“How’s work been lately?”

With the café’s hum buzzing like bees, Nana Toki let idle questions drift like steam from a cup.

“Mm, everyone’s been good to me.”

Yuzuki gave Nana a faint smile, soft as morning light through fogged glass.

Clearly, no one had come looking to make trouble for Yuzuki again—the last storm had scared those dogs back into their kennels.

“Anyone at the shop or school who makes your heart flutter?”

“Huh?!”

The word popped like a drop of oil hitting a hot pan.

“I’m asking if you’ve met any guy who makes your heart race.”

Nana scratched at her hair, irked like a cat raking its fur. “Are you dense? How’s that hard?”

“Uh… um…”

The scolding stung, but Yuzuki didn’t bristle. Heat bloomed on her cheeks like cherry petals; she ducked her head and worried at her skirt hem like a timid sparrow.

Her shy look was sunlight on water—no hiding it.

“N-no…”

Nana Toki: “...”

No, then why are you blushing like a sunrise? Seriously?

Hey! Trash System, are you seeing this? The girl says she doesn’t have a crush. That Hidden Mission of yours? Maybe reissue a simpler one, yeah?

Please do not question the authority of this System. If this System declares it exists, it exists.

At long last, the System chimed in like a cold bell—then cut out like a gust snuffing a candle.

No room for follow-up, just silence.

Nana Toki: “...”

“Yuzuki, how about clocking out early today?”

Zhao Laosi’s voice rolled over from the bar like a drumbeat. “Your friend came to hang out. Go keep her company.”

“Eh? But the shop…”

Temptation fluttered like a kite, yet Yuzuki reined it in.

“It’s not rush hour. We’re not busy. Go have fun.”

Zhao Laosi smiled, then hollered toward the station like a cracked gong. Footsteps pattered; someone hurried over.

“Lao Liu will cover your shift for now. If it gets busy, I’ll call you. Go on.”

“Girls your age are out there playing under the sun, not glued to a counter. Take a half-day and breathe.”

Whether it was true or because Nana Toki had come to visit, Zhao Laosi granted the afternoon off like tossing a key to freedom.

“Miss Yuzuki, take a breather. You always look out for us. Go relax with your friends.”

Lao Liu fumbled with a waiter’s apron, his clumsy hands fluttering like moths.

“But…”

“No buts.”

Yuzuki tried to protest, but Zhao Laosi’s face hardened like rock. “Go out and live a little—you’ll mold if you stay here. With Miss Suo Sen watching you, I’m at ease.”

Zhao Laosi trusted Suo Sen’s skill like an anchor in a storm, which pricked Nana’s curiosity like a thorn.

What game’s this bearded ox playing? Handing me a staff member this easily?

Or is some unstoppable tide shoving the plot forward?

The trash won’t talk; I won’t get answers.

Fine. I’ll ride the current for now.

“We’ll head out, then.”

Nana Toki traded a quick farewell and guided Yuzuki out of the café like leading her through mist.

On Black Street, their looks and clothes shone like lanterns, and vultures of men started circling with cheap smiles.

But—

“Get the hell out!”

Before anyone closed in, Zhao Laosi’s roar cracked the air like thunder. Even a dozen yards away, people felt his heat. “Take one more step, and I’ll make you crawl out sideways!”

On Black Street, Zhao Laosi’s name carried weight like a cudgel; regulars knew the bearded bear was no joke.

One shout, and the crowd peeled back like a retreating tide.

They walked almost to the crossroads at the end of Black Street, and not a soul dared draw near.

“Suo Sen?”

At the exit, just as Nana Toki meant to take Yuzuki home, two faces rose out of the flow like stones in a stream—Chen Yiyi and Chongming Yan—her least favorite encounter.

They hadn’t expected to meet her here either; surprise flashed across them like lightning.

Nana’s outfit wasn’t her usual street-punk shell, which stalled them like a needle skipping.

Especially Chongming Yan—he stared, dazed, as if a familiar statue had changed faces overnight.

They smoothed their expressions quick as a hand wiping a mirror.

“Suo—”

“Yo. Hey. Bye.”

Nana Toki didn’t spare them a glance, just flicked a lazy wave like shooing birds, then walked on without a ripple.

Why do I run into the male and female leads everywhere I go?

I could scream. I just want to clear one Hidden Mission—why’s it this hard?

When luck sours, even water chips your teeth, huh?

Unlike Nana’s rudeness, Yuzuki dipped her head, apologetic like a bow in gentle rain, and offered a quick, sorry glance.

Then—

“Wait!”

Chongming Yan turned, catching Nana’s wrist with a grip like iron. His face darkened like a brewing storm. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to avoid places like this?”

“None of your damn business.”

Irritation flashed hot as sparks, and Nana snapped her hand free like shaking off a snake. “I don’t need to report my steps to you.”

What’s with the Protagonist Lord? Why keep pestering me?

Does the heroine not care about her face at all?

“Suo Sen…”

Behind Nana, Yuzuki tugged at her clothes, a small plea like a breeze at the sleeve—asking her not to go too far.

Chongming Yan’s jaw tightened darker, and he reached again, palm half-raised like a shadow falling.

But—

“Chongming.”

Chen Yiyi tugged his other arm, voice sweet as honey and sharp as a needle. “We agreed to shop this afternoon. Why cling to a two-faced traitor?”

Her sugar-coated tone hooked him; even Chongming Yan hesitated like a stalled clock.

“Exactly, you know what’s what.”

Nana Toki almost wanted to applaud. “I am that two-faced traitor. Please let me go.”