"What does the Timeflower look like? Show me!" On the way back in the car, Nanami Hayashi kept pleading with me, while the others gave expectant looks. I couldn't help but give in. Actually, through me, ordinary people could see time: "Alright, I'll show you."

"Give me your hand." I held out my right hand, signaling for Nana to give me hers. "Cold Creek, what are you doing?" Nana, who was usually shy, seemed to misunderstand my intention, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Don't you want to see the Timeflower?" I took her hand firmly. The Timeflower is time's embodiment—like water, it has substance but no fixed form, shifting with its surroundings.

"Ah, I see it! This is the Timeflower—it's so beautiful!" Nana reached out to touch the Timeflower in my other hand, but her fingers passed right through it. How could ordinary people touch time? "I want to see too," Rika Dojima said, trying to reach over. But we were in the back seat, and she was strapped into the passenger seat, unable to stretch far. "You can see it later. Serves you right for insisting on that seat." Rika huffed, puffing out her cheeks as she turned away. "Senpai is so biased." Hey, hey, that's not my fault.

"Well, we'll take our leave," Yu Tang and the others said as they headed home. I heard the new principal had been decided—a female principal, it seemed. The image of an older female teacher popped into my head, sending a chill down my spine.

Nana was lying on my bed, hugging her brown teddy bear. Alone together, she was less reserved. "Cold Creek, what will you do with this Timeflower?" I smiled mysteriously. "I'll tell you after I finish it."

Ordinary people can't touch time. I needed a container to infuse time into, creating a beautiful, dissipating effect like the Timeflower. It could release a brief Time Ability in crises—a single-use item. But its power and cost were disproportionate, and it drained me terribly. Normally, I'd avoid such thankless work. Yet, I had nothing else decent to give.

So, what to make? Nana loved glass crafts. A bottle? A cup? But those couldn't be carried around, making them pointless.

I decided to visit the library. "Nana, I'm going to the library. Don't wait for dinner." I grabbed my dictionary and headed out. It was 4 PM—I act on impulse. That's my style.

Nana seemed about to speak, but I was already running down the street. I dashed to the after-school library, found my usual window seat, and opened a book titled "The Sparkling World." Just the introduction captivated me—the illustrated glass crafts were dazzling. I'd never realized glass could hold such beauty.

"Huh, Cold Creek?" Chi Ling pulled me from the book. "Interested in glass crafts?" She sat across from me. "Oh, Chi Ling. I want to make a glass item for a friend." She leaned in close. "Nanami Hayashi, right?" she asked with a sly grin. I nodded. "Yeah, Nana likes glass crafts. I'll make her something myself."

"A love token?" Chi Ling stared mischievously. I forced a laugh. "You're overthinking it. I'm staying at Nanami's temporarily—just a thank-you gift." "Then let me help," Chi Ling declared confidently. I looked surprised. "You know glassmaking?" She puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! My father crafts glass, and I often assist him." Perfect—a pro would speed things up. "Thank you so much."

I stood excitedly and grabbed her hand. Chi Ling's hand was soft and boneless, radiating warmth. My action was too forward—her cheeks flushed slightly. I let go. "Sorry, I got carried away." "N-no problem. I'll go now. Meet here tomorrow at 8 AM." She grabbed her handbag and ran off.

I didn't need to stay longer, but I borrowed "The Sparkling World."

"I'm back." Earlier, I'd said I'd be late, but Chi Ling's help meant I returned early. "Huh, Cold Creek? Weren't you staying out?" Nana called from the second floor. "Plans changed." She instructed the servants to prepare my dinner. "You look happy. Good news?" "Secret," I said with a slight smile.

The next day, I rushed out early without telling Nana. At the library by 7:30 AM, Chi Ling was already waiting. "Am I late?" I asked. She shook her head. "No, I came early to help you, Cold Creek. Let's go."

Chi Ling's workshop was a twenty-minute walk away. "Glassmaking uses high heat for shaping—be careful," she warned. I smiled in understanding. "Where do we start?" She put on her work gloves. "First..."

Classes resumed, but after school, Chi Ling and I rushed to the workshop daily. After a week, we made our first piece—a small, colorful glass bead. "Time to add magic," I said mysteriously to Chi Ling. I infused a Timeflower into the bead, and it glowed with dazzling, dissipating sparkles. "Wow, beautiful!" Chi Ling leaned over to admire it. "My first creation is yours." She looked expectant. "Really?" I took her hand and placed the bead in it. "For all your help—my thanks." Chi Ling beamed. "Thank you, Cold Creek." Now, I needed one for Nana.

Excitedly, I held the starry sky glass bead. Unlike Chi Ling's colorful one, this black bead swirled with light points, like a captured galaxy. I infused a Timeflower into it too. Like hers, it would rewind time by one minute in danger, then vanish.

"I'm back." Strangely, Nana didn't greet me. Had something happened? I rushed to her room. "Nana, in there?" Her door was unlocked. "Coming in." I pushed it open. Nana, still in uniform, sat on her bed hugging her knees, looking dejected.

I walked over. "What's wrong?" She slowly lifted her head. "Cold Creek, did I do something wrong?" "No." Why would she think that? "Then do you hate me?" "Really not. Why?" I asked. "You've been cold lately. Are you dating Chi Ling?" She buried her head again. So that was it. I tapped her head lightly. "I'm not dating her." "But you walk home with her every day, coming back late," Nana complained.

Actions spoke louder. I handed her the starry sky bead. "You love glass crafts. Chi Ling's family makes them—I learned to create this for you. I'm a beginner, so forgive imperfections." Nana's head snapped up. "Really?" "Of course." She threw herself into my arms. "Thank you." Normally shy even when teased, her boldness revealed jealousy. But sorry—I'm not ready to like anyone yet.

I patted her head, feeling my chest dampen. "There, there. Don't cry. You'll ruin your pretty face." Nana slowly pulled away. "I'll cherish this gift forever!"

Anyway, that's how I thought things ended. But oh, how wrong I was.