"And what does that mean?" Her eyes widen, and her eyebrows rise in surprise. The girl clearly doesn't expect such a turn of events. Inside, I am boiling with excitement.
"It means exactly what it meant when you showed it to me."
The girl falls silent, lost in thought. Her gaze grows distant, as if she is returning to that moment. Her lips part slightly, and her eyes cloud over, as though she is trying to grasp fleeting memories.
"Two weeks? Will your wish last two weeks as well?" Katrin asks, her voice tinged with disbelief but also a hint of hope. She looks at me, trying to decipher the riddle.
"Yes," I confirm. "Exactly two weeks."
"Don't keep me in suspense. What kind of wish lasts that long?" Her voice grows more curious, though still laced with confusion. Her eyes sparkle, and her lips tremble slightly from inner tension.
Upon learning that we will have to spend the next two weeks together, Rebel Girl perks up. Her eyes gleam, and though she tries to maintain her composure, a faint blush spreads across her cheeks.
"I came up with it before you declared your wish. I was thinking about how I struggle with girls—no experience, no knowledge. I want you to help me with that," I say, and it feels like a confession. I can feel warmth spreading inside me as I finally speak the words aloud.
"So, I'm supposed to find you a girlfriend in two weeks and help you with your relationship?" Her voice carries a note of sadness, and her eyes dim.
"No, you misunderstand. You'll be my girlfriend for two weeks."
For a moment, silence fills the room. I can't tear my gaze away from her face, trying to catch every emotion that flickers across it.
"What? Wait, what?" Her voice is full of disbelief, and her eyes widen in shock.
"My wish is for you to be my girlfriend. That way, I'll gain experience," I repeat, trying to stay calm even though I am boiling inside. I clench my fists to hide the trembling. I know it is a risk, but it could also change everything.
"Are you out of your mind? Me? Your girlfriend?" She shakes her head, her voice tinged with irony, but her eyes betray her confusion.
"I don't know anything. You promised, so you have to follow through."
Katrin freezes, her expression turning serious. She is trying to figure out if I am joking or being sincere. Then she sighs and crosses her arms over her chest. She rolls her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitch, betraying a hidden smile, as if she is trying to mask her true feelings about the situation. She realizes she's trapped herself and now has to play by my rules.
"Fine, I said I'd do it, so I will. But you're a real manipulator," she says with a hint of reproach. "So, now I have to go on dates with you, like a real couple?"
"Exactly," I reply with a smirk, feeling a pleasant thrill. "But don't worry, I won't be too demanding. Just be yourself… with a few adjustments."
"Adjustments, huh?" She raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Well, we'll see how long you last with my 'be yourself.'"
"I'm sure I'll manage," I reply firmly, hiding my nervousness.
"You'll officially announce that I'm your boyfriend and go on dates with me during this time. Afterward, you can tell everyone we broke up," I continue, laying out the terms.
"The second part is clear, and I accept it. But the first… How am I supposed to announce it? Should I walk into the institute and shout it at the top of my lungs?" She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"No, just if anyone asks, you'll say I'm your boyfriend. That's all," I reply with a shrug.
"Alright, I agree."
"I'm glad you agreed so quickly. By the way, tomorrow we'll go shopping—we're changing your wardrobe," I say with a smile. I already know what changes await her, and my voice carries the confidence that she won't back out now.
"What do you mean, 'change'? What's wrong with the way I dress?" Her eyes narrow, and a hint of hurt creeps into her voice.
"I don't have a problem with it," I say, raising my hands in a placating gesture, "but since you're my girlfriend now, you should look the part for the next two weeks."
"Oh, of course, how could I forget?" she snorts, though a flicker of interest crosses her eyes. "Planning to turn me into your doll?"
"No, I just want to make you look even better than you already do. You're beautiful as you are, but why not add a little variety?"
She snorts again, shaking her head.
"With demands like that, you'll never find a girlfriend."
I smirk, leaning slightly closer, and without breaking eye contact, I point at her.
"Well, I've already found one."
"Alright, alright. I'll embarrass myself for two weeks, and then you'll leave me alone. But if you pick something awful, I'm backing out immediately," she says, rolling her eyes in surrender, though her voice is laced with irony. "Any other demands?"
"We're agreed. And one more thing: we're changing your sleep schedule. You're going to sleep like a normal person."
"That's going too far!" Rebel Girl protests. "What, are you my personal health coach now?"
"For two weeks, yes. And no skipping classes. You're coming to all of them with me."
"Is this revenge or something?" Katrin narrows her eyes, her tone mocking. "You're definitely getting back at me for something! This can't just be random!"
"I never promised you these two weeks would be fun," I say with a grin. "So you'll have to put in the effort."
"You're a risky guy. You've got a death wish, huh?" Her voice is cold as a knife's edge. "You realize you won't live to see Ivan again, right? I'll kill you the moment these two weeks are over."
Her eyes burn with fury, but deep within them lingers a shadow of doubt.
"Now, now, my girlfriend, why so heated?" My voice is soft, almost tender, and my gaze is so warm that she can barely hold it. "You might even enjoy it. You might find yourself on the right path."
"You'd better watch your step on that 'right path,'" Katrin says, narrowing her eyes. "Or you'll get hit by a train. Me, for example."
Her words carry a threat, but beneath it is a strange tenderness, as if she herself doesn't know what she wants.
"Careful, or you might not want to stop being my girlfriend after these two weeks," I say with a smirk, but my eyes hold a genuine hope. It's as if I'm trying to peer into her soul, to understand what she truly feels.
"You talk like you've already won. Let's see how you plan to keep me interested enough to stay your girlfriend."
I stand up and slowly walk toward her. Each step is confident but cautious, as if I'm afraid of scaring her off. Gently, I place a hand on her waist, pulling her closer with a soft but firm touch.
"With me. I'll keep you interested with me," I say, my voice steady but pleading. "You'll want us to stay together. And I promise to do everything to make that happen."
A struggle flickers in her eyes—anger giving way to something else, something warm and deep.
"You're… way too confident," Katrin exhales. Her hands, which should push me away, remain still.
"Maybe," I smile, holding her gaze. "But I believe there could be something more between us. And you feel it too, don't you?"