Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 198

“When you say ‘as before’, it makes it sound like it was just a few years ago. The only time I ever called you adorable was when I was nine years old. You were thirteen at the time.”

“Isn’t it pretty much the same as back then?”

“If it’s the same, that’s a big problem for me…”

I’ll get arrested…

“I’ve just grown a little taller, Adeline. Look closely.”

“The more I look, the more different you are!”

More importantly, if you weren’t different, that would be a disaster. What is he even saying?

How could a 13-year-old boy and a 27-year-old man possibly be similar?

Of course, even as a 13-year-old, Shane had been tall and lanky, with long limbs. But back then, he still had the soft, delicate aura characteristic of adolescence.

The faint fuzz on his pale cheeks and the roundness of his face gave him an undeniably cute look.

Now, however, the only remnants of his boyishness were his porcelain skin and sapphire-blue eyes.

While beautiful and handsome, his appearance was no longer ‘cute’.

His once slender limbs had grown longer and more muscular, and his chest had broadened. He was now the very picture of a robust young man.

“Think about it, Adeline. Even back then, I was taller than you.”

“That’s true…”

What exactly is he trying to prove here?

“And I’m still taller than you now, so nothing’s really changed.”

“Stop talking nonsense…”

“You used to say my nonsense was cute, though…”

“That was when you were thirteen…”

Back then, Adeline had been so captivated by Shane’s looks that his words were practically on mute. He could’ve said anything, and it wouldn’t have mattered.

“How can love change?”

What is this? Am I in a daytime soap opera now?

Adeline never thought she’d hear a line that dramatic in my lifetime, usually reserved for protagonists confronting their unfaithful spouses in morning or evening dramas.

For the first time in a while, Adeline imagined a rectangular frame around Shane’s face, as if she were watching a movie or TV show.

Pouting with mock hurt, Shane suddenly spoke in a gloomy tone.

“Well, back then, you only liked my face.”

“……”

“That’s why you abandoned me.”

“What do you mean, abandoned…”

It really felt like this line was also in some drama.

“Right now, I like you the most.”

Even as she said it, Adeline couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu.

She felt like she had become a trashy spouse trying to win back their partner after an affair, even though she’d never been unfaithful in her life.

The power of drama dialogue was astonishing.

“You’re my favorite, Shane. I really mean it.”

“…I’ll believe you.”

Shane nodded, pretending to be aloof, and fed her another spoonful of soup.

Though his appearance wasn’t cute, his actions certainly were.

Lloyd was too independent and cocky to rely on, and while Genevieve occasionally showed a playful side, she was mostly dependable.

Shane, on the other hand, was mostly cool and composed, but his behavior was undeniably the cutest.

He was affectionate, easily sulked, and openly showed his desire to be loved.

Even after their reunion, when he had tried to confine her, there were moments when Shane still seemed as adorable as he had been in the past, leaving Adeline at a loss.

But Shane was Shane—no matter what he did, she could only see the endearing boy he used to be, making it impossible to truly hate him.

“To be honest, you also still have some cute parts, Shane.”

“You can drop the ‘also’, Adeline.”

“…Sorry.”

Why does everything I say make me sound like a cheating spouse?

Adeline groaned, rubbing her forehead.

“Your behavior is the cutest? No, that’s still a comparison…”

No matter what she said, it sounded wrong. In the end, Adeline decided to just stay quiet.

The important thing was that she liked Shane, and she consoled herself with the thought that she had conveyed that much.

Shane, enjoying her discomfort, casually dropped another comment.

“I hate everything you like, Adeline.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to only look at me, Adeline.”

Even Shane’s possessiveness was endearing.

Adeline resigned herself to the fact that she was utterly smitten.

“But since I want you to keep loving me, I guess I’ll have to endure it, even if I hate it.”

“Wow, you’re so admirable…”

Was this how she’s supposed to compliment him?

Shane was starting to remind Adeline of a doberman trying to act cute.

“If you’re going to praise me, give me a kiss, Adeline.”

Not only was he affectionate, but he also gave orders so effortlessly…

He’s good at everything, isn’t he?

Lloyd stifled a laugh.

The sight of a monster pretending to be tame, hiding its fangs and claws, while acting cute was indeed a rare spectacle.

‘Perhaps finding that endearing is a special talent in itself.’

It seemed everything really did come in pairs.

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