On the way, it suddenly began to rain.
Large drops splattered against the pavement, the drizzle quickly turning into a steady downpour. With nowhere else to go, Suzy ducked into the nearest cafeteria to wait it out.
It just so happened to be mealtime.
After a brief pause, Suzy changed direction and walked inside.
The university cafeteria was actually pretty decent. The smell of freshly cooked food filled the air, warm and comforting, a sharp contrast to the chill brought in by the rain. Students lined up at the counters, chatting idly as steam rose from metal trays.
Thinking that once she left this time, she probably wouldn't get another chance to eat here again, Suzy made a decision.
She would pack some meals to store in her space.
Outside, the rain fell in soft waves, streaking the glass windows. Judging by the sky, it looked like it would stop soon.
Using a club activity as an excuse, Suzy packed up twenty boxed meals.
Each box was filled generously—meat and vegetables carefully portioned, dishes she genuinely liked. No corners had been cut.
The cafeteria auntie moved efficiently, stacking the boxes neatly and packing them into a large cardboard container for her.
Perfect timing.
By the time Suzy hugged the box to her chest and stepped outside, the rain had already stopped. The air smelled clean, faintly earthy, the ground still damp beneath her feet.
She had only taken a few steps when a figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
Tall and broad-shouldered, he blocked her view entirely.
"Senior!" A bright, pleasantly clear voice sounded above her head.
Suzy looked up—and met a pair of shining eyes.
The young man standing before her wore a gray hoodie, simple but clean, somehow making him stand out even more. He was strikingly handsome. His skin was fair, his chestnut-colored hair soft and loosely curled, falling casually around his forehead. His features were refined to the point of unreality, as though sculpted with deliberate care.
The corners of his eyes sloped slightly downward, and his irises were a warm amber—like glass beads dipped in water, glossy and luminous.
Sharp bone structure, soft skin. There was a subtle hint of mixed heritage that made him even more eye-catching.
"Derek—what a coincidence," Suzy said, smiling instinctively.
Derek Martin, her direct junior. They'd met through a club collaboration.
In her dream, this beautiful mixed-race young man had also been one of the female lead's admirers—a future big shot of the apocalypse. Early on, they'd gotten along well.
After the apocalypse, it had been because of Derek that Suzy had been allowed to join the protagonist group at all.
But later, after she repeatedly tried to frame the female lead, his attitude toward her had cooled rapidly—until the disgust became obvious, and he no longer bothered to protect her.
Lost in those memories, Suzy spaced out for a brief moment.
"Senior, let me help you." Derek's voice was warm and proactive as he reached out to take the box from her arms.
Their fingers brushed accidentally. In that instant, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in Suzy's mind:
[Handsome Men Collection Codex is activating!]
Wait—what??
Suzy froze.
She must have misheard.
Handsome Men Collection Codex??
Suzy shook her head hard, suspecting it might be some strange side effect of altering the course of fate.
"Senior, are you okay?" It wasn't until Derek's concerned voice reached her ears that she snapped back to reality.
Only then did she realize her hands were empty. She instinctively looked to the side.
The box was already in Derek's possession. His handsome, sunlit face carried a trace of concern—subtle, yet sincere.
Especially those eyes. Open, earnest, impossibly gentle.
Meeting such beautiful eyes made Suzy's heart start pounding uncontrollably.
She looked away awkwardly and said as casually as she could, "I'm fine."
"Where are you headed, Senior? I'll walk you there," Derek offered with a cheerful smile.
"Wouldn't that be a bother…?" Suzy hesitated.
"Not at all," he replied immediately.
The rain had completely stopped by then, leaving the campus washed clean.
Derek accompanied Suzy toward the parking area. They walked side by side—he was a full two heads taller than her, occasionally sneaking glances at her from the corner of his eye.
The corners of his lips curved upward ever so slightly. "Why did you buy so much food?" he asked curiously.
Suzy was still distracted by the sudden voice that had echoed in her mind.
Because it hadn't been her imagination. Faint loading notifications were still ringing softly in her head.
It took her a moment to process his question.
"I'm picking it up for a friend," Suzy replied with a small smile. Derek didn't press further.
"Senior, are you coming to the club event in a couple of days?" he asked instead, a hint of anticipation woven into his tone.
He was hopeful.