"Just wrap it up already. What’s with this pathetic act? How long are you going to freeze up?"

"Wh-Wh-What do I do?! Why’d you move so fast? You didn’t even warn me about something this important! He’s a *prince*! I needed time to prep!"

*Move fast?* I just set up a meeting this Saturday at eight PM on school grounds. What’s so awkward about that? Seriously, what’s rattling around in these love-struck teens’ heads? (Not that I’m the protagonist here.)

"Listen up. I’ll activate a Barrier—like a shield—so ordinary people can’t see or enter. I’ll handle the setting. It’ll be perfect. Whether it works? That’s on you."

"Y-Yes! But I’ve zero experience… Could you help me practice? Like… confession drills?"

*Confession drills? With me?* Ouch. I’ve been single this long—my romance XP is literally zero.

"Pleeease, Master?"

Ugh. Stop using that sickly-sweet voice. You’re giving me goosebumps.

"Oh? They’re here."

"Who’s here, Master?" Mengze tilted her head, confused.

"Nothing. I’m stepping out. Stay here. I’ll be back."

"You won’t even practice with me? And now you’re making up some lame excuse?"

I ignored Mengze’s tantrum and headed out. *Spare me.* Love confession drills? I’ve got better things to do.

I wandered aimlessly, racking my brain for ways to make Mengze’s confession work. By dinner time? Still clueless.

"Master… does this really look good? I feel so shy (＞﹏＜)…"

"Trust my taste. Summer calls for a white sundress—makes guys’ hearts go *whoosh*." (A little updraft would’ve been perfect.)

"But it’s my first time wearing something like this… What if I look awful?"

*Awful?* No way. Mengze had great curves—just buried under bookish vibes from her old glasses. Now ghostly and glasses-free, she had flawless black hair (height aside). But petite girls spark that protective instinct, right? Who wants a girl taller than them without heels?

"Relax. My aesthetic sense is solidly above average." (Sixteen years of otaku research, thank you.)

"Isn’t it… too plain?"

"*Plain?* You want cat ears and a bikini underneath? Making clothes for ghosts takes effort, you know." (Translation: I’m lazy.)

"It’s still way better than my uniform. Thank you, Yuchen. You’re so kind."

"Just doing my part. Don’t overthink it."

*After your wish is granted, I’ll dissolve our contract. Next life, you won’t even recognize me. Strangers forever.*

*Knock knock knock…* "Auntie? I’m coming in!"

"What is it, Yuchen? Late-night visit?"

"Uh… how do guys and girls boost confession success rates? Not for me! A friend!"

"Confessions? Ah, youth…"

*…Did I ask the wrong person?* This airhead’s as clueless as I am.

"First: pick a quiet, beautiful spot. Evening’s best—hides blushes. If I were a guy? I’d shout my feelings and sweep her into a hug!"

"*R-Rape?!*"

"*Forced hug!* Or a wall slam. Romantic, right? Too bad I’m not a guy."

*So Auntie Mengmeng secretly wants this? A domineering CEO type?*

"Actually… my friend’s a girl confessing to a boy. Any tips?"

"Girls confessing? Common nowadays… but I’ve zero experience. Sorry, Yuchen."

"It’s fine. Just curious. I’ll go."

*Guess this Doom Dragon’s handling the setup. Time for an otherworldly romance!*

A week flew by. Tomorrow’s D-day. I stared at my balcony—clothes hung everywhere, caked in mud. Every night, I’d snuck into Hyde Academy to prep the scene. Who knew the guard dog would chase me like rabid prey? Two pants shredded. Tears. Actual tears.

"Master, you sneak out nightly without me… Are you seeing someone else?"

*I break my back for you, and you accuse me of cheating?* Unforgivable. Ghosts don’t count as women, right? I karate-chopped Mengze in half. Watched her reassemble. Slowly.

"If you do that again, I’ll be mad!"

"Go ahead. Hit me. You’re a ghost—you can’t touch me. Mad yet?"

*Smack!*

"Huh? I… I hit you! I can touch things now!"

"Anger lets you manifest to humans. Perfect for the confession."

"Oh! Sorry, Master! Does it hurt?"

I turned away, fixing my hair. Played it cool.

"Hurt? Please. I’m invincible. A ghost’s slap? Nothing."

*Fuck. My cheek’s swelling. Textbook ‘saving face till it’s swollen.’ No time to brace. Free labor gets face-slapped. I almost cried.*

"But… do I have to stay angry the whole time? It’s exhausting!"

"Just picture your worst nightmare. Lock that rage in your heart. Don’t freeze mid-confession."

"I can’t think of anything that makes me *that* mad…"

"Oh? Really? …How about *this*!"

I crouched, arms wide. "*UPDRAFT!*"

*Smack!*

*Perfect.* Now both cheeks match. Doom Dragon healing’ll fix it by morning. (Or maybe I’m just a masochist.)

---

Saturday, 8 PM. Hyde Academy was deserted. Mengze and I slipped in. I’d bribed the guard dog with three giant packs of Wangzhongwang sausages.

*Eat up, mutt. Choke on it. One day, you’ll be in my hotpot—and I’ll collect interest.*

"Thirty minutes left. Stay calm. You’ve got this."

"I-I’m still so nervous!"

"Just speak your heart. If he says no… promise me no extremes."

"Love can’t be forced. I know."

*Good.* If Mengze were obsessive, I wouldn’t have gone this far. *Hope it works.*

A figure scaled the wall.

"Wang Zichang. Right on time. Not a minute late."

"Where’s Mengze?"

"W-W-Wang Zi…"

*Damn it, Mengze! Stop glitching! If he saw you drooling like this, he’d bolt.*

Lights flared!

Glowing grass lined the field, focusing on its center. A colossal sakura tree bloomed behind the boy. A silver moon hung overhead. Petals drifted down. Beneath the branches stood a girl in white, clutching a white rose bouquet—waiting…

(My Barrier hid the chaos. All I could do was watch. *Should’ve brought popcorn.*)

Wang Zichang froze. *Too dreamy?* He’d enjoy it anyway. A beautiful dream.

"Mengze? Is that you?"

"Yes. It’s me."

"*Phew.* I was worried. You’ve been absent… Are you really leaving for abroad?"

"…Yes. Somewhere far. We probably won’t meet again."

"Nonsense. When I’m rich, I’ll visit. You look… really pretty without glasses."

"Th-Thank you!"

"Why set up this scene? What did you want to say?"

*Seriously?* The dress? The petals? *Use your eyes, man.*

"I… I l-l-love you! I have… for so long!"

*Finally.* A stuttering confession—5/100 points. But points for courage.

Mengze handed him the roses. He paused, then took them.

"Honestly? I like you too. You’re kind. I love your smile."

Mengze beamed, face crimson. *Monkey-butt red.* Still, she force-fed me dog food.

Wang Zichang opened his arms.

"Can I… hug you?"

"Of course!"

Mengze reached out—

—but he passed right through her.