The Magic That Made the Playboy Who Never Dates Fall for Me Chapter 03
So the semester’s new transfer student steps up to the front: “Sophie Bennett. Hope we all get along.”
I glance at Mason.
Bro is staring at Sophie on the podium. Like, full-on hungry eyes. 👀
Up there, Sophie’s eyes are locked on Evan—the male lead, first row by the door.
And Evan? He looks up… and glances at me.
Me: ???
System goes: [HOST. HOST. LOOK AWAY. STOP STARING. NOW.]
I blink, pull my gaze back, and I’m about to ask what that was about when—
“Who were you looking at?”
Mason’s voice drifts over from beside me, all low and probing.
I turn. He’s twirling a pen, eyes fixed on me like a hawk.
I think fast: “Checking if a teacher’s patrolling the halls.”
Then I shuffle the deck of cards in my hand with a clean flick—showtime.
“Don’t wanna get caught playing cards.”
His attention snaps to my sleight of hand. “Teach me after class.”
I nod. “Sure.”
…I don’t know why, but my palms were a little sweaty just then.
After years on stage, I haven’t felt nervous in a long time. Weird.
After Sophie transfers in, Mason and her bicker like crazy. Since she sits diagonally behind him, I overhear everything.
“Mason, show me how to solve this last problem.”
“Are you stupid? You can’t even figure this out? Take it away, don’t waste my time.”
I look down at my own worksheet—half-empty, not a single problem solved.
System: [Looks like Mason doesn’t like dumb people.]
I wholeheartedly agree. Nod.
Then after class, my worksheet gets snatched right out of my hands by Mason.
He stares at the blanks. “Why didn’t you write anything?”
“I don’t know how,” I say. About to apologize when—
“Which ones don’t you know?”
Huh?
I point at one at random.
Mason drags his chair over next to mine and starts: “This one’s understandable if you don’t get it. You just—”
He launches into an explanation—seriously walking me through a multiple-choice Latin Language question—and my palms start sweating again.
Was it really understandable?
System: [I think I take back what I said earlier.] 👀
Childhood friends, am I right?
Mason looks out for Sophie, and Sophie occasionally brings him breakfast too.
With Sophie’s breakfast in the picture, Mason stops taking mine in the mornings.
Even mutters under his breath: “Just eat it yourself. You’re already too skinny…”
System: [What a shame, Host. You spent all last night preparing that new magic trick.]
I bite into my breakfast sandwich and shake my head. “It’s fine.”
Winning someone over is a slow process—I get it.
Besides, the sandwich is pretty good.
It’s just… I still feel a little bummed.
Just a little.
“Hey, I heard from Mason that you do magic?”
After class, Sophie plops down at the desk in front of me.
I blink, then nod.
“Can you show me one? He did one for me last time—said you taught him.”
While I process that, Mason grabs Sophie by the arm and yanks her up.
“What are you bothering her for? Get back to your seat.”
“Ow, let go! I just want to see a trick!”
Mason frowns and looks at me.
I shake my head. “It’s okay.”
I stand up and pull out a rubber band.
Have Sophie hold out one hand.
I loop it around her index finger, then around mine.
Then I touch my fingertip to hers.
With my other hand, I give a quick tug—
The rubber band, wrapped around both our fingers, comes off cleanly and lands in my hand.
Sophie’s eyes go wide. I flick my hand—the rubber band vanishes—and in its place, a lollipop. 🍭
I hold it out to her, meet her eyes, and smile.
Sophie claps both hands over her mouth, cheeks turning bright red.
“Th-thanks…” She takes it, looking shy. “You’re really amazing.”
The bell rings. Sophie gets practically shoved back to her seat by Mason, though she looks reluctant to go.