Because of Willow然’s order, I didn’t see Yao Star妍 again all day.

Was I really hated?

My heart ached. I’d thought the tropes from my novels would work in real life. But the effect was completely opposite.

The school bell had long since rung. Lost in pointless thoughts, I grabbed my bag and left the classroom building.

I texted Willow然. The reply said Yao Star妍 was angry at Willow然 for taking me to the rooftop without permission. So Yao Star妍 had gone straight home after class.

Sigh… Reality really does differ from books.

Before things became irreparable, I should follow Willow然’s "Ordinary Theory."

I looked up. Dark clouds covered the sky, pressing lower and lower.

"No way—I forgot my umbrella…"

To get home before the rain, I took a rarely used shortcut.

It lay behind the garbage station. The stench was awful, and the path was bumpy. Normally, I’d detour rather than walk here.

The air turned damp and biting.

A raindrop hit my face. I quickened my pace.

The shortcut’s exit was ahead. Someone seemed to be there. At first, I thought it was a trick of the dim light—no one could tolerate this stink. But as I neared, I saw it wasn’t an illusion.

At the road’s end stood three people.

Two guys and one girl.

I’d usually ignore strangers and hurry past. But now, I slowed down. The girl was Yao Star妍.

More importantly, she seemed in trouble.

Her uneasy posture made that clear.

The two men before her had dyed yellow hair and leering expressions. Classic malicious harassment.

—Huh, my chance to shine.

Like hell!

Not to brag, but I could take five thugs like them. For my writing research, I’d learned many things—sanda included.

But rushing in might make Yao Star妍 think I was a violent freak. Per Willow然’s "Ordinary Theory," I shouldn’t follow novel tropes here.

I needed a normal approach.

I scanned the area. Only black garbage bags littered the ground—nothing weapon-like. Except… a cracked electronic megaphone.

Ahead, things were getting physical. The thugs were grabbing at Yao Star妍.

I crept over and picked up the megaphone. The plastic shell was broken, but it might still work.

I flipped the switch. It emitted a staticky *crackle*.

No choice—I’d try it.

I raised the megaphone to my mouth and took a deep breath—

"Police! Over there!"

But the megaphone blared only "*Zzt—kzzk-kzzk—BRRRP!*"

Totally broken.

Yao Star妍 didn’t turn around, probably afraid the thugs would attack if she moved. But the two punks reacted—mockingly. One strode toward me.

"Kid, what’re you doing?" His voice dripped menace.

"A-ah, I was just testing if this megaphone worked… Guess it’s busted."

The yellow-haired thug frowned suspiciously. "Then scram!"

"Uh, y-yes, sir."

I turned to leave. He muttered, "Scared the crap outta me," as he walked back.

Honestly, I was scared too.

As a "literary worker," acting stressed me out. Now I respected my heroic male leads—they had it tough.

I followed the thug toward the exit. Yao Star妍 still hadn’t turned; she feared a surprise attack during my distraction.

"What’s that pretty boy doing?"

"Pfft, just tossing trash! I told him to scram."

Relieved they weren’t cops or guards, the thugs relaxed.

But it wasn’t over.

As their guard dropped—

"Go down!"

I kicked the yellow-haired thug’s butt. Off-balance, he crashed into his buddy. They collapsed in an "X" shape.

Yao Star妍 froze, staring at me in shock.

"Don’t just gawk—run!"

I grabbed her hand and sprinted.

Angry shouts chased us. This time, I’d messed up big—

Damn… Unfair… This shouldn’t happen… So unlucky!

I screamed internally, dragging Yao Star妍 forward. I’d thought they’d quit in crowded areas. But modern thugs were tougher than my fictional cannon fodder—they felt like final bosses.

They’d chased us for three blocks!

Yao Star妍’s steps faltered. If we stopped, a fight was inevitable.

But with her here, I couldn’t fight freely.

Running was smarter.

"Hang in there!"

"...Huff... huff..."

She couldn’t even speak.

We hadn’t noticed our surroundings. Suddenly, we faced a dead end.

Game over.

"R-run! Why’d you stop?"

Thug A panted, hands on his knees.

"Shut up and beat him! Then take the girl!"

Thug B pulled out a ten-centimeter fruit knife.

I shielded Yao Star妍, but there was no retreat.

My focus shattered.

Thug A—the one I’d kicked—sneaked up and slammed his foot into my stomach. As I doubled over, he kicked upward, sending me flying.

"Gale Splendor!"

First time hearing Yao Star妍 sound so frantic.

But she wasn’t faring well either. Thug B grabbed her hair roughly.

"Behave yourself!"

Terrified, Yao Star妍 struggled.

"Tch!" Thug B, already in a foul mood, snapped. "I said stop moving!"

—*Thwack*.

The sound of a blade cutting flesh. Yet Yao Star妍 felt no pain. Shielding her was—

"—R-really… I told you not to move!"

The long-threatened rain finally began to patter down…