Part 1The Gamer's Secret Crush

I loved wearing short white skirts, my wardrobe was perpetually a soft mix of pink and white, and everyone always said I was sweet and obedient.

He dyed his hair red, was rebellious, and had a terrible temper.

He was my older brother's best friend. Every time we met, I would hide behind my brother to greet him.

Distant and reserved.

No one knew I liked him.

* * *

During the summer break of my sophomore year in college, my parents went traveling, so I had no choice but to stay at my brother's apartment.

At this hour, my brother was at work, but I knew his apartment passcode.

Rolling my suitcase, I opened the door, only to hear someone inside speaking with a cold sneer.

"Why don't you let your unborn sibling play instead?"

"What I mean is, you might as well go back into the oven and be remade."

A familiar voice.

I stopped in my tracks. I recognized it.

It was him.

Arthur was my brother's best friend. They had hung out since middle school, and I knew they had always been close.

But I didn't expect him to be living in my brother's apartment.

Arthur started playing esports in high school, and after retiring, he became a gaming streamer.

That voice just now—he was definitely cursing out his teammates on stream.

I understood immediately because I watched his streams every day.

I was his top donator.

No one knew.

I softened my movements and went to the room my brother had prepared for me. It was still a cozy room in pink and white hues, filled with plushies.

I didn't plan to go over and bother him, but before I could finish unpacking, someone knocked on the door.

Turning around, I saw Arthur leaning lazily against the open doorway, his narrow eyes glancing my way. "Didn't you say you were arriving tonight?"

Obviously, my brother had given him a heads-up but hadn't told me.

I didn't know why, but facing him always made me feel a bit guilty.

Maybe it was because I liked him.

"My roommates all left early, so I changed my ticket."

I have mild social anxiety, but I also like being around people.

Arthur pulled out his phone and glanced at it. Three o'clock.

He raised an eyebrow. "Hungry?"

He had always treated me like a younger sister, taking care of me just like my actual brother did.

I nodded. "I'll order takeout in a bit."

He let out a scoff. "Your Brother Arthur is standing right here, and you're going to order takeout?"

"You actually know how to cook?" I looked at him with bright eyes, a bit pleasantly surprised.

I always thought he was lazy and had no interests other than gaming.

Arthur lifted his chin. "Wait here."