A chill ran down my spine for no apparent reason.

"T-That is... Willow Ran... what does this mean?"

"Just what it says, Teacher."

Danger! Danger!

My writer’s instincts screamed at the icy aura radiating from this girl.

"How’s the progress on your new work, Teacher?"

Huh?

Willow Ran sidled up to me as I stood frozen, beaming as she draped an arm over my shoulders.

"Let me help you brainstorm!"

Huh? Had her earlier anger vanished completely? Shouldn’t the focus be on my new manuscript? Or was this just a trap—lulling me into lowering my guard before striking?

No, that couldn’t be it. If she’d wanted to attack, she’d have done it while I was bowing my head earlier. So what was really going on? I stole a glance at Willow Ran. Though her moods shifted like the wind, she was most genuine around Elder Sister Liu Xin. Loud, a bit arrogant, but hardly the scheming type.

Which meant—

In this girl’s heart, "new manuscript" outweighed "being seen naked."

I’d complained about it countless times, yet I couldn’t help thinking it again—just how incredibly airheaded was she?

I even wondered if she’d let me see *more*—or worse—if I pulled out the manuscript right now. *Damn, the thought sent a little thrill through me.*

Then, Elder Sister Liu Xin’s "affectionate" smile flashed in my mind. Instantly, I snapped back to reality.

This was Elder Sister Liu Xin’s flesh-and-blood sister! Survival instincts are a powerful thing—they yanked me back from the cliff’s edge just in time.

"T-That’s... n-not necessary. I can handle it alone..."

"Oh dear, Teacher, I think you’ve misunderstood."

Willow Ran was smiling, but her eyes held zero warmth.

Terrifying.

"This isn’t a request for your opinion. It’s me stating my decision. *Beneath the Starry Sky* wrapped up ages ago, yet my sister tells me you’re still stuck on your next work. At this rate, your readers will forget you! So—"

With a flourish, Willow Ran swept her right hand horizontally.

"To pull you out of this slump, I’ll give it my all! Your talent plus my supervision? That’s a tiger sprouting wings! Together, we’ll create the world’s most unique, invincible novel!"

She clearly expected me to catch her enthusiasm. But in this cramped changing room? The whole scene reeked of absurdity.

"Teacher! You look utterly unmotivated!"

*Try staying pumped after your life’s been tossed like a salad today.* I felt like nothing could faze me for the rest of my days.

Besides, this girl wasn’t here to "help"—she just wanted to babysit me!

The worst part? I couldn’t refuse.

"A-Ah, no! I’m super motivated! See? Yaaay!"

"That grimace looks worse than crying!"

*What did she expect?* Forced smiles are for masochists.

"Now then, Teacher. Explain this ‘writer’s block’ you’re facing."

We’d already discussed it, but Willow Ran had clearly forgotten. Under her icy glare, I obediently repeated my dilemma.

Honestly, I held a sliver of hope. A stunning girl like her must have admirers. Her perspective could be useful research.

"Ahhh... this is tricky..." Her eyes narrowed. "What’s *that* look for?!"

Hope crushed by disappointment.

"Why don’t *you* have any experience either? Are you secretly a ‘fujoshi’?"

"I’m not! I *want* to experience romance... but I always get lost in books. Never had the chance..." Her voice faded to a whisper.

As expected. To Willow Ran, books reigned supreme.

*Sigh.*

Poor kid.

"Teacher! This isn’t about me—it’s about your new work! There must be another way! You’re a top author! This can’t defeat you!"

*Who promised to brainstorm together minutes ago? Now she’s dumping it all on me!*

"Well... there *is* one option..."

I laid out my revenge plan—but kept Yao Star Yan’s identity as "that ‘insert-teacher’" secret. Fewer people knew, the better.

"So all we need is to help you win over the girl who inspired your heroine?"

"Essentially, yes."

"Feels like you’re just using this as an excuse to chase girls."

"Not at all! Everything I do is for revenge—ahem, for the *novel*! For my readers!" I thumped my chest earnestly to ease her doubts.

"I see..." She seemed convinced. "Then I’ll help you!"

"A-Ah, no need! I can handle it alone."

"Hah! You really know nothing!" She tossed her hair, puffing up proudly. "Since I learned to read, I’ve devoured countless shoujo manga and novels! I’ve mastered their tropes and techniques! Now—I need to *prove* I haven’t wasted those authors’ efforts!"

*Sounds wildly exaggerated.*

Willow Ran closed her eyes slightly, her right hand resting lightly on her chest. After a dramatic pause, she declared:

"...Yes. I am the Chosen One. Bestowed with the mission to save hopeless authors like you. To drag you from this slump. To redeem your romance-starved soul. Which means—"

Her eyes snapped open.

"I am your savior!"

*That line was pure gold.*

It practically came with explosion sound effects. Her clothes even billowed as if caught in an invisible wind.

I deadpanned:

"You’ve never been in love, have you?"

"W-What?! Theory! Solid theory conquers all!"

Classic armchair expertise.

*By that logic, since I write shoujo, I should be a shoujo heroine myself.*

Before I could retort, Elder Sister Liu Xin called, ordering us back. I muttered, "We’ll discuss this later," and strode out under the shop assistant’s puzzled gaze, ignoring the "savior" shouting after me.