chapter 2
Curious, I asked, “Have people really hurt you just to win over the male lead?”
She nodded and began listing examples without changing her expression.
“Among other things, they’ve slipped laxatives into my food the day before an exam, thrown milk tea on me in front of him, insulted me over the campus PA system, and run me down with a bicycle…”
I stared at her, dumbfounded. Suddenly, that kick outside the library made perfect sense.
“Those players are awful!” I cried indignantly.
She nodded again.
“So, Player, swear to heaven that you will never hurt me.”
I raised my fingers without hesitation and made my vow in a ringing voice.
“I will never hurt you. Whoever dares to break your wings, I’ll tear down their heaven!”
The second female lead: “…You truly are the most unusual player I’ve ever met.”
And just like that, we made peace and kicked the male lead straight out of our world.
I thought this would be the beginning of our growing closer.
Instead, it was the beginning of my suffering.
I drew up an elaborate campaign to capture her heart one step at a time. And yet—
Me: “Let’s go see a movie!”
Her: “I have to study. Hard pass.”
Me: “I’ll treat you to a feast!”
Her: “I have to study. Hard pass.”
Me: “A new amusement park just opened nearby—”
Her: “I have to study. Hard pass.”
Me: “Now you won’t even let me finish. [smiles manually]”
Aaaaargh! Why did my wifey spend every waking moment studying?
On the despair of trying to seduce someone whose brain contained nothing but academics.
Her devotion to her studies shook me to my core, so I changed tactics. I stopped interrupting her work.
Instead, I accompanied her to and from class every day, studied beside her at the library, and ate with her at the cafeteria.
My new strategy was simple: companionship was the longest confession of love.
But calamity strikes without warning.
One day, we ran into the male lead.
I was taking her to the library on my little electric scooter when a luxury car shot out of nowhere. I couldn’t brake in time and crashed right into it.
A man stepped out. Above his head floated two enormous words: MALE LEAD.
His handsome face and the dazzling aura of wealth nearly blinded me.
“Are you all right?” he asked with concern.
I shook my head to show I was unhurt.
At the same time, I couldn’t help blurting, “You’re really handsome.”
The male lead: “…”
The second female lead: “…”
But the next second, I gazed tenderly at her and thought, No matter how handsome he is, he’ll never compare to my wifey.
The male lead followed my gaze and finally noticed her.
He smiled. “Long time no see.”
Alarm bells exploded in my head.
Holy crap! Did the male lead have a thing going with my wife?
She frowned impatiently.
“Then was it a ghost who came to copy my homework last night? Give it back when you’re done. It’s due tomorrow.”
His entire demeanor changed. He dropped to the floor, clung to her leg, and wailed.
“My lady, give me one more day! I haven’t finished copying it yet!”
Me: “?”
So the male lead was simply deranged.
All at once, I felt extremely confident about my mission.