It wasn’t until we were at the door of the teachers‘ office that I realized how awkwardly I was holding him. I quickly let go of his arm. “Sorry, sorry about that.” After apologizing, I couldn’t help but scold him. “If you’re uncomfortable, why didn’t you say so?”
Leo kept his eyes down, not speaking. But his right hand secretly, thinking I wouldn’t notice, came up to touch the wrist I had just been holding.
The next second, I saw a faint smile curve his lips. It was gone in an instant.
Me: “…”
Okay. We were clearly not on the same wavelength.
“Come on.” I led Leo to his homeroom teacher’s desk.
I politely explained what had just happened in the classroom. Finally, I feigned a look of fear, clutching my chest. “I was just passing
by and happened to see it. If I could see it just by chance, it must be just the tip of the iceberg. I can’t imagine how much he’s being
bullied when no one is looking.”
“Leo’s grades are so good. He got second place in the whole school on the last exam. He’s a top university prospect!”
The middle–aged teacher, who had been indifferent to my initial complaints, sat up straight at the mention of this. Minor squabbles
were one thing, but a top university prospect meant a big bonus for him.
He was suddenly wide awake, assuring me that he took the matter very seriously and would review the security footage to investi-
gate thoroughly. He told us not to worry.
“The villain can’t even hide his smile.”
“In his eyes, his wife is literally glowing.”
“Say no more. Wife, your humble servant bows to you.”
Chapter 1
Outside the office, we stood facing each other, a little awkwardly.
10.30 CO
“You know, if you’re being bullied, you have to speak up. The best thing to do is tell a teacher. Your grades are so good, he won’t
ignore you. And don’t resort to other methods that will only end up hurting you and others, okay?”
I didn’t know if he was listening. He just kept his eyes down, staring at me. His dark eyes held an emotion I couldn’t decipher, and
they looked… wet.
Comments:
“Villain: What is my wife babbling about? I want to kiss her.”
“You’re done for, side character! You’ll never be able to shake him off now!”
My eyes instinctively met Leo’s.
Sure enough.
His gaze was slowly drifting downwards, until it settled on my lips and stopped.
My heart felt like it stopped for a second.
“Uh, um, I haven’t finished my homework yet. I–I should go.”
I fled back to my classroom as if my life depended on it. Heart hammering, I slapped myself.
Just this once. That was definitely my inner hero, Holly the Righteous, taking over. Time for her to clock out and get back on track.
From now on, I just had to keep my distance. I wouldn’t get tangled up with him. I silently reassured myself.
Wait.
So… should I still bring him breakfast tomorrow?
First, I definitely had to bring one for the male lead, Asher.
But what about Leo?
If I kept bringing him breakfast, would he just fall deeper into this misunderstanding?
But if I didn’t…
His family was poor. All the money he earned on weekends and holidays went to tuition and books. He had barely anything left for
food. He survived on a single bun and a packet of pickles most days. The fact that he was so tall must have been some kind of
villainous superpower. After all, a future crime boss had to have an imposing presence.
But one bun was definitely not enough for someone who studied so hard and worked part–time. He was probably already malnouri-
shed.
Maybe… I could still bring him breakfast, but less. A little less each day, to let him know my true, benevolent intentions.
Anyway, final exams were coming up. We would go our separate ways soon and never see each other again. I’d let him misunders-
tand for now. If he knew I was giving him food out of pity and not because I had a crush on him, he would definitely refuse it. He
might even put me on his future underworld hit list.
Just breakfast. Nothing more!
Having made my decision, I breathed a sigh of relief.
As for the whole side character/female lead thing, I asked the System. He said his temp had made a mistake. I was, indeed, the side character. But I was also the male lead Asher’s childhood crush. My role was to pursue him, have a brief romance, and then ruthlessly break up with him. Asher would be heartbroken, rescued by the true female lead, and after I completed this storyline, I would get my reward.
It was simple. Money and a handsome guy to date. What was not to love?
