The college campus thrived with the vibrant energy of its youthful scholars. Some engaged in academic lectures, others participated in athletic pursuits, while a few immersed themselves in artistic endeavors—sketching, singing, or playing musical instruments—and many simply enjoyed the company of their peers.
Adjacent to the expansive outdoor field, two heads emerged discreetly from behind a nondescript wall. One surveyed the surroundings with keen vigilance, as though in pursuit of a specific objective, while the other appeared visibly confounded.
"Umm, June, what are we doing here?" Aahana asked.
"What else? We're searching for a boyfriend for you," June responded, continuing to survey the surroundings.
"But why are we hiding behind this wall?"
"Of course we're hiding so the prey won't notice our presence and flee," June stated.
"You're kidding, right?" Aahana asked with a deadpan expression.
"No, I'm very serious." She continued to scrutinize each male passing by carefully.
"You really—" Aahana yanked June behind the wall and said, "If this is how you're planning to help, then please stop. I'll figure something out myself," she berated her.
"Hmm, you're right. This isn't very efficient." But was June someone who would get discouraged so easily? "I guess we need to take a more proactive approach!" Obviously not!
"Huh?"
"Ahem!" Clearing her throat and adjusting her fake glasses, June questioned, "So, what's your type?"
"Before that, tell me where you got those glasses from," Aahana asked genuinely.
"Don't mind the glasses." Dodging the question, June started, "So, Miss 'Ice Queen,' what type of 'cherries' do you prefer?" Like a professional salesperson, she began showcasing her line of products.
"Do you prefer the nerd over there?" she asked, pointing to a corner where a young man was studying like an obedient student. He wore oversized clothes, typical nerd glasses, and had overgrown, untidy hair.
"The selling points of this product are that he's the topper of his class," like a typical nerd, she added.
"…"
"Continuing, he's an anime fanatic, unnecessarily knowledgeable, easy to order around, and—" leaning close to Aahana's ear, June whispered, "he also possesses the top-secret file—'The H.'"
"What's this 'The H'?" Aahana asked, clueless.
"Make a guess. Think about what kind of treasure a typical shut-in who wishes to live with 2D characters might have," June teased, creating a suspenseful atmosphere to ignite Aahana's curiosity.
"If I knew, why would I ask you?" Aahana pointed out.
"You sure you really want to know?" June continued to tease her.
"If you don't want to tell me, just say so," Aahana huffed, puffing her cheeks like a pufferfish. She wasn't going to give in so easily.
'So damn cute!!' June thought.
Observing Aahana's endearing, childlike demeanor, June relented. "Okay, I'll tell you. But remember, you asked for this," she warned before satisfying Aahana's curiosity. "It's obviously a hentai collection," she stated matter-of-factly.
"Hmm? What's hentai?" Innocent Aahana asked.
"Oh, my innocent lamb~ You don't know what hentai is? Allow this great one to enlighten you," June declared dramatically, leaning close to Aahana's ear. "Hentai is—" she began to whisper softly, only for Aahana to swiftly place a hand over June's mouth, stopping her midway before she could finish.
A flush of crimson spread across Aahana's cheeks and ears. "Shut it. I don't want to know anymore," the innocent Aahana said, facing the ground, too embarrassed to meet June's shameless gaze.
Seeing her shy and cute reaction, June removed Aahana's hand from her mouth and teased further, "Hmmm~? What do you not want to know anymore?"
"Y-you know very well," she answered, flustered.
"Hmmm~, what is it again? I don't remember."
"Y-you! You're teasing me on purpose, right?!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," June said, starting to whistle.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Aahana pinched June's waist. "Ow—ow—ow—"
"You little rascal. You're asking for it."
"Ouch—okay, okay, my bad, my bad! Let me go—I won't tease you again!"
"Better for you." Aahana relaxed her grip.
"Are you a witch or something?" June mumbled as she rubbed her waist in pain.
Ignoring her muttering, Aahana asked, "So? What are we going to do now?"
"Ahem!" Clearing her throat again, June pulled up her professional salesperson persona.
"I apologize for the little inconvenience, miss."
Sigh~ "Are we doing this again?" Aahana asked in a tired tone.
"Moving forward, as I've speculated, nerds aren't your type. So—" pointing toward the college's sports ground, she questioned, "what about the athletic type?"
Looking in the direction June pointed, Aahana saw many boys drenched in sweat, huffing for air, running after a mud-covered ball with black and white patches. Many girls stood behind the fence, cheering for them wildly.
Amongst all of them, one particularly good-looking boy with an attractive athletic physique stood out the most. Running ahead of the others, he performed various tricks with the ball, showing off his skills before scoring the final goal, securing his team's victory.
"KYAAAA!!!" Girls screamed like maniacs before rushing toward him like a typhoon.
"The selling points of this product are: he's fairly handsome, very popular on campus and social media, he's the captain and best striker of his football team. He is someone who enjoys nightlife and is very outgoing, has a lean and toned physique, and—"
"And?"
"He's got insane stamina," June said in a seductive voice.
Puff—
Hot steam seemed to gush out of Aahana's head as her face turned red with embarrassment once again.
"Y-you! Stop teasing me!"
"What do you mean? He's an athlete, so it's obvious he'd have more stamina than others," June said nonchalantly before adding, "You naughty girl~ What did you think?" She didn't miss a chance to tease and pollute Aahana's innocent mind. "Now that you mention it, not that I've experienced it, but those who have reviewed him positively for his stamina outside the soccer field as well."
Coming out of her embarrassment, Aahana casted her beautiful gaze toward the guy who was surrounded by a bunch of girls. Coincidentally, he noticed her stare, looked in her and June's direction, and winked at them with a playful smile.
"So, in short, he's a womanizer," Aahana said coolly in an icy tone.
Noticing the dropping temperature, June quickly said, "M-moving on."
She brought Aahana inside the college to the gym section.
"What about hunks?"
Aahana glanced around the gym and saw sweaty macho men and women working out. There were also some heavier individuals trying to burn off extra weight to become fit and macho.
"Yeah!!"
"Very good!!"
"You can do it!!!"
"Aaaghh!!"
"One more! One more!"
"Come on!!!"
Aggressive shouts drew her attention to a group of guys cheering on another who was bench-pressing a barbell loaded with so much weight it was bending.
"Nice! Keep it up!!"
"That's my man!!"
Adjusting her fake glasses, June recited, "The main selling points of this product are their big muscles, wild and well-built physiques, gorilla-like strength, and they are passionate. They also value camaraderie highly."
She turned to Aahana and saw her staring at the gym with dead eyes.
"Some of them are soft pookies inside their hard shells." June jested.
At June's last sentence, Aahana tried to imagine it, only to get goosebumps. "Ugh, next."
June acted so naturally that even Aahana didn't realize she'd been drawn into the act. Together, they wandered the entire college campus in search of "cherries" to suit Aahana's taste—dance hall, science lab, boxing ring, swimming pool, random classrooms, cafeteria, assistant professors, and more. Before they knew it, they'd explored the whole college.
That day, the campus's infamous "Ice Queen" roamed everywhere with her friend, eyeing boys with her icy gaze. A rumor soon spread across the college: "The Ice Queen is out on a hunt."
Caw~ Caw~ Caw~
The sky darkened to a muted amber as the sun set and the moon rose. Flocks of birds called out, winging toward their roosts.
In front of the prestigious college's gate, two stunning beauties stood, exhausted.
"Why do you have such high standards? You just need to date a random guy short-term. It's not like you'll date for real—you both just have to pretend," June complained. "Now I know why you're famous as the 'Ice Queen' across campus."
"Oh, shut up." Glancing at her small analog wristwatch, Aahana asked, "So? What now?"
"Don't ask me. I'm done," June answered aloofly.
"Huh?" Aahana was taken aback by June's sudden change in tone.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" June asked, still aloof.
"Why are you talking like that?" Aahana pressed.
"'Why,' you ask?" June met Aahana's eyes and said, "What else can I do? I showed you so many options for your dating act, but you rejected them all coldheartedly and didn't even appreciate my efforts!" She vented her frustration, "I don't wanna help you anymore."
Aahana was taken aback by this side of June. Normally, June was carefree, mischievous, and unbothered by the world, simply enjoying life.
Seeing this hidden side of her, Aahana smirked and said with a silly expression, "Ohh~ Look who's acting like a cute little child now." It was time for revenge for all that teasing!
"Come here, let me give you a candy."
"Hmph!" June turned her face away, still expressing her anger.
"Ow~ Kuchi kuchi kuu~" Seeing her cute reaction, Aahana lightly pinched June's soft cheeks and played with them before, "But," with a small smile, Aahana let go of June's cheeks and said, "You don't have to tell me how much you always help me, June. I'm truly thankful to you." June's ears perked up, and she glanced at Aahana.
"For always helping me out, hanging out with me, talking with me, and above all, for being a friend I can always rely on—one I can share my sadness and happiness with. Thank you, June, for being my best friend and for always being by my side whenever I need you."
At that moment, the setting sun's rays bathed Aahana in a dim, bright light. A soft breeze gently brushed her silky hair, enhancing her beauty. Paired with her radiant smile full of genuine happiness and appreciation, she looked more mesmerizing and enchanting than ever.
Gazing at Aahana's captivating appearance, June's anger melted away, and a small, warm smile bloomed on her face. Sigh~ "Really, you're a hopeless case without me." 'Damn you, author!' and continued to curse me :'(
Hearing June's reply, Aahana asked eagerly, "So!"
"Let's go look for someone outside the campus then," June replied, shaking her head with a helpless smile, as if there were no other choice.
"Yes!"
"Let's start at a café. While we're at it, we can grab something light to snack on too."
"Okay~" Aahana replied happily, and the two musketeers began walking toward a café near the campus.
While walking—
Bump—
"Ouch!" Aahana collided with someone and fell to the ground.
"Are you blind or somethi—" Before she could finish her outburst, Aahana fell silent as she looked at the person before her.
"I'm really sorry," the person said in an apologetic voice, picking up Aahana's bag and extending a hand to help her up.
He was a tall, distinguished figure, his sharp features accentuated by deep brown eyes that harmonized with his warm complexion. His sleek, ebony hair was neatly styled, and his attire—a tailored black suit, polished shoes, and an elegant timepiece—bespoke refinement.
Whoosh—
Dry leaves fell to the ground as a soft spring breeze gently brushed past them, lifting Aahana's hair. She stared at the man, dumbstruck and mesmerized.
"Are you okay?"