Stepping out of the teaching building, Mujin finally let out a sigh of relief.

Luckily, Zhou Ruiyang’s words had given her the perfect, unbeatable excuse only a girl could use.

Even that stern drill instructor had surrendered to it—how could Zhou Ruiyang possibly resist?

But this excuse sparked a thought in Mujin.

She kept switching between Sparrow and girl modes. Would she experience a girl’s unique physiology?

As if on cue, a wave of stomach pain hit her.

"Whoa, way too cooperative," she muttered.

Mujin dismissed it. She recalled a story: a man locked in a -20°C freezer died of fear, though the temperature was fine.

This pain was just her mind’s icy fear—she was fine.

She strode confidently forward, but her steps soon slowed to tiny shuffles.

A cold sweat slid down her cheek.

Sure, she could blame it on her mind, but… what was this warm flow in her lower belly?!

Mujin knew it’d break through in seconds, staining her white panties and the earth below.

Seriously? She’d cried wolf once, and the wolf actually came?!

It proved she wasn’t a liar—but she hadn’t meant to be honest!

"System, #MujinStatus#."

Bound to her body, the System knew her condition better than she did—a free personal doctor that only diagnosed, never cured.

【Querying host status. Please wait…】

"Hurry! It might beat you out!" she hissed.

【Query successful. Host has menstrual debuff. Physical performance reduced. Bleeding buff imminent. Duration: 1 minute 30 seconds.】

Period? Over a minute?! She couldn’t even pee that long—was it draining all her blood?

Mujin clenched her legs, face flushed.

She needed a place, fast.

She scanned around. Only a small grove was nearby. The nearest building was fifty meters away.

Fifty meters—a ten-second sprint for most. For her, it felt like life and death.

Her blue skirt would turn purple halfway there.

Desperate, an idea struck her.

Sparrows don’t get periods, right?

If she turned into a Sparrow in the grove, she could dodge the bleeding, then change back.

Like using Zhonya’s Hourglass and Stopwatch in LoL to avoid ignite damage.

She clutched her stomach, legs tight, and hurried into the woods.

She was a genius! No one else could think of this in such a crisis!

Just as she gloated, a "creak" made her freeze.

She turned. Her almond eyes widened in shock.

At the grove’s exit, Zhou Ruiyang stood, staring at her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, glancing around the branches.

"That’s my line! Why are you here?!" anger flared in her voice.

"You said you were leaking. No bag, skirt pockets too low for tissues—I came to help. But you didn’t go to the bathroom. You came here."

"So you followed me?!"

"I thought you needed help," he shrugged, matter-of-fact.

He’d suspected she was lying—and he was right.

"You m—" Mujin started cursing, then froze.

The warm flow wouldn’t pause for chat. It was about to burst free.

"Turn around! Now!" her voice cracked with panic.

Zhou Ruiyang hesitated, then turned.

Mujin squatted, pulling her white panties down her thighs.

"Plop—"

Zhou Ruiyang froze. What was that sound?

Curious, he turned back.

"Don’t look!" she screamed—but too late. Their eyes met.

Last time, he’d only glimpsed her room’s door. This time, it was wide open, layout clear.

Zhou Ruiyang’s pupils shrank. He covered his eyes and spun away.

"S-sorry."

Awkward silence followed, broken only by intermittent "plops."

The dripping stopped. Soft sobs replaced it.

"Hic… hic…" Mujin cried for real, tears streaming down.

Humiliation and helplessness overwhelmed her. The period made her feel truly like a girl—she couldn’t fight it. Hormonal rage made her cry.

"I’m sorry. I’ll take responsibility," Zhou Ruiyang said seriously.

"Get lost! Now! I never want to see you again!" she growled through gritted teeth.

This was worse than seeing her dance. Like explosive diarrhea, slipping on the way to the toilet, roommate walking in while you’re helpless.

It wasn’t social death—some pains surpass death.

Was he her nemesis? Why did he always catch her at the worst moments?

As she fumed, Zhou Ruiyang turned and ran to her. He scooped her up, one arm under her shoulders, the other under her knees.

The world spun. Mujin was cradled in his arms.

He sprinted deeper into the woods.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" she clung to his neck, legs trembling together.

Was he taking advantage? Bastard, not even sparing his own brother?!

"Shh! Someone’s coming!"

"Huh?"