Grateful for every dawn, grateful for every breath.

Mirror October, who hadn’t slept all night, drew in a deep breath of the crisp morning air. Though his body’s functions had long since deteriorated—this gesture was merely a human reflex lingering in his bones—he still felt an odd sense of calm. The more his humanity faded, the harder he clung to these remnants of normalcy.

This was him. Mirror October. No—he was just a Dire Calamity draped in human skin now. *"Even if a wretch like me dies alone in some damp, shadowed corner… only Sister Liuhua would mourn me."* The thought of his sister’s tender, intoxicating smile softened his sharp crimson eyes just a fraction. For a moment, he didn’t seem quite so inhuman.

If Grandpa were still alive, he’d have cussed him out for this sentimental nonsense. That rotten old man—reeking of cigarettes his whole life. Even without the accident, lung cancer would’ve taken him anyway. Mirror October smirked at the memory, humming a nameless tune as he adjusted his collar.

Staring at his reflection, he froze.

Truly breathtaking. Since *that incident*, his features had sharpened toward impossible perfection. Women confessed they envied his flawless face and aura—a transformation trending toward some eerie ideal. Even he couldn’t stop it.

Honestly? With just a touch of makeup to soften his razor-sharp edges, Mirror October could outshine 99% of women. That’s why, during his brief career as a male host, a single cross-dressing stunt had sent every man in the club into a frenzy…

No cosmetics needed to make women feel inadequate.

A face like this on any woman would be catastrophic. Yet fate had handed it to *him*—what a cruel joke.

"Off we go."

Heart full of gratitude, face wearing a flawless smile like winter sunshine, Mirror October squinted slightly against the dawn’s glow. Crimson eyes gleaming beneath lowered lashes—a demon cloaked in a Saint’s grace, wicked yet mesmerizing.

*Beauty fades. Youth slips away.*

On the bus, a girl kept stealing glances at him. Her cheeks flushed pink, tinged with quiet resentment. He’d taken the bus today to savor the details of being a hero-butler—but hadn’t meant to crush anyone’s self-esteem.

A man prettier than most women, needing zero effort… it was devastating. Many girls would wonder if they couldn’t even measure up to a *man*.

As her stares grew bolder, Mirror October turned and gifted her a perfect profile smile—warm yet restrained. Her eyes locked onto his; her blush deepened to ripe tomato-red. Even after he rose gracefully to exit, she remained dazed by that radiant glimpse.

*Hero-butler training has unexpected lessons.*

Though honestly? Most classes were pointless. Talent mattered more than textbooks for this job.

Scanning the butler academy’s course schedule online, Mirror October’s gaze snagged on a familiar figure. Voluptuous curves filled an elegant OL suit. "Good morning, Teacher. Fancy meeting you again."

What serendipity—Lan Xinyi.

"Good morning, Mirror October!" The beautiful older woman’s greeting sparkled, her earlier gloom melting into delight. That unnatural eagerness made his narrow eyes narrow further.

"Such striking eyes…" Lan Xinyi murmured, gazing at the crimson hidden beneath his lashes. "Like…"

"—blood-dripping rubies," he supplied smoothly. "A past client said the same. Though rubies stained with blood are ill omens."

"Client?"

"...I used to be a male host." He watched her face carefully. Most recoiled at that confession. Lan Xinyi merely blinked in understanding, her warmth unchanged.

"You’re *clean*," she declared, studying his perfect smile with startling intensity. "My ice spirit tells me you’re pure to the core…"

*Too pure. Not human at all.*

Ah. *Lingering Winter*—her A-rank hero ability. Ice spirits sensed hearts with uncanny precision. And Mirror October’s soul? Transparent as glass. No wonder she saw past his sins.

"Why become a butler, October?" Lan Xinyi’s autumn-water eyes held a flicker of recognition. He reminded her of *someone*—though they shared no resemblance. Her instincts screamed he was hiding something.

"Why become a hero, Teacher?" Mirror October’s smile never wavered. Superheroes battled Dire Calamities and backstabbing politics alike. Glamorous? Exhausting.

"Petty men win no hearts, little man," Lan Xinyi teased, a sultry glance melting his frosty composure. She hid a laugh behind her hand, dodging the question.

Inside, her thoughts spiraled. She’d become a hero chasing *his* shadow. Once, she’d been so fragile—a candle flame before a storm. One careless touch could snuff her out.

So she’d transformed. But when the ugly duckling became a swan… he was gone.

Lost in memory, she stumbled. Mirror October’s arm caught her waist instantly. His nearness stained her ears crimson—the Ice Queen utterly thawed.

"Thinking’s wise," he murmured, "but watch your step."

Even in deepest winter, the sun melts frost.