Sensing movement, she subtly shifted her body, avoiding the hand that had been about to grab her arm as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
She turned slightly to face the person, her calm gaze meeting his.
Nimca hadn’t fully registered what had just happened.
Staring at his own outstretched hand, now suspended awkwardly in mid-air, he couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled.
Was it an illusion?
In that fleeting moment…
He could have sworn he was about to grab her.
“Um… do you need something?”
A soft, gentle voice broke through his daze. Nimca blinked, his gaze lifting to meet hers, and for a moment, his thoughts froze.
The golden hues of the setting sun streamed through her loose, dark hair, casting a faint halo around her delicate profile.
She tilted her head, her expression filled with confusion.
Her dark, misty eyes glimmered softly, as innocent as a lost rabbit’s.
The breeze stirred her hair, lifting the red ribbon that bound it into an elegant arc.
Red and black…
The contrast was striking, yet on her, it exuded an inexplicable harmony.
It was as if she was born to wear those colors, draped in darkness but remaining pure and unblemished.
Such a beautiful girl…
“Do you… want some bread?”
When he didn’t respond, she mistook his silence for interest in the weekend-exclusive desserts she had painstakingly queued for.
Avira glanced down at her paper bag, filled to the brim with bread, her brows furrowing slightly in distress.
“But I don’t want to share…”
She looked genuinely troubled.
After all, she had spent her entire afternoon standing in line, fighting off drowsiness in the crowded bakery, just to get these.
Even if the person in front of her was ridiculously handsome, she wouldn’t share!
“…”
Nimca blinked, realizing how long he had been staring at her. His face grew warm, and he felt a tinge of embarrassment.
But when he heard her childishly possessive remark, he couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“Sorry… I’m not after your desserts.”
“You’re not…?”
Hearing that her bread was safe, Avira raised her head, her expression puzzled as she blinked at him.
“Then why did you call me…?”
The warm sunlight bathed her fair complexion, her long lashes reflecting the light in dazzling patterns.
For a moment, Nimca found himself lost in her presence.
It was hard to believe that this seemingly carefree girl was the same one who had intercepted his pass so effortlessly moments ago.
Had he not witnessed it himself, he wouldn’t have believed it.
This girl was different.
“Pardon my suddenness, but would you consider being my female lead?”
His soft smile was gentle, his clear eyes gleaming with a light that seemed to rival the stars.
His sincerity was unmistakable.
The crowd of girls around them couldn’t contain themselves, bursting into a chorus of excited screams.
“Did I hear that right? Is Nimca asking that girl to join the cast of Flowing Fire?”
“How lucky is she?! I heard NS’s top-tier celebrities are all part of this project! There are so many idols involved!”
“Flowing Fire has been filming for days now. I can’t believe they still hadn’t cast the female lead—it’s like fate brought her here!”
“I thought Noelle would get the role! Her rumors with Nimca are everywhere, and her popularity is off the charts.”
“Noelle is gorgeous, and her acting is amazing. But the story is about basketball. I read the synopsis—the female lead is supposed to be pure, beautiful, and a basketball prodigy. Did you see that girl’s skills just now? She wouldn’t even need a stunt double! And she’s so stunning—if she takes the role, she might become an overnight sensation!”
“Getting noticed by Nimca means being noticed by NS. This girl hit the jackpot!”
“I’m so jealous. Who wouldn’t agree on the spot?”
The murmur of voices buzzed through the crowd like an electric current.
In the entertainment world, NS dominated. Any actor or idol under their banner was a staple on television, the internet, and entertainment headlines. It was practically guaranteed that seven out of the top ten trending celebrities at any given moment belonged to NS.
