To win over the male lead, I started leaving him a homemade breakfast in his desk every single day.

Until one day, a stream of comments appeared before my eyes:

“You idiot side character, have you been leaving those for so long and not realized you got the wrong desk?”

“That’s the villain’s desk!”

“But hey, has anyone else noticed? Since she started leaving the wrong breakfast, the dirt-poor, stick-thin villain who could never afford to eat has actually put on a little weight.”

“No kidding. She stuffs those sandwiches like she’s packing a donkey, throwing in every meat and veggie imaginable. The only thing she hasn’t crammed in there is herself.”

“Sigh, but you gotta feel for the villain. He probably thinks she actually likes him, but it turns out she was just leaving it for the wrong person.”

I froze mid-stride, just outside the classroom.

Instinctively, I looked up.

There, down the hallway.

A slender, gloomy boy was looking at me, his eyes shining.

1

When the System found me, I was helping my mom flip crepes at her food stall outside the school gate.

It told me I was the female lead, and my mission was to win over the male lead, not waste my time here.

Without looking up from the splattering oil, I asked, “Want a crepe to go?”

The System: “Do you have any idea how much money you’ll get if you succeed?”

I whipped off my apron. “Why didn’t you say so sooner? Let’s have a little chat.”

2

I wasn’t great at chasing guys. The only thing I knew how to do was make crepes.

The System, as romantically challenged as I was, gave me an idea. It’s simple. Start by bringing him breakfast every day to get his attention.

So, I expertly whipped up a crepe and confidently marched toward the male lead’s classroom.

The System stopped me. “You absolute moron, are you insane? Look at what the other girls are bringing him.”

It then pulled up a series of photos and plastered them in front of my face.

There were homemade strawberry cakes shaped like little bunnies, intricately designed chocolates, and even a heart-shaped steak and pasta dish. My greasy, fragrant crepe seemed embarrassingly out of place.

I thought for a moment.

Then, it hit me.

I needed to bring him something… Western.

A sandwich is Western.

But after following a video tutorial, something felt off. It just looked so… plain. A single leaf of lettuce, a slice of ham, a slice of tomato.

Could anyone even get full on that? Rich people were so pretentious.

Time to make it real.

I cooked up all the fillings I used for my crepes and started stuffing them in.

Fragrant fried chicken cutlets, tender grilled pork, sizzling bacon, and the undisputed king of sausages… I even threw in a pack of my favorite spicy chips for good measure.

Trust me, no one could resist this. One bite and you’d be so lost in flavor you wouldn’t notice if someone dropped dead next to you.

Finally, I carefully placed the bulging, overstuffed “sandwich” into a paper bag from “Miller’s Crepes” and shoved it into a plastic sack.

The System was silent for a long time. “I… have no words. But, good luck.”

3

No words? What did it mean, no words?

It was a total success, okay?

When I snuck into the male lead Asher’s classroom that night, the sandwich was gone.

In its place was a clean, crumb-free “Miller’s Crepes” paper bag, neatly folded and tucked into the corner of the desk.

Looks like it suited his tastes just fine. He couldn’t even bear to throw away the wrapper.

My confidence soared.

The next day’s breakfast was even more extravagant. I squeezed a few extra pieces of fried chicken between the two slices of bread. And of course, you need something to drink so you don’t choke. I secretly filched a bottle of premium yogurt from a gift box my mom was saving.

A week later, the collection of paper bags in the desk grew. Even the yogurt bottles were rinsed clean and lined up beside them.

This was a collection, right?

My heart leaped with joy. It seemed Asher had not only fallen in love with my sandwiches but, by extension, had fallen for me too. He must be desperately trying to figure out who was leaving them so he could confess his feelings to his beautiful, kind benefactress.

Cinderella had her glass slipper; I, Holly Miller, had my crepe-style sandwich.

So, the next morning, I deliberately delivered it a little late.

As expected, there was someone in Asher’s classroom. A boy, far too thin, was wearing a black baseball cap and quietly cleaning the room.

Not the male lead. Asher wasn’t that tall.

But that was fine. As long as someone saw me, a witness, they would surely tell Asher who his “beautiful and kind” crepe girl was.

So I deliberately, in front of him, pretended to be shy as I placed the bag in Asher’s desk. To make sure he knew who I was, I even let my student ID card slip from my pocket and fall to the floor.

Then, without a second glance, I turned and ran.

I hadn’t gotten two steps before a light breeze brushed past me.

The next second, my wrist was seized in a firm grip. A searing heat radiated from his palm.

I had no choice but to stop.

I turned around.

And finally saw the face under the brim of the cap.

His skin was so pale it was almost translucent. His bangs were so long they looked like they hadn't been cut in three months, messily shielding his eyes when he looked down. All I could see was a sharp, slender jawline. It made him look gloomy and strange.

The boy, however, seemed to realize something and snatched his hand back as if he’d been electrocuted.

He lowered his gaze, avoiding my eyes, his voice a whisper. “Um… miss, you dropped your card.”

I cursed him silently for a fool, but I smiled as I took the card. “Oh, thank you.”

The boy seemed stunned that I had smiled at him. “You’re… you’re welcome.” He looked down again, his hands at his sides clenching and unclenching. Finally, as if summoning all his courage, he looked up. “Um, you…”

But by the time he spoke, I was already gone.

All that remained on the floor was the student ID card of the “Crepe-Brand Cinderella.”

4

I ran back to my class, panting.

That stupid kid. He almost ruined my whole plan.

Wait.

I was so focused on bringing the male lead breakfast that I forgot to eat my own.

Just as I was about to leave the classroom, a line of text floated before my eyes.

“You idiot side character, have you been leaving him breakfast for so long and not realized you got the wrong desk?”

Who? Who was the side character? Wasn’t I the female lead?

And what was wrong? What did I get wrong?

Wait a second, where did this text even come from?

Before I could figure it out, more comments flooded in.

“LMAO, she’s been doing this for a week and hasn't noticed she’s got the wrong desk.”

“That’s the villain’s desk!”

“But hey, has anyone else noticed? Since she started leaving the wrong breakfast, the dirt-poor, stick-thin villain who could never afford to eat has actually put on a little weight.”

“No kidding. She stuffs those sandwiches like she’s packing a donkey, throwing in every meat and veggie imaginable. The only thing she hasn’t crammed in there is herself.”

“Haha, one of those is probably his only meal for the day.”

“Sigh, but you gotta feel for the villain. He probably thinks she actually likes him, but it turns out she was just leaving it for the wrong person.”

I froze mid-stride.

Instinctively, I looked up.

There, down the hallway.

That slender, gloomy boy, clutching a crepe-sandwich and a bottle of yogurt, was looking at me, his eyes shining.

5

“Haha, look at that pathetic expression. He’s probably already hearing wedding bells in his head.”

“Villain: She likes me so much. She brings me food every day in secret. I think I’m starting to like her too.”

“I heard this villain’s character is pretty intense. The obsessive, clinging ghost-type. Once he latches onto someone, he’ll never let go, not even in death.”

“Look at the way he’s staring. He probably already thinks she belongs to him.”

“Haha, you’re done for, side character! Our villain is the type who, if you show him a single kindness, will cling to you like a vengeful spirit.”

The comments were a chorus of laughter, but I was trembling where I stood.

This was bad.

Not only had I failed to attract the male lead, but I had accidentally provoked the villain!

The System had mentioned this villain, Leo Vance, before. He would go on to do terrible things and meet a tragic end. If he latched onto me, would I even survive?

No, no, no.

I had to cut this off. Now.

I quickly turned and ducked back into the classroom. Thankfully, it was almost time for morning study, and students were trickling in. I breathed a sigh of relief, figuring he wouldn't dare follow me in here.

I lowered my head, ready to start my reading.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the door.

“Hey, isn’t that the jinx from Class 10?”

“What’s he doing here?”

“Stay away from him. Look at him, all gloomy like a sewer rat. So creepy.”

“Is he here to see someone?”

“Get real. You think someone like him has friends?”

“Yeah, I heard whoever gets close to him has bad luck for the whole day.”

“Why is he just standing there?”

“Who’s he waiting for?”

“Go away already.”

A few boys shoved him.

Leo didn’t move.

He just stood quietly at the back door, still clutching the sandwich and yogurt. His eyes were fixed on the back of my head, unblinking, as if he could burn a hole through it with his gaze.

The boys at the door, annoyed, slammed it shut in his face.

Leo said nothing. He silently walked over to the window and continued to stare at me through the glass.

The people sitting by the window: “…”

So the curtains were drawn.

Even though I was sitting at my desk and didn't turn around, I could feel his eyes on me, like needles on my back.

And the comments kept scrolling.

“Villain: Can’t see my wife anymore, sob.”

“Villain: It’s okay if my wife doesn’t want to see me. I’m not that sad, really, I’m not. As long as she’s nice to me later, it’s okay, it’s okay… No, it’s not okay! Wife, please, just look at me once…”

I pretended I couldn’t see any of it. Wiping a bead of sweat from my brow, I went back to my homework.

Thankfully, he must have felt awkward, because he didn't come looking for me for the rest of the day.

But going to the bathroom meant passing his classroom.

After holding it for two periods, I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I sprinted past his door like I was running a hundred-meter dash.

On my way back, though, I couldn’t resist a quick glance into his classroom. And I immediately saw a familiar tall, thin figure.

But he wasn't at his desk.

For some reason, he was standing by the trash can, staring into it blankly. Then, without hesitation, he reached in to pull something out.

Me: “!”

As I was wondering what was going on, the comments appeared right on cue.

“Poor villain. Someone threw the sandwich the side character gave him in the trash.”

“Sigh, he’s already so poor he can’t afford food. That was probably his only meal for the day.”

“He was trying to save it, too. He wrapped it in his jacket and put it in his desk, but those guys who hate him found it.”

“How can people be so cruel?”

“Sigh, isn’t that how it always is for villains? Bullied from a young age, facing endless hardships, until they finally lose all hope and love for the world and just hate everyone equally.”

“When you’re at your lowest, even a single straw can break you. Let alone having the food from the person you like thrown in the trash.”

“With the villain’s vengeful personality, is he really just going to let this slide?”

“Of course not! Spoiler alert: tonight, Leo will corner those guys in an alley, beat them half to death, get expelled, and begin his life as a villain.”

“What? No way! I heard his grades are really good. If this didn’t happen, he could have gotten into a top university, had a bright future, instead of ending up in the criminal underworld, fighting for his life in the rain, covered in wounds.”

“Can’t be helped. That’s his fate.”

The comments made my blood boil.

What fate? All he wanted right now was to eat. Such a simple wish. Why did he have to trade his future for it?

I was so angry I forgot all about my plan to stay away from him.

Without a word, I marched into his classroom and grabbed Leo’s arm just as it was about to go into the trash can.

In front of the gawking bullies, I dragged him out of the room.

Leo, caught off guard, instinctively tried to shake me off. But when he saw it was me, he immediately lowered his head and followed me obediently. His tall, thin frame stumbled awkwardly as I pulled him along, but he didn’t make a sound.

Under the brim of his cap, his dark eyes were fixed on the hand I was using to hold him, a slow ripple of emotion spreading through them.

The comments exploded.

“What is she doing?!”

“I don’t care, she’s so damn cool!”

“The villain is really going to fall for her now.”

“Wife, your humble servant bows to you~”

It wasn’t until we were at the door of the teachers’ office that I realized how awkwardly I was holding him. I quickly let go of his arm. “Sorry, sorry about that.” After apologizing, I couldn’t help but scold him. “If you’re uncomfortable, why didn’t you say so?”

Leo kept his eyes down, not speaking. But his right hand secretly, thinking I wouldn’t notice, came up to touch the wrist I had just been holding.

The next second, I saw a faint smile curve his lips. It was gone in an instant.

Me: “…”

Okay. We were clearly not on the same wavelength.

“Come on.” I led Leo to his homeroom teacher’s desk.

I politely explained what had just happened in the classroom. Finally, I feigned a look of fear, clutching my chest. “I was just passing by and happened to see it. If I could see it just by chance, it must be just the tip of the iceberg. I can’t imagine how much he’s being bullied when no one is looking.”

“Leo’s grades are so good. He got second place in the whole school on the last exam. He’s a top university prospect!”

The middle-aged teacher, who had been indifferent to my initial complaints, sat up straight at the mention of this. Minor squabbles were one thing, but a top university prospect meant a big bonus for him.

He was suddenly wide awake, assuring me that he took the matter very seriously and would review the security footage to investigate thoroughly. He told us not to worry.

“The villain can’t even hide his smile.”

“In his eyes, his wife is literally glowing.”

“Say no more. Wife, your humble servant bows to you.”

Seeing the comments, I finally came back to my senses.

Outside the office, we stood facing each other, a little awkwardly.

“You know, if you’re being bullied, you have to speak up. The best thing to do is tell a teacher. Your grades are so good, he won’t ignore you. And don’t resort to other methods that will only end up hurting you and others, okay?”

I didn’t know if he was listening. He just kept his eyes down, staring at me. His dark eyes held an emotion I couldn’t decipher, and they looked… wet.

Comments:

“Villain: What is my wife babbling about? I want to kiss her.”

“You’re done for, side character! You’ll never be able to shake him off now!”

My eyes instinctively met Leo’s.

Sure enough.

His gaze was slowly drifting downwards, until it settled on my lips and stopped.

My heart felt like it stopped for a second.

“Uh, um, I haven’t finished my homework yet. I-I should go.”

I fled back to my classroom as if my life depended on it. Heart hammering, I slapped myself.

Just this once. That was definitely my inner hero, Holly the Righteous, taking over. Time for her to clock out and get back on track.

From now on, I just had to keep my distance. I wouldn’t get tangled up with him. I silently reassured myself.

Wait.

So… should I still bring him breakfast tomorrow?

First, I definitely had to bring one for the male lead, Asher.

But what about Leo?

If I kept bringing him breakfast, would he just fall deeper into this misunderstanding?

But if I didn't…

His family was poor. All the money he earned on weekends and holidays went to tuition and books. He had barely anything left for food. He survived on a single bun and a packet of pickles most days. The fact that he was so tall must have been some kind of villainous superpower. After all, a future crime boss had to have an imposing presence.

But one bun was definitely not enough for someone who studied so hard and worked part-time. He was probably already malnourished.

Maybe… I could still bring him breakfast, but less. A little less each day, to let him know my true, benevolent intentions.

Anyway, final exams were coming up. We would go our separate ways soon and never see each other again. I’d let him misunderstand for now. If he knew I was giving him food out of pity and not because I had a crush on him, he would definitely refuse it. He might even put me on his future underworld hit list.

Just breakfast. Nothing more!

Having made my decision, I breathed a sigh of relief.

As for the whole side character/female lead thing, I asked the System. He said his temp had made a mistake. I was, indeed, the side character. But I was also the male lead Asher’s childhood crush. My role was to pursue him, have a brief romance, and then ruthlessly break up with him. Asher would be heartbroken, rescued by the true female lead, and after I completed this storyline, I would get my reward.

It was simple. Money and a handsome guy to date. What was not to love?