25. Like Me That Much?

It took ten minutes before she finally let go of his hand.

Killian looked down at the space between his thumb and forefinger.

Then, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

There, a small gray cartoon wolf had been drawn.

"What do you think? Cute, right?" Her voice was light and filled with a smile. Her eyes curved as she looked at him, like crescent moons shimmering in spring water.

"Why a wolf instead of something else?" Killian’s gaze deepened as he looked at her.

"Actually, I was going to draw a kitten."

She blinked, scanning him from head to toe before offering a shy smile. "But I felt a wolf suited your vibe a bit better."

After speaking, she reached out and gently tapped the little gray wolf on his right hand.

"Killian, try clenching your fist slightly."

Killian was puzzled, but he did as he was told.

With that movement, the little wolf on his hand bent its waist slightly, performing a bowing gesture.

The meaning was crystal clear:

I'm sorry.

It was the first time Killian had seen such a way of apologizing. His cold, pursed lips quirked up slightly. "Childish."

Tara gave a sheepish laugh, then looked at him with eyes like stars reflecting the moon. "You smiled, so you’re not angry anymore, right?"

Killian’s gaze returned to the podium, his sharp profile resembling a cold, handsome marble statue.

"I wasn't angry. I told you, don't overthink it."

"Mhm, that’s good then."

For a while, the classroom was filled only with the old professor’s slow, difficult lecture.

Killian listened seriously for a bit, but after a moment, he couldn't help but look down at the little wolf again.

Possessed by some strange impulse, he clenched his fist once more, watching the silly, cute wolf perform its bow.

No matter how you look at it, it’s childish,

he thought to himself, yet a faint smile uncontrollably tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Wait, is there still one student missing from your class?"

After class ended, the old professor was about to pack up and leave when he suddenly spoke.

"Professor, Sean is on leave," Shaun stood up to explain.

"On leave? Didn't I say no leaves are allowed in my class? Even with a leave, participation points will be docked!"

The professor immediately lowered his head and began flipping through the roster, muttering to himself, "Good, it’s that Sean again..."

Tara couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Killian, I think I have a stomachache and need to use the restroom. Wait for me in the classroom; don't leave without me."

Without waiting for his answer, she pulled a few tissues from her bag and, taking advantage of the professor docking points from her unlucky brother, quickly sprinted out toward the ladies' room.

Because it was the peak time after class, Tara was gone for quite a while.

By the time she returned to the classroom, almost everyone was gone, leaving only two figures.

One was Killian, and the other...

Tara recognized her as the school belle, Janine.

Right now, the two were talking face-to-face, seemingly not noticing Tara peeking from the doorway.

"I don't like sweets. Take it back."

Killian’s voice rang out, sounding icy and devoid of emotion.

"Is that so? My apologies," Janine’s voice sounded a bit awkward. "I didn't know you didn't like sweets. Next time I'll bring some—"

"No need," Killian interrupted her abruptly. Footsteps followed, as if he were about to leave.

"Wait a moment."

The sound of feet scuffing against the floor echoed, accompanied by Janine’s urgent, shaky voice. "Killian, I really like you. I've liked you for three years. Could you please reconsider?"

Tara, standing at the door, froze.

Am I witnessing someone trying to steal my man?

"Besides, what is so wrong with me?" Janine’s voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears, filled with grievance and indignation.

"In terms of looks, I’m considered the prettiest in this school, aren't I?"

"And in terms of family background, I'm not lacking. Although I can't compare to your family, mine is still one of the top prestigious families in this city. If you were with me—"

"You can't!"

Tara couldn't take it anymore. Unable to hide any longer, she shot out from the doorway like a little rocket.

She ran between Janine and Killian, decisively prying away Janine’s hand that was shamelessly clinging to his arm. Then, like a small animal protecting its food, she shielded Killian behind her.

"He's already mine. You can't do this," she said, looking at Janine warily.

Looking at the petite figure that had suddenly blocked his path, Killian was also slightly stunned.

The faint scent of Begonia flowers drifted into his senses, and the irritability in his heart strangely dissipated because of it.

He didn't speak; he just quietly looked down, his attention completely captured by the soft crown of her head.

"You—" Janine looked at the suddenly appearing Tara, her expression ugly. "What did you say?"

"I said, he is already my boyfriend." Tara stared back at her shocked and furious gaze. Though she was a bit scared, she bravely glared back.

"So, please stop bothering him, okay?"

After speaking, she didn't look at Janine again. Instead, she turned around, wrapped her arms tightly around Killian’s lean waist, and looked up at him uneasily.

"Killian, you promised me that day, remember?"

He promised to try with her first, to simulate what it’s like to date.

And right now, they are still in the trial phase...

Tara looked at him piteously, emphasizing her point nervously: "People shouldn't be unfaithful or break their word. Are you going to regret it?"

The sensation at his waist was soft and warm.

The way she looked up at him was like an innocent fawn in the forest, making one's heart soften at the sight.

Killian curled his lips slightly. He raised his hand, his thumb gently brushing over her lovely, elegant brows. After a long moment, he whispered, "I won't regret it."

"You... you two..."

Watching this intimate and eyesore of a scene, Janine’s eyes suddenly reddened, and she left in a state of distress.

However, the poisonous and resentful look she gave before leaving made Tara’s heart tremble slightly.

"Aren't you going to let go?"

A few seconds later, Killian spoke.

Tara snapped back to reality and released his waist, taking a small step back.

"Um," her cheeks were flushed, her voice becoming as quiet as a mosquito's buzz due to her shyness. "Sorry, I was just afraid you’d forgotten, so I..."

She trailed off and lowered her head, silently reflecting.

Was I too aggressive just now? Did I scare him?

Will he find me too bold and look down on me? Will he suddenly suggest ending the trial?

As her mind raced, she saw him suddenly step closer. He leaned down, his handsome face magnifying before her eyes.

"Tara,"

His sharp, attractive eyes tilted upward, looking strangely roguish. Those deep, dark eyes, like deep pools, stared fixedly at her.

"Do you really like me that much?"

This was a distance where their breaths mingled.

Tara stared blankly at his teasing, smiling eyes, unable to help but swallow nervously.

Do I like him?

Tara asked herself, and the answer was probably no.

Call her unscrupulous or call her heartless.

The only reason she did all this was to become his girlfriend and have a legitimate right to restrain him.

After all, through their physical resonance, she knew his most private secrets and habits—many of which were too embarrassing to speak of.

But if she became his girlfriend, it would be different.

No matter how embarrassing those things were, as his girlfriend, she would have the right to intervene.

Of course, one shouldn't be a total jerk; since she pursued him, she would definitely take responsibility for him.

She would try to truly fall for him.

But at least for now, she hadn't developed that feeling of "liking" him yet. It was more of a sense of achievement from completing a mission.

She didn't know which part of her act had given Killian that impression.

But didn't that prove her current method of pursuit was very successful?

With that thought...

"Yes," Tara nodded heavily. She suddenly looked up, meeting his gaze earnestly, and said word for word: "I like you... I like you very, very much!"