Liar and Liar - Chapter 41

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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 41

 

“Ah… Um, Chris…”

 

“Why Chris’s pants?”

 

Frederick’s voice was gentle yet not gentle. It was strange.

 

“Something got on my uniform, and I had to rush to class, so he quickly lent them to me.”

 

“…It seems like a lot has been left out.”

 

Only at times like this does he have to be annoyingly perceptive.

 

As he said, if what Danielle said was true, there was no particular reason to borrow gym clothes from Chris. She could have just changed into her own.

 

“Couldn’t you have asked me for help?”

 

“…I wasn’t in the right state of mind. I had to get to class quickly.”

 

It was fortunate that her nose didn’t grow longer when she lied. She was practically spouting lies every time she opened her mouth.

 

“You know, you showed me the texts you had with Chris before.”

 

The composure Danielle had barely managed to gather crumbled completely the moment Frederick took a big step closer.

 

Danielle helplessly had her gaze stolen by Frederick.

 

“Didn’t you notice? That it wasn’t just Korean.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Come to think of it, there was English mixed in.

 

-I’m constantly switching between spell check screening, Translator, and Google while writing. I’m busy.

 

-Then don’t overdo it. Use English.

 

-Think of it as dressing it up.

 

As Danielle was recalling the texts, she was startled when Frederick’s arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and pulled her close.

 

“Does Chris Fassbinder trying to impress you work on you?”

 

“Uh, wait a minute.”

 

Frederick’s nose brushed against the side of Danielle’s head. Startled, Danielle pressed both hands against Frederick’s chest as if to push him away.

 

“Why aren’t you answering?”

 

No, don’t. Danielle, who instinctively sensed what would come next, shrank her head. But she couldn’t avoid the trap she had set for herself.

 

[I love you.]

 

Danielle’s ears turned bright red. Her neck and cheeks became hot as if burned by fire. Her hazel eyes shook aimlessly.

 

“Answer me, hmm?”

 

Danielle bit the inside of her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut.

 

“Think… with that brilliant head of yours.”

 

I shouldn’t be swayed, I should be doing the swaying. No matter what happens, it’s not my fault but yours.

 

With that single determination, Danielle forcefully pushed Frederick’s upper body away.

 

“When there’s a problem and you think of Chris instead of me, isn’t that obviously your fault?”

 

“You’re saying the exact same thing as Mari.”

 

…Mari?

 

When Danielle asked with her eyes, Frederick readily answered.

 

“My cousin who asked who Joshua was before. She wonders how someone with my personality is dating a girlfriend. Do I really have that many problems?”

 

Though she had never even seen her face, Danielle’s favorability toward Frederick’s cousin increased by 1. It seemed like they might get along.

 

“Obviously-”

 

“No matter what anyone says, you should only take my side, right? Shouldn’t you?”

 

“Hey, act your size…”

 

Frederick’s expressionless face was so rigid and cold that the contrast was even greater. Not in Lower School, not in Middle School, and not even now in Upper School had Danielle ever imagined such a moment. Frederick Bastia acting like a dog clinging to its owner.

 

“I won’t say anything about Chris. It’s not my place to say anything, and I want you to live like you did back in Lower School too.”

 

He’s really making it obvious that this relationship is fake.

 

Even pretending to be jealous isn’t easy, is it? The corners of Danielle’s mouth turned down.

 

“Instead, just grant me one favor.”

 

“What.”

 

“I don’t care about other things with Chris Fassbinder, but don’t go to baseball games with him.”

 

“That’s my choice.”

 

With a strangely sulky mood, Danielle answered coldly. As if she had been the one hoping for Frederick’s jealousy.

 

“I hardly ever ask you for favors. I’d really like you to grant this one.”

 

Contrary to Frederick’s gentle voice, Danielle felt displeased.

 

“We never even agreed to go together in the first place. It never even came up. And even if we did go, so what. What would you do about it.”

 

“If you don’t grant it… I’ll sulk.”

 

“…What?”

 

“When you’re upset, you naturally sulk, don’t you.”

 

It was an absurd and ridiculous thing to say, but suddenly something came to Danielle’s mind.

 

“Frederick, aren’t you eating lunch today either?”

 

Come to think of it, this guy refused to eat in Middle School.

 

It was quite serious, so everyone from teachers to other students tried to get Frederick to eat.

 

‘Really, the ways he manipulates people are so varied…’

 

If he had spoken arrogantly or coercively, she wouldn’t have batted an eye, but the words “I’ll sulk,” despite their ridiculous tone, effectively trapped Danielle.

 

“I won’t eat.”

 

Deciding to ignore Frederick Bastia, Danielle didn’t look at or engage with Frederick at any time.

 

‘So how did that hunger strike end up finishing?’

 

Since it had been the darkest period of Danielle’s life, her memories of that time were hazily blurred.

 

“If you sulk, so what. Are you going to go on a hunger strike like in Middle School?”

 

“Haha, you remembered that? Well, I’m not sure myself.”

 

After answering.

 

We’re already juniors. Isn’t it time to mature a bit?

 

‘When you can do anything if you put your mind to it…’

 

Just a little more seriously…

 

But Danielle closed her mouth. She realized it was the kind of thought only a girlfriend would have.

 

“Honey, actually Mari is at school right now. She really wants to see you today, is your schedule okay?”

 

“At school? Why?”

 

“She came to the United States to study. She’ll probably be attending Elmire for a while. I’m sure you two will get along well.”

 

Whatever. But Frederick’s next words caught Danielle’s attention.

 

“And she knows about you.”

 

“…About me?”

 

Danielle’s eyes widened.

 

* * *

 

In the end, Danielle decided to have dinner with Frederick and Mari. Instead of Frederick, who knew nothing, she decided to ask Mari herself.

 

After all classes ended, Danielle was heading to the parking lot where Frederick would be when she took out her vibrating phone from her pocket.

 

Danielle, would you like to go see an LA Sharks game with me?

 

We got tickets at home, and I remembered that you like player Seonwoo Kang.

 

Wow.

 

The text was clearly from Chris, but Danielle’s mind was filled with Frederick.

 

‘Does Frederick see the future or something?’

 

How can this happen right after he said that?

 

Danielle, who had stopped in place, pondered her reply.

 

‘Whether he sulks or not, what does it have to do with me.’

 

Honestly, Danielle had been thinking about going to baseball with Chris. It wouldn’t be as burdensome as going with someone else.

 

Also, strictly speaking, Danielle had never said okay to the request not to go.

 

‘Should I just go.’

 

Surely he wouldn’t childishly skip meals again?

 

‘If he goes on a hunger strike because I ignored his request, he’ll only make himself look foolish.’

 

Why baseball of all things? What’s the big deal.

 

Instead of puzzling over the mystery box that was Frederick Bastia’s mind, Danielle wrote a reply with a sigh.

 

Thanks for the offer. But I already promised to go with Frederick, so this time will be difficult. Let’s go together next time.

 

‘This ends the scholarship matter.’

 

She had resolved to use him, yet here she was placing her card on the bill and signing it.

 

‘Why can’t I just accept it and use it…’

 

If it were the other guys from Frederick’s Group, she probably could have done it…

 

‘Why didn’t I want to ask Frederick for help…’

 

She hadn’t felt anything with Chris.

 

Like fog lifting, a box that shouldn’t be opened drifted up into Danielle’s consciousness. But as her steps descended the stairs, her thoughts stopped there.

 

At first, she thought they were shooting some luxury brand photoshoot. The two people standing in front of the bright red sports car had the aura of European models. Drawing all the students’ gazes.

 

“Hey, Babe!”

 

Frederick, who had been leaning against the sports car with his arms crossed, straightened up and approached Danielle. A woman with straight blonde hair reaching below her chest smiled brightly at Danielle. Her beauty was so stunning it left one speechless. She was a hundred times prettier than in photos.

 

“Let me introduce you. This is my cousin Marina Bastia. And this is my girlfriend Danielle Ryu. Same grade.”

 

“Hi! Just call me Mari.”

 

“…Hi, nice to meet you.”

 

It seemed a bit much to compare someone who greeted so brightly to a dog, but to Danielle’s eyes, Mari Bastia reminded her of a Cocker Spaniel. One with particularly glossy fur.

 

“Shall we get going?”

 

Danielle mindlessly headed for the back seat of the sports car, but Mari went “Huh?” and pointed to the passenger seat with her palm.

 

“Danielle, you should sit in the passenger seat! I’ll sit back here.”

 

Danielle quietly panicked, overwhelmed by the students’ pouring gazes and just wanting to leave quickly.

 

Frederick himself simply smiled and personally opened the passenger door for her.

 

* * *

 

“Ana’s friend?!”

 

The car Frederick drove headed to a Mediterranean restaurant. After taking their seats, Danielle finally understood how Mari knew about her.

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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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