One hour later—

"...To be blunt, Ah Jin could beat you even without holding the handlebars."

Tanglingxue remarked sharply.

"...I know that, obviously."

Yumo ground his teeth after an hour of fumbling and still failing to start.

"Insert the key, press down, twist right. Got it?"

"Got it..."

"Left hand controls the clutch. Squeeze the lever to disengage it. Remember?"

"Remembered..."

"Right hand has the ignition switch. Mine’s a gear bike—neutral starts directly. Clear?"

"Clear..."

"Right grip is the throttle. Twist gently for gas. Understood?"

"Understood..."

"Front brake is on the right grip—don’t mix it with the left clutch. Rear brake’s in front of the right footpeg—don’t confuse it with the left gear shift. Got it?"

"Got it..."

"To shift gears, squeeze the clutch. Retract the side stand first. Squeeze clutch tight, start the engine, shift to first. If scared of stalling, add a tiny bit of throttle—just a hint. Remember?"

"Remembered... I think?"

Yumo followed her instructions. The motorcycle roared "vrrrrrr," shuddered violently, then died gloriously.

"You~~~~~~~~~!"

Tanglingxue was utterly numb.

Both realized one truth:

Yumo truly, utterly, had zero talent for driving motor vehicles.

He seemed to master traffic rules the fastest.

"You’re really a vehicle idiot..."

"I’m awesome on bicycles—you couldn’t beat me!" Inky insisted stubbornly.

"Do you plan to chase a motorcycle on a bike?!"

"...Maybe not impossible?"

Yumo actually pondered it seriously. The race rules didn’t specify vehicles. With the right strategy and those awesome gadgets he’d eventually use...?

"Stop daydreaming. Scoot forward a bit."

Tanglingxue suddenly swung onto the bike behind him. Her chest pressed against his back. Her firm, springy legs brushed his, warmth seeping through their clothes.

"I’ll guide you hands-on. Fix your posture first... Sit straight. Don’t grip the handlebars too tight. Lean forward naturally. Shift weight to your lower body... Feel it?"

Her body gently pressed against him. Her breasts—not huge, but perfectly shaped and supple—were unmistakable. She rested her chin on his shoulder. Her hair tickled his cheek. Her breath whispered past his ear, mingling shampoo and vanilla-like body scent.

"Hey."

"..."

"Yumo!"

"...Huh?"

"You’re zoning out. Focus."

"Ah, sorry."

Yumo snapped his attention back, forcing his mind off "analyzing Tanglingxue’s chemical scent profile."

Tanglingxue’s face flushed unnaturally. This was her first time this close to a guy—close enough to feel breath and heartbeats. Was her pulse racing? Would he notice? No, Tanglingxue, you’re a cool, rebellious delinquent! Fluttering over some nerdy class rep is embarrassing!

So—

Fingers overlapped to squeeze the clutch.

Fingers overlapped to twist the throttle.

Legs crossed to press the brakes.

Legs crossed to shift gears.

A thick vibe of romantic tension, like lovers practicing swordplay without blades.

After all that, by nightfall, Yumo finally started the motorcycle.

He crawled in first gear around the empty lot, feeling motorized movement for the first time. Honestly? Kind of thrilling.

But the thrill faded fast.

He couldn’t stop thinking of his mother’s death. Each memory made the bike feel like a giant weapon. He knew it was irrational PTSD—if she watched from heaven, she’d hate this—but still...

"Let’s call it a day. It’s late."

"Thanks for the lesson."

"I should thank you... for standing up for me... mmph..."

Tanglingxue suddenly found the moon fascinating, refusing to meet his eyes. Her crossed feet tapped the ground, betraying inner restlessness.

"Also... I never properly thanked you. That night in the hospital... I was miserable. My arm hurt. My heart ached. You stayed awake all night... taking care of me... really, thank you."

She stammered through it, twisting away with each word. By the end, she faced away completely. But under moonlight and streetlamps, Yumo saw her ears burn crimson.

(Hah, just like that.)

Yusuozaai lounged sideways on the parked bike, chin propped on his palm, watching Tanglingxue’s flustered act.

(Rebellious and aloof? Just a lonely mask. Show her real warmth, and she’ll melt with gratitude.)

(You love judging others, you damn Demon.)

(This is advice for you~)

(I’ll treat her well without your nagging.)

Thus, today’s Lingxue Driving School ended.

Tanglingxue lacked love but not money. She called a big truck to haul the motorcycle home—and gave Yumo a ride.

"Dropping me off means a detour. It’s far. Skip it."

"Whatever. I’ve got plenty of allowance."

"Oh..."

"Were you just thinking, ‘What’s this spoiled rich kid bragging about?’"

"Not at all. (Guilty)"

"My family’s complicated too. Maybe... we’ll talk later. For now, goodnight."

Unnoticed, the car stopped at Yumo’s apartment gate.

"I won’t walk you up," Tanglingxue said.

"You sound like a boyfriend dropping off his girlfriend..."

"I don’t want to piss off my future sister-in-law too soon."

"???"

Baffled, Yumo returned home at eleven, braced for parental scolding—

"Out gallivanting?"

But waiting in the living room was Li Yuxin.

"...Yuxin? What’s up?"

"That’s my question. Why are you with that obviously shady girl? What would Liyu think? What about Mom and Dad?"

Seriously? After Liyu’s mediation softened her, why this sudden mood swing?

"Don’t hide behind them. As class rep, tutoring a classmate is fine."

"Liar. School doesn’t require that."

"Can’t I volunteer? Doing good in winter break builds favor with the school. Nothing suspicious here."

"Mmmph~~~!"

"Right? I’ve wronged no one—Liyu, my parents. The problem is your brain, always twisting things darkly."

"Mmmmmmmmmph~~~!"

Pouting Yuxin’s face puffed like a steamed bun. She sputtered, unable to retort, stewing in silence—

"Stop sulking. Eat ice cream to cool down."

"!?"

Yumo pressed a convenience store ice cream bar to her cheek. She yelped, "Yah~!"

"W-what are you doing..."

"You love ice cream. Even in winter... I saw you sneak one last cold day before Mom scolded you."

"Forget that already..."

"So, here. My treat. Eat fast before she spots you."

"No guy’s dumb enough to think ice cream fixes everything..."

Yuxin muttered but took it, slipping to her room to eat.

"Wow. Ice cream actually calmed her?"

Yumo mumbled to himself.

Inside Yuxin’s room—

(Wahhhhh! Brother Brother Brother after four years he finally gave me something ahhhhhhhhh!!! Thank you, whatever-your-name-is delinquent girl!!)

—The little sister rolled on her bed, ice cream stick dangling from her mouth.

Scumbag!