Yet problems arose immediately.

Mengmeng-jie hadn’t told me which drawer held the clothes. Needing to deliver them before Yao Star妍 finished her shower, I had no choice but to check each drawer one by one.

That was my plan.

But—

When I opened the first drawer—

*Meow~*

Before my eyes lay a pair of white panties printed with cat faces. Neatly folded beside them was a pure white cotton bra.

Such a girlish set belonged to Mengmeng-jie? Though her name sounded cute, I’d always seen her as a mature older sister—someone who should wear sophisticated black lace, at the very least.

Then again… perhaps only a woman with Mengmeng-jie’s curves could pull off this look with devastating allure.

Add cat ears and a tail—

Wild yet serene, seductive yet cute. Her demeanor radiated a mature woman’s confidence, yet her emotions remained as tender as a little girl’s—*Damn it*. My imagination ran wild. Even my nose grew warm.

I clamped a hand over my nose, accidentally pressing my wound. To stifle a yelp, I switched hands to cover my mouth.

Still, Mengmeng-jie’s voice floated from the kitchen:

“Gale Splendor, what’s wrong?”

“A-ah! Nothing! Just… keep cooking, Mengmeng-jie!”

She didn’t press further. A soft “Oh” came, followed by the clatter of cooking.

*Wait!*

*Why did I lie?!*

*That was the perfect chance to ask where the clothes were! Why lie? Guilty conscience? Of course it was!*

*Guilty as sin!*

Shame surged through me. I, Gale Splendor, had betrayed Mengmeng-jie’s trust—fantasizing about her *underwear*.

*I deserve death!*

*I should commit seppuku to atone—*

But… perhaps this was rare research material? As a shoujo novelist, I *must* understand girls deeply. Studying lingerie surely counted!

So… no big deal!

My earlier fantasy was just praise for Mengmeng-jie’s charm—a compliment!

My cheap guilt vanished instantly.

After two more drawers, I finally found Mengmeng-jie’s clothing cabinet.

A girl’s wardrobe—the sacred land of unknown mysteries. My writer’s notebook slipped out before I could stop it.

*Damn occupational hazard!*

Just then, sounds came from the bathroom. Yao Star妍 must be done showering.

If I didn’t deliver the clothes now, her glare would be brutal. I grabbed a shirt at random.

As for bras and panties—hygiene aside, the size was clearly wrong for Yao Star妍. Mengmeng-jie was a master of chest jiggle; Yao Star妍’s assets were… “disappointing.”

No time for that now. I shook my head, shut the drawers, and rushed off.

I placed the clothes in the bamboo basket outside the bathroom. Beside it lay Yao Star妍’s discarded outfit—honey-gold. Honestly, it didn’t suit her.

To avoid suspicion of peeping—and frankly, uninterested in her “disappointing” undergarments—I left immediately.

Such British gentlemanly conduct should earn some goodwill, right?

In the kitchen, Mengmeng-jie stood in an apron, stirring a pot. The scent of home-cooked comfort filled the air.

“Ah, Xiao Hua! The ginger soup’s ready. Drink some first.”

“E-eh? Okay!”

After fantasizing about Cat-Ear Mengmeng-jie, I couldn’t meet her eyes.

Luckily, she seemed to see me as just a kid.

The bathroom door clicked open.

“Xiao Hua, you shower next. Don’t catch a cold.”

I nodded, downing the soup in one gulp. The silence was suffocating.

“I’ll bring your clothes later.”

Mengmeng-jie’s house had men’s clothes—not from a boyfriend, but her younger brother visiting during long holidays.

*That* kid was the real brat.

Lost in thought, I reached the hallway—or rather, the narrow passage.

And there stood Yao Star妍, fresh from the bath.

She wore the oversized shirt I’d grabbed. Unfamiliar with the fit, her right hand gripped the collar while her left tugged the hem. Her skin glowed with a faint blush from the steam, water droplets clinging to her hair tips.

Even with her efforts to cover up, her legs were impossible to ignore—pearl-white, flowing like liquid silk. Such perfect curves could mesmerize even her “enemy.”

*Stop staring. She’ll explode.*

As I turned to leave, I caught Yao Star妍’s flushed face. She’d looked away, fidgeting with her damp strands.

“…What do you want?”

*So wary?*

“Mengmeng-jie told me to shower too.”

She no longer ignored me completely, but this hollow chat was painful.

Still, it was progress. Understanding others starts with words.

“Oh. Right.”

Silence fell again.

*That’s it? I got worked up for nothing.* But at least she wasn’t cold anymore. Maybe she wasn’t so unreasonable.

“…I’ll go shower now.”

Her averted gaze flicked back to me.

“…Are you… okay? That… thing…”

“Ah, this?” I lifted my bandaged right hand—the one Thug B had slashed. “Mengmeng-jie wrapped it. It’s better. Just gotta keep it dry.”

This wound was a medal earned saving her. Even if it throbbed, I’d never admit it.

Yao Star妍 didn’t look convinced. Instead, her expression crumpled.

“…I-I’m sorry. You got hurt… because of me.”

“It’s fine. My own fault for grabbing him.”

As expected, proud Yao Star妍 couldn’t accept that. Her conflicted face was almost satisfying.

Psychologically, I’d finally gained the upper hand—revenge for her earlier rejection.

“Star妍, not ready yet?” Mengmeng-jie called from the kitchen.

“Go on. She’s waiting.” I stepped aside slightly.

The passage was too narrow for two people side by side.

Yao Star妍 nodded, walking past me. The closeness carried her sweet, clean scent.

As she brushed by—