A real man never looks back at explosions—scratch that, blushing.

As a shoujo novelist, even my toes knew Yao Star妍 had blushed just now—100%! I’m confident in my looks. Sure, Yao Star妍 crushed me recently, but today wasn’t bad. Why? I’m no Super Saiyan. When I offered the tea, she had time to react. Yet she didn’t refuse. Progress!

Humming a tune, I entered the classroom. The bell rang right after.

After second period.

“Listen here—” Willow然 scolded me in that unique tone she saves for me, voice sharp with anger.

“Are you really an idiot? You must be an idiot! You’re such an idiot!”

She repeated it three times. I was completely clueless. If she meant the rooftop scene, wasn’t it perfect? Why the anger? I couldn’t grasp it.

But Willow然’s furrowed brows and hands-on-hips stance weren’t joking. Was she mad I didn’t say goodbye? No—Willow然 isn’t petty. She hadn’t even flinched at my manuscript delays. Right now, she felt less like my fan, more like my boss.

“What exactly did I do wrong?”

“Huh?” My honest question left her speechless. She sighed deeply, like giving up.

“Sigh, Gale Splendor, haven’t you realized the huge mistake you made?”

I shook my head innocently.

Willow然 slapped her forehead in exasperation.

“Gale Splendor, how have you written amazing shoujo novels without understanding girls’ hearts?”

“B-but Yao Star妍 didn’t resist! Doesn’t that mean I have a chance?”

“So what?”

“What the hell does ‘so what’ mean! Smooth progress would be great. Why get mad out of nowhere? I’ve written scenes like this countless times. My actions were perfect—not bragging!”

“Well, in novels, maybe... But your relationship isn’t that close. In real life, that move is su-per dis-gust-ing! Just watching made me cringe.”

“Hey... Is it really that exaggerated? I’ve used this trope plenty...”

“It’s fine in fiction, but this is real life! Get your head straight!”

“! Y-you’re right...” I stared wide-eyed.

“Have my writings always been beyond common sense?”

What was this? A critical hit of real damage. The blow was so huge I could barely handle it alone.

No—I must warn all shoujo writers! Shout: “Over-the-top acting doesn’t work!” and “Beyond-common-sense stuff is super gross!” Then shoujo novels would enter a new spring—yeah right! They’d just become boring slice-of-life drivel!

“What’s that look?” Willow然 pouted. “It’s not what you think.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, don’t bring novel tropes into real life. Just be normal. Didn’t you say, ‘Our job is to turn boring things exciting’?”

I hadn’t expected her to remember my words.

“So, Gale Splendor, no need to imitate your characters. Be ordinary.”

“Ordinary way...” Thinking back, my approach really was too unconventional. I’d thought my looks would win Yao Star妍 with a direct confession. It failed. Now, what I saw as cool, Willow然 called disgusting.

“Exactly. For girls, a small chocolate at break brings joy for ages—double damage for Star妍. Affection builds slowly. Your move today backfired. You really don’t get it.”

Though Willow然 had zero dating experience, she’d mastered shoujo tropes to her core. Even I thought it made perfect sense.

“Star妍 said nothing today, but your impression’s probably ruined... She never liked you from the start.”

“You mean the confession?” I’d only told Willow然.

“But why did Yao Star妍 deny it? Wasn’t it a perfect chance to mock me?”

“Listen—unless she’s a pro immune to confessions, girls always get shy! They can’t blurt it out publicly. It’s instinct.”

Oh—I see. I quickly jotted it down.

“As for why Star妍 didn’t dodge? She was just caught off guard—too surprised to move.”

“What? You’re just guessing.”

“Well, she dislikes you now. That guess is basically fact.”

I wanted to argue but had no words. She was right—I just wouldn’t admit it.

“A guess is still a guess. My move today wasn’t totally wrong, was it?”

“Then try again next time.”

“U-uh...”

“Boys’ cuteness shows in their stubbornness, huh?”

Damn—why did this girl sometimes seem like a different person?

Seeing me speechless, Willow然’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

“Anyway, Gale Splendor, no rash moves now.” She warned, then muttered: “...Seriously, now I have to check Star妍’s feelings. My workload just spiked...”

Willow然 and I were in the same boat.

“Alright! This won’t happen again!” I vowed to my “savior”: “For the new manuscript, I’ll do my best!” And for revenge for my “daughters.”

“Hmph—if you say so, I’ll be relieved!” —Her final tone still irked me.

My meeting with Willow然 ended as the bell rang. Clutching her “ordinary” theory, I headed to class.