This Saturday afternoon, the sun still shone brilliantly. Its rays hit the office building’s glass facade, reflecting a blinding glare. Though it was already September, Tianmu City—a second-tier metropolis—wouldn’t cool down until late October at the earliest.

Even on a Saturday, traffic flowed nonstop. Cars queued endlessly at intersections, drivers and passengers staring impatiently at the red-light countdown. The wait felt unbearably long.

The downtown bus was packed like a overstuffed meat pie—if you added cilantro and pork belly, it might actually taste decent. After squeezing inside for over an hour, Nangong Shiyu and Xia Zixin finally reached their destination: the North Star International Convention Center.

Stepping off the air-conditioned bus, a wave of heat slammed into them. The sudden temperature shift was jarring—repeat it a few times, and you’d definitely catch a stomach bug. Shiyu looked up. The sky was truly cloudless today. From his angle, only endless blue stretched above, not a single wisp of cloud in sight. Rare for September, but terrible news for the cosplayers inside the convention center.

Just a short walk from the bus stop, they passed crowds of cosplayers in elaborate costumes and fans carrying tote bags printed with anime characters. Watching those in heavy cosplay outfits, Shiyu couldn’t help but admire their endurance. He felt hot just *looking* at them.

"So many people," Xia Zixin murmured, scanning the crowd.

"Hardcore fans always swarm places like this."

"Don’t get you otaku types."

"I’m not an otaku," Shiyu shot back. "Luo Qitian is."

Truth was, Shiyu barely understood that world himself. His exposure to anime and manga came only from Luo Qitian’s recommendations—he was still an outsider. He only knew convention basics because Luo dragged him along sometimes.

"By the way," Zixin tilted her head, "are you close with that Shen Yining girl?"

At the name, Shiyu just shook his head.

"Just classmates. We barely talk in class."

Last Monday during study hall, Shen Yining had shoved a love letter into his hands in front of the whole class. Shiyu hadn’t replied immediately—he’d spent the afternoon thinking before finally rejecting her. Why she’d fixated on him, he still couldn’t fathom. He saw nothing special about himself. If he got the chance today, he’d ask her straight.

"Oh right!" Zixin’s eyes sparkled. "You and Big Sis are pretending to be a couple in front of her today, right?"

"Yeah." Shiyu nodded. "Hopefully, seeing us together will make her give up on me."

The moment he finished speaking, a soft pressure wrapped around his right arm. Silky strands of hair brushed his cheek, tickling pleasantly.

"W-What are you doing?!" Shiyu stammered under the envious stares of single passersby.

"Aww, shy?" Zixin grinned mischievously. "For today, Big Sis is your girlfriend."

"Don’t get carried away with this act..."

"What’s wrong with that? It’ll boost your rep." She gestured toward the convention crowd. "Look at them—all virgins."

"That’s brutally harsh! Someone might jump off a building hearing that. You’d be an accomplice to murder."

"Just stating facts. If someone jumps, it’s their own fragile heart’s fault. Weak people don’t deserve to live."

"...You kinda have a point," Shiyu admitted, glancing skyward. "But still cruel. Weren’t you sweet last night?"

"Last night was last night. Besides, I was helping a cute little sister."

"Cute? So you only help pretty girls?"

"Duh?"

"That’s messed up."

"What did you expect? Ugly girls don’t even get a second glance from Big Sis."

"A total looks-maxxer... You won’t win popularity contests like that."

"Please. Strangers don’t know me. To them?" She puffed out her chest proudly. "I’m a total babe. Way more popular than you."

"Yeah, yeah—you’re the idol of the century."

"No sincerity at all!" Zixin puffed out her cheeks.

"Too much sincerity, and you’d think I’m sucking up."

"You’re hopeless, Shiyu. Zero clue about women!"

"Huh? Sorry, my zero dating experience offends humanity."

"This has nothing to do with dating! Women love compliments. Didn’t you know?" She squeezed his arm tighter, pressing her side against him. "Like: *‘Xia Zixin, you’re so gorgeous and adorable today.’*"

"Enough! Let the Sacred Flame purify all!"

A black-clad, masked figure suddenly blocked their path. He wielded a obviously fake black scythe, and his mask bore a giant white "F".

"Eek! Shiyu, he’s robbing us!" Zixin squeaked.

"Panic much?" Shiyu stayed calm. "He’s friendly."

"Huh?"

"Cut the act, Luo Qitian." Shiyu smirked at the masked man.

"Holy crap—you recognized me?!"

"Obviously." Shiyu clapped his shoulder. "We go way back."