I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 337

Chapter 43: The Power of Intention

Roy covered his burning cheeks with one hand, fully aware that his awkward side had been completely exposed in front of the other person.

Has this guy really never been in a relationship? Why is he so good at this?!

Roy grit his teeth in frustration, thinking for quite a while, only to emphasize with a frown, “That’s my coffee! It’s my treat, so if you want it, order your own!”

Leanna raised her index finger, pretending to be serious, “You see, this is what the junior doesn’t understand. Every cup of coffee has a different flavor, and I just want to try yours.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Alright, alright, don’t get mad.” Leanna switched to a soothing tone, gently sliding her cup of coffee towards him, “As compensation, you can taste my flavor too.”

Her words seemed to carry some kind of magic, making Roy momentarily perceivable a nonexistent aroma.

Bitter coffee wasn’t unbearable; perhaps this cup really was different from the last one.

But seeing the faint water stains on the rim of that cup, Roy dismissively waved his hand, “No thanks!”

“Are you shy? You’ve been in a relationship before, yet you still blush so easily.” Leanna paused, propping her chin on her hand, giving him a teasing look that was both affectionate and mocking, whispering each word, “So~ cute~.”

Roy shuddered at once.

Who says boys are cute? You’re the cute one! Your whole family is cute!

Feeling his inner thoughts exposed, Roy angrily huffed, “I just don’t want to drink that disgusting stuff!”

“…That’s really rude. There’s a taste to bitterness too,” Leanna’s expression dimmed, her gaze falling as if a gloomy cloud enveloped her, looking lost and helpless.

“What a shame, I thought you’d actually like it. Guess my flavor can’t catch your eye at all.”

Seeing her sulking, Roy felt a pang of guilt.

He inadvertently glanced at her elegantly swan-like neck, which still bore faint bruises, causing his heart to ache a little.

“Well, just a taste wouldn’t hurt.”

Unexpectedly, as soon as he relented, Leanna quickly pushed her cup right in front of him.

Her previously gloomy face instantly brightened as if the sun had come out.

“Then go ahead and taste it~”

“……” Roy felt a fleeting sympathy for himself, realizing he was utterly hopeless.

What the heck, it’s just a cup of coffee! What’s there to fear?! She doesn’t mind; if he acts all shy, he’ll just get laughed at!

Roy took the cup, avoiding the spot marked with Leanna’s lip print, and brought the coffee to his lips.

To Leanna, those few heartbeats felt like an eternity.

Black coffee’s bitterness wasn’t for everyone, and tasting that acrid flavor again, the boy who could face blades and swords without flinching wore a pained expression.

Yet, inexplicably, Roy began to recall the image of Leanna sipping her coffee, her brow relaxed, still as a statue, looking like a painting.

It wasn’t particularly delicious, but this time, the coffee didn’t seem quite as hard to swallow.

“And how’s my flavor?”

“Eh, it’s okay, not unpleasant.”

What Roy didn’t know was that at this moment, under the table, Leanna had finally released the skirt hem she had been unconsciously gripping.

One thing Leanna hadn’t lied about.

She really did hope Roy could taste her flavor.

Accompanied by soothing music and the coffee’s aroma, the two enjoyed their leisurely afternoon, with passersby beyond the shop, yet few entering to break this rare tranquility.

Usually, at this time, Roy would either be training his Extraordinary Power, investigating the Certificate of Kingship, or practicing with Alice.

Even in his past life, immersed in a fast-paced lifestyle, Roy had forgotten how long it had been since he had let time pass so luxuriously.

“This place has a nice atmosphere,” Roy couldn’t help but sigh, “If only you’d invited me here from the start.”

“I wanted to get closer to you quickly,” Leanna shook her head, self-deprecatingly adding, “Unfortunately, I just didn’t measure up.”

“But taking it slow like this isn’t bad either,” Leanna took a sip of coffee, staring down at her nearly empty cup, mumbling as her thoughts began to wander.

Student Council, dark magic faction, Extraordinary Power—in pursuit of the power she needed, Leanna had given it her all, fighting amidst deceptions, progressing constantly. Achieving one triumph after another while burying one opponent after another, she sacrificed her own time, even wishing for a break became a luxury.

She almost forgot that a cup of coffee could be savored for so long.

Leanna lifted her cup again, cherishing the taste of being with Roy.

But the warm sunlight began to fade, and the unique gloom of autumn suffused the café, the coffee in her cup, already cooling down, lost its warmth, leaving only pure bitterness in its wake.

Once you’ve tasted his sweetness, you can no longer endure the bitterness of solitude.

“Roy, would you like to join the Student Council?”

The somewhat abrupt question left Roy unsure how to respond.

Leanna casually continued, “The coffee in the Student Council is pretty good too, I think you’ll like it.”

“…Didn’t we agree? Let me think about it a bit longer.” Roy turned his head, replying nonchalantly, “Besides, I’m part of the Lionheart faction. Even if we join forces, there’s no need for me to join the Student Council, right?”

“Sorry, I was too forward.”

Leanna wasn’t too surprised by his refusal.

Just as Roy said, they agreed beforehand to give him some time to think until circumstances changed.

Whether it be Hydra’s relic or something the supposed False King needed, there was no rush.

However, the ensuing disappointment caught the usually composed boy off guard.

Leanna awkwardly raised her cup, only to find it already dry, letting it down and staring blankly at the now empty bottom.

Even the sight of the somewhat forlorn girl resembled a melancholic masterpiece by a classical master, beautifully sorrowful, like a piece of gloomy art.

Unfortunately, Roy had always been indifferent to art; he preferred the ordinary sky without a cloud over the breath-taking dramatic storms.

This shouldn’t be an act, right?

Roy bitterly smiled to himself, changing his tone, “But it’s not that I can’t consider it.”

“Huh?”

Being too close to Leanna would only provoke Jason.

Roy wasn’t afraid of war with the South Sea faction, but faction conflicts would surely expel a lot of energy. If that meant missing out on the Certificate of Kingship, it would lead to a great loss.

After some time, when the Lionheart faction stood firm, there’d be no need for him to help out; he could join forces with Leanna officially later.

“Recently, the disputes between the Lionheart faction and the South Sea faction have intensified. Let me handle this first, and then we can talk about cooperating slowly, okay?”

“Sure,” Leanna replied lightly, the clouds of gloom on her face clearing up a bit.

Yet in those purple eyes, flashed a dangerous glint that even Roy didn’t catch.

The South Sea faction, huh…

She had already found them somewhat annoying; why not seize this opportunity to remove them?