“I’ll take care of Anita, so why don’t you go back? Aren’t you that arrogant guy from back then?”

Disgust surged within. They were fighting, each focused on their pride, without anyone caring about it. In the end, for them, their modest pride and dignity were more important than Anita.

“Both of you, get lost. Don’t ever show up in front of me again.”

Even if spoken in the voice of a dying patient, it wouldn’t sound threatening. Anita pushed aside the two confronting individuals and walked away. Shortly after, she collapsed just a few steps ahead.

***

When I opened my eyes, I saw the white bed curtains and ceiling. For a moment, I thought I might have died, but then, a familiar face came into view, dispelling that thought.

“…Are you okay?”

I’m not sure. Whether I’m okay or not.

“The doctor said it might be hyperventilation. They said to do lung or blood tests when you wake up.”

“It’s fine. It’s not that serious.”

“Still…”

“I had physical exams a while ago, and I’m fine. I’m just a little stressed today. It’s not because of you, it’s because of the exams”

Anita interrupted Rutger and continued with her point.

“It’s only been a while since the semester started for exams…”

“You’re in the Art Department. Your timetable is different.”

Without even looking at Rutger’s face, Anita got up from the bed. Rutger tried to stop Anita, who quickly ran her hand through her tangled hair and put on her shoes.

“Stay lying down a little longer, okay? What if something goes wrong later?”

“I’ll take care of my health. I’m telling you because you seem not to know, You’re not my dad. Not a doctor either. You have no reason to care about my health.”

“Don’t I have the right to worry about you?”

His eyebrows furrowed. Witnessing this, Anita, about to speak fiercely, froze for a moment. The sunlight through the hospital window illuminated his eyes, a clear shade of green. The light trapped in his eyelashes shimmered, revealing his presence.

“No, I don’t dislike it… no. Just don’t bother.”

They say beauty is your best weapon, and it’s true. After a moment of being mesmerized by Rutger’s face and spitting out stupid things, Anita clenched her fists.

The despicable Rutger Baylan learned too early how to use his appearance. How many impulsive things had been excused just because of that face.

Anita suddenly realized why Rutger was so popular. He had a certain charm, unlike the other popular guys known simply for their good looks or kindness.

“You can’t even keep your balance right.”

It was as if Anita had been trying to get him to come. When Anita glares at Rutger, who puts his arm around her waist like he’s supporting a critically ill patient, he shrugs.

“I’m not hovering, I’m a patient, you wouldn’t have a personal interest in the patient.”

“I suppose so.”

Anita rudely replied and removed his arm from her waist. Such meaningless contact was no longer special to Anita.

“Wait. I’ll walk you to your dorm.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Do you remember the day I asked you to run away with me?”

“Was her name Lilliana? The two of you seemed to get along well.”

Rutger turned the tables, and Anita returned the favor. The effect was good. Rutger’s lighthearted mouth closed in an instant.

“I hope it lasts longer this time. It’s even better if you two get married.”

“…Are you serious?”

For a moment, if his voice sounded wounded, was it Anita’s misconception?

“I mean it.”

Anita, who had been avoiding eye contact with Rutger, finally looked straight at him. With a determined energy in his jet-black eyes, Rutger had no choice but to step back.

“So, it would be better if you disappeared from my sight now.”

***

Two days had passed since Anita told Rutger should no longer appear before her. She thought something would change after saying those words. But reality was unforgiving. The sun still rose that day, drowsiness persisted during morning lectures, and the clock hands moved slower than a snail.

“So, in the end, genetics can be defined as the study of heredity and genetic variations. It refers to the transmission of traits from one generation to the next…”

The professor’s explanation didn’t register in Anita’s ears. When the professor saw her staring blankly at the book, unable to concentrate, he called out her name.

“Anita Rodel?”

“…….”

“Anita?”

“Ah! Yes, yes?”

Anita was a pretty unlucky student. There were about thirty other students in the room, but she stood out among the professors. It wasn’t because of her own traits. Anita Rodel’s mother, Miranda Emerton—now Miranda Rodel—was quite a well-known figure in academic circles.

Due to several published papers and active research, most of the professors at Aberdeen University knew her mother.

Because of this, they paid attention to Anita, expecting something different as the daughter of the ‘Professor Rodel’.

“What do you think gene decoding is?”

“G-Gene decoding?”