All morning, Yue Feather felt an overwhelming awkwardness. Even when Silver Bell glanced at him normally, he thought she was mocking his inexplicable tears from earlier.

He kept telling himself it was just his imagination. Yet his mind would stray, drifting to the faint milky scent clinging to Silver Bell.

His thoughts were a tangled mess. He barely registered finishing breakfast. He even lifted an empty bowl to his mouth, pretending to pour "soup" into it—only gulping air.

The weekend slipped by in a blink. Silver Bell went to work while Yue Feather stayed home, buried in homework and review. Only at night, when they reunited, did he feel truly at ease.

Pushing himself to study hard was tough. Two weeks of relentless revision had maxed out his willpower. He longed to visit Silver Bell’s workplace but held back, haunted by the words "final exam grades."

His resolve wore thinner each day. Books became harder to focus on. He’d burned through his enthusiasm too fast—slow and steady would’ve been better.

So he decided: next weekend, he’d visit Silver Bell’s job. Stuck at home doing one thing was just too boring.

Monday morning arrived.

"No more instant noodles at night," Silver Bell said, tapping his forehead with her chopstick handle, snapping him back to reality. "I’ll pack your lunch and leave it in the fridge. Just heat it in the rice cooker with a little water. Five minutes should do it. If it’s not hot enough, add another five. Got it?"

"Ah… got it…" Yue Feather replied absently. In that moment, her tone echoed his late mother’s—gentle, caring.

What had he done to deserve such warmth from this beautiful girl?

People naturally notice kindness more from the attractive. Plain-looking folks’ care slips by unnoticed; ugly ones’ might even spark annoyance. It’s human nature. Looks don’t change your worth, but beauty gets noticed faster. Only deep bonds erase that bias.

"I’m off to school!"

"Be careful on the way."

Silver Bell’s warm words lingered in his heart, wrapped in that sweet milky fragrance. It was etched into his mind—just thinking of her brought the scent back.

At a roadside breakfast stall, he bought a carton of pure milk. Sipping slowly as he walked, he savored the taste. It felt like kissing Silver Bell, sucking her saliva.

"Cough!" His face flushed. He shook off the weird thought with a light cough.

He arrived at school early as usual. Pushed open the classroom door. Sat in his seat.

Silent school. Quiet dawn. Soft morning sun. Only Yue Feather witnessed it all.

Loneliness didn’t always mean sadness. That hollow, empty feeling could spark a strange thrill.

In those moments, he’d imagine himself a poet crafting timeless verses—even if no words came. Or a wandering swordsman, inventing a new move before this empty landscape, cutting down any who stood in his way.

Everyone had ways to beat boredom. Yue Feather, used to solitude, was especially good at it. With enough interest, he could daydream all day.

Thankfully, his imagination kept him from becoming too withdrawn. Outwardly, at least, he seemed normal.

"Morning," Zhan Qi’s voice came from the doorway. She seemed shyer than usual, head half-bowed. Normally timid, she still walked upright. Today, she hunched like she wanted to vanish.

"Ah, morning," Yue Feather smiled back. It was routine now—talking to her felt effortless. "Why keep your head down?"

"N-nothing…" Zhan Qi fumbled, covering her forehead as she slid into her seat.

Yue Feather chuckled softly. No need to pry. He rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window. Early mornings without homework copying felt endless. Yet this lazy stretch was his favorite time. Especially watching others rush while he stayed calm.

"Um…" Zhan Qi’s voice broke the silence again, sharp in the empty classroom.

"What’s up?"

"Mm…" She bit her lip, glancing at him before twisting away. Shook her head. "N-nothing…"

"…Just say it?" Yue Feather asked lightly. "Forgot your homework again?"

"N-not that…" Her words tumbled out fast, flustered. "Really… nothing…"

"Okay…" He scratched his hair, helpless. He wouldn’t push. Chatting with girls still wasn’t his strength, even with Zhan Qi.

Classmates trickled in. Many shot him odd looks as they passed his seat.

He was confused. Normally, he was invisible. Even last week’s homework-selling gig hadn’t boosted his presence much.

"Hey, idiot," Wei Xiaoxin drawled, slapping his shoulder, eyelids drooping. "Are you brain-dead?"

"…What’s your problem this early?" Yue Feather frowned.

"You moron! Forgot you switched seats last week? I’m not your desk partner anymore!"

"Huh? Oh! Right…"

"Idiot." Wei Xiaoxin teased, grinning. Yue Feather knew it was friendly—Wei Xiaoxin got meaner the closer he was to someone. That was his way of showing care.

Yue Feather gathered his bag awkwardly. "Uh… Zhan Qi… scoot over…"

Startled, Zhan Qi stood up, blushing as she let him pass.

This was the front-row window seat. Honestly, since middle school, Yue Feather hadn’t sat this close to the board. The huge blackboard felt too near. Plus, constant chalk dust and the teacher’s flying spit. No chance for daydreaming here—front row meant strictest supervision.

Homeroom teacher Qianyu had moved him here for exactly that reason.

"Ah… I forgot… haha…" Yue Feather laughed sheepishly.

"Mm… I tried to tell you earlier…"

"Why didn’t you?"

"Mm… suddenly… forgot…"

"Alright…" He sighed, flopping onto his desk.

This spotlight seat made him twitchy. Worse, his neighbor was a girl.

Talking to Zhan Qi was easy, but it wasn’t like sitting with Wei Xiaoxin. They were bros—no filters. They’d even pose dramatically after farting just to mock each other.

With a girl? He had to behave.

A breeze lifted Zhan Qi’s bangs slightly. She froze, then clamped a hand over her thick fringe.

Yue Feather finally understood her shyness.

Her forehead was covered in pimples.

Someone with trypophobia might find it gross.

Yue Feather stayed calm but didn’t want a second look.

So many pimples at once—had she eaten something allergenic?

He sighed inwardly, resting his head on the desk again.

Zhan Qi must’ve sensed he’d seen her skin. She turned even redder, avoiding his gaze completely.

Yue Feather imagined himself in her place. Yeah, he’d feel awkward too with a face full of zits.

Best not to mention it.

But some people never knew when to shut up.

Like Ji Fan, the idiot.

"Hey, Zhan Qi! Morning! Feeling sick?"

"Eh? Eh?" Her eyes widened at the unexpected concern. She and Ji Fan were friendly, but this felt… flirty. These days, "flirty" just meant caring too much.

"Huh? Your pimples look worse?" Ji Fan asked cluelessly.

A huge bead of sweat rolled down Yue Feather’s forehead. He shot Ji Fan a death glare.

But the latter still hadn’t caught on, just kept asking nonstop, “Huh? What’s going on? Why are there suddenly so many…”

Hearing this, the others all turned to look over. The atmosphere instantly grew tense.