Morning reading was nearing its end when Yumo returned. He spoke only two sentences:

"Everyone, please don’t misunderstand. That girl earlier was my aunt’s classmate’s niece. She’s in Haiking for eye treatment at a major hospital."

And—

"Roark and Grotto, the teacher wants to see you. Follow me."

The two guys called—Zhang Yuanzhou’s buddies—trailed after Yumo, utterly bewildered. By the time morning reading ended, only Yumo had returned. The other two were nowhere to be seen.

"Roark and Grotto were caught by Ash—ahem, had urgent family matters. Their cleaning duties today will be covered by..."

Yumo’s voice remained steady throughout, but a fresh bruise bloomed on his temple, and scrapes marked his knuckles. Of course, everyone pretended not to notice.

Chinese and biology classes proceeded normally. At 9:40 AM, just as biology ended, the homeroom teacher—who’d been absent all morning—finally appeared.

"Yumo. Come here."

His face was stern. Yumo responded without hesitation, striding crisply toward the dean’s office.

"Roark and Grotto should come too... Hm? Where are they?"

"Sir, they felt unwell and went home early," Yumo replied instantly.

"...How *convenient*."

"Indeed, quite convenient."

"............ Your parents should be arriving soon. I’ll meet them. Wait in the dean’s office."

"As you wish."

Yumo left the classroom without delay, his mind already calculating other possibilities.

*This might be an opportunity.*

*A suspension was inevitable anyway. If I added a few harmless little offenses on top...?*

"Demon. Show me the bucket list."

"Right away~"

Yusuozaai materialized out of thin air, handing him a notebook. Yumo scanned the pages until he found one wish far simpler than finding a girlfriend or beating someone up—though its aftermath would be messy. He couldn’t fathom why he’d ever written it:

*"Confess a deep, hidden secret to the entire school."*

Humiliating, yes—but only humiliating. Practically the easiest wish to fulfill.

"Perfect. This one."

*Wait... isn’t the broadcast room right next to the dean’s office?*

---

By 10:00 AM, all parties had gathered in the office:

The dean and homeroom teacher.

Yumo and his father, Yutianqiao.

Zhang Yuanzhou and his furious parents.

Zhang’s two would-be witnesses—Roark and Grotto—were conveniently absent.

Also present was Lin Qinglan, the popular chemistry teacher serving as a special witness.

The dean and homeroom teacher wore grim expressions.

Yumo’s face was unreadable.

Yutianqiao looked deeply uncomfortable.

Zhang Yuanzhou, emboldened by his parents’ presence, still avoided Yumo’s gaze.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhang glared at Yumo like he was a murderer.

Lin Qinglan kept her head lowered, her expression hidden.

"So," the dean adjusted his glasses, "regarding the student brawl on December 31st—"

"Hold on. Before we begin, may I do one thing first?" Yumo interrupted.

"...What is it?"

"I’d like to borrow the broadcast room next door. I have something to share with the whole school about this matter."

"Huh?"

*What’s this kid planning?*

Before anyone could react, Yumo strode out. The homeroom teacher chased after him, fearing a publicity stunt. The Zhangs followed, shouting, "Don’t you dare slander us first!" But Yumo had already slipped inside. Familiar with the equipment from past errands, he flipped switches, maxed the volume, and addressed the entire school:

"Attention, students. This is Yumo from Class 3, Grade 11. Eyes on me—I have an announcement."

He took a deep breath.

Leaning into the mic.

Facing the silent campus.

He shouted at the top of his lungs:

"In kindergarten, I soiled myself during a group performance and finished the routine in a dirty costume. In second grade, I accidentally wandered into the girls’ restroom and hid in a stall all day until midnight. In third grade, I thought my foreskin was a disease and tried to trim it myself with a paper cutter—thankfully, my parents rushed me to the hospital. My first time masturbating was in seventh grade, using Jordan Carver photos from my dad’s computer; I went three rounds before I was satisfied. In ninth grade, I bought a pair of pantyhose out of curiosity and wore them under my pants for a whole week. Last year, I burned all the homework I was supposed to distribute because I was fed up with extra chores. That’s all."

He switched off the mic.

Silence swallowed the broadcast room.

Silence filled the dean’s office.

Silence blanketed the entire campus.

Amidst the stillness, Yumo returned to the office. He leaned against the wall, waiting for judgment as if nothing had happened. His expression remained blank, his tone calm yet edged with quiet defiance:

"To save time, I’ve compiled every possible accusation the Zhang family might level against me. I’ve prepared explanations to clear all false charges. Any objections?"

"............"

"*Any* objections?"

Stunned by his self-sabotage, the seven adults faltered. The dean finally spoke hesitantly: "Fine. Order doesn’t matter. You... go first."

"Very well. I’ll explain the cause, process, and outcome of the fight. First—the cause." He pointed at Zhang Yuanzhou. "For reasons unknown, Zhang Yuanzhou has tormented me relentlessly despite having no prior conflict. He culminated this by publicly humiliating me—"

"—Hold on! My boy just has a hot temper! He’d never do that!" Mrs. Zhang snapped.

"Interrupting others? You and your son share such *refined* manners."

"What did you—?!"

"I was complimenting you. Would you argue with a compliment?"

"Uh—"

"Moving on. Regarding the fight itself: I’ve heard wild rumors, even claims I stole chemicals from the lab. Dean, I assume that’s why you summoned Ms. Lin? Please, speak."

All eyes turned to Lin Qinglan. Her lips twitched slightly before she said:

"I counted all lab equipment and chemicals upon returning from break. Nothing was missing. As chemistry monitor, Yumo has always been responsible. I believe he’s incapable of such misconduct."

Yutianqiao visibly relaxed. "Yumo’s always been a good boy at home! He only fought back because he was pushed too far. And honestly—stealing lab chemicals to fight? Doesn’t that sound absurd for a high schooler?"

"What’s absurd? Our Yuanzhou saw it with his own—" Mr. Zhang began hotly.

"Your manners truly match your wife’s," Yumo remarked with a thin smile.

"What did you—?!"

"I was complimenting you... Now, the outcome: As you know, I won. But only because I was enraged while Zhang lost his nerve mid-fight. Multiple classmates witnessed this. Shall I fetch them?"

"But Yuanzhou said—"

"His word against evidence? Where are *his* witnesses?"

"Roark and Grotto—"

"Then let them testify. Or can Zhang provide proof I used chemicals? Were any traces found on or in him?"

"Well..."

The Zhangs scratched their heads helplessly.

Lin Qinglan suppressed a smirk.

*(Alcohol and butyric acid evaporate fast. No traces would remain after days...)*

---

What began as a clear-cut case dissolved into chaos.

Chemical theft? Fight details? The discussion spiraled wildly off-track.

Finally, the dean had to intervene. The school couldn’t afford scandal.

The truth about chemicals was now hopelessly muddled. He ruled it a standard student brawl:

"Both fighters: Zhang Yuanzhou receives a one-month suspension for initiating the fight and brawling off-campus. Yumo receives a one-month suspension for off-campus brawling and broadcasting obscene content school-wide. Suspensions begin tomorrow, January 5th, ending February 5th. Since this overlaps with winter break, return after break for public apologies."

Yumo accepted with a nod. He’d expected suspension; one month was lenient. Clearing his name of chemical theft was worth it.

The Zhangs erupted in protest: "This school is incompetent!" "Unfair! You—"

Let them rage.

Yumo shrugged, dragging his father—who’d barely gotten a word in edgewise—out of the office.

Case closed.

Now, how to fulfill four wishes in the next two months? From tomorrow until school resumed after break...?