L, lying in bed, jolted in shock when the thunder pped. She cowered a little.


    The sky darkened very soon. She had no idea when the downpour woulde to a stop.


    The fear and anxiety within only worsened when she closed her eyes. It wasn''t until she heard a knock on the door that she calmed down. Without bothering to put on her slippers, she rushed over to answer the door.


    Kieran observed the lingering fear on her face and pulled her into his arms. Patting her softly on the back, heforted her, "There''s nothing to be afraid of. Shall we watch some movies in the living room?"


    The warmth radiating from his body calmed her down. When she was little, she wasn''t afraid of inclement weather at all. It just so happened that her parents passed away on a stormy day.


    Sitting alone in an empty room, she wrapped herself inyers of nket, but she couldn''t seem to keep the ps of thunder away.


    Back in the present, the electricity short circuited due to the weather. The only source of light in the room was the shing lightning outside that fleetingly illuminated the room.


    Curled up on the couch, L mindlessly watched the scenes change on the TV. The thunder outside kept her on edge as though she might break at any moment.


    Before the next thunder pped, she was suddenly pulled into an embrace. Kieran hugged her through the nket. Her back pressed tightly against his chest like a lone boat that suddenly came ashore.


    She turned around and met his warm, smiling eyes. Even his voice sounded soft and enchanting.


    He said, "If you don''t feel like watching the TV, why don''t we y some games? How about your favorite card game?"


    She was distracted momentarily at the mention of the card game. She had an urge to confront him about his lie. Why did he im that she had no clue about games? Why would he decline Ruby''s invitation on her behalf? What did he fear?


    Still, she held back. Pulling out her phone, she started to y some mobile games. Instead of ying some side quests, she decided to y the main quest.


    She slowly exined the web of characters to Kieran as she yed. He mused, "So, is this a dating game for girls at its core?"


    "That''s right. We have five male characters. Every yer has their favorite, but some are into two or three guys."


    "How about you?" he asked gently.


    L tapped into the profile of a male character dressed in a Regency-era outfit with a ponytail. The


    cool-looking character appeared like a schr or a military strategist in his navy outfit that highlighted his build. He carried a streak of reckless confidence like that of a teen.


    She introduced to Kieran, "He''s my favorite."


    Staring down at the screen, he asked curiously, "But why?"


    She gave it some thought. It was hard to exin. Finally, she mustered an


    answer, "Because he loves me."


    Her exnation did not make sense.


    In a dating game, all the male


    characters were in love with the female protagonist. But that was the best she could do.  fo


    Kieran suddenly asked, "Will you love him if he loves you enough?"


    She tapped on the shoulder of the


    male


    and


    aracter, who flinched a


    d with the programitle


    voice, "I''m not hiding any snacks!"


    L chuckled at his response but did not act like the character. Her demeanor


    softened. "Yeah. I love him because he loves me."


    Kieran pulled her closer. He toyed with a strand of her hair. "That''s fair, but will


    you do the same if someone loves you in real life?"


    L looked at him quizzically as she carefully thought over the subtext of his remark.