From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)-Chapter 217: You’ve Unlocked a Hidden Darcy!

Darcy and Micah sat shoulder to shoulder on a sofa near the edge of the room. Around them, the air buzzed with noise, teammates talking, chairs scraping, the occasional shout of excitement from the crowd outside.

But for the two of them, it might as well have been silent.

Neither spoke.

Micah leaned back with his legs stretched far in front of him, hands folded behind his head. His silver hair shimmered faintly under the ceiling light, a lazy expression on his face. But his eyes weren’t really relaxed. Not entirely.

Darcy sat more upright, back straight but stiff. His fingers tapped against his thigh without rhythm. Every few seconds, he would glance sideways at Micah, then away, then back again.

He shifted in his seat a little.

Ever since he saw Micah returning alone from the restroom earlier, he had been on edge. Why had Micah dragged Archie there? What did they do there? Just talk? About what?

But he had swallowed all of those questions. Micah had come back looking the same as always. Not upset. Not angry. Just... normal. Calm, even. As if nothing happened.

So, Archie didn’t tell him about his feelings? He didn’t act as a heartbroken guy to gain sympathy? What did they do?

Darcy didn’t know. And the not knowing was killing him. Every second that passed, the questions piled up higher.

He gave up.

"So what was with Archie?" he asked, keeping his voice as casual as he could manage.

Darcy had tried so hard not to show his nervousness and jealousy to Micah. But in the end, the question had left his mouth before he could stop himself.

Micah turned to look at him, a bit surprised by the sudden question. "Huh?" He blinked, then snorted. "Oh, I’m not sure either. He seemed super shaken. So I splashed some water on his face and poured my wisdom on him. He’s good now."

Darcy blinked. Then he burst out laughing.

The image formed in his mind, Micah grabbing Archie, dragging him to the sink, cold water flying everywhere, then delivering some bizarre lecture in that arrogant tone of his. Archie would have been flustered and mad. Darcy could practically see it.

Ah... he really liked this side of Micah. Unpredictable, genuine, and fun.

Total opposite of him. Monotone, uptight, rigid, and too indifferent.

"What’s with you? Why are you so quick to laugh lately? Before, seeing you cracking up was practically a miracle," Micah said, sounding sceptical.

Darcy shrugged. "Ah... I am just happy. Being with you."

"What? Am I some kind of clown to you? Are you laughing at me now?" Micah shot back, pretending to be offended.

Darcy smiled and reached out, giving Micah’s shoulder a gentle pat. "Of course not. I can just be myself around you. That’s all."

Micah bit the inside of his cheek, meeting Darcy’s gentle eyes. He knew Darcy was telling the truth. Not just some lip service. He really was enjoying hanging out with him.

Micah looked away quickly and ran a hand through his silver hair, lifting his chin in his own arrogant way. "I know I am awesome. No need to keep stating the obvious."

That did it.

Darcy couldn’t hold himself back anymore. Micah was like a proud, cheeky cat. He lunged forward, both hands reaching for Micah’s head.

"Wait, what are you doing...?" Micah yelped.

Too late. Darcy already had a firm grip on that silver hair, ruffling it with both hands.

"Hey! Cut it out!" Micah squirmed, trying to push him off. "You’re messing it up!"

Darcy laughed freely, not letting go. Then, just to make it worse, he reached down and tugged playfully at Micah’s cheek. "You cheeky brat."

Micah finally shoved him off and quickly started fixing his hair. "Wow! I see how it is. You’re revealing your true colours. I knew you weren’t some model, uptight student after all. How many people have you deceived with that fake personality?"

"What fake?" Darcy raised an eyebrow. "I’ve always been like this. I just wasn’t comfortable enough to show to everyone."

Micah narrowed his eyes, fixing the last strand of hair in place. "Hmm. I think you just enjoy messing with me."

Darcy leaned back with a smirk. "That too."

"You!" Micah gasped and kicked Darcy’s shin lightly.

"Why are you complaining? I just picked up one or two things from you. You’re my role model now. Everything I know, I learned from you, Big Brother," Darcy teased.

"Okay. Now, your change is getting scary! I liked the sweet, calm, mature version of you better!" Micah retorted.

"Too late. You have unlocked the hidden personality," Darcy said.

"Yeah?" Micah cracked his knuckles. "Then, I just have to factory reset you and you will be the same old one I like."

Before Darcy could react, Micah reached over and tugged him by the collar, pulling him closer, and poked Darcy’s cheek hard.

Darcy just laughed and did not resist.

Their closeness and the playful energy brightened that corner of the room.

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"You two... sure are close," came a voice.

Micah’s hand froze mid-poke.

Darcy’s smile also dimmed.

They both turned to see Russell standing nearby, watching them with a strange expression.

Micah let go of Darcy and leaned back, his expression returning to normal. "Yeah? You just realised that?"

"Nope. But I never expected Darcy to be this different..." Russell mumbled.

"You got something to say?" Micah asked, a bit sharper now.

Russell blinked. "Yeah. Just that Big Brother asked us to gather for the strategy meeting."

Micah nodded. "Got it, we will be there in a minute."

Russell stared at them for another second, then turned and walked off toward the others.

Darcy adjusted the collar of his hoodie, smoothing the wrinkle Micah had made. "Where do you wanna play? Duo? Trio? Or five-player team?"

Micah pushed his glasses up his nose, sitting straighter. "None of them. I’m not participating."

Darcy paused. "Why not?"

"It’s their team. They’ve got plenty of juniors. They didn’t say anything cause they thought we would join. But if they knew the truth, there definitely would be a backlash. I don’t want that kind of drama," Micah said with a shrug.

"You’re right. Let’s skip it."

"Nice. We are on the same page. I was thinking we could sneak out during the match," Micah added.

Darcy nodded. "Let me talk to Archie."

"Sounds good. I’ll be waiting here." Micah agreed.

Darcy stood up and walked toward the small group forming near the centre of the room.

Micah watched him go, expression softening. Darcy really had changed.

He wasn’t the same quiet guy who always kept a straight face, who stayed polite and distant, who barely showed what he felt.

Now he laughed out loud. He teased. He reached out first. He was brighter. More relaxed.

Was it because he was away from Silas and his awful manipulation? Because Flora was doing better? Because there was no hurtful gossip about him?

Micah didn’t know the reason. But whatever it was, he was glad.

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