Part 3Twin Hearts, One Face

When Caleb found me, I was sitting on steps lit by the setting sun.

Curled up, face buried in my knees.

"Satisfied now? I haven't been this embarrassed since I was born."

I didn't look up, my voice muffled.

"Will I get doxxed? I shouldn't have agreed to you last night."

"What public display of affection? You just wanted to prank me!"

Caleb pulled me up, lifting the brim of my cap.

He touched my still-burning cheek, looking at me with clear black eyes.

"Yeah, you should have refused."

Got it. Sage Caleb is online.

"You're so passive-aggressive. Who was whining and acting spoiled last night? Who forced me to agree? And this?"

I angrily pulled out the banner from my bag.

The golden letters were blinding.

——【Today, tomorrow, forever, loving Caleb every day.】

"Look at this cheesy slogan. Good thing I didn't take it out, or I'd die."

Caleb glanced at it and casually tossed it away.

"Yeah, you did the right thing."

I wanted to complain more, but I saw his left hand clenched, lightly pressing against his stomach.

"Stomach hurting again? Where's the food I bought you this morning?"

Knowing he had a speech today, he still played so hard last night.

Knowing he forgets to eat when busy, I bought him food when we parted this morning, but it was wasted.

I sighed helplessly. Knowing he had stomach issues, I always carried medicine.

As I looked down to find the pills, Caleb grabbed my hand.

His pupils shrank, staring tightly at my slightly open collar.

"This..."

Asking the obvious? Isn't it the hickey you gave me last night?

I blushed, pulling my collar tight, but he held it down.

Caleb extended a finger, slowly tracing the marks, his eyes darkening.

Face solemn, jaw tight.

"It's fine, it'll fade soon..."

Before I finished, his tight lips pressed down.

Hot and dominant, as if trying to cover and erase those marks.

Idiot, that will only make it more obvious.

But I couldn't push him away.

A long while later, he rested his forehead against mine, voice hoarse.

"Sometimes I... lose my head... you have to stop me."

"Don't let me mess around in the future, okay?"

I was dizzy from the kiss, my face bright red.

I pushed him away and complained softly.

"You're so weird. Yesterday you were the one who couldn't be stopped, today you're the one reflecting."

"Sometimes I suspect you have a split personality. So fickle."

Caleb froze, then smiled faintly.

He rubbed my hair: "Then which one does Lily like?

"The me from last night? Or the me right now?"

I was baffled.

"Aren't they both you?"

"Loving someone means accepting all of them."

"Don't worry, I won't dislike you for being moody."

I magnanimously handed him the pill. Just as I was about to pour water into the cap, he took my water bottle and drank directly from the spout.

Um... I just drank from that.

Caleb lowered his eyes, slowly screwing the cap back on, asking casually:

"Lily, has anyone ever lied to you?"

"Probably."

"Did you forgive them?"

"Depends. White lies, maybe. Principled issues, absolutely not."