Chapter 185: When He Joked

"Blaine?" Claire called after him from behind, her voice tinged with concern. "What's going on with you?" 

"It's nothing," Blaine Jackson replied curtly, brushing off her worry. "If you don't get it, then forget it. Just pretend I never said anything." A failed confession was enough to make him reconsider everything. He had resolved to give up if it didn't work out. 

But why did it have to feel like the universe was against him? 

"You're acting weird." Claire darted up the stairs after him, her brow furrowed. "You look like you're dealing with a breakup or something." 

"...Do I?" Blaine let out a dry chuckle. How stupid could he be? Of course, that's what it looked like. 

"So, is it?" Claire pressed, her head tilted in curiosity. 

"Does it even matter?" 

"Are you trying to make me guess?" Claire stepped in front of him, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized his expression. "If you don't tell me, how am I supposed to figure it out?" 

Blaine hesitated, his earlier resolve to let go now wavering. Maybe—just maybe—he should try one more time. If he failed again, he could truly let it go. What if she actually felt the same way? 

"Claire." 

"Yeah?" 

"You said earlier that you really like me. Is that true?" He needed to confirm it before deciding his next move. 

"Of course, I said that." 

"And how much do you like me?" 

"Very much, Blaine. Really, really like you." She smiled warmly, though in her heart, she silently added, *Besides him, I like you most.* After a pause, she continued earnestly, "I've told you before, haven't I? I wouldn't be where I am today without your help. My feelings for you go beyond friendship, mentorship, or admiration. But to define exactly what they are, I honestly don't know. I just know I really, really like you." 

Wow. Blaine's heart soared. She'd said it again—she really liked him! Maybe she felt the same way he did all along. 

"Then, do you think we could be together?" he asked, revisiting the question. 

Claire froze, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Why are we back on this topic? We're already together." 

Blaine, what kind of man are you? You can't even confess properly. 

As his inner voice mocked him for the umpteenth time, Blaine clenched his fists and finally blurted, "Claire, I like you. Can we be together?" His heart pounded wildly, and he could feel his face burning. 

"Blaine, are you joking?" Claire's voice trembled with disbelief, her mind reeling from his sudden declaration. 

"W-what?" Joking? Was she seriously taking his confession as a joke? 

"You've never seen me as a woman, have you? So how could you possibly like me?" 

"Who said I don't see you as a woman?" Blaine retorted, his frustration bubbling over. He wasn't blind, and his vision was perfect. What gave her the idea he didn't see her as a woman? If she didn't like him, she could just say so. Did she really have to mock him? His heart ached. 

"You're the one who always said I was like a snail hiding in its shell. I assumed you didn't think of me as a woman. Plus…" Claire's gaze raked over him critically, as though appraising him. Finally, she added slowly, "I find it hard to believe that someone as outstanding as you would like someone like me. So, you must be joking, right? Just teasing me for fun?" 

"I…" Blaine's heart sank. Clearly, she didn't feel the same way. The "really like" she spoke of wasn't the kind he had hoped for. Had he been fooling himself all along? Perhaps it was time to give up on something that was never meant to be. 

"Blaine, you look hurt. And you're so serious and sincere. Don't tell me…you're being honest? You really like me?" Claire's voice was tinged with disbelief, her words dragging as if she couldn't comprehend the possibility. 

Blaine froze for a moment before letting out a forced laugh, which quickly escalated into hearty laughter. 

"Hahaha! Claire, you're way too gullible! That's hilarious!" 

"What the heck?" Claire frowned at him. "So, you were joking? You really were just messing with me, weren't you?" 

"Of course!" Blaine laughed harder, though the humor didn't reach his eyes. "Come on, Claire, I've known you for so long. If I liked you, I would've confessed ages ago. Do I seem like the kind of guy who'd chicken out? Besides, women love me! Every single one of them is incredible. Why would I fall for someone I had to 'fix' in the first place? Haha, I can't believe you actually fell for it." He laughed until his eyes watered, though the taste of those tears was bitter and salty. 

"See? I knew it. There's no way we could ever have that kind of spark between us. I was just curious why you kept asking those strange questions," Claire said playfully, giving his chin a teasing pinch before walking away to the couch. 

"I…" Blaine trailed off, his failed confession reduced to a cruel joke. 

"I just wanted to test whether your feelings had shifted," he lied, grasping at straws. It was a flimsy excuse, but it was all he had left. 

"You're playing love counselor again?" Claire quipped, patting the seat next to her. When he sat down, she leaned her head against his shoulder. 

"A counselor has to hear the truth first," Blaine muttered, glancing sideways at her. She rested against him, oblivious to the turmoil in his heart. 

"Ask away. I'll tell you everything," Claire replied, patting his arm reassuringly. 

"Did you come back for him?" Blaine asked bluntly. 

"Do you have to be so direct?" Claire sighed, meeting his gaze. "Maybe. I guess…I never really forgot about him." 

Blaine's brow furrowed deeply, his lips twitching as he tried—and failed—to find the right words.