Liar and Liar - Chapter 7

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

Chapter 7

* * *

“Sob, ugh.”

As soon as she escaped Frederick Bastia’s line of sight and came down to the 1st floor, tears burst helplessly from Danielle’s eyes.

Like a dam bursting from a single bomb, everything she had been suppressing all day finally broke Danielle down. What was so special about the words that one arrogant white guy had spouted off?

What was Frederick Bastia anyway.

‘I really hate this.’

Danielle pressed her palms against her eyes as if wiping them.

‘I really hate you, Frederick Bastia.’

Leaving the building and heading toward the dormitory, Danielle’s steps led her to the Quad. Streaming tears flowed down her cheeks all the way to her chin.

“Sniff, sob.”

If I could have chosen too, I would have been born into a family as rich as yours. One quiz question, something so trivial could just be overlooked, and when things get too hard, I could skip classes too.

Was it because she felt wronged? Or was it because she was too exhausted? Danielle couldn’t stop crying.

Despite the sounds of people gradually approaching from a distance, Danielle stopped in place instead of avoiding them.

Holding her removed glasses in one hand and pressing around her eyes with the other, Danielle sniffled with her head down.

‘Why couldn’t you endure it, Danielle Ryu. Why.’

How can I ask about my brother’s situation after acting like this.

“Sniff, ugh, waaah-“

Her crying burst out overwhelmingly, and she immediately covered her face with both hands and wept. But that was only for a moment – the instant Danielle felt eyes on her, she lowered her hands and raised her head.

“Sob, ugh…”

“…”

“…”

The identity of those walking from the opposite direction were precisely the male students who had been stirring up Danielle one after another all day today.

The four who stopped walking at a distance from Danielle just stared at her silently without saying anything.

Joshua and Cove, Mateo.

And this time Chris was with them too.

Having barely made out their faces, Danielle without her glasses couldn’t tell what expressions they were making. Her steps naturally retreated backward.

“Uh, so Triel- is something wrong?”

Joshua, who had his arm around Chris’s shoulder, broke the silence. Though his voice contained a certain goodwill, it was goodwill that wouldn’t reach Danielle.

Instead of answering, Danielle hurriedly wiped her tears with the back of her hand and put on her glasses. Then she passed right by them before the male students could catch her.

While the others just exchanged glances and couldn’t readily stop or chase after Danielle, Chris freed Joshua’s arm from his shoulder.

“Danielle.”

Chris, the tallest of the group, caught up to Danielle with just a few steps. Caught by his voice, Danielle turned around.

“I haven’t used it, take it.”

He held out a sports towel he had taken from his bag.

“…”

“If you keep rubbing with your hands like that, you’ll bruise everything.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Danielle finally accepted the towel. That was the end of their conversation.

Instead of saying anything more, Chris turned around, and likewise Danielle went on her way again.

It was an uneventful quiet ending, but not for those who were watching.

“…”

“…”

The league was over. Now it was the finale Joshua had been waiting for.

“Ah, our Triel is even prettier when she cries. Haha.”

What everyone had only thought in their minds, Joshua casually blurted out like a joke.

The subtle atmosphere eased a little, and conversation resumed. Naturally, the topic was about Danielle. Cove added his words as if he genuinely couldn’t understand.

“Just take those glasses away from her.”

“Come to think of it, this is really the first time I’ve seen Triel cry.”

“It must be because of the scholarship. I heard she’s getting cut soon?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Cove at once.

“Why? Her grades are good enough.”

Chris, who had been silent the whole time, asked in a low voice.

“Budget shortage, to be precise, it’s because of Jeremy Marquez. The school has to pay at least a million dollars in settlement money.”

Elmir Westlake couldn’t escape responsibility in the violence incident involving Jeremy Marquez, the Football Team’s linebacker.

Initially judged to have no evidence in the first investigation, but evidence was later discovered, and it was considered a cover-up attempt, resulting in legal responsibility for violation of student protection duties.

“Jeremy is causing trouble in all directions. What’s the team still doing not kicking him out, captain.”

Mateo answered Joshua’s words irritably.

“Emily Holt got him a lawyer from her mother’s law firm.”

Emily Holt’s mother was a name partner at one of the Top 3 Law Firms in California.

“The school taking responsibility for missing evidence is unavoidable, but Jeremy Marquez is still making a fuss saying he’s being wronged.”

“Then what happens if Triel can’t get the scholarship?”

It was Joshua who answered Cove’s question.

“She’ll have to transfer to a public school.”

Unless someone helps her.

At Joshua’s additional remark, another strange silence flowed. Joshua had to bite the inside of his mouth to hold back laughter.

‘Ah, this is fun, so fun.’

How could he make it more fun? That was the only thought in Joshua’s head.

* * *

“…What?”

The next morning. Danielle experienced a nightmarish déjà vu. The difference from yesterday was that she faced news incomparably more terrible than yesterday.

“Danielle… I’m so sorry to have to say this. I know better than anyone how hard you work…”

“Yesterday you said there was no chance my scholarship would be cut. Wasn’t the essay supposed to be for another student?”

“It’s not your fault, it’s just that the school’s situation is a bit problematic right now…”

“Then are all the scholarship students getting cut? All of them?”

Completely abolishing the scholarship system would be a decision that would damage Elmir Westlake’s prestige as a top-ranked private school. At the accurate point, Emma’s expression became even more troubled.

“No… not all of them.”

“What? Then why am I getting cut?”

Even if grades weren’t the only criterion for scholarship selection, it was obvious they carried the most weight, and among them, Danielle had been first in her grade for five consecutive years.

“We judged based on how well the student has integrated with the school rather than grades or family background. Danielle, while your grades are outstanding, it seems your complete lack of participation in group activities like sports teams, orchestra, or leadership programs was viewed negatively.”

The track team coach wouldn’t accept her for sports, she had no instruments she could play for orchestra, and leadership programs at Elmir Westlake weren’t something you could just say you wanted to do.

“But I worked harder than anyone on club activities! I participated in the AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) with club members in Math Club!”

“Even in those activities, we saw no proper social interaction between you and your teammates.”

Because everyone except me was male!

Instead of protesting, Danielle thought about how this had suddenly happened. Her scholarship cut in one day? No, that’s not it…

“Emma. The essay you mentioned yesterday… it wasn’t for other kids, but for my scholarship, wasn’t it?”

The moment she realized everything had been Emma’s consideration, Danielle’s heart was deeply cut.

“I wanted you to write it with a little more peace of mind, but the situation got worse… I felt I should tell you the school’s position accurately. I’m really sorry, Danielle.”

“…No. I’m grateful for your help, Emma.”

Danielle forced the corners of her mouth up. Even though her heart had already burned black.

* * *

Lunch time. Danielle headed to the Student Union Building where the club rooms were gathered.

Apart from submitting a heartfelt essay that would evoke sympathy, she needed proof that she was demonstrating teamwork and sufficient interaction in Math Club.

Of course, it was questionable whether submitting the group photo they had all taken together after AMC would bring back her scholarship that was almost certainly going to be cut.

As she climbed the stairs to go up to the 4th Floor where Math Club was located, it became quieter as people disappeared. There was no strength in Danielle’s steps as she climbed the stairs.

‘…I’m tired.’

Since morning, Danielle’s mind had been repeating only the same words.

Exhausted. I’m tired. I’m exhausted.

This is really the limit now. But reality easily shook Danielle once again.

It was the moment she turned into the corridor after reaching the 4th Floor. A voice flowing from the Swimming Pool Room caught Danielle’s footsteps.

“Who gets Triel to confess her love first? What kind of lame bet is that.”

“Any objections? It’s more fair and equitable than any other bet, right? You said you might transfer schools anyway. Keep hesitating and Triel will disappear~”

It was the voice of Frederick’s Group that she had encountered yesterday. Before Danielle could even process the situation mentally, she killed her footsteps and presence, standing with her back against the door.

Then Frederick’s voice could be heard.

“Getting a love confession from Daniel Ryu… That’s interesting.”

“Right?”

Danielle clenched her fists tightly and bit down hard on her lower lip.

“The fact that you guys think you could possibly win Daniel’s favor.”

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