The plump school nurse had already taken hold of Justus' arm, pulling him out of the rest area while insisting that Justus finish the tale. Letting out a sigh, Justus continued with some reluctance, knowing that he had muddled together various fairy tales and forgotten many details while narrating for the two of them.As noon drew near, Justus headed to the cafeteria a bit early to grab his lunch. Watching everyone savor their meals stirred a complex mix of emotions within him. Once the antagonist, he now felt like a mere pawn in the game.No one else seemed to notice anything amiss with Justus, except for Lilyana. She observed him pushing his food around on his plate and cautiously asked, "Justus, what's on your mind?""Yeah, you seem a bit down," Azaria added. In just two class periods, Justus not only appeared noticeably fatigued but also had a slightly hoarse voice.Justus offered a wry smile and glanced at the plump school nurse and Daisy Bradford, who were seated in front of him

Justus proceeded towards Building C as indicated by the old lady and finally spotted a modest sign for Building C. The corridor was cloaked in darkness, prompting Justus to retrieve his phone and activate its flashlight as he cautiously ascended the stairs. Although he had been in Azaria's neighborhood before, he had never ventured into the building itself due to strong discouragement from the butler. Now, he finally understood why the butler had estimated that it would take a week to resolve things. This community had aged significantly, with many basic amenities falling below acceptable standards. If it weren't for Azaria residing in this building, Justus wouldn't have set foot in this eerie place even if someone paid him handsomely. Upon reaching the sixth floor, even Justus, who maintained a regular exercise routine, found himself slightly breathless. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tissue and began searching for the keys to his new home. Before he could find the k

Once he was sure Azaria had left, Justus slowly roused himself from bed. Despite brainstorming numerous plans, he remained unsure about how to create the perfect surprise. Which expression should he wear, and what words would make Azaria's beautiful face light up with a smile? Nevertheless, Justus was determined to navigate through this week somehow. Yesterday's favorability had remained unchanged, which made him question whether he was using the right approach to improve it. Justus promptly boarded a bus to the classroom. A quick glance revealed that Azaria was in high spirits. He stowed his backpack and initiated a conversation with her, saying, "You finally look normal today." "Was I not normal the past few days?" Perhaps it was the aftermath of the previous night's commotion, but Azaria's mood had suddenly improved. After a restful night's sleep, she wore a genuine smile on her face. "Yeah, you were acting rather unusual. The Azaria from the past few days seemed almost vampir

While Azaria still grappled with uncertainty regarding Justus's intentions, a sudden curiosity began to well up inside her. "Justus? He used to be like a wolf in sheep's clothing, but now..." Lilyana paused to reminisce about her middle school memories of Justus. Justus had been headstrong and willful, possibly due to losing his mother at a young age and his father's perpetual preoccupation and emotional distance. However, Lilyana now realized that Justus had undergone significant changes, previously unbeknownst to her. Suddenly, Justus exhibited a gentle demeanor and revealed previously concealed aspects of his personality. In any case, the current Justus exuded an enigmatic charm in every gesture. Lilyana momentarily got lost in thought, temporarily forgetting to respond. Observing Lilyana lost in contemplation, Azaria playfully waved her hand before her. "Why are you daydreaming like Justus? Anyway, what do you think of Justus now?" "I like him..." Lilyana couldn't help but b

Justus was deeply engrossed in his book, carefully underlining specific passages with his pen as he followed the dialogues. However melodramatic the book might have been, it served as his guiding light. With his lack of romantic experience, these books became his way of compensating for the absence of real-life practice. He continued reading for another half hour until his phone suddenly rang, startling Justus. Glancing at the screen, he saw an unfamiliar number displayed. Mentally reciting the number, Justus immediately recognized it as Azaria's. His heart skipped a beat with excitement. He had expected Azaria to call and inquire about his health in a few days, not on the very first night. Feeling a surge of happiness, he took a deep breath and calmly picked up the phone, softly saying, "Hello." His voice sounded weak and subdued, a deliberate act to create an illusion of illness and evoke Azaria's sympathy. On the other end, upon hearing the greeting, Azaria seemed momentarily s