She bit her lip slightly, trying to suppress the fleeting thought that had just crossed her mind. But her heart still skipped a beat. Wasn't strawberry candy always sweet? Didn't she always like this sweetness?
And yet, today, the candy carried an unusual aftertaste. A flavor that… shouldn't have been there.
Unconsciously, she glanced toward Cedric Lawrence. He remained relaxed, leaning against his chair, his deep black eyes lazily scanning her face. It was unclear whether he had noticed anything.
Lilie Smith nudged her lightly, teasing, "Oh? Just a piece of candy and your face is already this red? Serena, you're acting strange today!"
"I'm not!" She quickly changed the subject, picking up her cup of coffee and taking a sip, trying to regain her composure.
The late afternoon sun bathed the university in golden hues, making everything appear dreamy and serene. Serena walked slowly beneath the lilac blossoms, delicate petals falling onto her white blouse, creating an almost surreal scene.
Not far away, Cedric leaned against a stone table, his long legs crossed, idly spinning a car key in his fingers. He said nothing, simply observing her with those deep black eyes, calm and meticulous.
"Skipping class again?" Serena stopped in front of him, her voice slightly raised.
Cedric raised an eyebrow, not denying it, and even smiled. "I just didn't feel like sitting through a boring lecture. Are you scolding me?"
She wasn't. She merely shook her head with a light smile. Standing before him, she reached out to straighten the lapel of his coat—a casual gesture between friends. But Cedric wasn't so indifferent. He suddenly tightened his grip on her wrist, pulling her closer.
"What do you think?" His voice dropped low, his black eyes drawing her into a vortex.
Serena was taken aback but did not pull away. She only chuckled softly, the way he asked making her feel inexplicably ticklish.
"What are you thinking again, Cedric?" She tilted her head slightly, flipping her long hair over her shoulder, the setting sun casting a gentle glow on her face.
He remained silent for a moment, then suddenly reached up and let his finger glide lightly over her cheek. His voice was soft, almost mesmerizing.
"I think you're very beautiful... and you know it, don't you?"
Her breath hitched for a second. A touch on the cheek—what was so special about it? And yet… her skin felt as though a tiny ember had ignited upon it.
She didn't shy away but simply pressed her lips together. "To you, everyone is beautiful."
Cedric smiled, absentmindedly playing with her wrist, but just enough to send a slight thrill through her.
"But the one I find most beautiful is still you."
A simple sentence, yet it caused something within her to tremble. She did not evade, but she also could not respond.
A short distance away, Lilie sat on a bench, quietly observing the entire exchange. She smiled lightly, but her eyes flickered with contemplation. "Serena, do you really understand your own heart?"
Then, she quickly ran over, clinging to Serena's arm with a cheerful grin. "Heyyy, Serena! Let's go get some Matcha Latte! I'm saving you, don't you see how Cedric is about to eat you alive?"
Serena chuckled, shaking Lilie's hand playfully. "You're craving that again? Didn't someone say drinking too much would cause insomnia?"
"Aiya, today's an exception! Lord Lawrence, you're coming too. What if Serena needs someone to 'warm up' her Matcha Latte?" Lilie grinned mischievously, pulling Cedric along before he could refuse. "Let's go! No backing out!"
And so, the three of them headed to their usual café near the university. The afternoon breeze was gentle, carrying the soothing scent of tea through the air.
Just as they settled in, they unexpectedly ran into Azriel Egbert—Serena's cousin, always carrying a sharp smile and eyes filled with unreadable intent.
"Oh, Serena, what a coincidence. Should we share a cup?"
Lilie immediately frowned, pursing her lips. "Have all the coincidences you want, just don't drag Serena into them."
Cedric chuckled dryly, lazily draping an arm over Serena's shoulder, his gaze possessive. "Azriel, looks like you're at the wrong table."
Serena chuckled, lifting her Matcha Latte for a sip, thinking—who would have guessed a simple afternoon would turn so lively?
They exchanged glances for a moment before, as if telepathically linked, all four of them had the same idea:
"Let's ditch class and go have fun!"
A foolproof plan was set in motion. Sneaking out of school, laughing like co-conspirators, they wandered the shopping district, played arcade games, and stocked up on snacks before heading to Lilie's house for an impromptu sleepover.
That night, Lilie's room became a delightful mess, yet it brimmed with energy. With its vintage wallpaper, a bookshelf packed with romance novels and manga, and soft candlelight flickering a gentle vanilla scent, the room felt impossibly cozy.
A warm-toned LED string light adorned the large mirror, reflecting their youthful joy. The four of them lounged on a plush mattress, each in their own world, yet all sharing the same radiant smiles.
"Alright, time for tarot readings!" Lilie eagerly shuffled a deck of cards, her eyes glimmering with anticipation. "Who wants to go first? Heheh."
Cedric, lounging lazily against the bed with his hands behind his head, smirked. "I don't believe in this stuff."
"Then I'll read for Serena first!" Lilie quickly shuffled the deck and drew a card.
She stared at it for a moment before grinning slyly. "The Lovers! Ooooh, Serena, if you had to choose someone, who would it be?"
The room fell into silence. The warm golden light flickered over faces filled with unspoken thoughts. Serena clenched the hem of her dress, unable to meet anyone's gaze, but in her heart, she already had an answer.
Feigning nonchalance, her eyes unconsciously flicked toward Cedric.
It was as if she was waiting for a reaction from him—though she refused to admit it.
The room was thick with an ambiguous tension, the dim glow reflecting in eyes brimming with unsaid emotions.
Lilie's sharp gaze flitted between them, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. With a playful glint in her eye, she swiftly gathered the cards.
"Alright, no more dawdling! Time for Azriel!"
Lilie drew another card. "Oh, 'The Chariot'—Victory! You really are the ambitious type, always aiming to win."
Azriel chuckled, clearly pleased. He tilted his head slightly, looking at the card in Lilie's hand, the corners of his mouth carrying an unreadable smile.
"Ambition and triumph, huh? Interesting."
Lilie playfully shook the deck in her hands, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Not denying it? Then it must be true!"
Azriel didn't respond, simply taking a sip of his bubble tea with an unreadable expression. But in his gaze, there was something deeper, something impossible to grasp.
Lilie clapped her hands together, moving on excitedly. "Next up—Cedric!!"
She flipped over a card. "The Emperor—Power, control, dominance."
She grinned devilishly. "Sound accurate?"
Cedric merely smirked, saying nothing. His gaze drifted toward Serena, filled with deep, unfathomable meaning.
"Alright, let's move on to another game!"
Lilie cheered excitedly, kicking off a night filled with laughter and secrets waiting to be uncovered.