Everyone is Obsessed With Me (reupload)

Chapter 25

As the sun set down on the horizon, stars began adorning the sky like paint drops on a canvas. The gentle night breeze brushed across his pale skin, causing him to shiver lightly. The stone path below his feet seemed to stretch farther the longer he walked. Like a shimmering pond, filled with various rare aquatic animals, the sound of the rustling wind was the only thing that he could hear.

He did not think the night was going to be cold, so he only wore a thin nightgown. He grimaced at every step, but he could not go back, since it took him a lot of effort to leave his room. He knew he was being monitored, so he had no choice but to leave through the back door, which meant it would be a longer walk to the gazebo near the pond. The coldness of the night seemed to remind him of the future winter up ahead. Not only will it be cold, but it will also mark the year he turns 12.

Once he reached the gazebo, he glanced around and could not see anyone. The chilliness of the night made his mood unpleasant, so instead of waiting, he turned to leave. But just as he was about to step out, he was pulled behind a tree. He couldn't utter a sound as his mouth was pressed against a small palm.

Berenike pressed him against the tree and glanced around like a thief in the night. She cowered slightly, pressing her body close to his. The heat radiating against their bodies mingled, causing the chilly air to warm up slightly. Hanbal cringed and lightly pulled away, making sure to create a distance between him and the child.

"What?" He whispered as he pushed Berenike away.

Berenike glanced around a few more times before a breath escaped her lips. She looked at him with a smile and sat down on the grassy earth. She patted the spot beside her, but Hanbal remained standing against the tree. His eyes were cold, and his eyebrows knitted together in a confused knot.

"Why did you call me out here?"

Berenike glanced to the side for a moment, her eyes trailing side to side before a small, almost condescending smile made its way across her lips. She crossed her legs and hunched over conspiratorily.

"You're not from here, are you?" She smiled, her peach blossom eyes darkening.

Hanbal's frown twitched slightly before a cold smirk flashed onto his face.

"What gave it away?"

They both stared at each other for a moment before Berenike scoffed, as if the answer was obvious. This caused Hanbal's smile to twitch.

"Tell me, who are you?" Berenike glanced up at the question and smiled slyly.

"How about you guess?" She giggled softly - her words contradictory to her innocent face.

Hanbal thought of all the possibilities. Since he was a transmigrator, there was no way he would be the only one. However, from what he had observed - the way her eyes would fly from side to side as if she was reading something, the way she would pause before speaking, like someone asking for permission. He could only assume she was similar to him, but very different.

"A..." He decided to choose his words wisely. "A transmigrator?"

Berenike froze for a moment, which cemented his guess. She glanced up at him; a sneer stretched across her face.

"What gave it away?" She sneered and crossed her arms.

"Maybe if you acted better, I wouldn't have known."

"We only interacted a handful of times, and you already figured it out? Should I call you a genius or just lucky?" Hanbal scoffed and crossed his arms. He threw away all pretense and spoke mockingly.

"It doesn't take a genius to see through your acting."

Berenike glanced to the side once more. For a moment, she let go of all pretense and hunched over. Her posture made her look more like a thug, and less like the noblewoman she tried hard to portray herself to be.

"Very funny." She rolled her eyes once more.

"Thanks."

They sat in silence for a moment; the cold breeze felt even more chilly as the night flew by.

Berenike glanced up and bit her lips, her eyes searching his face.

"I, I need your help." She glanced to the side nervously.

"What?"

"I know you are not from here. I know you know about the book as well."

Hanbal stood silently.

"When did you figure it out?"

"That day in the forest. Hanbal - you weren't supposed to be there, so I just put two and two together."

Hanbal's eyebrow twitched, and for a brief moment, he thought, should I kill her?

He froze. His heart drummed loudly against his chest. The feeling of dread spread all over his body, causing him to feel cold. He could not believe such a thought ever crossed his mind. Why was this his first thought when encountering an issue?

Hanbal glanced nervously at Berenike, his palms becoming increasingly sweaty. Was he already being influenced by his environment? He needed to get out of here as quickly as possible.

"...What is it that you want?"

Berenike stood up and stepped closer to Hanbal. She was so close that he could feel her hot breath fanning the thin hairs on his face.

"I have missions I would need to complete." She whispered, "All I need is for you to help me complete them."

"What is in it for me?"

"Anything. I will help you with anything. Just tell me, and I will do it. I am not that stingy. Promise."

Hanbal thought for a moment before he smirked.

"What could you possibly help me with when you are out here begging for my help?"

Berenike swallowed thickly. She shoved herself closer to Hanbal and gripped his nightgown with sweaty palms.

"Anything! This could be a symbiotic relationship. I can be the mushroom and you the tree!" She rambled on, her voice growing louder.

"Mushroom?"

"Yes, yes! With your help, I can grow and in turn help you!"

"You are creative with your metaphors..."

"We'll be like mushrooms and trees! Or like leafcutters and ants! Or even better - "

"No, no. I understand what you meant." Hanbal felt as though this situation was too ridiculous to continue.

Berenike swallowed her saliva and waited, her eyes wide and pleading.

"I do not understand why you need my help when we are on the same boat."

"I, I," Berenike looked down, feeling ashamed. She spoke with great difficulty. "The book changed; I am no longer the heroine... But I still have to do things heroines are supposed to do!"

Hanbal could only look at her, feeling a pang of guilt in his chest. But it quickly went away. In his position, who was he to start pitying others?

"... I will think it through..." He finally said.

Berenike brightened up and smiled broadly. She let him go and sat back down on the grassy ground.

"I promise you will not regret it! I'll be the perfect mushroom! I swear it!" 

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MIGHT delete. Idk lol ^-^