"Can't say it out loud?"

Is this still the Willow然 I know? Why does she give me such a terrifying vibe?

"If that's the case, then you can't be of much help."

"B-But..."

I felt so不甘心. I knew Willow然 was absolutely right, yet... I just couldn't accept it.

My heart ached as if pricked by something. If this misunderstanding truly existed, it couldn't go on—I had to clear it up!

I wanted to do something, but I was powerless.

"Don't worry. For your sake and mine, I'll help you—even with that reason..."

Willow然 slightly lowered her eyelids, her inner conflict clear to see.

But soon, she lifted her head and met my gaze again, her eyes firm and clear.

"...I'll help you... so just leave it to me for now."

Perhaps when Willow然 first agreed, she never expected things to escalate this far.

"Before that, think carefully about the question I asked earlier."

Finally, Willow然 shot me a sidelong glance, pulled out her phone, and dashed out of the school building.

What was this feeling now—something I'd never experienced before?

I knew I could do nothing right now. Probably, the best choice was to follow Willow然's advice and stay put without causing trouble.

That was the reality.

But—this was my own matter! Willow然 had always helped me before, but in the end, I was the one who had to step up.

Yet now, this feeling of being "spoon-fed"... what was this about?

Whether it was writing novels or avenging my "daughter," this was my fight, not Willow然's. I could never accept being sidelined!

Even if it was too late—I had to stand before Yao Star妍 and reclaim the chance I'd missed!

I'd bet my manly dignity on it!

...

By the time I ran out of the school building, Willow然 was already gone. But that didn't stop me from finding her.

Such a conspicuous sprint—just asking passing students would do the trick.

When I finally located Willow然 based on their directions, she was already face-to-face with Yao Star妍. Willow然 was panting heavily, clearly having just found her.

I crept closer slowly.

My body instinctively hid behind cover when I got near.

"Huff... huff..."

Willow然 caught her breath, then spoke calmly:

"Star妍... what do you think of Gale Splendor?"

Yao Star妍 sucked in a sharp breath, her expression freezing as she stared blankly at Willow然.

Even I was stunned by Willow然's blunt question.

"...W-Why bring him up all of a sudden... What's it to me?"

Willow然's gaze held Yao Star妍's firmly. Yao Star妍, who had tried to meet her eyes, gradually looked away.

"During the holiday break, I was invited to his home."

Invited? Like hell! You shamelessly refused to leave! And you even mooched a meal off me! I silently grumbled from my hiding spot, but my protests went unheard.

"R-Really? So you two are that close now? That's great! But Willow然, be careful—he's a total predator, you know!"

She forced a light tone.

"Are you upset?"

"Of course not. If anything, I'm just worried... about that guy."

"Is that really all?"

Willow然 reached out, cupping Yao Star妍's cheeks with both hands.

As if peering into her soul, Willow然 leaned in close, her eyes locked on Yao Star妍's from mere inches away.

"Star妍, how long have we known each other..."

She saw right through her.

This Willow然—usually so carefree—was unnervingly sharp here. I couldn't figure her out anymore. Which side of her was the real one?

Yao Star妍's body trembled slightly, as if fighting back something. Her cheeks flushed deeper.

"O-Of course that's all!"

She jerked away from Willow然's hands, lowering her head and turning her back.

"He's just a narcissist!"

Yao Star妍 clenched her fists tightly.

"Flippant. Irresponsible. Even if s-something happens, he just acts like nothing occurred!"

"Did something happen between you and him?"

Willow然 raised an eyebrow, pressing further.

"T-That's irrelevant... Anyway... that's how I feel about him!"

"Then why did you run away?"

A thunderclap exploded behind Yao Star妍.

"R-Run away? Willow然, what are you talking about? When did I ever—"

"You heard everything I said to Gale Splendor during the holiday break, didn't you?"

"...What nonsense... I don't understand you at all..."

"Liar."

Willow然 stated it with absolute certainty, as if she'd uncovered the truth.

"You ran because you heard I was going to his place!"

"...N-No! Whatever that guy does with other girls behind my back means nothing to me! S-So... I didn't run away..."

Her words held zero conviction.

But Yao Star妍 wasn't trying to convince Willow然—she just needed a solid excuse for herself.

Then Willow然 shattered her last defense with one sentence.

"It was all for you, Star妍... Gale Splendor sought me out only to learn more about you... His eyes have always been on you."

Ahhh—Willow然, that was way too direct! I, eavesdropping nearby, could barely breathe.

Yao Star妍 looked no better—mouth agape, frozen in place, her earlier bravado crumbling.

"So, Star妍... do you really feel nothing for him?"

Yao Star妍 bit her lip. I held my breath, waiting.

What would her answer be?

I hadn't realized how much this answer weighed on me—I never expected to care this deeply.

I lost track of time.

"...Willow然..."

"Hmm?"

Yao Star妍's face burned redder. She bit her lip hard, wrestling with her final resolve.

"I..."

"Hmm."

"...I..."

Ahhh, if only I could blurt it out for her!

"I-I'm hungry..."

Her shy whisper was accompanied by an adorably loud stomach growl...