“Emmy!”

A familiar voice called me once I entered the school gate. I darted my eyes at the source of the voice. I saw Cerise waved her hand and rushing to me. ​​

She wore a white summer dress with a daisy pattern. Her round glasses were slipped down on her nose, so she fixed them and walked by my side.

She grabbed my arm and asked, “Where were you? I’ve been waiting for an hour here!”

“Huh?” I checked my watch, and it showed 7.30, still half an hour before the class started.

“You’ve been waiting since 6.30? Why?” I asked.

“Because I’m afraid you won’t be here when Kristen and I met….” Cerise replied. Her complexion paled when the name ‘Kristen’ came out of her mouth.

Perfect.

This kind of fear was the perfect tool for me. With just a little push, Cerise wouldn’t be able to hold on for so long.

“Don’t worry, we’re friends, right?”

“Y—Yes…” Cerise replied weakly.

We walked together until I saw Kristen walking alone in the corridor. She was well respected, so when she walked, people greeted her left and right.

“Oh, there she is!” I pulled Cerise with me, and I patted Kristen’s shoulder, causing her to look over her shoulder.

“Good morning, Kristen!” I raised my voice intentionally, so it would pull some attention towards us.

“G—Good morning,” Kristen greeted with a forced smile. She looked uncomfortable, and I knew that she wanted to find a reason to leave.

So I yelled once more, “I’m glad that you’re waiting for me! I bring Cerise with us, just like what you requested!”

“Wha—”

“Huh?”

The students around darted their eyes at us immediately. Meanwhile, Kristen was too speechless to speak, while Cerise’s already pale face turned ghastly.

Kristen said nothing, so I shamelessly dragged Cerise to stand beside Kristen on the left side while I took the right side.

So Kristen was standing in the middle, like a spotlight that she was, while we were just her entourage.

We got stares from the students around. Nobody dared to greet Kristen anymore because they were weirded out by Cerise and me.

Well, it was mostly on Cerise’s side for now because her reputation for being weird was well-known.

Meanwhile, I continued chattering endlessly, trying to draw as much attention as I could. I needed to draw a few potential blabbermouths that would comment on Kristen’s new entourage, especially that certain rich girl.

And when I found my target, I immediately drew her attention by saying, “Ah, Kristen, do you know that I’ve been saving my money to buy you a gift? It’s like—a gift because you helped me before, and it’s expensive!”

Ashley turned her head instantly. She was the type of person that disliked when someone other than her had an expensive thing.

Ashley looked at us and sneered.

She approached us and scoffed at Kristen, “Kristen, I didn’t know that you’re still friends with this girl. Didn’t I tell you before that her mother cleaned my dad’s office? The last time I remembered, her mom cleaned the toilet on the ground floor, haha~.”

“Huh? You come to us just to say that?” I confronted Ashley, trying to push my agenda. “Kristen is such a good friend, okay? She doesn’t differentiate whether you’re rich or poor. She will accept Cerise with open hands, right, Kristen?” I asked.

I waited for Kristen’s response. With eyes looking at her, waiting for her to deliver her line as the kindhearted girl who would protect others.

Kristen’s lips twitched. She reluctantly patted Cerise’s shoulder, which made Cerise jolted out of fear.

“D—Don’t say something like that, Ash. Cerise is my friend….” Kristen stated with her weak voice.

Everyone gasped after that statement, including Cerise herself. I bet she was low-key delighted right now. Someone as gullible as Cerise, she would eat whatever people said as long as it was covered with sugar.

Ashley was stunned for a moment. She stared at Kristen and then shrugged, “Oh well, if that’s your choice. I don’t really care. It’s just unfortunate that you choose to be lined up with a shit cleaner.”

Ashley walked out to her class, and she said, “Go off, sis.”

Oh damn, that must’ve hurt Kristen’s pride so much. I saw the students around, and they were gossiping, whispering to each other. I also saw some were giggling at Kristen.

But this wasn’t enough. I needed to pull a bit more to trigger Kristen.

“Don’t listen to her, Kristen. I mean, it’s good to side with good people, right? Just look at Cerise. You just make her day!”

Kristen glanced at Cerise, and I grinned when I saw that expression on Cerise.

She looked blissful as if she just heard a gospel from an angel.

“See? You just made her day!” I said.

And you also made my day, Kristen. I will enjoy this.

“Kristen, do you really mean that? I—I thought you disliked me….”

With so many eyes on her, Kristen was forced to cater to Cerise’s needs. Because it would stain her reputation.

“O—Of course, Cerise… we are all equal, right?”