"What—what’s going on? Why am I..."

Prince Chang’s face twisted in terror. He couldn’t explain what he saw. Maybe the earlier scene could’ve been brushed off as modern tech tricks, but this? Even the most thick-skulled person wouldn’t ignore it.

Mengze, that fool—her heart overflowed with pure joy after the confession. A ghost fueled by rage could be touched; others couldn’t. And now her body was fading into transparency. Big trouble.

"W-Wang Zi, let me explain—"

"I’m not listening! I just want to leave! Who *are* you?"

"I—I really am Mengze."

"Mengze? Transparent? Phasing through things? You’re not... a ghost?"

"No! How could I be... a ghost."

Her voice grew fainter, courage crumbling. Her face paled further. At this rate, grief would twist her back into the gruesome state she’d been in before death. Bad for everyone.

I waved a hand. The glowgrass dimmed. The playground snapped back to its original state—dark, silent, the shadowed campus. The sudden shift sent Prince Chang bolting. He sprinted away, screaming, the white rose abandoned. In seconds, he scaled the wall and vanished.

Mengze stood frozen, lost. Like a discarded kitten, silently sobbing. Pity—ghosts couldn’t shed tears.

I watched from the sidelines, offering no comfort. Maybe this ending wasn’t so bad. I wasn’t of the Taoist Path, but I understood: mortals and spirits walk separate paths. Today was just to fulfill Mengze’s tiny wish. But the future? Sooner or later, the truth would surface. Both drowning in longing. Harsh for Mengze, yes—but better for both. She’d move on to reincarnation. Prince Chang would find his true love.

I didn’t blame Prince Chang. That was the normal human reaction. But him... never mind. Not worth dwelling on.

"Done crying, silly girl? No fate together in this life—maybe the next. Stay optimistic... even as a ghost."

"I haven’t shed a single tear! How can I be ‘done’? Master!! Being a ghost *hurts*!"

Grief stained Mengze’s face with patches of blood. Not terrifying to me—only pitiful. Her helplessness tugged at my heart. I offered my shoulder for her to lean on.

"Truth is... I never really wanted ‘Prince Charming’s’ love. I just needed to know if anyone besides Grandma ever loved me. I wanted to do all the things I missed in life. Even with this painful end... thank you, Master. For giving me this chance. I have no regrets now. I’ll leave this heartbreaking world. Maybe next life, I’ll find happiness."

I wanted to say, *Don’t rush off. Stay a few more days.* But that was impossible. Her acceptance of the mortal-spirit divide—and her choice to sever ties—was the best outcome. May your next life be kinder.

"Wait! I love you! Mengze!"

A voice cut through the silence. A boy of average height and looks stepped from the shadows.

"You kept your promise after all."

He ignored me, gripping Mengze’s wrist. "I love you! Since the first day of school—I’ve loved you!"

*Four days ago. I’d noticed a Heide High student tailing me...*

"Hey, kid. You’re annoying. Think I didn’t spot you? Two days of stalking—what’s your game?"

I’d cornered him in a narrow alley. Ever since Mengze and I visited Heide High to see Prince Chang, this guy clung like a shadow.

"You—who *are* you? How do you know where Mengze is?"

*Huh? I was the one interrogating him.*

"None of your business. Who are *you* to Mengze? Why’s her whereabouts your concern?"

"I heard! Mengze’s going abroad? That’s a lie, right? Her family could never afford it. Where is she? I’ll call the police!"

*Bold little guy. Did he think I looked easy to push around? He was the one trapped in this alley.*

"Call the cops? No evidence—they won’t come. *You’re* so worried about Mengze? I should ask your intentions!"

"I—I... What’s it to you?"

"Then what’s Mengze to *you*? Stop following me! Or *I’ll* call the police—let go! Two guys tugging at each other on the street? Ridiculous!"

*He had nerve. Clutching my shoulder like that. I could bite him if I wanted.*

"Please... just tell me. Where’s Mengze? I’m worried."

"You’re this worked up... you like her, don’t you?"

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

*Seriously? I guessed right. He actually liked Mengze. But she’s dead now. In days, she’d confess to Prince Chang. No chance for him. Should I tell him to be a backup plan? Or just give up?*

"Sigh... Since you care this much, fine. Saturday night. 8 PM. Heide High playground. If you can handle it—come."

"Will I see her?"

"Maybe... Your choice. That’s all I’ll say."

*You’ll get a mouthful of heartbreak and quit. Just as planned.*

............

I’d expected him to flee like Prince Chang after seeing Mengze was a ghost. But he stayed. Even confessed. Wasn’t he scared?

"Shan Weihao? What are you doing here!"

"Mengze! I love you. Go out with me!"

"I... Are you mocking me? Or pitying me after what you just saw?"

"Mengze, I’m serious. I’m not as handsome as Prince Chang. My grades and sports suck. But my heart’s yours alone."

"Sorry. I can’t accept. You saw it—you *know* I’m a ghost now. There’s no future for us. But... I’m happy you confessed. Even if it’s just to cheer me up..."

"No! I *mean* it! No matter what you become, you’re the only one in my heart. Forgive me. Forgive my cowardice. I only just found the courage to say this. I thought... watching you from afar was enough. If I’d spoken sooner—if I’d given you a strong shoulder to lean on earlier—you wouldn’t be like this. It’s my fault!"

Shan Weihao pulled Mengze into his arms. She struggled weakly, then stilled. Perhaps this was the embrace she’d always craved.

*Confessions should never start with the girl. Maybe Aunt Mengmeng was right. Guys should take charge like a CEO when confessing. Just once. Show her your manly side.*

"ROAR!! Bloom, Final Roar of the Apocalypse!"

The glowgrass flared back to life. Beneath the ancient cherry blossom tree, the boy and girl held each other. Fireworks—forged from a dragon’s roar—exploded across the moonlit sky.

*Using a dragon’s roar as fireworks... If humans from my past life saw this, they’d lose their minds. Good thing I’m in a human body now. Power’s restrained.*

"Shan Weihao... I’m so happy you loved me. So... goodbye."

"No! Where are you going? Stay with me!"

"Mortals and spirits walk separate paths. Next life... I’ll *definitely* be your bride."

For a moment, I thought I saw tears of joy on Mengze’s face. I shook my head.

*Impossible. Can ghosts cry? Must’ve imagined it. (Probably.)*

Mengze’s form turned translucent, ready to vanish. Shan Weihao reached out—but grasped only air. He watched helplessly as she floated upward, fading into the moonlight.

"No... don’t! Don’t leave me. Please... don’t go like this..."

Tears streamed down Shan Weihao’s face, but his gaze never left Mengze. She looked like a fairy—beautiful, fleeting as a night-blooming cereus.

Her voice was a whisper now. She shaped silent words against the moonlit sky, vanishing like a spirit chosen by the moon—leaving no trace.

*Shan Weihao. I love you.*

Her final message.