After a short rest in Shen Xueyun’s potion lab, Lyn felt mostly back to normal. He took Shen Xueyun by the hand and left the lab.

When Lyn wasn’t on campus, Shen Xueyun would likely hole up in the lab. She wouldn’t step outside at all. Sometimes she got so lost in potions she forgot day from night.

He’d always thought that was unhealthy, urged Shen Xueyun to go out more. In the end, she only left when he walked with her.

Part of it was her nature—too solitary, not the type to roam alone. The bigger barrier was her identity.

Even with the Shinsnow Clan name, her blood was from a family shrouded in ill omen—you could call it cursed.

This forced Shen Xueyun to grow up under odd, wary stares, treated like a monster. Sadly, they were both “monsters,” but Lyn had Beryl’s shelter and a forceful nature, the kind people feared and avoided. Shen Xueyun was the weaker kind—the one people bullied.

When Divine Snow Sakura was still at the academy, she often looked after her and kept her spirits steady. After Divine Snow Sakura joined the Church of Truth, only Lyn had time to take Shen Xueyun around campus.

For Shen Xueyun, those aimless walks with Lyn were what she looked forward to most. Today, though, she didn’t feel that thrilled—what should’ve been a two‑person little journey had a third wheel.

They had an extra tag‑along now and then before, too.

Shen Xueyun looked at Xing Luo clinging tight to Lyn’s arm, feelings tangled, her gaze a little vacant.

“Kaoru, you don’t look too into this today?”

Lyn noticed her drifting off and asked, concerned.

Shen Xueyun tensed a little, met Lyn’s eyes, then quickly shook her head and looked down. “No… maybe I’ve been doing too many trials lately. I’m just a bit tired?”

She didn’t dare lay bare those small, humble thoughts before Lyn. Besides… an upperclassman that excellent and gentle—she had no right to compete head‑on for him.

Even when others wrote him off as useless, the boy’s unshakable confidence and the proud light in his eyes were always dazzling. It left her feeling small.

“If you’re tired, Kaoru, let’s rest here for a bit.” Lyn didn’t overthink it. He led Shen Xueyun toward their usual lakeside spot with a bench.

The lakeshore was ringed with green. White swans arched their proud necks and drifted across the center.

Shen Xueyun stared at the boy’s hand around her wrist, lips pressing together slightly. She glanced at Xing Luo glued to Lyn’s side, then lowered her eyes again.

She sat on the bench and remembered dozing off while leaning on Lyn, under warm, tipsy sunlight, with a trace of unease. Back then, her heart felt as calm as the quiet scene before her.

But this time, barely seated, she saw Xing Luo lay her head on Lyn’s lap. The tranquil picture in her heart was suddenly torn apart.

“Kaoru, do you want to try lying down too?” Xing Luo caught her look and offered.

Her small, pink fists tightened a little. She forced a smile. “I’ll pass.”

“It’d make senpai uncomfortable, right?”

Lyn didn’t mind. “If you want to rest, Kaoru, it’s fine to use me as a pillow for a while.”

At that, Shen Xueyun’s eyes slowly widened. Xing Luo’s did too, before she turned away, cheeks puffed as she started to sulk.

She hadn’t expected Lyn to roll with it and invite her. She’d planned to yield to advance, and ended up blocking her own way out.

“Really?” A faint blush warmed Shen Xueyun’s cheeks. With Lyn fully awake, her shyness should’ve made her refuse. Maybe Xing Luo lit a spark—she didn’t want to back down.

Lyn nodded and offered his shoulder, adding:

“If Divine Snow Sakura were here, she wouldn’t be this polite.”

It reminded him of a scene from years ago.

Back when they were kids, the Shinsnow sisters slept leaning against his shoulders, one on each side. Kaoru started out careful, while Divine Snow Sakura shot him a disgusted look. Then she got drowsy and toppled onto him anyway.

Hearing that, Xing Luo couldn’t help sitting up, staring at Lyn in disbelief.

Lyn looked at the suddenly upright girl, curious. “Xing Luo, what’s up?”

“Nothing.”

Xing Luo stared at him for a moment, then pouted and lay back down, her small fist quietly clenching.

Shen Xueyun slowly closed her eyes and rested her head on Lyn’s shoulder.

The boy’s clean, pleasant scent seemed to settle her heart. If only this closeness could last forever.

A breeze stirred, tossing their hair and carrying a faint, soft scent.

Lyn looked at Shen Xueyun pressed tight against him, unconsciously hugging his arm. His expression turned thoughtful, and he sighed inwardly.

But he soon started to fake sleep.

He didn’t dare stay awake.

After all, Shen Xueyun’s soft warmth was far too tempting.

Lyn had practically watched Shen Xueyun grow up, so he knew all too well… how quickly she’d developed, and how lively those little rabbits nestled against him could be.

Now that generous softness swallowed his arm so easily, he didn’t even dare move his hand.

They didn’t rest long. Before long, Lyn was roused by his comms crystal vibrating.

The buzz stirred both girls, who hadn’t really fallen asleep.

“Senpai… is someone contacting you?”

Kaoru glanced at the crystal Lyn pulled out, curiosity in her eyes.

“Mm. It’s from Divine Snow Sakura,” Lyn said. He’d just finished reading it, a little surprised—and impressed by how fast she worked.

She asked where he was and wanted to meet. The interrogation of Norton already had a result.

And besides that, she had other important things to tell him.