James casually sidestepped someone''s gaze and strolled over, leisurely clearing the dishes from the coffee table. "Why don''t you go lie down on the couch and catch some sleep?" he suggested.


    This office was originally the dean of student affairs'' personal space, but given James''s status and the Shepherd family''s generous donations for twoboratory buildings at Prestige College, the school had temporarily assigned it to him. The sofa and carpet were brand new.


    Mirabe yawned, not bothering with formalities, and walked over to the three- seater couch across from him. Rather than lying down, she leaned and rested her head on the armrest.


    Once James had tidied up the coffee table, he nced at Mirabe, who was already breathing deeply, clearly asleep. He walked over to a nearby paper bag and pulled out a thin nket.


    He approached Mirabe and gently draped the nket over her. She was lying on her side, her face partially hidden by scattered strands of hair. The soft office light entuated her pale skin, giving her a serene, timeless beauty.


    James leaned in slightly, his fingers hovering in mid-air, his gaze softening as he looked at her. After a moment, he pulled back, straightening up and heading to his desk.


    He pulled out his phone and sent a message, instructing that he not be disturbed too soon.


    It wasn''t until half-past one that James shut down hisputer and walked over to wake Mirabe.


    She was genuinely asleep, and when she woke, her clear eyes were still foggy with sleep. She nced at the time and quickly became more alert.


    The nket slid off as Mirabe stood up, setting it aside. She turned to James and said, "I should get going."


    They were supposed to meet at the sports field at two.


    James nodded and handed her a long, rectangr box.


    There was nobel on the box. Mirabe nced at it but didn''t open it. "What''s this?" she asked.


    James''s gaze lingered on her face, her skin still tinged pink from sleep. He cleared his throat and replied, "Just some sunscreen."


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. "Though I already have some, thanks anyway."


    She picked up her hat from the couch, waved to James, and said, "I''m off."


    Watching her slender figure disappear, James finally averted his gaze, neatly folding the nket and cing it back in the bag.


    **


    After leaving the dean''s office,


    Mirabe returned to her dorm. She was staying there temporarily and


    have a key, so she called Lisa.


    dtent belongs to


    Soon, Lisa opened the door for her. "Done with your errands?" she asked.


    Mirabe hummed in response and walked in.


    Her three roommates were also there. They merely nodded at Mirabe as she entered, then


    continued their conversationel


    attitude somewhat cold.


    Mirabe, always easy-going, didn''t mind their behavior. She sat down on her bed and opened the box, taking out thebel-less sunscreen. She unscrewed the cap and Sniffed it, raising an eyebrow.


    The ingredients were identical to the sunscreen Nick had given her. It seemed to


    Lisa, sitting on a chair with her arms around the backrest, looked at what Mirabe was holding and asked, "More sunscreen?"


    Lisa''s voice wasn''t low, and the other three roommates turned to look at Mirabe.


    Mirabe nodded, ncing at Lisa. With a raised eyebrow, she asked, "Giving you another chance, want to use it?"