TPCF 04

Chapter 4

“Why?”

Before she knew it, a crowd of students had gathered in a circle around them, urging Anita to accept him. Countless eyes were pressing down on her. She clutched the book in her hand as if it were a life preserver.

“We don’t even know each other that well.”

“We can get to know each other now.”

From the way he answered so smoothly, it was clear he wasn’t going to give up easily. Anita’s eyes darted around in search of an escape route—but then stopped. Amid the crowd, there was a familiar face. Rutger stood with his arms crossed, one corner of his mouth curled up. He spoke casually, as if tossing a remark into the wind.

“You two look good together. Go for it.”

What?
Anita shot to her feet before she could think, but the guy in front of her gently took her hand, holding her in place.

“Even he says we look good together. What do you say?”

“I said no!”

Anita yanked her hand away with all her strength. She knew she’d probably regret running away like this, but she couldn’t bring herself to stay there a moment longer. Behind her, she heard a nonchalant voice.

“What’s her problem?”

“She’s just a little sensitive.”

It was a similar situation, but thankfully, Rutger’s face was nowhere to be seen. Relieved, Anita began forming words of rejection in her head.

“What the hell is this guy?”

A voice suddenly rang out, making Anita freeze on the spot.

“What? Who the hell are you calling ‘this guy’?”

The man jumped up, eyes blazing—but he shrank back slightly when he realized the top of his head barely reached Rutger’s chin.

“Well? Anita, do you know this guy?”

He was addressing Anita, but his gaze never left the man. Rutger’s eyes slowly swept over him, from head to toe. When he added his signature mocking smile at the end, the guy began to squirm.

“No, I don’t.”

“She says she doesn’t. So why don’t you get lost already?”

The guy hesitated, clearly insulted, and glared at Rutger. Anita rose from the bench, clutching her throbbing head.

“Sorry. I already like someone, so this isn’t going to work. I’m sure you’ll meet someone better.”

With a generic rejection line, Anita broke eye contact with the man. Fixing her gaze firmly on the ground instead of Rutger, she said:

“Thanks.”

“Are you really thankful? Then why won’t you look me in the eye?”

His voice had a faint trace of amusement. Unfortunately, Anita wasn’t in the mood to play along. In fact, she wasn’t thankful at all. Rutger had inserted himself into a situation she could’ve handled on her own, and more than the other guy, Rutger was the one she least wanted to face.

She had planned to thank him and send him on his way, but Rutger remained firmly planted in front of her, as if his feet were glued to the ground.

“I’m going. I’m tired.”

“I’ll walk you to the dorm.”

“I’m going alone.”

“Who’s the person you like?”

“…No one. I made it up.”

“Liar.”

Please just go.
Every time Anita tried to avert her eyes, his piercing blue gaze clung to her. It felt like he could see right into her mind. Anita took a deep breath.

“Sorry, but… could you go buy me a sandwich? I haven’t eaten since this morning, and now look what happened.”

She pointed to the sandwich now lying in the dirt. Rutger smirked, as if he saw right through her plan but chose to play along anyway.

“Alright. I’ll go get one, so sit down and rest.”

As soon as Rutger disappeared from sight, Anita bolted in the opposite direction. She felt like she was going to explode if she didn’t get away somehow.

She ran for a while and ended up in front of a suspicious-looking building. Normally, she wouldn’t even think of going inside, but right now, she needed a place to hide—somewhere enclosed, not exposed on all sides.

Luckily, the door was unlocked. She yanked it open and went in. Her hand slipped off the doorknob, and the heavy metal door slammed shut behind her with a bang. There weren’t any windows, and the room was pitch dark. Hoping to find a candle or anything to light, Anita began to move carefully through the darkness.