The summer heat was intense. Even at dawn, the playground had only a faint breeze—better than nothing. The wind from running felt stronger than that weak gust.

Yue Feather sprinted hard across the field. He didn’t even know why he was running so desperately for a girl who was clearly just a figment of his imagination.

Could this be love?

Falling for someone who didn’t exist seemed utterly absurd.

But Yue Feather didn’t care. He saw her standing outside the track, cheering him on.

"Keep it up! Only four more laps!"

The school track was 200 meters per lap. She’d clearly calculated his run as a 1000-meter distance.

"Yeah!" Yue Feather shouted back, energy surging through him. A thousand meters? Ten thousand wouldn’t faze him.

Human potential had unlocked—but ten thousand meters was unrealistic. His physique was average; he’d never trained for it.

Silver Bell stood rooted in place. Every time Yue Feather passed her, she’d yell loudly. No matter how exhausted he was, he’d always shout back.

He hadn’t run this freely in ages. Morning drills or fitness tests usually had him slacking off or lacking motivation.

Being forced versus choosing felt worlds apart.

As he ran, Yue Feather lifted his head. The brilliant morning sun seemed especially beautiful today. Each ray of light was crystal clear to him.

"Haha—haha..." He laughed wildly, drawing stares from students and teachers. They wondered what fit he was having.

In the classroom, Ji Fan leaned out the window, watching Yue Feather sprint tirelessly. He muttered, "Did this kid skip his meds? Running and laughing like that—is he really sane?"

Others’ opinions meant nothing now. His world held only Silver Bell.

Even though only he could see her.

After the exhilarating run came crushing fatigue. Yue Feather collapsed onto the grass, panting like a spent bull.

Silver Bell crouched beside him. She gently wiped sweat from his forehead with her sleeve. "Tired?" she asked softly.

"Mm... a bit..."

"Rest then. Class is almost starting."

"Yeah!" He nodded vigorously. Regaining strength, he stood abruptly, gently took her hand, and walked toward the classroom.

Classmates stared in confusion. His movements were bizarre.

His left hand gripped empty air. He kept slightly tilting his head, muttering to himself like a mental hospital escapee.

Yue Feather ignored them, walking to his seat as if alone. After the teacher coughed, morning reading resumed.

"Hey, what’s your problem?" Wei Xiaoxin, his deskmate, patted his shoulder.

"Huh?... Nothing." Yue Feather startled, snapping out of his daze. He actually preferred that hazy feeling to this clarity.

"What’s wrong? You look soulless."

"You wouldn’t understand." Yue Feather shot him a glare. He half-heartedly propped up his book, pretending to read, then slumped on the desk, staring blankly.

This daze lasted hours. Morning reading ended. First period finished. Break time passed. Second period began. Yue Feather stayed lost in thought.

Classmates waved hands before his eyes—no reaction.

"He’s heartbroken," an experienced senior declared.

"Bullshit. He’s never had a girlfriend. He’s in love," Wei Xiaoxin, his best frenemy, corrected knowingly.

"Hopeless."

"Leave him. He’ll snap back once he’s done spacing out. The more you stare, the more he’ll enjoy it," Wei Xiaoxin speculated maliciously.

Of course, Yue Feather wasn’t faking it.

His thoughts collided. A clearer image of a girl emerged in his mind.

Her background, personality, catchphrases—even every physical detail—formed completely.

As if she were truly alive.

"How lucky we got switched as desk partners." Wei Xiaoxin, dozing in class, vaguely heard a soft murmur. He ignored it and turned to sleep.

"Um... no pen? I’ll lend you mine."

This time, the voice was clearer. It came from Yue Feather.

"Eh? N-no thanks... d-don’t hug me... it’s class..."

Wei Xiaoxin was sure now.

Class over?

He blinked awake. The math teacher—looking decades older than he was—still scribbled formulas on a full blackboard. Students frantically took notes or stared blankly. Only the top students stayed sharp.

Class wasn’t over.

Who was Yue Feather talking to?

So noisy—couldn’t he just sleep?

Wei Xiaoxin stretched impatiently, then watched Yue Feather.

He must be dating his front-desk classmate.

Hugging during class? Disrespectful.

But that girl weighed two hundred pounds—a real dinosaur. Could his taste be that bad?

Looking closer, the chubby girl was taking notes. Yue Feather was muttering to the wall.

"Huh, stuck on this problem? It’s simple. Let me teach you..."

Wei Xiaoxin’s hair stood on end.

He’d heard clearly—Yue Feather was talking to someone else.

No way?

A ghost in a crowded classroom?

Calm down. Another possibility: split personality. Talking to himself.

But he only spoke as "Yue Feather," not both roles.

Like a real conversation.

"Having a fit?" Wei Xiaoxin watched cautiously. Yue Feather’s happy smile seemed genuine. Why act crazy alone during class?

If showing off, he’d be louder.

He was whispering.

"What’s—" Wei Xiaoxin started to ask, but the aged math teacher cut in.

"Wei Xiaoxin! Stop gawking. Solve this problem!"

"Oh..."

He failed and stood by the podium the whole period.

The bell rang. Wei Xiaoxin rushed back. "Hey, what were you muttering about in class?"

"Nothing." Yue Feather grinned awkwardly. "You imagined it."

"Bullshit. I heard you."

"Mm, really nothing." He waved dismissively, looking perfectly normal.

Wei Xiaoxin’s questions died unanswered.

Yue Feather knew Silver Bell—now vivid and lifelike—was just his imagination. Yet for some reason, she felt real.

Even knowing that, he sank deeper. Like dreaming while aware you’re dreaming, yet following the plot anyway.

These mutterings were beyond his control.

But she vanished when he was clear-headed. Reality and illusion stayed distinct.

His heart was calm. He wished she’d stay whether he was awake or not.

Solitude had twisted him.

Reality was cruel. He preferred his beautiful dream—pretending she existed.

Perhaps the long daze drained him. For the rest of the day, Yue Feather stayed focused. Silver Bell didn’t reappear.

"Phew... so tired." He felt heavier than usual. He tossed his backpack down and slumped into a chair. Normally, he’d shower right away.

A breeze rang the bell on the doorknob—crisp and clear.

Water splashed in the bathroom. A graceful silhouette flickered behind the frosted glass door.

"Silver Bell... showering?" Yue Feather swallowed hard, voice low.

"Ah, Yu, you’re back? I’ll be out soon."

"Mm, mm... no rush..." He waved quickly, then grabbed clothes from his wardrobe. "You need a change, right? Wear mine after."

"They've barely been worn..."

"Hehe, alright~"

As soon as she finished speaking, the sliding door slid open. Dripping wet and completely naked, Silver Bell stepped out of the bathroom. Her fair, tender skin held Yue Feather's gaze captive.

Covering his nose, Yue Feather tossed the clothes and towel toward her. With his back turned to Silver Bell, he stammered, "Q-quick... put on your clothes..."

"What's wrong? Are you shy?"

"Huh? Eh?!" Yue Feather was about to reply when a soft body wrapped around him. Her soft bosom pressed tightly against his back, sending a violent shiver through his entire body.

He didn't dare to move a muscle.