As the bell signaling the end of classes rang out...

My first day back at university faded into loneliness.

Gazing out the window bathed in sunset glow...

I had no intention of rushing out like everyone else when the dismissal bell sounded. Instead, I sat motionless in my seat.

Lost in thought, I watched the crowds moving below through the glass.

Beneath the dying light, those hurried figures seemed determined not to waste a single second here.

They strode briskly toward the school gates or the sports field.

"I'm heading out, Taro-kun! See you tomorrow~"

A light, cheerful voice cut through my daze.

I slowly turned toward the sound...

Shen Shiyu stood there, flashing her little canines in a bright grin as she waved. Before I could reply, she *darted* out of the classroom.

"At least wait for me to say goodbye, you unreliable childhood friend..."

I stared blankly at the spot where Shen Shiyu had stood.

Truth was, this little demon had been the first person to talk to me in days...

The first to stir ripples in my heart...

Though we belonged to separate worlds...

Even if she’d completely forgotten about a childhood friend like me...

She still chose to warm me with her smile, hoping to melt the gloom from my face.

At the thought, my lips curled upward—a genuine, quiet smile bloomed.

Thanks to that little demon’s antics, my heavy mood lifted like never before.

"If only I... Never mind."

Feeling lighter, I stretched luxuriously as I rose from my seat.

Glancing around the empty classroom...

I realized I was the last one left. Everyone else had long since vanished.

But dust had gathered on a few desks.

Those must’ve been the seats of the missing girls.

"Is anyone here?"

Just as I moved to leave, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice drifting into the room.

Its owner...

I knew him.

The very last person I wanted to see right now.

"Oh? You’re here too, Dongyu."

After a long silence from inside, the figure pushed the door open, stepping into the classroom.

His eyes landed on me—he froze for a split second before recovering, his tone shifting to warm surprise.

"Y-yes... Brother..."

Before me stood a man in a criminal police uniform, around twenty-six. Jet-black hair framed stern yet handsome features, his sharp gaze softened by a touch of warmth.

This man...

Undoubtedly my older brother—Chu Xiayu.

One of only two people I still cared about in this world.

His expression clearly showed he hadn’t expected to find me here at this hour.

"It’s late. Why aren’t you heading home?"

He walked closer, concern threading his words.

"I was just about to leave. But what brings you here, Brother?"

I answered without hesitation, gesturing toward the exit.

"I see. By the way—do you know some girls from your class have gone missing?"

"I heard on TV. But isn’t it just a simple disappearance case?"

"Higher-ups don’t think so..."

"I understand now."

His answer made everything clear. The Criminal Investigation Department must suspect foul play. That’s why my brother stood here—in this classroom once occupied by the vanished girls.

"So... when was the last time you saw them?"

He pressed after I nodded.

"I think... about a week ago?"

I searched my memory. I’d vaguely spotted them during my last visit to campus.

They’d seemed perfectly fine then. The disappearances must’ve happened within this past week.

"A week ago?"

"Yeah. I skipped classes all week. Today’s my first day back. Sorry."

I noticed his expression dim slightly. My information was useless to him.

He’d probably already gathered better witness accounts—maybe from just two or three days ago.

"It’s fine. But don’t skip university often, or—"

"I know! I know. Anything else you need to ask?"

Sensing another lecture coming, I waved my hands hastily, promising it was a one-time thing.

"Alright then. It’s late—head home safely."

Satisfied I’d gotten the message, he let me go with a final reminder.

"Got it, Brother!"

I nodded eagerly, stepping past him—

"Wait!"

His voice stopped me mid-stride.

I turned back, puzzled by his gaze.

"What is it now?"

"Here." He thrust a brown envelope toward me. "Your allowance. It’s about time I gave it to you anyway."

"This is...?"

"Your living expenses. Did you forget I send you money regularly?"

He answered without missing a beat, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"...Oh."

After Father’s death, my income had vanished.

I never expected...

My brother would step in to support me. Dazed, I took the envelope.

"If anything’s difficult, tell me. Living alone isn’t easy."

As I accepted it, he added gentle reminders—and a firm promise to help if trouble arose.

"O-okay. I will..."

His words filled in gaps I hadn’t known existed.

After Father disappeared...

The house we’d shared was now seen as my solitary home.

My brother had silently taken over Father’s role, covering my daily needs.

But...

Hadn’t he noticed anything strange?

"Brother... there’s something I need to ask."

With the bigger picture forming, one crucial question remained.

"What is it?"

"Why did I move out?"

The moment the words left my lips, his confidence wavered.

He fumbled for seconds before answering slowly:

"Ah... right. The old house is closer to campus. That’s why you stayed there."

"I see..."

"Why ask that? You should know better than anyone why you moved."

He tilted his head, genuinely confused.

"Just testing you, Brother! I’ll head off now~"

I waved, already stepping toward the door. His answer had filled one critical blank.

Confirmed the ripple effect of Father’s absence.

Without this chance meeting, I might never have learned the truth.

Satisfied, I didn’t look back.

"Be careful on your way."

He nodded, letting me go. He still had work to do here.

"Bye~"

I slipped out of the classroom.

Outside, the last rays of sunset bled from the sky. Darkness swallowed the world.

Stars pricked the black canvas above, alongside a slender crescent moon—

Day had surrendered to the long night.

I glanced up at the starless dark.

Then remembered the envelope.

I pulled it out, tearing it open.

"One... two... three..."

Counting the crisp red bills...

A wave of pure bliss crashed over me.

Staring at the thick stack, I understood:

The days of poverty... of surviving on instant noodles...

Were finally over.

Thirty crisp red bills—each bearing Mao’s face—meant one thing:

I could finally eat food meant for humans again.