Chapter 84
Derek’s voice was soft, carrying a faint rasp.
Suzy looked up at him.
He was gazing at her with open sincerity, amber eyes shimmering faintly in the dim light.
"Why are you being polite with me?" Suzy said with a smile. "Besides, haven’t you helped me plenty before?"
In her memories—especially in that other timeline—Derek had indeed looked out for her more than once, both in school and beyond.
She continued rummaging through the now-bulging backpack, pulling out item after item.
A compact foldable solar charging panel, flashlights, candles...
As for food, she didn’t need to worry. Between what she had arranged for him and what he had bought himself, Derek had enough to last at least a year—longer, if he rationed carefully.
Suzy kept going.
Lighting equipment, spare batteries... even a few self-defense items—including a dagger she had bought abroad.
She hadn’t purchased many at the time, but now she laid everything out in front of him.
By the time she finished, the once-stuffed backpack had gone noticeably flat.
"These are all for you," Suzy said.
She had considered giving him a full generator from her storage space—but that would expose her secret.
Aside from her uncle, she didn’t want anyone else to know.
"Thank you, Senior... these are exactly what I need right now." Derek looked at her, deeply moved.
It was help in the truest sense. He didn’t expect Suzy to go this far for him.
First, the supplies, and now all these essential tools...
In times like these, everything she had just handed him was incredibly valuable—items people would fight over, their prices already soaring.
Did that mean...? Did it mean he held a special place in her heart? Otherwise, why would she give him all this?
"I’m just glad you can use them," Suzy said lightly. "Don’t hold back. Is there anything else you’re missing?"
Derek shook his head. "No."
He had all the basic survival supplies he needed. Even without these things, he wouldn’t starve—he just wouldn’t be able to stay in contact with her.
Now, more than anything, he regretted not buying a generator earlier.
"What about water?" Suzy asked. "Are you stocked up?"
She had warned him before to store as much as possible while water was still available—and she had also arranged for plenty of drinking water for him.
"I have plenty. Don’t worry."
When he first sensed something was wrong with the weather—and after Suzy’s reminder—Derek had immediately gone out and bought a large number of buckets, filling each one with water.
They were stored all over the apartment—kitchen, bathroom, spare room, even the living room.
Though in the living room, he had only kept a small amount, carefully hidden, just in case someone came knocking unexpectedly.
It wasn’t strange that Suzy hadn’t noticed.
"That’s good." Seeing that he was managing well, Suzy felt relieved. She didn’t want anything to happen to him in this disaster.
After all... he was someone tied to her now.
In a way, that made him one of her own.
She only hoped he had enough sense to remember her kindness—and wouldn’t immediately be swayed if Wendy appeared.
"...Alright, it’s getting late. I should head back," Suzy said.
She didn’t feel comfortable leaving Leonard waiting downstairs for too long.
"...Okay." Derek nodded.
But just as she turned to leave, he suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand.
Suzy paused, turning back in confusion. "What is it?"
A small desk lamp cast a dim, warm glow over the room, just enough to illuminate their faces.
Derek’s clear amber eyes shimmered faintly.
"You’ve been so good to me, Suzy... I don’t even know how to repay you," he said, biting his lip slightly.
The low light sharpened his already striking features.
His once neat curls had grown longer, brushing over his brows, softening his usual brightness with a hint of melancholy.
His long lashes fluttered like wings, almost hypnotic.
Then... He stepped closer.
Leaning in near her ear, his voice dropped to a soft whisper. "What if I repay you... with myself?"
His warm breath brushed against her ear. The moment she understood what he meant, heat rushed straight to her face.
Her heartbeat skipped a beat, then quickened.
Suzy suddenly remembered what the system had told her:
Closeness could make her stronger.
Wasn’t this... the perfect opportunity? Her earlier efforts hadn’t been wasted after all.
Strength was right within reach.
"Alright," she said without hesitation.
That answer clearly caught Derek off guard.
Before he could react, Suzy added, "Let me see your sincerity."
"...Sincerity?" he echoed instinctively—then froze. "You mean... sincerity in offering myself?"
Suzy smiled. "What else?"
Even in the dim light, she could see the flush spreading across his face. His skin was fair to begin with, making the faint redness all the more obvious.
He looked at her, slightly flustered. "What kind of... sincerity do you want?"
His voice grew softer toward the end, tinged with hoarseness.
Suzy lifted a finger and pointed gently at his lips. The system had been clear: a kiss... and more... could strengthen her.
It sounded almost like a forbidden path—but if the other person was Derek...
She didn’t mind taking the risk.
As for anything further, that wasn’t possible right now.
Thomas was still outside.
So the only thing left was... A kiss.
Even so, Suzy felt a flicker of nervousness. This was her first time testing whether the system’s claims were real.
Would it actually work?
Before she could dwell on it further, Derek gently turned her, pulling her into his arms.
Suzy looked up, meeting his steady gaze. And in the next moment, his lips descended, soft and warm, brushing against hers.
At the instant their lips met, a faint electric sensation rippled through her.
At the same time, a strange warmth flowed into her body, spreading through her limbs—comforting, invigorating.
She didn’t understand exactly what it was.
But her instincts told her one thing clearly: This was something good. Something powerful.
And she wanted more.
Her arms slipped around his neck as she leaned in, deepening the kiss.
Derek seemed pleasantly surprised, tightening his hold around her waist as he responded with equal intensity.
They lingered, reluctant to part... Until a sudden knock came from the doorway.
"...."
Suzy pulled away first, creating some distance between them.
"I should go now," she said lightly. "I’ve felt your sincerity."
Derek lowered his gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he lingered in the moment.
"Good," he murmured.