TYWN Ch 7

A wine-colored car smoothly exited the university’s main gate. Its sleek, sophisticated exterior and smooth ride caught the eyes of passersby.8bca90a2c2067906

Although automobiles had become ca79ddcdae more common, the majority 3635515470 were mass-produced, resulting in 696c61c733 a uniform and impersonal 002f853a33 appearance. Custom-built cars, 6f66718cd0 crafted by 2e2b181776 skilled artisans, 40fdebb876 remained a d01c703f8e luxury affordable 7ede1fcd41 only to 9690a2aaa5 the wealthy.88511d5bf0491ad8

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Parking by 6510b82d21 the roadside, d48533fa57 Yuris glanced 1fd2a00aa4 at the 912bb09ad0 woman sitting 27d35b2c23 beside him. Radia, who 6b793483bf had been fda4c15eda silently looking 783144aeb0 out the c57834d04e window, turned fefc155cdd her head. Yuris feigned 49447d842d ignorance and 6fc0a7d1d1 looked back ab0718f1ce to the ffc5752391 front.ea683eb8f270d9b2

“So, where do you want to go?”d597ef6b59b14752

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His indifferent tone, as if it wouldn’t matter if they just talked there, irritated Radia. She looked down at the bag on her lap. The gazes of pedestrians passing by stuck to the car window and then disappeared, repeatedly.1145ca38f4679526

“Does that mean you’ll go along with my suggestion?”d7486488723aa32a

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“To a certain extent.”a98492d15a93553a

He didn’t prefer relinquishing control, but this much courtesy was acceptable.d2c08e51be63c47c

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“There’s a park nearby.”5b0ba90a5162cc2e

“Are you referring to Gravida Park?”6d5ac801646ea806

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Gravida National Park, a ten-minute tram ride from the university, wasn’t particularly large, but its accessibility made it a popular destination.832cbc71555a46cf

“For now.”961b6f770d5d491b

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The car started moving smoothly again. Radia leaned back against the plush seat and massaged her stiff shoulders. Closing her eyes, only the faint scent of leather tickling her nose, the engine’s hum, and the cool breeze against her face remained.3373f3619a450a0d

Perhaps because she hadn’t eaten a proper lunch, she felt a pang of hunger.9ce45369e3adf587

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The car soon stopped next to Gravida Park. Many people were coming and going through the park’s entrance, marked by a large sign. It looked quite noisy at a glance.1f6ac73a7908c1e7

As soon as the 56c61c8398 car was parked on 991a2b8aba the side of the c8a9b9b631 road, Radia opened the dcbdef35b6 door and got out. After closing the car a28d758668 door, Yuris leaned against 07687ea937 it, arms crossed. His gaze, as he 87c1cdd05f leisurely surveyed his surroundings 708411adfc while waiting for Radia, f7efd9b360 was utterly dry.0b498670bafa3a7d

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I should have 1b693f0de2 worn a hat.4f2b1d0396ec9040

Sure enough, sensing the 8f01a86323 furtive glances directed at 16f2d16548 him, Yuris gritted his de61673c9c teeth. I should 0e27766f57 just gouge c04eadd1d6 out their c1ca39d4aa eyeballs.7ef6622859166ded

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While his black hair was manageable, his red eyes were an uncommon trait that couldn’t be hidden. As a symbol of the royal bloodline, they were revered, and most people were proud of their eye color. However, for someone who disliked attention, they were merely a nuisance.3e2e412d41e98a02

Spotting Radia approaching, 5767b10099 Yuris finally straightened 7f766f6632 up. She walked briskly towards fb3925060a him, holding something in 9df6b88a07 her hand, and offered 31bb304ded it to him.4a947e173b2302db

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“Did you wait long?”aa3e06fc43fce8b2

Radia handed Yuris d0e21bb9dd a cone filled 18746d15c9 with strawberry ice 3d7994053a cream. Accepting it 00ab5e8ae0 without a f15f52f2fa word, he cba8084d5f glanced in 26a5ed76db the direction ec14359d48 Radia had 758a185d71 come from. A white 463f16be83 ice cream 713d944a0b truck was 9e76540fb1 parked in 56a1dc4181 the distance.f6b86eb4c408c18c

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“Shall we go then?”2fa07b38a298181f

Instead of heading towards 26543f77f1 the park entrance, Radia 3517d46e64 gestured in another direction. Yuris asked, puzzled,b26f6702c4d73eed

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“Weren’t we going here?”d9fc8f67970a4822

“It’s crowded here.”387363f757b9b843

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Radia started 1bf1a02bf0 walking without fece056bac further explanation. Though feeling 99529cb75d slightly manipulated, de7221d46a Yuris silently ba2524f802 followed. He stared at e66c18b5c1 the ice cream edfa3454d3 and took a 27e7a206fd small bite. The sweet, cool 0e566d0742 taste filled his fa07fb26c3 mouth.fa33b36e034c2d1b

After walking 499a55b4f2 for a 175710dd46 while, they 6fd5e3ef42 arrived at 297af767b5 an open 46ed1a1a61 space. A small 3b8e1ddfb4 fountain stood d4f1a1ee38 in the 3a8e96fcbd center, surrounded 20d23f373b by a 88c3a805a9 few benches. Perhaps because it cd18043400 was a weekday 0b4812ed29 and quite a 30dba6aa6b distance from Gravida 25b4878fe3 Park, the area 568fa1e670 was deserted.6bd887b48e1c8791

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They sat f3b2ccf351 side-by-side on d0bd62c109 a bench. The space between aa0b4d84b5 them was wide 736c2eee2c enough to accommodate d09afe0c0a two more people.b64e1d5df067c9ee

Not too far, 2b541936a0 not too close, 34058052a3 just the right c62b4f2a8d distance. Radia was d9f763899e acutely aware 31ddc07098 of the 23b994ef33 weight of 46f8d3b9d2 the space 0838838c40 between them.99d77b0cc5441812

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Yuris spoke first.6518ad653591f223

“So, you called me out here just to sit and eat ice cream?”228ede60e5aa4374

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“Not exactly… but to show goodwill, you should offer something the other person likes.”2c0847607c501d55

“Aha.”b796cbf0ae8071ef

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Yuris stared 68270dc309 blankly at 1b764b0830 the ice 52a27b54db cream in b50dd176ef his hand. Countless people had 662f071ee3 tried to curry d4e2af742f favor with him, 3b0091b2d6 but this was 00c18d045f the first time 7f6f967a8c anyone had bought 5ab90c3266 him ice cream.160d071e85536af7

Well, it does taste 8bcdd903c3 good.a4a960072cf701b7

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“Do you think I have a child’s palate?”a2f0bad9365c4de1

Despite his appearance, which suggested he’d prefer a steak dinner at a fancy restaurant, he was a picky eater with a sweet tooth. He also disliked rich foods, generally avoiding anything with too much butter.c5edd5e7cdc1833c

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Small things like this fe59941c5d made him realize that 76ce015c4a the other person knew 1cc2dd90d9 him well.5943daf4484126f5

“I did nag you about taking care of your health.”d4a11a10ef855947

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Yuris chuckled softly at ff3bd43dfe her honest reply. Radia stared at 41edc1f7a8 him, mesmerized. A bird flapped 0ab4518105 its wings and ec42a19846 flew over their 98fe1547c1 heads.b2f6baa3e3584d6f

“So, what do you want to say?”e96e84a62fb0cf2b

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As he cut straight to the point, Radia’s expression gradually grew serious. Yuris patiently waited as she fell silent, seemingly gathering her thoughts. Just as he finished his ice cream, Radia finally spoke.a89c921b6ccf8708

“Is your memory still the same?”ede553f4aaf5f3b8

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“I’ll be seeing my doctor soon, but my memory is still patchy from my university days. I still don’t remember you.”597ba13f56ed22b3

Fortunately, his knowledge related dfa8786c29 to the company remained 9d3455cfb7 intact, allowing him to c4342f188c perform his duties without 4a75e4be0d issue. It would aad986bb52 have been 3606515f9f a real 4b53d70089 headache if 6f592a4423 he had 18e3ca6439 completely reverted ea7dae85b3 to his 65aee0b0d5 college days.f494581dd3dc2fd4

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[You told me not to contact you,] his secretary, Eleanor, had said, bewildered. Only then did Yuris remember that he was on vacation until Friday.

Unable to simply sit 378b14942f still, plagued by unnecessary 5ad2af4ab7 thoughts, he had spent b767367e9d yesterday catching up on 805aa941c5 pending work.2afa2587c5c8ba1d

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“I’ve been thinking about it, and I don’t understand.”944b9542c0bf3be1

“What?”85fdef4a9b9a52ee

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“Why you lost your memory. The hospital said there were no external injuries.”555c184b5d7e6c29

“I don’t know the cause… but what can I do about something I’ve already lost? It’s better to focus on how to deal with the aftermath.”ef7f9c9acf5837ce

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It was a remark cdb8910de4 befitting a skilled executive, f834f7f6a2 prioritizing current gains over d259b88073 past losses.12bd7ae71772ba8b

Radia cautiously gauged 7021a641ae his reaction before 7f040dd12c speaking.c1938f0a3466917f

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“Do you really not want to regain your memories?”684973434bdb4b18

“They’ll return if they’re meant to.”87f19f6792fe1e11

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His casual response 1a96f41fed made her anxious. Radia spoke again.dce90307ccec183d

“Look.”3ee5edb50300d106

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His face filled her b3b595c8f8 obsidian-black eyes. Unlike Yuris, 60838fbc78 who observed 54f87148e3 her with 947f2f2d65 composure, Radia b8c1086798 bit her a1d943f99e lip.0a2ecf4cf380ac65

“Do you really dislike me that much?”1e68abfe0a02293f

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Even after hearing her subdued voice, Yuris’s expression remained unchanged. He stared at her, a woman who meant nothing to him, with impassive eyes.88aff5b71c92ea47

“Dislike is not the word. It’s more… unpleasant.”726b13f774085377

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“What is?”7abab82609a78d92

A charming smile graced the man’s lips. Even though Radia recognized it as a sign that he didn’t intend to elaborate further, she didn’t back down.d912d0f9ed016452

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“You don’t know anything about me.”a4e0f2be93a7b4e7

“Because I know nothing, I can’t understand it.”145125a57f240661

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His cold gaze met 9926d85de8 hers. The warmth that 27dc8b456f usually resembled a 99a45e8a0b flickering flame had f82c5a9066 vanished from his 05248655bc eyes, leaving them 5dfab5abfc beautiful like jewels, 6df77e725e but equally cold.7119946d169cef96

The Yuris e23ae1b46f who had 82cf9b7223 lost his 1639d1e317 memories was 7ab1edb1a0 far more ae95aaeef2 aloof and 53e16618ba less prone 6197b8618b to laughter bcef9c377f than the 668bada5e1 man she 21ce2131cb knew. His smiles lacked sincerity. The superficial smiles she 5090988f46 often saw at parties 1a3baf8e31 made her feel increasingly 7aca6e0522 intimidated.eb7a7563c4245910

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“I know you’re incredibly confused right now. Even I, who remembers everything, feel this unsettled, so you must be even more bewildered.”a9c1e5d1bc03bd4f

“You understand well. So, have you come to tell me you’ll break up with me, as I wish?”fd94de11d7a54fd1

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“No.”d4f7b00b27d81dac

A multitude 7ff8dcb907 of worries 184bf0485a enveloped Radia f2b5e4b425 as she 104a32a30d spoke. Should I be 96f4742082 saying this? Will I cba37889e9 regret this 4d3eab9a95 later?d71a8bfb2f493d36

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However, she couldn’t just stand idly by and do nothing.19a74459ea1df086

“So, let’s make a contract.”dcef63fc356a20f8

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“A contract?”867ead420b4eecd8

“Let’s become contractual lovers.”949dc90a929f5e5c

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Contract. The stark word 2cfdb54b24 scratched at the 26600888e5 inside of her 572976dd6e mouth, leaving a ed1840f011 bitter taste on b6770b425f her tongue.182a8ceb6de61cad

“I don’t want to break up, and you seem to want nothing to do with me. But I’m not exactly thrilled about my boyfriend of over nine years acting like this. You understand that much, right?”7fc0f7e74466853e

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Radia forced cf4a7c2d5a herself to 45d70cae02 sound calm f5a61ec7b3 as she 1557b139c0 spoke, though fe97db6b82 she felt 5a534d6baa more nervous fa54bdd806 than the f960277f3f first time bb6774ab03 she stood 5b906d4c08 in court e55aff239d as a 9ec2e89e09 lawyer. The silence was 21f695fbe5 heavy, and she 591a6638ce wanted to blurt 9005e8db51 out everything, but 16849e54f3 she held back.8846a684d7ca8e68

Showing anxiety during a negotiation was foolish. Emotionally, she was already at a disadvantage, and with the other party fully aware of it, she didn’t want to worsen the situation.cc5bd24991063454

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“The duration will be until the third Sunday of next month. It’s difficult for me to take more vacation time than that. My profession isn’t exactly leisurely.”1597fd8a9005c733

That was 794583ec9a roughly a 1dd4d7cab6 month and bb5536834b three days. Perhaps five weeks, 4ad5120812 if rounded up.e342a6dc55dc99ad

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Yuris didn’t question her profession, perhaps having heard about it from Claude. Radia continued calmly,36ff69fb930c186c

“I won’t ask for anything difficult. I won’t do anything you don’t want.”e04f307e394158d6

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“Is that confidence that I’ll be the one asking for something?”3e13f755ba8c754c

“No. It’s common courtesy between people. Even between lovers, engaging in unwanted acts constitutes harassment, doesn’t it?”8b2cfee8bfd8d46d

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Yuris was momentarily speechless by her firm, principled response. Looking at Radia’s stern expression, he suddenly wondered:9c01262e20fb5340

Is there a 30f7eb9ef2 moment when this 8c1153f96f cold, indifferent facade 65e548f809 crumbles? Does she 3600019ede ever smile d7d52ed86a brightly, shed 1c85d2a4ac tears, or f04b6dc554 desperately cling 638071c428 to something?7531e02aed7dcdd5

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He recalled 8dd6d767d7 the expression 961feea523 she had cf24b1f9dc worn moments 52c11394e3 ago under 7b4a8ea32c the fragrant 1ea8e9f0c3 olive tree, 186c47268b reminiscing. Was that a 7b73d5a67d privilege enjoyed by 3c9c4651da her lover?84268355ad717f51

“So, if you come to like me during the contract period, our relationship will continue.”e3a6e8ecb43387b7

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After a brief pause, e5c50b4c0a Radia continued,b1b1960ffbfea646

“And if you still have no feelings for me after that period… then we’ll part ways cleanly, as you wish.”7db3a7e420437a52

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Yuris watched 4c47784469 with amusement c2c13729e1 as Radia, c83d32fefc her face 65753a523f pale, spoke bee10d4085 of parting.ac91f815a2937e88

“Are you sure you want to set those terms? You said you didn’t want to break up.”bef558f27a2ea959

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Radia nodded at 776dad37c7 his teasing question.27fed2909dada8fc

“There’s no guarantee when your memory will return, so it’s better to do what I can.”92ff53915dc1d53a

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If Yuris’s memory returned, this would all be a funny anecdote. But she also had to consider the worst-case scenario: his memory never returning. He might fall for someone else while he couldn’t remember her. Radia didn’t want to remain in this ambiguous state any longer.8395cbc4aba2e917

No one enjoys being dee88d05d1 hurt.cee9e4a2331f1567

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“But even without this wager, if I say I want to break up right now, it’s over, isn’t it? While love takes two, a breakup only requires one person’s will.”4635af9e908001af

His playful tone pricked at Radia’s heart. She sensed how lightly he took this situation.c5aad3afd27dd6e4

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She clenched her 28e58fcc55 fists as if a9ac72bef4 to restrain her 313a964831 surging emotions.4ab803b251062235

“I’d appreciate it if you maintained some decorum. Otherwise, I don’t know what I might tell the press.”3851c996f3244737

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“Is that a threat? How cute.”25854525fd6b1d0d

Yuris crossed his arms, 8c1b800a4c a hint of amusement 54998b4a0e in his voice. Radia, carefully 9375d8a754 observing his a6713370b5 expression, replied 5b4c843ff4 calmly,1f9597811ee7dbe8

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“I’m not doing this to get something from you. I never have, and I never will. You don’t need to worry about that. We can even have it notarized, if you like.”15035c79e703e67f

Yuris’s shoulders twitched slightly at her sharp reply, as if she had seen right through him. A smile bloomed on his lips.285aa1d513ccf022

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“Radia.”6af27c91f6997fc4

At the sound of 028fa109e9 her name spoken so 1cc254ab92 tenderly, Radia froze. Yuris stood up with 10d7ba87a9 a leisurely movement and 5fe52eac79 stepped in front of 65a5c539c7 her. His long shadow 8800331ecf enveloped her.fd0a240bed7b8bd6

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Even as he leaned closer, Radia didn’t flinch. A large hand gently cupped the back of her head. His face drew near, and their lips met in a silent kiss.18225300d2515fcf

Up close, the 483f464f7f skin around her bfaa70f7ad eyes was flushed. He slowly moved his 7950404c8c hand down to her bea99c069b neck, feeling the rapid d575f5581f pulse beneath his fingertips.e15133dc5b4a8a34

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“Aren’t you angry?” he whispered.0a407ddf586645eb

Radia shook her head, fcbe5c8d3a as if to say 1982545618 she could tolerate this 3e7f30fd7a much.97fa1292d9d463c0

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His impression of 04ed3922c9 the impulsive, brief 7393927828 kiss was simple.6d85d5fc108cc76a

“You really do like me.”7c3fbb153931628d

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Releasing her hair with a hint of reluctance, Yuris lifted his head. Radia glared at him, though her reddened eyes didn’t look very threatening.c03c1204086ff396

“…I don’t like you very much right now.”abf4c5e3befcce56

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“Ahaha,” Yuris burst into laughter at her grumpy reply. Then he continued,e4e046293ab9a645

“Consider it a signature in lieu of a contract.”fd256afc0b5c3818

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“A signature…?”c53e2d8d7c82d414

“We’re not exactly drawing up a formal contract… but for a lover’s agreement, a kiss is necessary, isn’t it?”1b9b65e524dc428f

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Following his nonchalant 35c4b226d9 remark, he extended 4e37426250 his hand as 80ee635c3f if offering a 3e075760d3 handshake.86ab1fde9bb97d40

“I look forward to our time together.”3c4da704802aa4d4

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Radia gazed at his 907dac6dfe outstretched hand, a gesture 186b82be2b of acceptance, and cautiously 6ec128ded5 took it.44cc9e05feee5e06

Despite so 6677a8eced much having 4dab178cb6 changed, his 90c05be497 hand was 97306e4730 still warm, 0af9c51b77 and it 2f12d921d9 evoked an e5e7b42206 indescribable feeling 07ff3b64b1 within her.69a1961c5ad09d4e

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“Likewise.”5c0386f4bc31a872