Efforts to bring the Eric duo closer together

Casey finally managed to get Erica and Eric to study together. It was really hard to get Eric to actually spare any time because the guy was so busy. And finally, they met on Saturday. Even though they live in the same place, Casey and Eric don't go together. Actually, Eric had asked her to go together in his favorite bright yellow car, but he was again aware of the status of the two of them while on campus. Casey finally got on the bus to get to the promised place.

Now they are in a famous cafe. The cafe carries the theme of a library, with an interior dominated by pastel colors that look minimalist and pleasing to the eye. This place was Erica's choice. The atmosphere in the cafe is not so crowded with visitors. The distinctive aroma of coffee permeates all corners of the cafe. Casey didn't stop looking at every corner of the cafe, the interior design was so nice and creative. However, her eyes rounded when she saw a row of menus with fantastic prices on them. It felt unnatural because the place was like a cafe in general, but apparently the price made Casey want to rub her chest.

"Order whatever you like, I'll treat you," said Eric, immediately making Casey feel touched. The man seemed to understand her anxiety.

"Seriously? Thank you, Senior!" Erica flashed her sweetest smile. Today, Casey thought the clothes Erica was wearing looked very cute and sexy at the same time. The girl was wearing a white miniskirt with a pink strapless tank top combined with a knit cardigan with a similar colored plaid pattern. Contrasted with the appearance of Casey, who only wore a black high-waist and a thin gray sweater. Even Erica looks different because her hair is braided with a side bride hairstyle. Doesn't Erica look more like she's dating than studying together?

It's an infinite totality.

After ordering their respective meals, they took out their laptops and lecture materials. Eric's job is to explain to two of his juniors if there is something they don't understand. Actually, Casey here is only a part of the formality. After all, if there is something she doesn't understand, she has special access to this handsome man in a brown shirt in front of her.

Casey's time with them was short. After eating a few mouthfuls of food, she would excuse herself to the toilet, but would not come back. In other words, she would run away so that Eric and Erica would be together.

Erica pursed her lips, her expression as cute as possible. "Senior, there's something I don't understand about this part."

"Which part? Ah, this," Eric put on his glasses and began to explain in the easiest way possible.

If you look around, don't they match? Casey pouted in annoyance. Why did Erica match any guy so well? Either Eric or Alan. Then who is she matched with then?

Casey was lost in her thoughts as she looked at them while eating the dessert she ordered earlier. She had absolutely no interest in learning because that was not the goal. Eric glanced at Casey and caught the girl red-handed.

"Gwen? Nothing you want to ask?" Eric asked, breaking Casey's thoughts. The spoon stuck in her mouth fell out.

"N—not yet," Casey said a little awkwardly. She immediately pretended to be busy with her laptop.

Erica's gaze was hard to decipher when she saw Eric, who was now smiling gently at Casey. The girl didn't like it.

"Senior, may I sit next to you? Because when I face each other like this, it's hard for me to understand, hehe." Erica looked spoiled as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

'Ah, it's getting naughty,' Casey thought, unable to see the ridiculous behavior of his friend.

"Oh, is that so? Then sit next to me," Eric said kindly. The beautiful girl exclaimed with joy and immediately sat down next to Eric. Sometimes, Casey resents Eric's hospitality. Angry mixed with jealousy, to be precise.

Casey didn't care about them, he'd rather finish his cake, which had only a few mouthfuls left. Casey realized this when his leg was kicked by Erica. He glanced at the girl, who was now giving a code to get away from them.

Casey got up from her seat. "I'll excuse myself to the toilet first, okay?" she said, making Eric and Erica look up at her.

"Okay," Eric said, with a small smile.

The girl did not go to the toilet but walked out of the cafe carrying only her body. The bag and the others stayed on the table. After an hour, he would text Eric to apologize for going home early. For now, she managed to escape, then everything was left to Erica.

Good luck, snake girl.

Casey stopped in her tracks, looking up at the light blue sky without any clouds. The weather was so sunny that it would be a shame if she went straight home to the mansion. But she realized again that she had only left money for the bus because she had left her wallet in her tote bag. Casey decided to sit on a large park bench, looking at people who were busy joking with their partners or families.

After it was felt that she had left the cafe for more than an hour, Casey took her phone from her pants pocket to call Eric. Ah, apparently Eric had already sent a message and missed a call for him. She wasn't even aware.

[Where are you? What took you so long?]

[Gwen, pick up the phone]

[Is the poop that hard? If you need medicine, call me immediately]

[Gwen, you didn't die from pushing too hard, did you?!]

Damn it, why is Casey upset.

Casey sighed before typing a message to Eric.

[Sorry, I went home early because my head is a little dizzy. Just keep on learning. My things will be brought by Erica later]

Not a minute later, Casey's phone rang again.

[You are sick? I'll go home. What do you need? Let me buy it]

[No need, Eric. It's just a normal headache, so just keep on learning. If you go home, Erica will be suspicious of our relationship]

[Okay]

Casey immediately turned off her phone again. She had already told Erica that the things would be kept at the girl's house. Because they had made a deal, Casey wasn't afraid that Erica would set her up or lose her belongings. She could have thwarted the approach of Erica and the man she liked.

On the other hand ...

Eric who looks restless because Casey didn't come back. He didn't even focus on teaching Erica.

"Can Gwen be contacted?" Erica asked with a made-up worried face. Eric shook his head anxiously. However, soon his face looked relieved that Casey had told him.

"She's gone home early, apparently. You brought the things, right?" asked Eric to confirm.

"Oh, yeah. I brought it," said Erica with a sweet smile.

Eric took off his glasses and leaned back in the chair. "Let's take a break first."

"Okay~" Erica reached for the red velvet drink she ordered. Occasionally, stealing glances at the man beside her. It feels like a dream to be alone with a handsome senior that many people yearn for. "Senior seems very close to Gwen, huh," said Erica opening the topic.

"Hm? You could say that. By the way, Erica, you can just call me Eric. No need to be so formal with me," Eric said. The girl just nodded happily. "Are you okay with just me without Gwen?"

"O—of course it's okay! I'm still happy even if it's just the two of us!"

"Thank God. I was afraid you'd be awkward with me," Eric replied, with a relieved smile.

Erica chuckled softly. "Of course not, I feel comfortable because our personalities are practically the same. The other kids even say that we both look good together."

"Ah ... I've heard that, they talk too much carelessly."

"Are you bothered by the rumours?" Erica asked with a sad look. The man immediately shook his head quickly, feeling bad about making a girl sad. However, Eric couldn't deny that Erica was so cute.

"I don't mind, I'm used to hearing things like that after all." Eric grabbed his black coffee and took a sip.

"By the way, how can a senior be friends with Gwen? Because I see that your personalities don't match well," Erica asked with an innocent smile.

"Haha, it does look like that, huh?"

Erica nodded cutely. "Gwen prefers to be alone, sometimes even avoiding me. She also rarely smiles and often makes other people uncomfortable." The girl sighed, still intent on badmouthing Casey in front of Eric. "I always ask her to mingle, but I always get rejected. Even though I don't want her to be hated by other people. That's why I want to continue to be friends with her, so that Gwen is not alone," explained Erica, ending her sweet smile.

Eric smiled faintly in response to Erica's story. "You're a really good friend, Erica. But I don't think that's what Gwen meant. Actually, she's a polite and nice girl. And if you get to know Gwen more deeply, she's really funny when you tease her. I think you guys still misunderstand her," Eric explained calmly. The man responded to Erica's bad words with a positive thought. "Gwen is also so cute when she smiles," he continued, with a gentle smile that Erica had seen for the first time. Erica looked at the man flatly. The girl didn't expect Eric to defend Casey like that. Her hands clenched tightly as she endured the irregular feeling.

Feelings of anger, disappointment, and sadness mixed into one. Bit by bit, the events that she observed, always felt that Eric didn't just think of Casey as a friend.

Ah, Erica really hates Casey.