"N-never mind..." came Silver Bell's weak, slightly shy voice from the bathroom.

Yue Feather clenched his fists, his whole body trembling slightly.

"It's just buying... buying... that thing!" he shouted through gritted teeth, forcing courage into his voice. "I'll go buy it!"

This startled Silver Bell inside the bathroom.

In Yue Feather's mind, girls should be cared for by boys. Silver Bell had looked after him all this time—it was his turn now.

Yet as he headed downstairs, his heart pounded like he was marching to his own execution.

For a virgin who always averted his eyes when passing feminine hygiene aisles at supermarkets, buying sanitary pads under a clerk's stare at the convenience store downstairs felt like peak humiliation.

But for Silver Bell, he'd do it. Still, his resolve crumbled with every step toward the store, his pace slowing until he nearly stopped.

"Gulp..." Yue Feather swallowed hard, his legs feeling like lead as he dragged them forward.

What to do inside? Ask the clerk for pads? Or grab some and bolt? But which brand? Should he ask for recommendations? No—would they think he was a creep? He raked his fingers through his hair, frozen in place.

What... what should he do?

The night street felt empty, few cars passing. Yue Feather stood alone, utterly helpless.

Most shops were closed; only a few restaurants stayed open.

And there it was—the 24-hour convenience store ahead, a mini-supermarket stocked with daily essentials.

But what if they didn't have pads? Would he wander like an idiot and leave empty-handed? What if someone asked what he needed?

The annoying cicadas droned on. Their usual summer chorus now grated on his nerves, scattering his focus.

"Y-Yue Feather?" A soft whisper sounded behind him.

"Huh? Who's there?" He spun around, stumbling back two steps.

If someone recognized him buying pads, would they label him a pervert? His mind raced, scrambling for an excuse—but who'd be out this late?

It was a girl's voice, but he hadn't caught the tone earlier. Night blurred everything, even the figure before him.

Then he saw her face clearly.

"Z-Zhan Qi?" Yue Feather stammered, tense and confused. "W-why are you out so late?"

"Just got back from my tutor's," Zhan Qi replied shyly. Meeting him off-campus felt awkward. "Um... extra lessons."

"Lessons? Even with your grades?"

"Yeah..."

"Tough family," Yue Feather chuckled uneasily. A quick chat, then goodbye—that's all he needed.

"Are you out shopping too?" Zhan Qi didn't move to leave, curiosity in her eyes.

"Ah... yeah, just picking something up..." he mumbled.

"Okay... see you tomorrow then. Bye!" Zhan Qi, equally flustered, waved and turned to go.

"Phew..." Yue Feather sighed in relief, waving back at her retreating figure. "See you..."

That crisis passed—but the real task remained. Silver Bell was waiting at home, and worry gnawed at him.

It was summer, but waiting in a bathroom like this... would she catch a chill? A fever would be terrible.

Yet he couldn't muster the courage to enter the store. He'd steel himself, step forward—then retreat.

He glanced back. Zhan Qi hadn't gone far.

This agonizing mental battle had lasted mere seconds.

"If it's Zhan Qi... she'd be fine with it, right? But... how do I even ask her?" Yue Feather covered his face, pinching his arm hard. He was trapped in indecision.

What to do? Zhan Qi would know the right brand and avoid embarrassment. But telling her? He'd die of shame. Plus, he saw her daily at school—unlike the store clerk, who'd forget him in days.

"Should I just buy it myself?" he muttered uncertainly.

But what if he picked the wrong one? Brands felt different, he'd heard. He had no idea what Silver Bell preferred.

Girls their age probably liked similar things, right?

Zhan Qi was almost around the corner when Yue Feather finally chased after her.

"Zhan Qi! Wait!"

"Huh? W-what is it?" Zhan Qi stopped, cheeks flushed, as he caught up.

"Um... ahem! I need a favor!"

"What is it? I'll help if I can."

"You definitely can. It's just... um... ahem..."

"Hmm?"

Yue Feather opened his mouth, desperate, but the words choked him. He fidgeted, dodging the question.

Zhan Qi stayed patient, but his own shame burned hotter.

"Please buy a pack of sanitary pads for me!" he blurted out loudly. Passersby turned to stare. He wanted to vanish into the ground.

"Eh? Eh?" Zhan Qi flinched back, probably thinking he was a creep. "W-why?"

"I... I want... no, not like that!" He fumbled for an explanation, making it worse, then sank to his knees in despair. "I'm not a pervert, Zhan Qi... really..."

"W-what's going on?" Zhan Qi stepped closer cautiously. "Yue Feather, you're not that kind of person, right?"

"Actually... I'm buying it for Silver Bell. For... that thing..."

"Silver Bell?"

"My sister—"

"Oh! You're buying it for your sister? Just say so!" Zhan Qi relaxed into a relieved smile. "So... you want me to buy it?"

"Yes! Yes!" Yue Feather nodded frantically. "I don't know which brand..."

"Didn't your sister tell you?"

"No... it's her first time... ahem!"

"I-I'll get it for you." Zhan Qi blushed, walking toward the store. "I'll buy my brand. Okay?"

"F-fine!"

Yue Feather hid behind a tree near the store entrance, heart in his throat. He only breathed when he saw her buy two pink packs and pay.

"Thank goodness..." He felt a wave of relief. "All set..."

"H-here..." Zhan Qi handed him a dark plastic bag hiding the pads, her face crimson. Such thoughtful detail.

"Thanks! Seriously, you saved me!" Yue Feather clasped his hands together. "How much? I'll pay you back."

"No need. It's cheap." She shook her head with a shy smile, stepping aside to wave. "I'm off then."

"Ah... bye!"

Yue Feather watched her figure fade into the night, then sprinted home.

"Back already?" Silver Bell's voice called as he opened the door.

"Ah... yeah. Sorry to keep you waiting..."

"Got it?"

"Yeah... not sure if you like this brand... it's... um..." He slid a pack through the bathroom door crack, too embarrassed to look. "Seventh Sense..."

"Anything's fine," Silver Bell replied kindly. Rustling sounds followed from inside.

Yue Feather fled to his room, shutting the door against the noise.

But Silver Bell didn't emerge. He grew puzzled.

Did using those things take this long?

"Don't think about it. Homework. Homework. I still have paid tasks to finish today..."

========Silver Bell's POV========

I opened the sanitary pad pack. Inside were smaller wrapped packets. I unwrapped one and spread it out—it looked like the TV ads. But...

How do you even use this?

Not even an instruction manual...

I turned the packaging over and over with a slight headache, still finding no usage guide.

Guess I’ll have to figure it out myself.

Let me see...

Hmm... there’s paper here.

It’s sticky after tearing open. Do I just stick it down there like this?

Ugh, women really are troublesome. Having to rip this off every bathroom break—doesn’t it hurt?

“Hiss—” After sticking it on, I tried peeling it off again. The sticky part was now stained with bright red blood.

Wait, this can’t be right. It shouldn’t be used like this.

Eh... hold on... is it meant for the panties?

Ah... so that’s how it works?

What a finicky little thing...

After fumbling with it for ages, I finally got the pad in place.

Figuring it out alone was tough, but luckily I cracked it.

This just made me sigh again.

Women... such troublesome bodies.