Before anyone realized it, Chinese New Year was approaching. This year's Spring Festival arrived earlier than usual. Shopping malls were decked out in festive red, overflowing with couplets, lanterns, paper-cut decorations, and banners—as if warm colors could spark shoppers' desires.

In the center of Sea Capital City, Changjing Road Pedestrian Street buzzed with energy. Locals and tourists thronged the sidewalks. Historic malls, some decades or centuries old, glowed with lanterns and ribbons. Stylish men and women filled every corner.

Tanglingxue waited by the statue at the street's entrance. She'd dressed carefully today: vintage suede ankle boots paired surprisingly well with a punk-style fur-collared jacket. Her perfect legs, clad only in shorts and tights, ignored the biting wind. Every passerby stole glances, but she silently stared at her phone, having already snapped at a few who tried to chat her up.

Finally—

"Huh? You're here this early?"

Yumo appeared. He'd arrived thirty minutes early, yet Tanglingxue was earlier.

"I hate making others wait."

"But I hate being waited on by a girl too."

"Then let's not waste time. Go... Wait, your outfit—"

"—Problem?"

Ling Xue sized him up. Yumo's getup... a grayish-black puffy jacket for seniors, jeans faded white at the knees, scuffed sneakers, eternally messy hair, and dorky half-rimmed glasses...

Together, they looked like they were from different dimensions.

"What, you got an issue?" Yumo grumbled.

"At least dress decently when shopping with a girl..."

Ling Xue complained while brushing his bangs aside—

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

"Why silent all of a sudden?"

"I think... it's a real loss you don't groom yourself."

"??"

"Fine, let's go!"

This time, Ling Xue took his hand first.

Her first time shopping with a boy her age.

His first time with a girl his age.

Their styles clashed wildly, but to bystanders, it screamed dorky boyfriend × fashionable girlfriend.

"...So why call me out shopping?"

The crowded street unnerved quiet-loving Yumo. The beautiful girl beside him spiked his nerves. And the Demon—

Demon...?

(Hi~)

"!?"

Yusuozaai materialized from thin air, gripping his left hand. Only Yumo saw her.

"What's wrong, Yumo?" Ling Xue asked from his right.

"Nothing..."

(Nice having beauties on both arms, huh?) the damn Demon teased.

(Stop bothering me, damn Demon!)

(I must witness your fulfilled wishes. Congrats—'shopping with a beauty' counts.)

(Oh. Uh, good...)

Sudden, but a wish granted was good—

(Next wish now. Five minutes max.)

(Five minutes???? What wish!?)

(Winter swim.)

(Winter—!?)

(Hurry! Time's up.)

(What the hell! Are you dumb? No pool here!)

(Look closer. Swim spots are everywhere.)

(Swim spots—ah!)

————————

Ling Xue's face stayed calm, as if used to shopping with guys.

Inside, her heart raced. Holding hands with a boy felt shyer than imagined... Even as a fake boyfriend! She'd invited him yesterday just to relax him after tough driving practice. But, but...

Where to start? Buy him clothes? Share bubble tea?

"Um... Yumo? Any stores you like? Know any brands? We should— Yumo!?"

He dropped her hand and stripped off his coat.

"What are you doing? Cold?!"—Ling Xue started to ask, then froze.

Yumo peeled off the sweater beneath.

Then the undershirt.

Then his pants. Only thin boxers remained. He stood bare in February's chill, exposed on the downtown street.

Pedestrians gawked. Ling Xue stood stunned. He ignored them all, charging toward the central water feature with a martyr's grimace.

Yes, a water feature.

Narrow and shallow—under a meter deep, half a meter wide—stretching street-length for decoration. Withered lotus leaves floated on icy water.

Yumo splashed in.

"Yumo!?"

Ling Xue scrambled to grab his clothes, watching him freestyle through freezing water! The cramped pool barely held him. This wasn't art—it was insanity!

"Hey! That guy—" "Over there!" "Crazy?" "Shooting TikTok?" "What a stunt??" "Stop him!" "Holy crap??"

Phones flashed everywhere. Shouts for police rose. Ling Xue chased him, arms full of clothes. Yumo swam freakishly fast, vanishing in seconds!

"Are you mad!? Get out!"

She caught him, yanking his shoulder from the water—though he was already collapsing. Pale-faced, blue-lipped, surrounded by gawkers. Disaster.

"I... shh... just wanted... shh... to swim... clothes... give me..."

He shivered violently, fumbling clothes on. Leaning on Ling Xue, he fled before police arrived.

————————

At a mall's hidden back door—

"Sorry for worrying you..."

Yumo stepped from the restroom. Dressed now, but hair dripping, lips bloodless.

"Just asking—you're not... mentally ill, right?" Ling Xue asked weakly.

"I think I'm fine. Probably."

"Remember when you pulled stunts? 'Inferno Fist' punches. Exposing your dark history school-wide. I always wondered your headspace then..."

"Built-up pressure. Stifled emotions. Restlessness crushed by the city's steel-concrete beast. Humanity tangled in society's spiderweb. We need outlets."

"...Are you a poet?"

"Your outlet's rebellion. Mine's stunts."

Yumo forced the excuse, cringing inwardly. If she thought him a dangerous nutcase...

"Guess we connect then. Good thing."

Ling Xue beamed, linking arms as they entered the mall.

Yumo couldn't parse her.

(I thought she'd call me an idiot...)

(Some women crave calm. Some crave thrills. Some crave both. Which is she?)

(I don't know her. But you? You love drama, damn Demon.)

(You really get me~)