A week passed peacefully.
Kai and Leon were still inseparable.
Whether it was eating lunch together, walking through the hallway, or studying after class, the two were almost always side by side.
Every time Tara saw them, she secretly celebrated.
"Perfect... they're still together. My mission is working!"
What she didn't notice...
...was that someone else's attention had quietly shifted.
Adrian found himself looking for her without meaning to.
During lunch, he'd glance toward the cafeteria, only to spot Tara happily stuffing her cheeks with food while Kai laughed beside her.
"She really eats like a squirrel..."
After classes, he'd catch sight of her racing down the hallway with her bag half-open, books threatening to fall out at any moment.
"Does she ever walk normally?"
Even during club activities, his eyes would instinctively search the school grounds.
The strange part...
He didn't know why.
The final bell rang.
Students streamed out of their classrooms.
Tara slung her backpack over one shoulder and stretched.
"I'm exhausted..."
Before she could leave, Adrian appeared beside her desk.
"I'll drive you."
She looked up in surprise.
"Huh? No, it's fine. The girls' hostel is only ten minutes away. I can walk."
Adrian picked up her bag before she could protest.
"We're not going to the hostel."
"...We're not?"
"No."
"Then where are we going?"
"My place."
Tara blinked twice.
"...Your mansion?"
"My apartment."
She folded her arms.
"Why?"
"No reason."
"No reason?"
"I just felt like inviting you."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You're acting weird."
"And you're overthinking."
After staring at him for a few seconds, she sighed dramatically.
"Fine. But I'm not coming for free."
"Oh?"
"I want delicious food."
A faint smile tugged at Adrian's lips.
"Deal."
Just as they stepped outside...
Tara froze.
Not far away...
Kai and Leon were walking toward them, chatting happily.
Kai noticed her immediately.
"Tara!"
Her eyes widened.
"W-What are they doing here?!"
"No, no, no..."
Her gaze darted toward Adrian.
"What if this is the original scene?!"
"What if Adrian sees Leon and falls for him?!"
"Absolutely not!"
Without another thought, she grabbed Adrian's wrist.
"L-Let's go!"
Adrian looked down at her hand wrapped tightly around his.
"...What?"
"You said we're going to your place, right?"
"So let's go! Hurry!"
Before he could answer...
She dragged him toward the parking lot.
"Faster!"
"We're already walking."
"Walk faster!"
Behind them...
Kai stared in confusion.
"...Why did she run away?"
Leon looked equally puzzled.
"I've never even spoken to her."
Kai scratched his head.
"I wanted to introduce you two."
Leon shrugged.
"Maybe she was in a hurry."
"...Maybe."
Inside the car...
Tara finally let out a long breath.
"Whew..."
Adrian started the engine but didn't drive.
Instead...
He quietly looked at her.
"...Explain."
She blinked.
"Explain what?"
"You looked like you'd seen a ghost."
"I did not!"
"You grabbed my hand."
"..."
"You dragged me across half the parking lot."
"..."
"You almost made me trip."
"I was... exercising?"
Adrian laughed softly.
"That's the worst excuse you've given me so far."
An hour later...
Several takeout boxes covered Adrian's dining table.
Tara's eyes sparkled.
"Fried chicken!"
"Spicy noodles!"
"Dumplings!"
"You actually ordered all of this?"
"You said you wanted something good."
She didn't bother replying.
She was already eating.
Watching her happily enjoy the meal...
Adrian couldn't help smiling.
"She really is easy to please."
By the time dinner ended...
The city outside had fallen silent.
Moonlight spilled through the enormous windows.
Tara stood and picked up her bag.
"Well... thanks for dinner."
She smiled.
"I should head back now."
"It's getting late."
She had only taken one step...
When Adrian gently caught her wrist.
"...Don't go."
She looked back.
"...Why?"
For the first time that evening...
His usual calm expression wavered.
The apartment suddenly felt much quieter.
"...Stay."
"...Just tonight."
She blinked.
"...You're serious?"
He looked away toward the dark windows.
"...I don't like this place when it's empty."
His voice was quiet.
"So..."
"Stay."
Tara's expression softened.
"Wait..."
"This scene..."
She remembered it.
In the original novel...
Leon had been the one who stayed that night.
That single decision had become the beginning of countless misunderstandings.
But now...
Leon was with Kai.
Everything had changed.
"Good."
"I prevented it."
She looked back at Adrian and folded her arms.
"...Fine."
His eyes brightened slightly.
"...Really?"
"But I have one condition."
"...What?"
"You have to pay me."
Adrian stared.
"...Excuse me?"
"You invited me."
"So staying overnight isn't free."
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...How much?"
She held up two fingers proudly.
"Two thousand."
"...Two thousand?"
"Exactly."
"For one night?"
She nodded confidently.
"I'm a girl."
"You're a boy."
"If I'm staying in a boy's house, that's risky."
"So either pay me..."
"...or I'm leaving."
Adrian let out a long, defeated sigh before pulling out his wallet.
"...Fine."
"You win."
She grinned triumphantly.
"I knew you were reasonable."
As she happily counted the money...
Adrian quietly watched her.
"She's unbelievable..."
"One moment she's chasing another man..."
"The next she's charging me to stay in my own home."
His gaze lowered.
For some reason...
The image of Tara smiling brightly at the tall black-haired student earlier refused to leave his mind.
A strange irritation settled in his chest.
"If I hadn't gone with her today..."
"Would she have kept chasing him?"
He frowned slightly.
The thought alone...
Was unexpectedly frustrating.
