After Xia Xi finished her brief self-introduction, Teacher Li scanned the classroom and said to her, "Xia Xi, find an empty seat for yourself."

"Ah… oh, okay."

Xia Xi gave a slight nod. She stepped down from the podium, looking around at her classmates with obvious uncertainty. She pressed her lips together nervously, then walked toward my direction.

I sat at the fifth desk by the window. My otaku best friend, Wu Ze, occupied the seat to my right.

As Xia Xi approached, I straightened up, ready to whisper a greeting. But she didn’t stop by me. Instead, she headed straight for Wu Ze.

"Um… I…"

Clutching her backpack, she stood beside Wu Ze. Clearly wanting to say something, she kept her head down, unable to meet his eyes. Her words came out in hesitant stammers.

Wu Ze hadn’t expected this pretty new transfer student to approach him. His eyes were fixed on Xia Xi, but his mind had clearly wandered far away. His mouth hung open—drool nearly escaping.

I could almost hear his inner monologue: *"A gorgeous transfer student seeking me out? This classic protagonist plot confirms it—I’m the main character!"*

Xia Xi’s face flushed as she struggled to speak. Then she stole a glance at me, her eyes pleading for help.

*Was she trying to sit with me? Did she want Wu Ze to switch seats?*

Before I could decide whether to ask, our class monitor stood up. "Um… Xia Xi? There’s an empty seat over here."

Tian Yao pointed to a desk beside her own—close to the podium. The previous occupant had transferred out days ago.

Xia Xi gave a reluctant "Oh," then trudged over with her backpack to sit beside the monitor.

Before leaving, she shot me an annoyed glare—as if blaming me for not speaking up.

*If you need help, just say it properly. Seriously.*

Only when Xia Xi settled into her new seat did Wu Ze snap out of his daze. He swept his bangs back with one hand, narrowing his eyes into a cold smirk. "My dear friend. Witness this truth: Even sealed in this powerless state, I cannot hide my destiny as the world’s protagonist. Even a real-life cute loli is drawn to my undeniable charm."

*Just as I thought…* This otaku was a terminal case of chuunibyo, inside and out.

"Wu Ze. No talking during class."

"Ah! Sorry!"

Scolded by Teacher Li, Wu Ze finally shut up.

After Chinese class, I’d planned to chat with Xia Xi. But the new girl drew instant attention. The moment the bell rang, nearly every girl in class swarmed around her, chirping like sparrows.

I gave up. Still, it was good she was popular. Making friends would be great for her. Though… I worried she might slip and start telling dirty jokes.

*But a Xia Xi who doesn’t tell dirty jokes isn’t the Xia Xi I know. Can she really make friends like this?*

Pretending nonchalance, I lingered near the podium, eavesdropping on her conversations.

"…Xiao Xi, you’re so cute! Are we really the same age?"

Pouting, Xia Xi shot back: "Yeah, yeah. Want to see my ID card?"

"Why weren’t you here the past few days?"

"I was sick. Resting at home."

"Will you join any clubs, Xiao Xi…?"

"…"

*All normal, wholesome talk. Nothing needing censorship.*

*This girl… She gets along fine with others. Or is she just dropping her guard around me? That’s why she’s so sharp-tongued when we’re alone.*

*Feels like special treatment… Not sure if I’m happy or hurt. But if she could just talk to me like a normal person…*

Suddenly, a hand clapped my shoulder. I flinched, turning to see Xiao Wangyi and Zhao Yin.

"You’ve been eyeing the new girl a lot… I thought you liked busty girls?"

"W-Whoa, Little Prince! Don’t say weird stuff!" I flushed and denied it instantly.

Xiao Wangyi tilted his head, studying me. "Hmm… Do you know her? During class, she seemed to want to sit beside you."

*Typical Little Prince—his sixth sense for girls’ feelings beats most girls’.*

I answered plainly: "She’s my neighbor’s kid. Her mom asked me to look after her. That’s all. Nothing weird."

"I see~ Hehe. For a second, I thought your tastes had suddenly changed."

"Tastes? I don’t have any weird tastes!" I glared at him. "Where’s Wu Ze? Didn’t you guys go to the store together?"

"Wu Ze wouldn’t stop spouting chuunibyo nonsense—‘My charm conquers the heavens’ and crap like that. Eagle and I ditched him. Too embarrassing to walk with him. Right, Eagle?"

"Yep."

Zhao Yin stayed silent as usual, offering only that single word.

As I chatted idly with my friends, a voice called from the classroom door:

"Zong Jun! A girl’s looking for you~ Hehe, a pretty senior too!"

The caller was our sporty, no-nonsense female PE rep. Always energetic, she now winked at me with a teasing grin. "Hurry up! Don’t keep her waiting!"

"Coming!"

I replied, puzzled. *I don’t know any pretty seniors. Who could it be?*