To Be Antagonist Girl

7:flower

Noah bent down to accept the candy offered by Elowen, his ears turning a slight shade of red. Suddenly, he felt as if the small, cute candies in his hand were burning slightly. The warmth spread from his palm, causing his heart to become uncontrollably restless.

Elena, her delicate hand holding a pencil, doodled on the paper while supporting her chin with the other hand. She murmured with a smile, "Since Alia is back... the game should begin."

A knock echoed through the room. "Knock, knock."

"Elena, are you asleep?" Ethan's voice called out.

Elena immediately jumped up from her chair in front of the desk, opened the door, and revealed a big smile. "Brother~"

Ethan, dressed in his pajamas, handed the book to Elena. "Here's the book you asked for yesterday. I've finished reading it."

"Ah, thank you, brother~!" Elena exclaimed, taking the book and then hugging Ethan, wrapping her arms around his neck.

After Elena let go, Ethan coughed lightly. "Go to bed early."

"Okay!" Elena nodded happily and earnestly. After closing the door, Ethan stood outside for a while, lost in thought.

Elena had always liked intimate physical contact with her brother since she was little. Over the years, Ethan was the only one who could accept this kind of behavior from her. However, now they had both grown up. Elena was no longer the little girl she used to be, and certain features were becoming more apparent.

Though it wasn't autumn yet, Elena's pajamas were very thin. When she hugged him just now, the softness of her body and the fragrance of a young girl made Ethan feel a bit awkward. After a while, Ethan adjusted his glasses and returned to his room.

They had grown up together as family. She was closer to him than their parents, and she relied on him the most. He never wanted to see her disappointed, no matter what.

Meanwhile, Elena leaned back against the door, spinning the book on her finger rapidly. Listening to the footsteps fading away outside, her lips curved into a mischievous smile. "It's about to start, my dear brother. Didn't you say I was the most important person in your life? Then I'll really become the most important person to you, so important that you can't let go..."

In Sunvale City, at Alia's home, Alia stood in front of her wardrobe, contemplating what to wear on the first day of school. It wasn't that she had too many clothes to choose from; Alia was considering what kind of clothes would look good yet not too aggressive, making her endearing.

Extending a fair, slender finger, Alia hooked the collar of a white dress, lifting it up. "It's been a long time since I wore this," she murmured, squinting her eyes slightly, looking like a lazy Persian cat.

The time on her phone showed that it was almost three o'clock. The ringtone sounded, and Alia pressed the call button. Elena's voice came from the other end of the phone. "Alia, the information you wanted has been sent over."

Alia: "Really? The money has been transferred to the other party's account, and all traces have been removed?"

Elena: "Oh, you underestimate me. Everything is perfectly clean."

Alia: "That's good to hear."

A smile curved at the corners of Alia's mouth.

After hanging up, Alia went to her room to check the email sent by Elena. After reviewing everything, she deleted the email, closed the computer, stood up, and faced the afternoon sun outside the window, taking a deep breath.

Alia: "What a beautiful afternoon. I should head to my part-time job."

Seraphina has been feeling quite troubled lately due to issues that have arisen in her relationship with her boyfriend of one year.

Both she and her boyfriend come from wealthy families, and despite genuinely loving him, her pride and dignity prevent her from trying to hold onto a man whose heart has changed.

Although Seraphina is well-known at school and is constantly surrounded by people, she finds it difficult to find someone with whom she can truly connect.

At this moment, she doesn't even have anyone to confide in... It's true, for people like them, genuine emotions are a luxury.

That's why she has spent several days sitting and staring blankly in a park in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

A couple of days ago, she would shed tears, but now she has cried so much that she has no tears left.

After all, no one here knows her, so she doesn't have to worry about being seen. Once she's done crying, she can return home and still be the proud Seraphina.

Today, however, is a bit different. Seeing a strange girl suddenly appear in front of her, Seraphina feels a bit odd.

Seraphina: "For me?"

Looking at the flowers the girl hands over, Seraphina is somewhat surprised.

Alia: "Yes."

The girl with black curly hair smiles gently, a warmth in her smile that Seraphina has never been able to possess, and she is momentarily captivated.

Alia: "I've seen you here for the past few days."

The girl softly explains.

Alia: "Our shop is right here, would you like to come in and take a look?"

Seraphina follows her gesture and sees a warmly decorated flower shop.

It turns out she has been sitting right in front of the shop's entrance, no wonder the girl has noticed her.

Realizing this, Seraphina feels a bit embarrassed, and under the girl's gentle smile, she nods.

Seraphina: "Okay."

The flower shop isn't very big, but it's filled with different varieties of flowers, all well-maintained. Seraphina bends down to look, and her mood unconsciously improves a bit.

Seraphina: "Is this your shop?"

Seraphina turns to look at the girl who is standing behind the counter.

Alia: "No."

The girl, who is bending over to find something, straightens up to explain.

Alia: "I'm just working here part-time."

Seraphina: "I see..."

Seraphina nods, not asking further. Part-time work is something far removed from her.

After a while, the girl asks her.

Alia: "Have you ever pruned flowers before?"

Seraphina walks to the counter where a pot of flowers, whose name she doesn't know, is blooming with delicate petals amidst dense greenery, looking very beautiful.

Seraphina: "No."

Seraphina shakes her head, watching the girl's actions.

She is using tools to trim the excess branches.

Alia: "I've always felt that these flowers are alive, and every cut I make, they must feel pain."

Seraphina: "But why do you continue to prune them?"

Her curiosity piqued by the discrepancy between the girl's words and deeds, Seraphina inquires.

The girl lifts her gaze to meet Seraphina's, offering a gentle smile in response.

Alia: "It's quite clear, isn't it? By removing the unhealthy branches, we ensure healthier growth for the plant."

Seraphina: "Indeed, that makes sense..."

A sense of unease washes over Seraphina, feeling as though she's posed a redundant question.

Alia diverts her attention from Seraphina, turning her focus back to the task of trimming the branches.

Alia: "It may cause pain in the moment, but it leads to better outcomes, much like the trials of life..."

Seraphina absorbs these words, lost in thought, until the pruning is complete and the girl hands her the now-trimmed pot of flowers.

Alia: "This is a gift for you."

Seraphina: "You..."

Seraphina gazes directly into her eyes, her curiosity urging her to inquire about the motive behind the gesture. Raised amidst a backdrop of deceit, she finds such acts of kindness disquieting.

With a warm and genuine smile lighting up her clear eyes, Seraphina beamed for the first time in days, clutching the flower.

Seraphina: "Thank you."

Alia: "You're welcome."

The girl with the ebony curls remained consistently gentle, bidding Seraphina farewell with a graceful wave.

Alia: "It was owed, after all."

She whispered, her gaze following Seraphina's retreating figure.