When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira caught Orion's deep gaze and suddenly found herself breathless.

Her eyelashes fluttered, "We're just... just friends, you know?"

Wasn't that what he had always said?

They were just friends.

And he had always treated her more like a sister.

Orion, noticing her demeanor, licked his molar and stood up, "Let's go."

He led the way, his handsome features betraying no emotion.

Lemira trailed a step behind, maintaining a deliberate distance.

Thaddeus and Matthew lagged at the back. Matthew looked anxious, itching to step forward and say something, but Thaddeus held him back.

Thaddeus whispered, "Dude, can you not stir things up, please?"

Matthew was like an uncontrollable husky, impossible to hold back.

This was not the time to make things worse.

Matthew, driven by curiosity, couldn't help but ask, "They're really not together?"

After all these months, his brother still hadn't won the girl over? That's pretty lame!

"It's not happening between them."

"Why not?"

"Because Lemira, she's just that..."

Thaddeus didn't finish.

Matthew with his earnest puppy eyes: "Come on, you can trust me. I won't spill."

Thaddeus gave him a look, pressing his face, "And why should I trust you, of all people?"

Matthew, notorious for not keeping secrets, nearly caused Thaddeus to slip.

Matthew was all curiosity. Did she have some secret identity? Or was it her ordinary family background they couldn't mention?

The group proceeded to leave.

Lemira checked her phone; Janice had messaged her, asking where she was.

She glanced back at the others, "I need to head back to campus. My friend is waiting."

Matthew broke free from Thaddeus, "Hey, Lemon, I'll be in Orvin this weekend. Let's grab a burger and maybe play some video games together." "We'll see. It might be fun to team up for a game."

Lemira thought playing games might be a good way to test if Matthew was the person she suspected.

Turning back, she noticed Orion standing there, an imposing presence.

She lowered her gaze, not saying anything, and then turned and ran off.

Orion stood still, watching Lemira's retreating figure, his tongue flicking against this cheek, his gaze intense.

Was she avoiding him?novelbin

At that moment, Matthew rushed up, full of gossip, "Bro, you haven't won her over yet? Come on, that's weak."

Orion gave him a glance, "Why is she asking you to play video games?"

"Because I'm good at it. I'll go to the campus club and have her back. Who would dare mess with her then?"

"She doesn't need your backing."

Orion walked off, face stern.

Matthew, confused, got a slap from Thaddeus, "Do you ever get it? Why are you inviting Lemira to play games?"

"I was just trying to help."

"You're just dragging him down."

Didn't he see Orion couldn't even keep his cool?

Thaddeus thought about their relationship, feeling a headache coming on.

He hoped they'd end up together but was worried about Lemira finding out about that thing.

---

After reuniting with Janice, Lemira returned to school.

Janice was all excitement during the walk, "When you talked about

making it to the finals next year ki at

was so cool. We were all pumped up, like we were on a high.

"Yeah, we'll work hard together. We have a chance."

In her previous life, Lemira had led her team to the finals. With

like-minded teammates, sheel

do it again.

But Lemira was distracted.

Su

She kept thinking about what Orion had said, asking her about their relationship.

Wasn't it obvious to him?

Why even ask?

Lemira gazed out the dorm window, her silhouette reflected on the glass, her features indistinct.

Back in her room, after a shower, she lay down.

The club's group chat was buzzing with discussions about the day and future competitions.

Lemira skimmed through the messages, then noticed Orion had sent her a text.

[Only my girlfriend gets to check my phone.]

[So, you want to check?]

Seeing those messages, Orion's face inexplicably flashed before her eyes.