The fresh air outside the hospital felt surprisingly nice.
After everything that had happened—the fight, the injuries, the endless visitors, and the emotional disasters disguised as conversations—it felt good to simply walk.
Of course, peace never lasted.
"Let's grab a coffee before we head back."
Ryan's suggestion had sounded perfectly normal.
Reasonable, even.
Which was exactly why I hadn't suspected anything.
Now, sitting across from Ryan and Leo in a café, I realized I had been deceived.
Completely deceived.
"Rin."
Ryan stirred his drink casually.
"Be honest."
I already knew where this was going.
"Are you dating Professor Lena?"
"..."
There it was.
The trap.
I slowly set down my coffee.
"Can I leave?"
"No."
"Then can I hit you?"
"Also no."
Leo nodded seriously.
"Violence isn't the answer."
"Then stop asking stupid questions."
Neither of them looked remotely discouraged.
In fact, Ryan looked delighted.
The bastard.
