Liar and Liar - Chapter 56

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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 56

 

* * *

 

Going to lose my mind?

 

Because I’m finally being swept along by your will and it’s overwhelming? Because it feels like the moment of your victory has arrived?

 

Even while thinking this, Danielle paradoxically gripped Frederick’s waist on both sides. The kiss she had yearned for three years was sweet enough to make her lose her mind.

 

Her legs gave out, and Danielle could only stay upright by leaning her entire back and hips against the wall to avoid collapsing.

 

Had Frederick licked candy like this when they were in 8th grade? Was this how candy felt?

 

…What would come next?

 

As Danielle’s thumb traced along his side, Frederick’s hands cupping her cheeks tightened with even more force. Yet the kiss remained as soft as biting into cotton candy.

 

Danielle could feel that Frederick was making every effort to control himself. But that tenderness and consideration didn’t feel like Frederick’s true feelings.

 

“Because I didn’t eat because of you. So you were partly responsible too.”

 

“You ignored me so blatantly that I was so upset I completely lost my appetite.”

 

No. You don’t like me.

 

I didn’t develop an eating disorder because you turned away from me—you were just shocked because things weren’t going your way.

 

Your devotion to this relationship is also because of a bet you made to completely fool someone.

 

Aside from the moment you confessed, have you ever been desperate?

 

For Danielle, “liking someone” wasn’t the beautiful, sparkling thing that Frederick made it seem. Liking someone was…

 

Danielle closed her half-opened eyes again. The hand that had released his t-shirt moved toward her chest, but unable to press against her chest, she ended up grabbing Frederick’s arm instead.

 

Danielle could say with certainty. Liking someone wasn’t about smiling sweetly at each other and exchanging bouquets—

 

It was being unable to run away even when you knew the other person was playing with you.

 

Having ridiculous thoughts like she shouldn’t have gone to the Student Union Building that day.

 

Erasing the only evidence that could have cornered him herself.

 

Being happy about a kiss even while knowing it was the most terrible deception.

 

‘I like you…’

 

She couldn’t say it out loud. When she swallowed her voice, it felt like the path to her heart was burning up.

 

Because she hoped this happy dream wouldn’t end, Danielle decided to sink these words deep into the ocean.

 

* * *

 

Danielle returned to the hotel by helicopter and had dinner with Frederick at the table he had reserved in advance. It was the kind of place usually reserved for wedding anniversaries.

 

A formally dressed pianist played a white grand piano. The hotel restaurant connected to the lobby floor had high ceilings, and the light falling from the chandeliers evenly permeated and sparkled on the glassware and silverware.

 

“Can people our age come to a place like this at a time like this?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Is it okay for us to dine here dressed like this?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Frederick’s condition had been strange since the kiss. His usually calm smile was somehow grinning foolishly, and honey was dripping from his eyes.

 

‘Even so, I’m not going to say I like you.’

 

He probably thinks he’s already won the bet since we kissed.

 

While she was grateful that he had prepared such a place, Danielle had absolutely no intention of obediently offering the “perfect dessert” he was hoping for.

 

“Honey, you know what? There’s something I want to ask you.”

 

Danielle, who had been about to bring the steak on her plate to her mouth, put it back down.

 

Let me finish eating. There’s even a saying that you don’t bother a dog while it’s eating.

 

‘I’m not going to give you the answer you want anyway.’

 

Danielle already had her answer prepared.

 

Do I like you? Well, what about you?

 

Can you answer first? Really?

 

“Why do you still call me by my name? We agreed that if I did well, you’d call me honey.”

 

Clang.

 

Danielle accidentally dropped the fork she was holding onto her plate.

 

She barely managed to stop herself from pressing her hand to her chest. Conversations that were too couple-like were still unbearable. They were bad for her heart.

 

Can’t I become a little more relaxed and skilled…

 

“Be, Be…Beb… Amedeo.”

 

Frederick burst out laughing. He looked delighted.

 

“You called me that just fine last time.”

 

“…”

 

Why isn’t he asking if I ‘like’ him…?

 

‘Does he really want to continue this fake relationship?’

 

…Or is the criteria for receiving a love confession broader than I thought?

 

The more Danielle thought about the bet in detail, the more complicated her feelings became. She was sitting across from him in a restaurant she’d never even seen in dreams, eating incredibly delicious food, but the taste was gradually fading.

 

It was truly a perfect case of different dreams in the same bed.

 

Frederick escorted Danielle back to her dormitory room, just as he had come to pick her up at her door for their date.

 

The hallway was twice as messy as when they left, with firecracker debris and drink bottles scattered around as if a bomb had gone off, but there was no one around.

 

Frederick rested his head on Danielle’s shoulder as she put the key in the door. A firm sensation settled against her back. It was hot and heavy.

 

“Honey, should we call each other before bed?”

 

Danielle’s heart fluttered faithfully. The ear touched by his whisper burned.

 

“I’ll… text you when I can call.”

 

“Honey…”

 

Frederick’s fingers gently brushed Danielle’s hair behind her ear. His breath came closer.

 

“Can I hug your waist and kiss your ears, cheeks, and lips?”

 

Shocked, Danielle turned her head to look at Frederick’s face.

 

“You’re joking, right…?”

 

“What joke? Why do you think it’s a joke?”

 

“That’s perverted behavior. Even if there’s no one in the hallway, if you put your ear to the door, you can hear everything. They might be listening right now.”

 

Danielle tried to lower her voice as much as possible, just as Frederick had done. However, Frederick’s reason for lowering his voice was different from Danielle’s.

 

Whatever. He muttered indifferently.

 

Then he whispered in Danielle’s ear again.

 

“I don’t want to leave…”

 

“…”

 

How exactly should she react? Danielle couldn’t keep up with Frederick’s pace and temperature. She could only wander alone at the critical point.

 

The wrong first button was ruining the second, third, and fourth buttons as well.

 

“…I really had a great time too. Well then, get home safely.”

 

Danielle opened the door and slipped into her room without waiting for Frederick’s response. Then, as soon as she locked the door, she collapsed right there by the shoe rack.

 

“Hah…”

 

Danielle’s hands covered her face. She couldn’t move until the sound of footsteps faded away.

 

What felt like eons to Danielle passed before the footsteps finally faded.

 

‘I have no idea what to do…’

 

As soon as she struggled to get up, she went to the restroom and washed her face first. Taking out her contacts and putting on her glasses seemed to calm her down.

 

Standing in front of her closet, Danielle hesitated only briefly before pulling out sportswear instead of loungewear. After tying her hair back tightly and putting on a cap, she immediately left her room.

 

‘I’d rather run.’

 

If I stay home like this, I might really lose my mind.

 

Danielle planned a route that would be safe but wouldn’t encounter sports team students who trained late. The wind hitting her face as she ran seemed to clear her head.

 

What on earth happened in just one day…

 

“Hah, hah.”

 

After running for a while, Danielle emerged from the forest path. She intended to sit on a bench for a moment.

 

Thump.

 

Someone’s there. Danielle stayed in the deep shade created by the trees and didn’t readily step out. She could see a dull crimson ball drawing a perfect parabola into the basketball hoop.

 

“Wow.”

 

At Danielle’s exclamation, the person standing facing the basketball hoop turned his head. It was Chris.

 

Looking embarrassed, Danielle emerged from the shade and slowly entered the basketball court.

 

“You’re still practicing at this hour?”

 

“That’s what I should be saying. Is it okay for you to be running at this hour? Even if it is inside the school.”

 

Danielle trotted over to the ball and picked it up with both hands.

 

“Do you usually run alone at this time too?”

 

“No. I don’t usually, but today my head’s a bit complicated.”

 

Danielle held out the ball to Chris with both hands, like offering a cake. Chris smiled gently and took the ball.

 

“Thanks.”

 

Chris bounced the ball that had come into his hands toward the ground a couple of times with one hand. Watching him intently, Danielle unconsciously opened her mouth.

 

“…Chris.”

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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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