Chapter 3: Searching for a Solution

"It’s simple. Find a way to become his girlfriend, then stay by his side every day to supervise and remind him."

At noon, after listening to Tara’s "refined" description of her situation, Josie offered this piece of advice.

"Otherwise, unless you're his mother, you have no standing to make those kinds of demands."

Upon hearing this, Tara’s face instantly slumped.

She had to admit that Josie made a lot of sense.

However, becoming Killian’s girlfriend—how exactly was that "simple"?

Josie saw through her thoughts immediately and consoled her, "A guy like Killian is definitely hard to pursue, but how will you know if you can do it if you don't try?"

"Besides, isn't Sean best friends with Killian?" Josie encouraged. "That’s a precious connection, babe. Use it well, and there will always be an opportunity!"

Tara hadn't actually considered that. Hearing it now, she fell into deep thought, and a faint plan began to form.

"But," Josie added curiously, "why are you suddenly so concerned about Killian’s lifestyle and habits?"

"Well..."

Tara found it impossible to explain, as the origin of the whole thing was far too absurd.

Seeing her hesitation, Josie’s expression turned mischievous, and she giggled. "Fine, you don't have to say it. I totally get it."

Tara: "???"

Wait, what exactly do you get?

After several hours of internal struggle, at 5:30 PM, Tara finally mustered the courage to send a friend request to the WeChat account Sean had sent her yesterday.

She wondered if Killian would even accept her request once he realized it was her.

But Sean had said that if she ran into any trouble while he was away, she could go to Killian for help.

So, Tara couldn't help but hope that perhaps, for the sake of his best friend, Killian might have already forgiven her for that forced kiss.

As she was lost in her own anxiety, her phone suddenly buzzed.

She snapped back to reality and looked down.

Killian: 【I've accepted your friend request. Now we can start chatting.】

Looking at the message, Tara froze, her eyes widening slightly.

Killian actually accepted that quickly?

In the midst of her surprise, another message appeared in the chat box.

Killian: 【?】

Seeing that question mark, Tara suddenly felt nervous.

How should she reply?

After deliberating for a while, she decided to play it safe and sent a sticker of a kitten waving its paw.

A long while passed, and Killian didn't reply.

He really is as cold as his reputation suggests,

Tara thought.

Of course, that was except for certain... other aspects where he was the complete opposite.

Blush-inducing memories suddenly flooded her mind.

Tara had almost been ready to retreat, but thinking of those sensations made her brave again.

She truly didn't want to experience those overwhelming feelings passively anymore.

If becoming Killian’s girlfriend gave her enough of a voice to properly restrain his behavior, then she was determined to try.

After silently building up her resolve, she sent another message.

Tara: 【Are you there?】

After two seconds of anxious waiting, Killian replied.

Killian: 【Is something wrong?】

Still just a few cold words, but at least he answered.

Tara felt somewhat relieved.

Josie had said that when communicating with people, sincerity was the ultimate weapon.

Regarding the forced kiss incident, Tara decided to just apologize outright.

Tara: 【kitten_embarrassed.gif】

【About... what happened the other night. I didn't know it was you. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to cause you trouble.】

At that moment, in Dorm 606 of the boys' residence.

Killian, who had just returned from the Galaxy Studio for his morning classes, looked down at the message. His eyes were unreadable.

Tara waited anxiously for a long time. Just as she was beginning to fear he wouldn't reply again...

Killian: 【It’s fine. After all, I did get three hundred dollars out of it. smile.jpg】

Looking at the reply, Tara’s face began to burn.

Growing up, she had always been a "good girl" in the eyes of her parents, neighbors, and relatives.

That forced kiss was the first truly rebellious thing she had ever done.

Thinking back now, her behavior had been awful.

Those three hundred dollars felt like a deliberate insult.

Tara stared at the smiley face emoji Killian had sent, finding it more and more unsettling.

He was definitely being sarcastic.

She felt incredibly awkward, and the phone in her hand felt like a hot coal.

After chanting to herself that

if I’m not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to someone else

a few times, she forced herself to continue.

Tara: 【sorry.jpg】

【After reflecting lately, I’ve realized that the harm you suffered can't be measured by money, and those three hundred dollars weren't enough to make up for your loss.】

Watching the text bubble, a hint of amusement flickered in the depths of Killian’s dark eyes.

Killian: 【And?】

Tara: 【So, I’m going to make it up to you more.】

After shamelessly sending that, Tara didn't dare look at the screen anymore.

Killian must look down on her.

But she really couldn't find any other excuse to get close to him.

Josie had said that to pursue an ice-cold guy like Killian, one had to be thick-skinned.

Of course, she couldn't rush it either. It had to be a slow burn—boiling the frog in warm water—otherwise, she might scare him away.

She could use the excuse of "making amends" to slowly build up favor.

Once she had enough "goodwill points," she would confess. Maybe then he would agree to be her boyfriend?

Then, she could legitimately demand he change his ways.

The more Tara thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

Just then, Killian replied.

Killian: 【No need.】

Tara had expected this and decided to commit to being thick-skinned.

Tara: 【I must. I can't let you be at a disadvantage.】

【kitten_bow.gif】

After she sent that, Killian didn't reply again.

Tara guessed he was probably speechless at her persistence.

But that was fine.

No reply was better than a flat-out rejection.

She comforted herself, thinking she could just treat his silence as tacit consent.

As she was thinking, a sudden itchy, prickling sensation spread across her skin.

For some reason, her throat felt parched, and the air around her felt inexplicably hotter.

It was midsummer, so she figured it was just heat rash from the high temperature.

Tara didn't pay it much mind. She had rash ointment. She thought a shower and some cream would fix it.

In the boys' dorm.

A long finger pressed the power button, and the phone was flipped facedown on the desk.

Killian let out a hot breath. He leaned his head back slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing restlessly against his slender throat.

That skin hunger, like a shadow clinging to his bones, was gradually creeping back.

Burning, restless, itching...