Chapter Thirty-Seven: What Are You Throwing a Tantrum About? (Please Keep Reading)

"Why are you here?"

"Because..."

Love, that trite, cliché thing called love.
Yet my heart is thumping wildly.
Why am I like this?
Why am I so troubled by love?
...

Karina recalled the lyrics to that song. Because she was troubled by love, because she wanted to see him.

"Wasn't it you who said you wanted to meet?"
"I just wanted to see you one more time before winter ended."

Lin Shouxia scratched his head. He hadn't been clear on the phone, and it seemed he had caused a misunderstanding. But... let it be. Perhaps an unexpected meeting would be better than any carefully prepared plan.

"Well, since I'm already here, are you going to chase me away?"
"How could I?" Looking at that unfairly beautiful face, Lin Shouxia scratched his cheek with his index finger, licked his lips, and put on a helpless expression.

Tsk, he really couldn't say no to her.

In truth, how could he possibly chase away a girl who had come all this way just to see him? He was just a little surprised, and felt a touch of emotion he didn't quite know how to put into words. He liked Karina, and he liked seeing the expressions she made when she finally relaxed—the occasional silly grin, the rare moments of frustration.

"Have you eaten dinner yet?"

Lin Shouxia calculated the time. Ever since Karina got off work, she had been at his place making ramen, and then rushed all the way back here. There hadn't been enough time for the girl to find food to fill her stomach.

"No. Do you think I had time for that?"
"I was planning to just grab something at the dormitory, but then your phone call dragged me out..."

She looked up at the man in front of her with a resentful little gaze. Karina felt a bit depressed; this guy had brought a coat and a hat, but he hadn't even thought to bring a single piece of candy. She was starving.

"What do you want to eat?" Lin Shouxia pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling awkward. Put that way, it seemed it really was his fault that Karina was hungry.

"I want to eat..."

Halfway through her sentence, as if realizing something terrible, Karina immediately lowered her head, swallowing the word "ramen" that was about to slip out. She had just managed to dodge the awkward chore of cooking ramen for him right in front of his face; did she really want to bring it up again and have him relive the special implications of a woman cooking ramen for a man?

"I don't know what I want to eat either."
"Then let's just go for a walk."

The man naturally extended an invitation to stroll together. Pretending not to care, he placed his hat on the girl's head and walked ahead in a hurry. His face felt hot—he was probably blushing, and he couldn't let Karina see his current embarrassment. Holding onto that thought, he walked faster and faster, eventually drawing a complaint from the girl.

"This guy..."
"What is he throwing a tantrum about now?"

Watching the man walk further and further away, Karina had to quicken her pace, but he seemed to be dodging her.

"Hey, can you wait for me?" A bit angry, Karina stopped in her tracks, her beautiful, annoyed eyes locked onto the man.

If only she had a weapon handy, she would really love to beat this guy to death. He had already eaten ramen, while she hadn't had a single bite of food. Is this how you go for a walk with a girl? Is this a race-walking competition, or... a date?

The man leading the way finally stopped. He patted his face, which was cooling down in the chilly wind, and turned around to walk toward the pouting girl.

It was strange, really. It felt like every time she met Lin Shouxia, Karina encountered a different side of him. Especially after last night... The man seemed to be trying to confirm something, constantly performing actions that were easily misinterpreted.

Karina had never rejected these tests. On the contrary, she enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere she felt when she was with him. Just like now.

To prevent him from walking away silently again, Karina took the initiative to link her arm through his. She rubbed her palm against his fuzzy coat several times, a mischievous smile appearing on her face. The man just lowered his head, looking at their linked arms. As if he had confirmed something, a very happy smile spread across his face.

Is this liking?
Is it... liking?

Really, why is there no reaction at all?

Karina frowned, looking at the man who hadn't dared to move for a long while, feeling perplexed. Regardless of his attitude toward her, why was he standing so still? It made it impossible for her to guess what he was thinking.

But that was fine. Since Lin Shouxia wasn't reacting, there was no need to keep holding his arm.

Feeling the arm that had been close to him slipping away, Lin Shouxia’s once-calm face became restless. He reached out and grabbed her hand, holding her warm, soft palm. As he glanced elsewhere, his face flushed red.

"Is something wrong?"

The girl's tone sounded cold, but her inner calm, which had been undisturbed until now, felt as if a small stone had been tossed into it, sending ripples spreading out. Feigning composure, she licked her lips, trying to use the small gesture to distract herself.

"Hm?"
"Nothing is wrong."

With a flushed face, Lin Shouxia sniffled and tucked her small, chubby hand into his pocket as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His fingers gently stroked her soft, fleshy hand, and he felt an indescribable sense of peace in his heart. It was just... he wasn't entirely steady.

"Shouxia?"
"Hm?"
"Your face looks like you could fry an egg on it."
"It's a bit hot."
"Yeah, I can see that." Karina looked at his face and couldn't help but smile.

This silly, endearing man was exactly her type. The temperature of their palms transmitted a signal of comfort. Even though they maintained a silent agreement for a while, those two tightly clasped hands became the bridge of their emotions. Lin Shouxia would restlessly rub the back of her hand with his thumb, and not to be outdone, Karina would gently squeeze the hand that was much larger than her own.

She enjoyed being valued and taken care of.

The leader of aespa was actually someone who liked to act spoiled. It was only because of her position in the group and the harsh circumstances she currently faced that she couldn't act spoiled with her members, let alone share her inner thoughts with everyone.

In moments like these, having someone stay by her side felt wonderful. He made her feel the stability of being cared for and valued. He would also protect her at the right time, shielding her from harm.

She loved every minute and every second spent with this person. She cherished every single meeting with him.

Some things could be hidden from those around her, but they could... never be hidden from her own heart.

She liked the boy by her side.
She didn't want to be his "older sister."
She only wanted to be his girlfriend.