I scoured my memory carefully. Had I offended her recently? I didn’t think so.

Even after last time’s incident, Yao Staryan seeking me out was rare. But recalling the perks from before, I walked out with anticipation.

“Sigh, you’re so clueless!”

Just like last time, her first words left me baffled. Not that it surprised me—her actions had always been unpredictable.

“If you’re this clueless, channel that… that energy into studying!”

Uh… ignoring the “clueless” part, what “energy” are you even talking about? Why say it while blushing so shyly?

“Um… sorry, I don’t quite understand…”

This conversation felt oddly familiar.

“Don’t hide it! Willow Ran told me everything!”

Seriously, what exactly did Willow Ran tell you? That girl made this decision without consulting me again.

“…S-she said you… think about me… too much…” Yao Staryan turned away, her face flushing instantly—a sight that still amazed me. “J-just focus on studying! No daydreaming! Or you’ll end up in summer remedial classes!”

Arms crossed, Yao Staryan wore a look of utter frustration.

“Fine. After school today, the library. I’ll tutor you.”

Willow Ran did something useful for once. This could bring Yao Staryan and me closer—and give me novel material. Win-win.

Still, she should warn me about surprises like this. I need mental prep.

“That’s great. Thanks, Yao Staryan.”

“No need to thank me. Willow Ran wouldn’t stop nagging… You’re a pervert, but I’m not heartless.”

Classic Yao Staryan. Why are all the girls around me so unusual?

“A-and…”

Her voice dropped. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “If you get tutored… it’d be bad…”

“Wait—you bet with Willow Ran on whether I’d need tutoring?”

“No! Forget it. I didn’t want to anyway. It’s all Willow Ran’s…”

“I know, I know. Really, thank you. Studying with you will boost my efficiency.”

“You sound insincere.”

“I’m not. Truly.”

She still didn’t believe me. Too sensitive.

As class neared, Yao Staryan casually added before leaving:

“Call me Xingyan from now on. Everyone does. Hearing my full name feels weird.”

“Huh?”

My brain froze, unable to process this sudden shift.

She frowned. “Not happy?”

“No, no! I’ve actually wanted to call you that for ages… Xingyan.”

“Ew!”

Goosebumps shot up my spine—even I shuddered.

Why did that feel so cringey?

“J-just stick to my full name… Perverts need special treatment.”

I couldn’t let this progress vanish. And I was tired of being called “pervert.” Time to fight back.

“You’ll get used to it, Xingyan.”

“Ew!”

“If not, I’ll say it more. Xingyan, Xingyan~”

“Ughhh—”

A wave of goosebumps hit me. This self-destructive tactic drained my energy.

If the bell hadn’t rung, I’d have teased her more.

After school, the teacher kept me to carry homework to the office. By the time I reached the library, Yao Staryan had already claimed a spot.

Her aura kept everyone—guys and girls—away from her table.

As I approached, whispers followed me. Rumors of us dating would spread soon.

I sat across from her, ready to explain my lateness. But she asked without looking up, pen scribbling:

“What was your midterm average?”

“Uh… 39? Or 49? Something like that…”

Her pen stopped. Her expression darkened. “So… you failed?”

“Y-yeah… That’s why I need to try harder now.”

“I braced myself…” Yao Staryan rubbed her forehead. “But you’re shockingly dumb!”

That stung. And I wasn’t the only one who failed—why insult everyone?

“With grades like yours, tutoring might kill you… But hey, it’s good for weight loss. You’ll slim down.”

“My body’s perfect as is!”

“Don’t say that out loud. Since I promised to tutor you, I’ll do my best.”

Her eyes sparked with fierce determination. My instincts screamed danger.

“…I-it’s not that bad. Just passing…”

“Eighty percent is your passing mark!”

She smiled angelically—a demon in disguise—and slid a notebook toward me.

“Here’s your study plan.”

Ten “XX Intensive Drills,” ten “XX Mock Exams,” one hundred vocabulary words…

“Oh, that’s just for one day.”

Was it too late to back out?

“Before we start, tell me what you know and don’t know. So I can tailor this.”

“…I want to go home.”

“Mhm. So you know nothing!”

I was trapped. I wasn’t lazy—I pulled all-nighters before every exam.

“How did you even get into high school?”

“Call it one of the Eight Great Mysteries…”

“The other seven must pity you.”

Sigh… Facing this mountain of work exhausted me. But I couldn’t quit.

I didn’t know Yao Staryan’s reasons. But I had my own solid reason for avoiding summer classes.