"Kobe, wait for me for a moment, I'm going to the restroom."
Sophia Laurent adjusted her hair slightly as she spoke, her expression calm, but her thoughts already racing. Her makeup had smudged a little, and she wanted an excuse to fix it.
More importantly, she needed a moment alone.
She planned to take a quick photo with the Channel bag and post it on her WeMessage Moments.
'I definitely can't take pictures in front of Kobe Gray… I'll just slip away for a bit.'
Girls her age all had a bit of vanity. There was always that quiet desire to be admired, envied even, by classmates and friends.
Kobe Gray didn't think much of it. He simply assumed she genuinely needed the restroom.
After she left, he wandered casually along the row of shop windows, hands in his pockets, glancing at displays without really seeing them.
A few moments later, a voice came from behind him.
"Hello, are you Kobe Gray?"
He turned.
Brianna Monroe stood there, still dressed in the cosmetics store uniform. He recognized her immediately as the cashier from earlier.
"Yeah, that's me. You were…"
< DING >
[ The system has detected that the host is interacting with a member of the opposite sex. ]
[ Current heartbeat: 20. Binding conditions met. ]
[ Binding successful. ]
Kobe froze for half a second.
'What kind of system is this? It activates instantly? No delay at all?'
Still, he had to admit something.
Brianna Monroe was attractive.
He had noticed her earlier in the store. There was something familiar about her face, though he couldn't quite place it.
Up close, the effect was even stronger.
The cosmetics store uniform was clearly designed to catch attention. The fitted white shirt clung tightly to her figure, the buttons straining slightly, while her short pleated skirt showed off her long, fair legs.
She stood confidently, aware of the impression she made.
Kobe's thoughts shifted.
Since Sophia Laurent was no longer a valid cashback target, he had already been thinking about finding someone new.
And now…
'Right when I needed it, someone shows up.'
Perfect timing.
"I'm a sales clerk at the cosmetics store," Brianna said with a bright smile. "And also your senior. My name is Brianna Monroe."
As she spoke, she subtly straightened her posture, her confidence obvious.
The name clicked instantly.
'Brianna Monroe… isn't that Isabella Sinclair's roommate?'
Without hesitation, Kobe pulled up her information through the system.
Name: Brianna Monroe
Age: 19
Favorability: 30
Identity: Student, Chinese Department, Oxford High
Height: 162 cm
Weight: 51 kg
That confirmed it.
Isabella Sinclair was also in Chinese literature. They had to be roommates.
Kobe's gaze lingered for a brief moment before he looked away.
Although Brianna Monroe was undeniably attractive, the connection to Isabella Sinclair left a faint sense of distaste.
Still…
She was useful.
"Did you need something?" he asked.
Brianna hesitated slightly, then spoke.
"Kobe, I've heard about what happened between you and Isabella Sinclair."
Kobe's expression immediately cooled.
'Here we go…'
He could already guess what was coming.
Probably some lecture about reality. About how love without money meant nothing. About how he should know his place.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Relax. From now on, she and I have nothing to do with each other. I won't bother her, and she shouldn't bother me."
He turned to leave.
But Brianna quickly stepped in front of him.
"No, you've misunderstood!"
Her tone was urgent, almost anxious.
"I actually wanted to say… I've never liked her behavior. I think you deserve to see her for who she really is and stop getting involved with her."
Kobe paused.
That… wasn't what he expected.
"As her roommate, I want to apologize to you on her behalf."
Before he could respond, Brianna bowed deeply.
The sudden gesture caught him completely off guard.
"Wait… she treated me like that, and you're apologizing?" he muttered.
"You're not even related to her…"
But despite himself, his gaze dropped.
The angle made things… hard to ignore.
The ravine between the two hills was now clearly visible, making Kobe Gray's mouth go dry.
He quickly looked away, clearing his throat.
This was the first time he had ever been this close to someone like this in real life.
'First day of university… and this happens?'
'One girl shopping with me… another practically throwing herself at me…'
Maybe college life really was as good as people said.
"Senior…"
After a moment, he stepped forward and helped her straighten up.
"You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."
His face was slightly red now, and he avoided her eyes.
Brianna noticed everything.
A small smile flickered across her lips.
She stepped closer, closing the distance between them, her voice soft and almost teasing.
"There are plenty of girls at our university who are just as good as her. Some are even better."
She tilted her head slightly, her eyes meeting his.
"You're outstanding, Kobe. You deserve someone better."
She gave him a playful wink.
Kobe blinked.
'Wait… is she serious?'
For a split second, he almost believed her.
But then he saw it.
The bright "20" hovering above her.
That number snapped him back to reality.
Twenty points.
Not even friendship level.
Definitely not affection.
'So she's acting.'
'She must have seen everything earlier… the bag, the money…'
It all made sense now.
She had been watching from nearby. Waiting for her chance.
'So she wants a piece of it too.'
Kobe exhaled quietly.
'Fine. If that's how it is… I'll play along.'
And besides…
She was Isabella Sinclair's roommate.
This could get interesting.
His expression shifted instantly, turning into something more subdued, almost wounded.
"Senior… you probably don't know this, but Isabella Sinclair was my first love."
His voice lowered slightly.
"I really believed in us. I had expectations… but she treated me like that…"
He let the sentence trail off.
"I don't think I'll ever take the initiative to like someone again."
He deliberately stressed the word "initiative."
Brianna took the bait immediately.
"Then… the girl you were with earlier?"
Kobe sighed softly.
"She's been pursuing me. She even invited me to dinner at the Oxford Hotel tonight."
He shook his head.
"But I'm not ready for a relationship right now. We're not even together."
"I just felt… since she was being sincere, I should at least return the gesture."
Understanding dawned on Brianna's face.
In her mind, everything clicked neatly into place.
Kobe Gray wasn't just rich.
He was low-key. Reserved. The type who didn't flaunt his wealth.
Sophia Laurent had simply shown a bit of initiative… and he responded with generosity.
'If that's all it takes…'
Her heart raced slightly.
What if she pushed a little harder?
"Kobe…"
She stepped closer again, her voice soft, almost shy now.
"Would you mind… having another suitor?"