Chapter 7: 7. Pride
Seeing her spacing out, he thought that she was thinking about this cringy plot.
Hearing her statement, he burst out laughing, covering his eyes.
"I'm only sixteen, and even I feel too old for this crappy plot."
She smiled warily and realized he really wasn't fifteen anymore. But that measly year did nothing to help her feel less guilty.
"I will have to pretend to fall in love with you at first sight tomorrow; please don't take it to heart, I'm not after kids."
"Oh?" he asked, standing up slowly, propping himself up against the couch table and coming closer to her with his handsome face.
He thought she would at least blush or avert her eyes.
But she did nothing, looking ahead blankly and waiting for what could follow this little charade, ready to knock him out if he went over the line.
He coughed and sat back on the couch, looking a bit embarrassed. He was certain of his own looks; therefore, he made sure to look dirty when going out pickpocketing to avoid trouble. But that old lady was really not fazed. He was relieved; if his teammate harbored some unusual thoughts, he would have to abandon her in the future. The little twinge of annoyance he felt was a bit because of his manly pride.
"I'm telling the truth; you don't have to worry about me getting handsy with you." She meant it.
Paige really felt freaked out having to be surrounded by teenagers. If she encountered them on the street on the rare occasions of going out, she would directly change the road. Their laughter made her deeply insecure, even if they didn't talk about her.
She shuddered; tomorrow was the day... she had to be in a building with them, in a room, a class.
Paige really felt like drinking, but firstly, there was a minor at home, and secondly, she was a minor herself. So she sighed again, feeling that since becoming fifteen once more, she had aged twenty years through stress. And this was just the first day.
"Let's go ahead at different times and meet before school tomorrow, then follow me, and we will act out the scene; is that okay with you?"
He made an 'ok' sign and went into the kitchen.
"Good night." He heard as she went back to her own room.
It was really strange; on one hand, she saw him as a kid, but on the other hand, she stuffed him with money, not even caring if he had eaten.
"How irresponsible." He muttered, making himself the simplest form of tomato rice with eggs. He cooked rice, and when it wasn't all too soggy, he put two chopped tomatoes on top, then two fried eggs above. It was not fantastic, but it was filling; he was happy with his new life and somewhat anticipated the first act.
Paige wanted to read something before going to bed, but she really couldn't. It was as if she were traumatized by novels; if she opened the book and read a few sentences, she asked herself if this would be her next mission.
She just gave up and put her stony face on the bed, waiting for sleep to come. She was a bit hungry, but the system required her to slim down because the villainess had to be slim and beautiful.
'Then why make her fat in the first place?' But she could be content with everything so far.
The male lead was not drug-addicted—who in their right mind even makes a minor a drug addict in the first chapter?
Was not raped...??? Why had she read this garbage novel? She would take care of him until his family and the female lead took over. He was special—not only the way he looked; she didn't have to fuss over him... But somehow she had to, though?
Wasn't there imprisonment and behavior unsuitable for children behind every corner? However, he had the male lead halo, so it would be fine with a few adjustments, she told herself.
'I want to go home; I don't like it here.'
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone