Liar and Liar - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 35

 

Danielle seemed addicted to this scent. Frederick’s seat next to her was harmful in that sense too.

 

“I didn’t… do anything.”

 

“Liar.”

 

As if it were some kind of punishment, Frederick took another half step closer. Danielle stepped back, but her back was quickly blocked by the stone wall.

 

“If you had slowly explained to me why the Earth is round, I wouldn’t have had to loudly share my thoughts with the kids.”

 

“You’re blaming me for that? And why do you keep asking me to explain things to you?”

 

“I’m quite picky. I only believe what I see with my own eyes, or what people I’ve chosen tell me.”

 

“You’re contradicting yourself right now. You readily believe in pseudoscience.”

 

Frederick readily admitted it.

 

“Haha, that was obviously to get your attention.”

 

Flustered, Danielle’s mouth opened and closed.

 

“You don’t like me telling the kids that the Earth is flat? How are you going to persuade me?”

 

“There’s more than enough evidence! Do you want to hear it one by one here?”

 

“No. Actually, even if you had told me properly from the beginning without ignoring me, I wouldn’t have listened.”

 

“Then what! What do you want!”

 

“Come to the ocean with me.”

 

“What, what?”

 

The conversation that had been spinning in circles finally found its track. Danielle was flustered again and averted her gaze.

 

“You only look at places that are too far away.”

 

His index finger approached and slightly lifted the glasses Danielle was wearing. The world shook.

 

“You said the most important attitude of a scientist is observation. If I see the horizon directly, maybe my thoughts will change?”

 

“You could go with someone else. Why on earth, with me…”

 

“You’re interesting. From how you don’t budge for hours once you concentrate, to how you get genuinely angry at unscientific things – everything about you. I’m curious where and how such passion comes from.”

 

‘He knew…’

 

How exactly am I reflected in those gray eyes? A toy from overseas to kill time?

 

“So come to the ocean with me, okay?”

 

For treating her like a toy, Frederick’s voice was too gentle and affectionate. As if he were treating someone precious.

 

Finally, Danielle faced Frederick directly.

 

A shark that had found its prey was right in front of her, and Danielle instinctively knew she could no longer avoid this shark.

 

She was helplessly caught and devoured. Even though she knew she was nothing more than a bite-sized delicacy and snack.

 

* * *

 

Ever since meeting Frederick Bastia, Danielle had always felt this way.

 

“Hah, hah.”

 

Nothing went according to her will; she was always being pushed around. Being annoyed to death was just a bonus.

 

‘Why are you making such a fuss about not being able to shake and control others?’

 

How many people have you already made into fools? Why do I have to be included in that?

 

Danielle threw another punch at Frederick, who had stepped back with one foot to maintain his balance. She was determined to beat him senseless until he collapsed.

 

However, Frederick ducked and dove in while wrapping both arms around Danielle’s waist, causing her punch to miss in the air.

 

“Kyah!”

 

Unable to overcome Frederick’s weight, Danielle’s body fell backward. The gymnasium ceiling came into view, and Danielle, now lying on the ring, was pinned down by Frederick’s weight and couldn’t move.

 

Frederick, who had taken off his gloves, grabbed both of Danielle’s wrists and pinned them to the floor.

 

“You must have been really angry with me. There was no hesitation in those punches.”

 

“Ugh, get off!”

 

“Did you not like me talking friendly with other girls?”

 

Frederick smiled affectionately. His face was fine. There were no traces of the punches Danielle had thrown.

 

Joshua and the others were still watching them from outside the ring, but Frederick didn’t care at all about the eyes watching him and Danielle. The same was true for Danielle.

 

Since this wasn’t a problem that could be solved with force, Danielle decided to engage in conversation instead of wasting energy uselessly. She had something to say anyway. That’s why she had come.

 

Instead, she lowered her voice. There was no reason to let the others hear.

 

“The scholarship was you, wasn’t it?”

 

If he denied it, she was prepared to interrogate him to the end. Perhaps sensing this, Frederick readily confessed.

 

“Yeah. You found out. I thought I did it pretty discreetly.”

 

She had never asked for help with scholarships in the first place, and even if he helped, he could have carelessly mobilized his family connections to make a direct designated donation.

 

But he didn’t. Frederick’s chosen method involved consideration and care. Consideration to ensure the students wouldn’t notice.

 

However, Danielle wasn’t grateful for Frederick’s help at all. Rather, it felt like the most vicious form of bullying.

 

“I understand you were being thoughtful, but what’s your intention in pushing me into the astrophysics lab?”

 

“You like astronomy.”

 

The tip of Danielle’s pinky finger twitched in response. Conversely, her face hardened.

 

“No, I don’t.”

 

“Yes, you do.”

 

“I used to. But not anymore.”

 

Even liking something requires qualifications.

 

Danielle had already accepted this premise. Even though it was really just her own feelings.

 

“Frederick. Stop pretending to know about me.”

 

The deeper her heart was exposed, the more crooked her words became. It was amazing that she could make her voice this cold.

 

Surely this method had been effective in middle school. But not anymore. She had made the mistake of accepting his confession.

 

Frederick didn’t budge. He even smiled.

 

“At the very least, I remember your smiling face more accurately than you do. I want you to smile while doing what you love, like when you were young.”

 

‘Just when I think he’s thoughtful, he can’t last a day.’

 

Danielle hated Frederick’s thoughtless words.

 

“I’m not in a situation to study astronomy right now. Do I have to explain everything like this for you to understand?”

 

“What’s your situation?”

 

“I need to do work that’s realistically profitable, not academic pursuits that are just self-satisfaction! Something that helps my family!!”

 

Eventually, even knowing that the instigators of the bet were listening, Danielle raised her voice. The resentment built up in her chest was tangled in her voice.

 

“Isn’t that from before you started dating me? Now you have me.”

 

“Hah…”

 

‘So what, I should be a parasite to you, take money from you and solve everything?’

 

That had been her initial purpose for dating him, but she certainly hadn’t planned to be a parasite for her entire life. It wouldn’t have been possible in the first place.

 

“What are you worried about? I told you I’d give you anything you need.”

 

“…How can I stake my life on you? We might break up tomorrow.”

 

“…”

 

For the first time, Frederick closed his mouth without answering.

 

She didn’t particularly think she had been harsh. It was the truth, so what could she do?

 

“Now get off-”

 

“You can’t get divorced alone, can you?”

 

Danielle was startled as his face came closer.

 

“What are you doing? I said get off-”

 

Did he just say divorce?

 

“I won’t let you go, so how can we break up, darling?”

 

Counterpunch. Frederick whispered in a low voice.

 

His approaching lips finally touched Danielle’s cheek and pulled away. Leaving behind a kissing sound.

 

Danielle’s eyes widened at the unfamiliar sensation.

 

Even when she hurriedly tried to cover her cheek with her hand, it was useless because of the gloves.

 

Speechless, Danielle glared at Frederick. Her ears, where heat had rushed, were already flushed red.

 

Thud.

 

In the end, Danielle’s fist struck Frederick’s cheekbone hard once again.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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