Chapter 1 The Candy

"Thanks."

After saying that, I took the candy and held it in my hand.

Seeing that I hadn't eaten it, the class belle, Elisa Winters, continued, "Anna, hurry and try it. It's strawberry-flavored."

I smiled at her. "I get carsick. I'll eat it after I feel better."

Then, I slipped the candy into my pocket.

A flicker of anxiety crossed her eyes, but she didn't press me.

I leaned back against my seat, clutching the bag of candy, and closed my eyes.

…

In my previous life, I forced myself to consume the candy despite being under the weather when it came to Elisa. She had always treated me well.

However, when we arrived at the guesthouse, I was about to pay Grandpa's surgery bill, which was due in three days, when I discovered that my bank account was empty.

Inside was what I'd saved to save Grandpa's life—all the scholarship money I'd accumulated throughout my childhood and teenage years.

After my parents died young, he became my only family. He had raised me ever since then.

That night, I reported the theft to the police and contacted the bank to check my transaction history. Yet, both the police and the bank told me they couldn't find anything suspicious.

The hospital kept demanding payment.

With nowhere else to turn, I sat down on the steps and called Oxvale University's admissions office to tell them I was giving up my admission.

There was a long silence on the other end before they finally said, "Are you sure? This is an opportunity that countless people dream of."

"Yes, I've given it a good thought."

When I hung up, my hand was shaking so badly that I couldn't hit the red button properly. It took me three attempts to end the call.

…

After that, I worked three jobs a day, but I couldn't save money fast enough to keep up with Grandpa's worsening condition.

He held on for a week before he finally passed away.

After he was gone, I died in my rented room from overworking. Only then did I learn the truth: Elisa had bound herself to a Transfer System. As long as I ate something she gave me, the money in my account would be transferred straight into hers.

…

The bus suddenly jolted, and I opened my eyes.

A road sign outside the window said we were only a mile from our destination.

Elisa was sitting in the row ahead, scrolling through her phone. Every now and then, she glanced back at me from the corner of her eye.

She thought the bag of candy was still in my pocket. She thought I was simply waiting until I had recovered from my motion sickness and that everything was still under her control.

The bus stopped, and my classmates cheered as they poured outside.

She and her friends were among the first to get off. Their figures quickly disappeared through the guesthouse entrance.

I was the last one off the bus.

With my backpack in hand, I stood in the courtyard and called out to everyone getting off, "The class belle bought candy for the whole class! Everyone gets one!"

…

By the time it was completely dark, the courtyard was buzzing with excitement. Everyone had gathered around the tables, sitting in a huge circle.

I reached into my bag for some tissues when a small pink object rolled out of the opening and landed by my foot—the candy.

"Huh?" Freya Loch, who was sitting beside Elisa, was the first to notice. She stared at the candy for a moment before frowning at me. "Marianna, isn't that the candy Elisa gave you? Why haven't you eaten it yet?"

Elisa kept quiet.

She lowered her head, her lashes casting shadows over her eyes, as she nervously twisted the hem of her clothes. She also continuously pursed her lips.

Several seconds passed before she slowly raised her head. Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of cautious hurt.

"Anna, you don't like strawberry flavor, do you? I'm sorry. I didn't know you didn't like it. I just saw that you were feeling sick from the bus ride, so I thought a candy might make you feel better. I didn't know you didn't like this flavor."

Beside her, Stacey Balmoral chimed in, her voice carrying obvious displeasure.