"Hmm... Why aren't you screaming anymore~?" Yixinxue playfully stuck out her tongue.

"Tsk tsk." Lingyuan clicked his tongue. "My image of you as class rep has completely shattered."

"Oh?" Yixinxue casually looped her arms around Lingyuan’s neck, her voice soft. "Then what do I look like in your eyes now?"

"You’re... you’re..." Lingyuan’s mind flashed with anime scenes. Yixinxue was acting exactly like... like...

"Hmm?"

"A yandere."

Yixinxue’s expression shifted to surprise.

"Y-Yandere? Me? Ew! No, that’s not right~"

"How is it not..."

Remembering the earlier scene, Lingyuan’s heart still pounded. He desperately wanted to escape, but Yixinxue showed no sign of letting him go.

"Of course not! I’m not *that* messed up~ I just..."

Though slightly shorter and far more delicate than him, Yixinxue somehow shoved Lingyuan hard against the wall.

"Just really, really like you~ Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be together~?"

"Why are you so strong...?" Lingyuan squeezed his eyes shut in fear, letting her press her face greedily against his chest.

"Only practiced karate for two years while living in Japan~ Gotta stay fit to ace PE, right?"

*Damn. So the class rep’s actually trained?*

His dad had taught him some basic joint locks as a kid, but Lingyuan had long forgotten them. Street brawls were one thing—real combat was another. If he lost after claiming he knew martial arts? Total humiliation.

This also meant one thing: he was doomed. Zero chance against her.

"Tch. You’re radiating rejection. Am I really that inferior to your 2D wives?" Yixinxue released him with a frown, her expression suddenly serious. "You *do* know the difference between what you can touch and what you can’t, right?"

"Ah... well... even so... you shouldn’t just... it’s not appropriate..."

Lingyuan’s eyes flickered toward Yixinxue’s chest. He had to admit—the teasing glimpse stirred something dangerous.

*Control yourself... I’m a decent guy...*

"Oh, just touch it. I’ll help you."

Before he could react, Yixinxue grabbed his hand and pressed it against her chest.

"No no no! Class rep! I’m leaving, really leaving!" Lingyuan yanked his hand back and frantically jabbed the elevator button. The doors slid open a crack. He squeezed through.

"See you Monday!"

"Ah, bye-bye~" Yixinxue waved sweetly until the doors closed.

*Oh my god! What did I just do tonight?!*

Yixinxue crouched down, hugging her head. All the suppressed shyness flooded her face.

"Thank goodness he didn’t agree to..."

Her blush deepened, spreading down to her neck.

"Otherwise... it would’ve been way too fast. I’d have given myself away..."

The white-haired girl sighed softly. If she’d shown even a hint of fear, she’d never seize the upper hand again.

"Mew?" Xinxin Miao had been watching from the doorway for ages, its snowy tail coiled around its paws. It let out a confused, squeaky meow.

"I refuse to be the weak one. Even in love, I’ll be the one in control." Yixinxue stood and lifted the kitten gently. "Xinxin Miao is such a clunky name. Do you even like it?"

"Mew~"

"Ugh. Feels like I’m calling myself..." She puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance. "Tomorrow’s Sunday. I’ll take you to the mall for treats and a vet checkup."

...

"Huh? Why’s my phone dead?" Lingyuan frowned, powering it on. Seeing Yanxi’s avalanche of messages, his blood ran cold.

*Damn. No safe harbor at home either.*

Sleep on the streets tonight? Or...

Ling: You up?

Lan: ?

*Reliable as ever. Still awake at this hour.*

Ling: Crash at your place tonight?

Lan: Fight with the class rep?

Lan: Never spoil women. My advice? Dump her.

Ling: Idiot. We’re not even dating. What’s there to dump?

Lan: Bros know bros. Just say "we’re done." She’ll beg you to stay! Can’t let you stay over—might drag you deeper into the abyss. Be brave, bro! Face her thunder! Show the class rep you’re not pushovers!

Lingyuan stared blankly at the screen. *What is he talking about? Imagining? Spouting nonsense?*

Before he knew it, he stood under his apartment building. Why did the walk home feel so short tonight...

Heart pounding, he glanced up at his floor. Relief washed over him—the windows were dark. No one home.

*Probably stayed at Mom’s place.*

*Please let that be true.*

Squeeeak—

The door groaned open. No reply from inside.

"Guess she really went back." Lingyuan exhaled deeply, tension melting away. "So exhausted—"

The fluorescent light snapped on. A figure stood beside him. "You’re late tonight, Brother."

"Holy—!" Lingyuan nearly tripped backward. "I thought you left!"

Yanxi’s eyes dimmed slightly. "Why would I? Come eat." She turned toward the dining table.

"I... already ate out."

The girl froze.

"Oh... Brother must hate Yanxi’s cooking... Even though it’s always bad, today was different... Today’s dishes were actually good... Yanxi’s never succeeded like this before... Yanxi tried so hard..."

"Wait, I—"

"Yanxi understands. Brother finds me annoying... Won’t cook for you anymore... Yanxi... Yanxi will leave right now..."

Her voice cracked. Tears welled, trembling stubbornly in her eyes.

"I’ll eat! Of course I’ll eat! Don’t overthink it. I’ll always eat my sister’s cooking." Lingyuan rushed over, gently ruffling her hair. "I just didn’t expect dinner..."

"But I texted! Called! You ignored me!"

The dam broke. Tears streamed down Yanxi’s face, hot and relentless. No one had ever made her feel this small.

She’d called once that afternoon—rejected. Then his phone died...

Her anxious mind spiraled: *Brother doesn’t love me anymore! Yixinxue stole him!*

"Class... I couldn’t use my phone during class." Lingyuan pulled the sobbing girl close, stroking her back. "Won’t happen again. I’m sorry... please don’t cry..."

*Damn. What even happened this afternoon?*