In the corridor leading to the classroom, I sensed someone tailing me.

No way?

Was it another scout like "Guo Jia"? I’d just shaken off the suspicion of being wrongly accused—thanks to Willow Ran’s unintentional help.

My calm was slipping. Even my steps grew unsteady.

Damn… my stomach churned.

At this rate, I’d crack before the final bell. No! I had to face this. If I panicked now, I’d freeze up completely on the real battlefield.

I halted, took a sharp breath, and spun around. "Listen—"

Only to find Yao Star妍 startled right in front of me.

Her wide eyes locked onto mine, frozen in surprise at my sudden turn.

"Uh… were you following me?"

"W-What nonsense!"

Yet her crimson-flooded cheeks betrayed her. Waving a trembling finger like she was warding off a ghost, she stammered, "I just saw you walking with Willow Ran earlier! I was making sure you didn’t get *too* desperate and pull something creepy!"

"But Willow Ran and I split up right after."

I smiled, watching her round, panicked eyes. Instantly, her blush deepened.

"S-Shut up! How do I know you won’t suddenly pin her against a wall?!"

Her shout drew sideways glances from nearby students.

Time to back down. If I pushed further, she might spin wild rumors.

"Relax. Nothing’s going on with Willow Ran. Remember when I helped her carry stuff last time? She just thanked me today when we bumped into each other. Honestly, she *is* as polite as you said."

I lied smoothly. Yao Star妍 eyed me skeptically at first, but seemed to accept it—after all, Willow Ran and I had zero history.

Phew. Crisis averted.

"So…" She fidgeted. "You seemed really tense earlier. Trouble?"

Huh?

Was Yao Star妍… *concerned* about me?

"A-Ah, don’t get the wrong idea!" She quickened her pace, striding ahead where I couldn’t see her face. Her voice dropped, tight with forced nonchalance. "If you’ve got problems, I’ll help. Consider it repaying my debt. We’ll be even."

*Even?* After last time, the score was 1-2—I still owed her one.

Telling her about the love letter felt even weirder. Some novels use that trick to spark jealousy… but only when feelings are mutual. With us? She’d probably throw a parade to push me toward the confessor just to ditch me.

Best to refuse.

"...Nah. Nothing serious. I appreciate the offer though."

"It’s not about *appreciation*," she snapped over her shoulder, grimacing like she’d found cilantro in fried rice. "I just hate owing people."

Classic her. Moody. Illogical.

"Well, if you insist…"

"...Thanks."

"Whatever. I don’t pry into secrets anyway."

That line felt familiar. Almost like it hid something deeper.

Whatever.

"But… if I’m honest? I’d love to share a secret with you someday."

The words slipped out before I could stop them—so shamelessly暧昧. *Willow Ran would call me gross.* Regret hit instantly.

"W-What? That’s… awful."

Yao Star妍’s expression flickered.

*Was she calling me a flirt?*

Ugh. Real-life romance was exhausting. Give me a pen and paper—I could write a hundred ways to win you over! I could’ve cried.

"A-Anyway! Forget it!" She spun away again, arms crossed, trying for her usual icy tone—but a faint tremor gave her away. "J-Just… if you need help later, say the word. I don’t like debts hanging over me."

*Buying me dinner would clear it,* I almost said. But if I made it too easy, this fragile "bond" might vanish. Every moment counted. She didn’t know the score was against me. Let her feel guilty. With Willow Ran’s quiet backup, my revenge plan needed every advantage.

"Got it. I’ll count on you then." I smiled.

She shot me a glance, huffed "Hmph!", and marched toward her classroom.

Not even a goodbye. Seriously, so unadorable.

…

The schoolyard after classes.

Dusk. A textbook-perfect, tangerine sunset—the kind of scene made for confessions or meeting heroines.

Honestly? I never imagined *I’d* be part of this "story."

This wasn’t a prank.

"Um… Gale Splendor…"

The girl before me was real. Her cheeks flushed sunset-pink, radiating genuine charm as she gathered her courage.

"I… I like you. So… will you go out with me?"

—Guo Jia confessed.

My first face-to-face confession. Lying about feeling happy would be pointless. But—

"...Sorry."

The words came out clearer than I’d expected. All my rehearsed lines collapsed into two syllables.

"I-I see…"

"Yeah. Sorry."

"I… I understand. Sorry for dragging you out here."

Her voice cracked.

"No, truly—I’m honored by your feelings…"

"It’s fine! I’ll… I’ll go now."

Saying that seemed to drain her. She brushed past me, forcing a smile that threatened to shatter.

*I had so much planned to say…*

But in the moment, my throat locked.

I *was* happy about the letter. Truly. My first time feeling this way—

—but that happiness didn’t come from its sender.

So… who *would* make me truly happy?