11.30 Monday

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Afternoon

"I told you this wouldn’t work. You didn’t listen—now you’ve only got yourself to blame."

"Nonsense. You pull SSRs every single time, while I struggle to get an SR. Are you even a real player?"

"Pfft! I’m no shill. You’re just unlucky—and clueless about the mechanics."

"Fine, fine. Then draw for me this time."

……

Qi Yao and Xiao Tang slipped through the classroom’s back door, still debating the mobile game they’d been grinding. Yufei Han spotted the boy who’d twice intercepted Qinmu. Her mood darkened instantly. She marched over and blocked Qi Yao’s path with an outstretched arm. "Stop right there. I need to talk to you."

Seeing the girl with mint-green hair—Yufei Han—Qi Yao felt the dying embers of his morning infatuation reignite into wild hope. *Could she actually like me?* The answer, of course, was no.

"Hey! Are you doing this on purpose? What even is Qinmu to you? You’ve blocked me from seeing him twice today—are you trying to pick a fight? Who do you think you are?" Yufei’s tone was sharp, arrogant, leaving no room for courtesy.

"…I’m his friend. And do *you* even know him?" Qi Yao deflated under her entitled scolding. Worse—he wasn’t the one she cared about. At all.

"My apologies. I didn’t realize you were looking for him. Next time, just tell me first—I promise I won’t compete with you." He felt utterly sidelined. Qinmu wasn’t even here.

"Good. Remember this: Nangong Qinmu is *mine*. You—stay away from him. Understood?" Yufei’s voice hardened, as if sizing up a rival.

"Don’t worry. I don’t chase guys. And Qinmu’s got plenty of admirers besides you. Half the school’s probably after him."

"*Half the school?* That won’t do. I’ll have to force things—I’ll claim Qinmu first." Panic flashed in Yufei’s eyes.

Qi Yao stared, bewildered. *Force things?* Was she planning something… indecent? This girl was shamelessly bold.

"You’re serious? High schoolers shouldn’t rush into… *that* kind of thing."

"*That* kind of thing? Pervert! Freak! How’s Qinmu stuck with a friend like you?" Yufei spun away without a backward glance.

"*I’m* the freak? *You* said ‘force things’! How’s this my fault? Unbelievable." Qi Yao sighed. This girl was irrational, explosive—nothing like the perfect image he’d first seen. "Forget it. Chasing someone like her? I must’ve been blind."

---------------------------------

After Second Period

"Nangong Qinmu! Get out here!" Yufei Han yanked Qinmu from his seat by the fourth row’s edge, treating him like a pet on a leash.

Yue Yang wouldn’t let her take him so easily. She followed swiftly, ready to confront Yufei the moment she paused.

Only on the rooftop did Yufei stop. Qinmu jerked his hand free, irritation flashing in his eyes. "When will you stop? Can’t you rein in that selfishness? Don’t you see how unreasonable you’re being?"

"*Selfish?* You dare call *me* selfish? Why did you run off with that boy twice today when I tried to find you? Avoiding me on purpose? Forget that—how many girls are you flirting with? Shen Tu, that quiet girl behind you… who else?" Yufei cut straight to the chase.

"I’m not flirting with anyone! Where do you even see that? And I’m a girl now—hanging out with other girls is normal. Why’s it your business anyway?" Qinmu shot back coldly. He wanted no more entanglements with her.

"Hmph! Fine, I won’t meddle. But seeing you laugh and chat with other girls… it *hurts*. I came here happy today, and what did you do? Avoided me. Ignored me. Do you know how that feels? Nangong Qinmu—if you keep treating me like this, I’ll make you regret it. I’ll teach you a lesson!" Yufei’s voice trembled with pent-up fury.

"You’re wrong," Yue Yang interjected gently. "Qinmu owes you nothing. She’s a girl too—you keep ignoring her feelings, crossing lines, saying cruel things. Reflect on how to win someone’s heart, boy or girl. Stop acting like the world revolves around you."

"Who are you? His desk mate? So you know his secret too." Yufei tried to needle her. "Tell me—if the person you like is surrounded by admirers, how would *you* feel?"

"No problem at all. We’re all girls—I trust him. Unlike you, I stay calm. The person I like… is just that. I have no right to control them." Yue Yang’s expression remained serene, utterly devoid of jealousy.

"How generous. No wonder Qinmu listens to you—such clever scheming." Yufei’s smile turned icy. "But let me be clear: I *will* have Nangong Qinmu. I’ll drag him home if I must. Give up your delusions now." She’d declare war on anyone for what she wanted.

"Then compete all you like. I trust Qinmu to choose who he truly likes. Even if it’s not me—I’ll still wish him happiness."

"Pretty words. We’ll see if you mean them later."

"Enough! Both of you—stop!" Qinmu’s voice cracked like a whip. "I belong to no one. Who I like is my choice. Stay out of my private life. And Yufei Han—grow up. If you don’t fix that spoiled attitude, no boy will ever want you." He fled down the stairs, vanishing from the rooftop.

"How clever," Yufei sneered. "Now he can flirt with even more girls."

"He’s a *girl*. Remember that. ‘Flirting’ is between boys and girls. Know your own heart—or you’ll regret chasing the wrong person." Yue Yang’s tone stayed calm. Unlike Yufei, she loved Qinmu regardless of gender.

Yue Yang left the rooftop. Alone, Yufei wrestled with her thoughts.

*A girl? Wait—girls with girls? That’s… yuri? Lesbian? No, that can’t be—* She shook her head fiercely. *She’s messing with me. My focus’s all wrong. Yuri? So what. I love Qinmu. No one stops me.*