However, I couldn’t tell Willow Ran about receiving that love letter.

I’d be too embarrassed.

“Ah… that thing… it’s not that I don’t trust you! I really do trust you, okay? Um… besides, it’s not actually anything troubling.”

Hearing my firm trust, Willow Ran puffed out her chest and declared overconfidently, “Hmph, you know what’s good for you. When Willow Ran takes the stage, she’s worth two people!”

I already had the answer to that letter. The real problem was… conveying it to the sender. I felt hesitant. And nervous. No matter what, I couldn’t calm down.

Though I’ve stressed it many times, I’ll say it again—this is my first time ever facing a love letter head-on!

Sharp-eyed Willow Ran spotted the hesitation in my brow. She swaggered over and—*thwack!*—slapped her palm hard on my back. It stung!

“Really? Gale Splendor, I came to help you write the world’s greatest novel. Any writing trouble, I’ll selflessly fix it. So no need to hold back—oh, and non-novel stuff too, but that costs extra.”

“Hey, I never agreed to pay you. You forced your way in!”

“Tch tch tch~” Willow Ran wagged her finger annoyingly. “Too late now~ What if I spilled your plans…?”

Her words were irrefutable. Her shrewdness was nothing like our first meeting!

I swallowed my fury, forcing an angelic smile. “No, really. I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”

“I won’t mind! Worrying what H-books to buy with your allowance is normal for teens like you.”

“I have zero such worries!” I shouted. But Willow Ran ignored me, grinning like, “Heh heh, I got you!” Then she brightened. “Or… did you awaken to cosplay? Feeling like police uniforms aren’t enough…?”

“What nonsense!”

How did she know such niche stuff? Was Willow Ran a closet pervert?

Seeing my pause, she planted her hands on her hips. “See! You hesitated! I was right! Gale Splendor, I misjudged you—the ‘insert’ in illustrations was your doing! Don’t talk to me, pervert!”

How wild was her imagination?

“Are you even listening to me?!” My voice cracked from agitation.

Finally, Willow Ran turned serious. “Then what is it? You’re hesitant because it’s troubling, right?”

She seemed genuinely worried. But I couldn’t be fooled. If I weren’t useful for “writing novels,” she’d ignore me. Even though I’m handsome.

Telling a third party was delicate. “This… really is a secret…”

“A must-keep secret? Something unspeakable—” She put on a flustered face.

“How eager are you to frame me?!”

“No! Secrets are just intriguing! People instinctively dig up hidden things.”

“You’d hurt others to satisfy your curiosity.” I glared disdainfully.

“Nonsense—I keep secrets!”

“You threatened to expose it seconds ago…”

“That was a joke! I’d never allow leaks. I’m gentle~”

Did she think I’d believe that obvious lie? Naive. Some idiots really think “I’m gentle.”

“If nothing else, move. You’re blocking my way to school.”

Facing my icy stare, Willow Ran pouted. “What?! Still doubting me? Rude. I’m tight-lipped!” To prove it, she added cockily, “Like how Gale Splendor’s a pervert who loves cross-dressing—I’ve never told anyone!”

Her character was utter crap sometimes.

“Or how he changes clothes with girls while cross-dressing—I kept that quiet too!”

Fury burned inside me. But I couldn’t show it. I’d done all that. You reap what you sow.

“See? My secret-keeping is top-notch!” She strutted like, “Thank me, weakling!”

Still, I wouldn’t yield. “It’s not about secrecy. Outsiders shouldn’t know… This isn’t your business, Willow Ran.” I took a deep breath, calming myself.

Willow Ran studied me closely, sizing me up.

“Sigh, hiding it hard just makes you look guiltier~ Whatever. I can guess. Heh heh—it’s about love, right?”

“Ah… this…?”

“Seriously? Your dumb, honest reaction gave you away!”

“…”

“Then it’s definitely not Yao Star Yan?”

I nodded silently.

Willow Ran fell quiet, then spoke in an uncharacteristically serious tone. “Gale Splendor… if it’s just for your novel, you don’t need Yao Star Yan, right?”

“Ah, that… I said before. Someone like Yao Star Yan must have unique love insights. It’s vital for my writing.”

“But I told you—she has none.”

Yes, Willow Ran mentioned that early on. Back then, no “third party” existed, so she hadn’t objected. Now…

Should I reveal my revenge plan? No. I’d never expose others’ secrets for selfish reasons—not even my “enemy.” That was my revenge principle. Besides, I must avenge as a writer. That’s what matters.

Was this really the Willow Ran I knew? She felt unfamiliar. Then again, we’d only met a week ago. Maybe I didn’t truly “know” her.

“…Never mind. I don’t think you’d do that… but don’t hurt their feelings, okay?” Her tone softened back to normal. In her familiar way, Willow Ran waved goodbye after we entered school.