TPCF 08

Chapter 8

“If you join that club, your life’s going downhill from that day on. She thinks she’s doing a good thing, but in reality…”

“Shut it, you meat-eater.”

“When did I ever say I only eat meat? I eat vegetables too!”

Anita had no desire to join in on this conversation—no, this argument. She quietly slipped away from the two who were growling at each other. Luckily, they were too busy tearing each other down to notice her absence.

Seeing students lounging lazily and enjoying the afternoon made Anita feel strangely gloomy. Why had she come all this way only to not enjoy herself?

To get to the trail, she had to cross the lawn. Anita walked carefully, looking down to avoid stepping on people or the scattered artworks.

Sheets of paper with still-wet paint were pinned down by small stones, spread out all over the grass. Nearby, students who seemed to be from the art department were holding sketchbooks or canvases, immersed in drawing.

As Anita walked without much thought, a sudden flash of realization struck her like lightning.

Wait. Come to think of it, Rutger is…

“Hold still. Don’t turn your head.”

A familiar voice rang out, as always. Anita froze mid-step. How could she have forgotten Rutger was in the art department? How foolish.

Wondering how to escape this time, she turned toward the voice.

“But just sitting still like this is boring.”

A new, unfamiliar voice joined the mix.

Anita’s face turned beet red in an instant. Oh god—what a ridiculous misunderstanding!

Why had she assumed Rutger had been following her this whole time?

He was indeed there, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, pencil in hand. But he was talking to a different girl, not Anita.

The girl’s face was turned away, but even from the back, it was easy to tell she was quite pretty.

Rutger’s hand moved ceaselessly across the page, but his gaze remained fixed on the girl sitting across from him.

Anita gripped the book in her hand tightly. How ironic. Hadn’t she sworn she’d come all the way to Aberdeen to forget her feelings for Rutger? And now she was already wavering, just because he was talking to another girl?

“Oh, Anita?”

Lost in self-reproach and having forgotten to keep moving, Anita had caught Rutger’s eye. But this time, she decided not to run away.

Running from him only proved she still liked him. If anything, now was the time to act unbothered.

She tried to smile, but her stiff facial muscles twitched awkwardly. In the end, she chose a neutral expression instead.

There’s nothing more pitiful than a forced smile.

“Hi. Long time no see.”

Rutger’s eyes widened slightly. Maybe he really had expected her to run again.

“Uh, yeah.”

Now it was Rutger’s turn to stammer.

As Anita walked toward him, the girl who’d had her back turned looked up. Just as Anita had guessed, she was beautiful. A rosy flush tinged her cheeks, and her brown eyes sparkled with liveliness.

“Rutger, is she someone you know?”

“Yeah.”

What would he say in response to that? Anita didn’t bother hoping. No doubt he’d say something like “We’re from the same hometown,” or “She’s a friend of my mom’s daughter.”

“This is Anita Rodel. And this is Liliana.”

“Wait, why’d you cut my name in half?”

“Sorry, I forgot.”

At the girl’s playful scolding, Rutger laughed softly. It was obvious they were close. Anita immediately regretted coming over to greet them.

Standing awkwardly between the two, who seemed lost in their own world, she felt utterly foolish.

“I have a project due today, so I should get going. Nice meeting you.”

“Oh, okay. Bye, Anita!”

The girl waved with a warm smile—she seemed quite friendly.

“Anita, wait a sec. I have something for you.”

Rutger spoke while rummaging through a bag next to him. But Anita had no intention of standing around like a museum statue. She pretended not to hear and kept walking.

“Huh? Anita, just wait a moment!”

With Rutger too busy digging through his large bag, Liliana called out urgently after Anita. But she walked away quickly.

Rutger rummaged through his ridiculously large travel bag. Around him, pencils, charcoal sticks, brushes, and all kinds of art supplies piled up. Only after nearly emptying the entire bag did he finally find what he was looking for.

“Anita. Huh? Where’d she go?”

Rutger scanned left and right. He even looked at the ground and the sky—as if she had burrowed underground or flown into the clouds.

“She left.”

“What?”

“Seriously, you should get your life organized. What’s with that bag? Are you planning to kidnap someone?”

“…”

“Rutger, you like her, don’t you?”

“What… how’d you know?”

Rutger asked suspiciously, and Liliana just shrugged.

“I know everything. If you’re curious, do me that favor I mentioned earlier. Then…”

“Forget it.”