For Jackson, it was the first time in his life that he met someone who rejected his offer in public. Just like Alicante had done to him earlier.

If it was his former self who heard it, perhaps he would have directly attacked the man with his stupidity to cover up his injured pride.

Now, Jackson found that what had just crossed his mind was extremely stupid.

The old version of him was too childish. Too frivolous. In short, the old version of him did not have common sense but had an animal instinct.

And since this morning, he has followed Alicante wherever he went. He pushed the student sitting behind the man away. 

So he could continue to stare at the figure behind Alicante. He didn’t need to worry about making himself look ridiculous by being caught staring at Alicante.

He couldn’t do it if he took Natasha’s seat—the student sitting on Alicante’s right side—which was sure to attract the unnecessary attention of everyone. 

Especially teachers who might be surprised to know he paid attention to Alicante rather than focusing on the class.

Sitting behind the man provided him with additional benefits. He could pretend to pay attention to the teacher’s explanation if the man suspected his actions.

After all, he had completely mastered all the lessons this school year, using his ability to record all the teacher’s explanations in his mind. It was far more practical than spending his time writing or reading textbooks.

His mother had told him once that she was not the type of learner he was, so most likely, his talent came from his second parent—either his mother, father, or whoever they were.

"Can you stop following me?"

Alicante’s curt tone pulled him out of his daydream. He took his head away from his hands, which were leaning on the canteen table where he was now with Alicante, who still had a hateful expression on his face.

"Yes? My apologies, I got distracted. What did you just say to me?"

"I guess my question was not clear enough," Alicante said, sending a sharp glare at him.

The gaze did not do its job of threatening him. Instead, it made the man’s face look cute in his eyes.

"Can’t you just move away from me right now and hang out with those ‘popular’ friends of yours?"

Even the way Alicante said it with quotation marks sweetened the threat that failed to scare him.

"Why did you tell me to do it? I just want to spend my time with you, Alicante." 

He shook his head and smiled a little as he handed the two chocolate-flavored puddings he had gotten as his lunch menu to the man. 

"Ah, I almost forgot! You like chocolate pudding, don’t you?"

"Huh?"

"I always observe that you look happy every time you eat this pudding. So, it’s all for you. I got two extra puddings from the cafeteria clerk earlier when I took my lunch for you."

"How did you know about that—ugh! Never mind!"

For a moment, he could see the surprised expression on Alicante’s face when knew about his appetite. He could see Alicante’s radiant face. Even though the man was desperately hiding it with a curt face after receiving the chocolate pudding.

Somewhat hesitantly, Alicante’s thin hand was about to open the pudding, but he grabbed it. He opened the lid on the pudding, then scooped a mouthful at Alicante, who scowled at what he was doing.

"I have always wanted to do this. Open your mouth."

"I knew something was not right when you gave me your pudding." Alicante’s face scrunched up, grumbling in annoyance. "Just take it. I don’t want it!"

"Come on, just one bite. Pretty please, with a cherry on top?"

"No."

He lowered his head languidly at Alicante’s curt reply. His hand put the spoon full of pudding back, and he rested his head on the table.

He knew his journey to getting him to forgive his fault in the past was a long one. But he didn’t know Alicante would give him the hard way to approach him.

Well, he could not fault his reaction. It was clear that Alicante was still afraid of him after what he had done in the past. So obviously, there was no way he could get an apology so quickly just for giving him his favorite chocolate pudding.

But if he thought about it clearly, the pudding’s task in his hand now was too heavy. 

If he could compare it with anything, perhaps this pudding’s task was as difficult as the diplomatic agent’s job for the country’s representatives from each country to stop a prolonged conflict.

He took a deep breath when he saw Alicante continue his lunch without being distracted by the hopeful look he had given him earlier, so Alicante felt touched and gave him a chance.

"And I suggest you better move to those popular friends of yours before I get into trouble," Alicante beckoned to him with a movement of his head, pointing at his group, who were now glaring at Alicante.

He lifted his head from the table, returning their piercing stares with a menacing glare, which frightened the group in an instant.

"But I want to be together with you now. Can’t I do that?"

The man took a deep breath as he put the cutlery he was holding on the table, facing him. His face was filled with suppressed annoyance.

"Look, Jackson Wu. I don’t know what joke you are playing by being with me––"

"It’s not a joke." Jackson snapped, interrupting Alicante. “I mean it. Everything I told you is the truth."

Unfortunately, the man didn’t bother with his rebuttal and continued his speech. "None of my business. Just seeing you like this gives me goosebumps."

"Because you think everything I do is weird?"

"The answer is obvious, isn’t it?"

Alicante seemed no longer interested in eating his lunch, for he was carrying a tray of untouched food and planning to leave Jackson.

It made Jackson reflexively hold Alicante’s wrist, which made him wince. He hastily released his hand as soon as his eyes caught the bruise marks on Alicante’s wrist.

"It is not weird, Alicante. It is not weird at all. Everything I do for you is not weird."

"Come again?"

He also got up from his place, staring at the two blue eyes of Alicante so closely that it made the man speechless because of his gaze.

"Can’t you give me a second chance? As I told you this morning, I was serious about what I said earlier."

"That …"

"And I promise," he said, putting his three fingers close to his face. "I will pay for all my mistakes and be by your side. I won’t do all the stupid things I used to do to you––"

"For your information, and if you still remember, you bullied me yesterday," interrupted Alicante.

"Okay. And I also want to say sorry for what I did to you yesterday. It was my fault," he continued. "I’m willing to be whatever you want me to be. But please, give me one more chance to be by your side."

"Suit yourself."