This Time, I’m the Fool Chapter 07
Chapter 7 The Truth, Spoken Aloud
I tracked Maisie down and confronted her in anger. But she brushed it off lightly, saying, “Oh, I always
mix my words up. Besides, if you’re innocent, you’ve got nothing to fear–why are you reacting so strongly? Could … actually have hit the nail on the head?” After that, she even stuck her tongue out at me playfully.
This time, I didn’t swallow it. Instead, I sent the screenshots straight into the group chat and addressed it
head–on. Maisie, what you’re doing is defamation.‘
She fired back without a shred of guilt. ‘And how is this defamation? I heard you say it on the phone with my own ears! Do you dare swear to the heavens that you never said those words?!”
I let out a cold laugh and threw her own words from my previous life right back at her. “How can you slander me like this? I clearly said “jogging buddy” and “jogging meetup.” I just have bad pronunciation,
that’s all. Why are you so determined to wrong me?
The group chat stayed silent. But not long after, a third person finally spoke–it was Vincent.
I’m Naomi’s jogging buddy. We go out for runs together from time to time. Is there a problem with that?
Instantly, it was like floodgates opening.
‘So that’s what it was. I knew something was off–Maisie, you misheard‘‘
Throwing accusations around like that is no different from making things up out of thin air.‘
Hurry up and apologize!‘
Messages defending me scrolled rapidly through the chat.
Maisie didn’t reply for a long while–she was probably on the verge of exploding. Then she finally stomped out a message. Vincent, why are you defending her?! Do you even know what kind of person she is?! Do you know she’s been telling people you have a crush on her?!‘
The very next second, Vincent replied evenly. That’s not wrong. I do want to date her. That rumor started
with me.‘
Instantly, Maisie lost it, the group chat blew up, and I fell silent.
The track field at night was washed in a cool breeze.
Vincent hurried over to me, steadying his slightly ragged breathing. Before I could say anything, he spoke first. “Sorry for claiming to be your ‘jogging buddy‘ without asking. But I meant it when I said I wanted to date you.”
For a moment, I looked at the starlight shining in Vincent’s eyes and didn’t know what to say. Who
would’ve thought someone would openly say he was interested in me–when we didn’t even have each
other added on WhatsApp?
“Vincent, I really appreciate you helping me out twice,” I said at last. “But I’m sorry–I’m not in the right
headspace for a relationship right now.”
His gaze dimmed slightly, but he didn’t get upset. His expression stayed gentle, tinged with curiosity.
That’s strange. Why are you so rational when you’re around me?”
I paused for a beat. “Are you… into idiots?”
The smile in his eyes slowly spread. “No. I’m into you.”
An indescribable tension lingered between us, close enough to touch.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Maisie–who had followed me there–finally stomp her foot, burst into
tears, and run off. The expression on my face gradually cooled.
Vincent teased lightly, “What, you’ve lost interest in me now that she’s gone?”
I glanced at him in surprise but didn’t answer.
As I was about to leave, Vincent called out from behind me, “Naomi! If there’s ever anything you need, just say the word.”
I stopped. “Let’s exchange numbers.”
I rattled off a string of numbers. He froze for a second, then hurriedly pulled out his phone to save them.
Watching him fumble in flustered concentration, I couldn’t help but laugh, then turned and walked away.
