not a boyfriend! But just a guy friend.”

“What’s the difference?”

“That way, seniority will pay attention to me. Guys generally show interest in girls who are popular among other guys.”

“Who said that?”

“Harmon Ayla.”

“Who’s that?”

“Author of ‘The Perfect Guide to Relationships.'”

“Really? Just toss that book away. It’s all nonsense.”

Rutger snorted.

“Nonsense? You were also interested in Anita Rodel, right?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Did you also read that in that book? Now, do you understand the situation a bit more? If you help me, I’ll help you. Everyone can be happy.”

“Fine, I’ll play the clingy loser role for you. But Anita won’t buy it.”

“No! You’re foolish. Just as guys show interest in popular girls, girls do the same. If you seem to get along well with other girls, Anita Rodel will start noticing you again, won’t she?”

Though he dismissed it as nonsense, Rutger’s hand trying to remove Liliana was gradually weakening. Liliana noticed this and her smile crept up slightly.

***

Anita Rodel was completely exhausted, she made slight adjustments to her plans. Instead of avoiding Rutger Baylan, she decided to act as if they hadn’t met. Continuously encountering him on this vast campus was peculiar, but she was committed to attending the same school, and permanently avoiding him seemed impossible.

Moreover, Rutger…

She wouldn’t bother anymore. He could get a girlfriend if he wanted. What did it have to do with her? Besides, Rutger had a history of dating quite a few girls, so it wasn’t surprising.

Unrequited love was about not receiving any response or welcome. Anita had known from the start, so there was no one to blame now.

“Um… hello?”

Even though she prepared herself, the sight in front of her wasn’t pleasant. Rutger standing arm in arm with another girl, his face showing obvious perplexity.

Anita, gazing at the two for a moment with darkened eyes, then averted her gaze.

“Anita,  we’re going to have dinner; do you want to join us?”

Liliana’s cheerful face, suggesting the dinner invitation, was appealing even to Anita. Her face had no commonalities with Rutger’s previous dates. In fact, the women Rutger had met so far had nothing similar among them.

That’s why Anita thought that Rutger’s ideal type was simply any woman, as long as she was a woman.

Of course, Anita Rodel herself was excluded from that ‘woman’ category.

“Sorry, I have an assignment due today.”

“Come on. You mentioned that yesterday. Seems like Anita’s professor is strict. Switch to our class.”

With a joking tone, Rutger finally seemed to engage in the conversation. He had been keeping silent, leaving the speaking to his girlfriend.

“Anita isn’t familiar with art. Since childhood, all she knows is reading.”

Rutger said, leaving Anita no room for rebuttal. She was, as usual, carrying a book by her side. While Anita struggled to respond, Rutger continued.

“Let’s go. Sometimes, you should do something other than studying.”

Does that day mean dining with a pair of lovers? It wasn’t hard for Anita to picture herself awkwardly sandwiched between them, stumbling through the meal. Just thinking about it made her feel like she had a stone in her stomach.

“I’m losing weight.”

Even Anita thought her voice sounded cold. Rutger seemed to notice, his bulk flinching.

“And you? Have you written to Mrs. Baylan? Regardless…”

As Anita continued speaking, she paused. Did it seem like she was parading her acquaintance with his mother in front of his girlfriend? Writing a letter to Mrs. Baylan inquiring about her son’s well-being had been quite tiring, but it wasn’t necessary to bring it up now.

Having experienced numerous conflicts, both major and minor, between Rutger’s girlfriends, Anita had chosen to stay quiet to avoid unnecessary words.

Even if they claimed to be close friends, there are always people who are suspicious of them. Anita had no excuse, since she had a one-sided crush on him. So Anita didn’t dare to speak to him outside. The only consolation was that they were just neighbors.

“Mrs. Baylan? Rutger, you don’t even contact your parents?”

Rutger seemed at a loss for words. When Liliana, who had patted Rutger on the back, turned her head in Anita’s direction again, Anita was already gone.

“See! Success! It seems to me that Anita is interested in you too. Her expression was dark!”

“…….”

“What, why are you looking at me like that?”

“You seem like a con artist. Just give it up.”

“What? A con artist? Ha! Do you think you can win Anita’s heart without my help?”

Liliana placed her hands on her hips and arrogantly shouted.

“Just now, you said Anita seemed interested in me, didn’t you?”

“Sorry, but mutual interest doesn’t guarantee a connection, you know?”

“And what kind of case is that?”

Rutger squinted, unable to dispel his doubts, and as he looked down at her, Liliana stumbled over her words.

“It’s just that, you know, you’re both too shy… or….”

“…….”

As Rutger crossed his arms, Liliana sighed as if to say, ‘Do as you wish.’