**Chapter 21: The Bloodthirsty Little Red Riding Hood **
Library.
"Is there a problem?"
Juno asked absentmindedly, flipping through a hefty book.
"Heh."
Adam, who had been sneaking glances at her, chuckled awkwardly. His rational side told him to ignore her, but curiosity got the better of him.
"Why are you reading a medical textbook?"
"Interest," Juno replied, lifting her head with a slight smile. "Maybe we'll both become doctors someday."
"We?" Adam's mouth twitched.
"Why not?" Juno's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Isn't your dream to become a doctor?"
"How do you know that?" Adam was stunned. He had never shared this dream with anyone.
"I guessed," Juno said, blinking playfully.
"…" Adam's face darkened as he glared at her suspiciously.
"Alright, I'll be honest." Juno tilted her head, grinning. "Maybe I'm just good at observing people. You know~"
"Know what?" Adam wanted to ask but stopped himself when he noticed her meaningful gaze. Someone like Juno—sharp and composed—was indeed likely to notice the smallest details.
Before she had approached him, she must have studied him thoroughly. Although Adam had never mentioned his dream to anyone, he had researched universities that fit his goal. If she'd seen that by chance, it wouldn't be surprising.
And here she was, already studying medical texts…
The thought sent a chill down Adam's spine. Rationality squashed his curiosity, and he forced a smile before burying his head in his textbook.
"Aren't you curious why I'm reading this now?"
Unfortunately, Juno seemed eager to pique his interest. She shoved the hefty medical book toward Adam.
"Damn!"
Adam's eyes immediately landed on a disturbing illustration: a step-by-step guide for a procedure resembling the castration process for livestock.
"You have some unique interests! This isn't exactly an introductory medical text."
"Just browsing," Juno replied with a smile. "It's not a complicated procedure—farmers around the world can do it with ease. Don't you think it's cool?"
"Cool?" A chill ran down Adam's spine.
"Of course." Juno beamed. "Compared to wilderness survival or selling cookies, this is a skill Girl Scouts should learn. Actually, not just Girl Scouts—Boy Scouts too! There are so many creeps in the world; boys need to know how to protect themselves too!"
The Scouts were a youth organization for kids aged 6 to 20, offering skills training through activities far beyond the short-term physical drills of traditional boot camps.
The quintessential image was of kids in uniforms selling cookies door-to-door, as seen in countless TV shows.
For example, in *The Big Bang Theory*, when Sheldon and Leonard wanted to retrieve Penny's TV from her ex-boyfriend, a group of Scouts effortlessly bypassed the apartment's security system and left the two "geniuses" humiliated.
"Yeah, self-defense is important," Adam agreed with a nod but scooted his chair farther from Juno.
If it weren't for the knowledge points he was leeching from her, he would've kept a much greater distance.
Juno was too formidable—a force best admired from afar.
---
The afternoon classes ended, marking the conclusion of the day's academic lessons. Group activities began shortly after.
Football and basketball games were in full swing on the field, while cheerleading squads and choir groups gathered in their respective rooms.
Adam and his three friends, as usual, headed to his basement to rehearse with their band.
"Adam!"
A radiant figure suddenly blocked their way.
"Hi, Gretchen~"
Before Adam could speak, Emmett jumped in, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Hi."
Gretchen gave Emmett a brief, disinterested glance before turning her bright smile to Adam. "Coming to my place?"
"Changed your mind?" Adam asked with a faint smile.
Sheldon: ⊙▽⊙
Juno: ←_←
Emmett: -_-||
"Yes!" Gretchen nodded enthusiastically.
Last night, Adam had shared his views on relationships with Gretchen. She'd been shocked—and annoyed. As the girlfriend of the school's rock star, she'd always basked in the glory of her role.
But after a night of reflection, her perspective shifted. Vanity wasn't everything. There were so many wonderful things in life.
Even studying could be fulfilling!
"Maybe later."
Adam glanced at her sleek sports car parked at the school gates and declined politely.
He wasn't about to give people the impression he was a boy toy. Climbing into her car in public was out of the question.
"Alright."
Gretchen's smile faltered for a moment, but looking at Adam's unremarkable face, she quickly regained her composure. She gave him a flirty smile, climbed into her car, and left behind a parting remark before speeding off.
"I'll wait for you~"
"Shit!"
Emmett watched her car disappear and exclaimed, "That's your idea of doing nothing? What's she inviting you over for—tutoring?"
"Oh, you figured it out?" Adam responded with an impressed look, as if marveling at Emmett's intelligence.
"Seriously? Tutoring?" Emmett was flabbergasted. "A girl like Gretchen cares about studying? Don't joke with me!"
As the only child of the town's wealthiest family, Gretchen could walk into any prestigious college she wanted. Her presence at a public high school already screamed disinterest in academics.
"People change."
Adam spoke with utmost sincerity. "I didn't used to like studying either, but look at me now. If Gretchen wants to improve herself, we should encourage her!"
"Bullshit!"
Emmett snorted, his jealousy palpable. "She's totally into you. Nobody believes you're just studying!"
"I believe Adam," Juno said with a smile.
"See?" Adam spread his hands at Emmett. "Looks like we'll need to cut our band sessions short. Let's make the most of our time."
With that, he pedaled off on his bike.
"Juno, you don't actually believe him, do you?"
Emmett grumbled, "He's definitely going to…"
"There are many kinds of courses~" Juno remarked languidly, leaving Emmett speechless.
Indeed, American high schools offered a wide variety of courses. While many were plain and dull, some appealed to a select few.
"Bullshit!"
Emmett's frustration boiled over, and he let out another expletive.
(End of Chapter)