episode 3

Project: Love-Hate — Part 3: Cafe Drama and Unknown Feelings

It was 5:00 p.m. Rin stood outside the cafe, repeatedly checking her watch. She was angry with herself for having come despite Len's refusal.

"Sorry for being late, Rin!" Len ran in, panting. He had a small bag in his hand, which he immediately extended to Rin.

"What is this?" Rin asked, frowning.

"Open it!" Len said with a wide smile. As Rin looked inside the bag, her eyes lit up. It contained the latest volume of the manga she'd been looking for for weeks and which was out of stock everywhere.

"How did you... how did you get this?" Rin asked, her anger evaporating.

"I went to three different bookstores last night," Len said proudly, placing his hand on his chest. "I'd do anything to make you happy."

Rin's heart raced for a moment. Len was as annoying as he was sometimes, and at times, he could be equally caring. Before she could say anything, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Hey, Rin? You here?"

They both turned around and saw Reo standing there. He was dressed casually and looked very well-dressed, as always.

"Reo! What are you doing here?" Rin asked.

"I often come to this café in the evenings to study. Can I join you two?" Reo asked, smiling.

Len's face immediately fell. "Absolutely not. This is our—" Before Len could finish his sentence, Rin interrupted him, "Yes, Reo, why not! Let's sit together." Rin actually wanted to tease Len a little more.

The atmosphere inside the café had become quite interesting. Len and Reo were sitting across from each other, and it was as if there was a war going on between their eyes.

"So, Rin, do you like reading manga? I love the classics too," Reo began, discussing studies and books with Rin. Rin was responding with interest.

Len felt completely ignored. He was chewing angrily on the straw of his cold coffee. Suddenly, he moved his chair forward and smeared a bit of the cake cream Rin had just eaten on Rin's cheek with his finger.

"Len! What's this rudeness?!" Rin yelled in shock.

"You got something on your cheek, I just cleaned it up," Len said innocently, but his eyes were fixed on Reo. He licked his finger and smiled, "Sweet."

Reo clenched his fists, while Rin's entire face turned tomato red. He didn't know whether to slap Len or run away. But one thing was clear—Len's childish and possessive behavior had created a strange stir within Rin.

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