"Gurgle gurgle..."

Though opening her eyes underwater stung terribly, Lixin strained to spot the light above—proof she wasn’t far from the surface.

Swim up fast.

Believe her: once ashore, she’d absolutely crush that brat Melly!

"Ptooey!"

She surfaced smoothly. Lixin’s lung capacity had just survived an extreme test and grown stronger.

Yeah, right.

"Hahaha!"

Melly’s laughter.

Lixin lifted her head—the only part above water—and spotted Melly on the transport plane.

Instant urge to stir trouble.

"Huh?"

Melly felt something snag her ankle.

"Waaah!"

"Splash!"

"Hahaha!"

Now it was Lixin’s turn to laugh. The prank felt so satisfying that her exhaustion vanished instantly, leaving her refreshed and clear-headed.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing?!"

Lixin’s laughter died. Melly was swimming toward her fast—no escape.

Melly reached Lixin, wrapped her arms and legs around her like a koala.

But Lixin wasn’t a strong swimmer, especially in the ocean.

She felt herself sinking immediately, thrashing wildly. "Let go! I’m going under—ahh!"

Melly clung tighter, refusing to release her. "Nope! Hahaha! Serves you right for throwing me in... the... wa..."

Melly’s grin faded. Her head dipped underwater as she freed one hand. Before Lixin could process it, that hand pressed firmly against Lixin’s chest.

"Ah~"

Stunned silence x5.

"Huh?!" Lixin’s face flushed crimson. At that moment, she sensed four intense gazes from above.

"Teacher Chris... Principal... Elwin... and Cleyna..." Panic flickered across Lixin’s expression.

"Ahhh!" She suddenly clawed at Melly’s face like a wildcat.

"This is all your fault, you bastard—ahhh!"

………………………………………………………………

"So... you’re a girl?"

"………………" A nod.

"But you were a boy before? Changed a few years ago due to side effects?"

"…………… Achoo!"

She sniffled weakly but nodded again.

"………… Wipe your nose first..."

She snatched the tissue Qin Fan offered, shooting him a fierce glare. Lixin’s broken-character act shifted into tsundere mode as she dabbed her nose.

"………… What’s that got to do with me? Why glare?" Qin Fan felt like crying.

Seriously, your character’s shattered! Where’s the deadpan, secretly flustered guy? Who’s this trembling, tear-eyed, sickly tsundere girl in the hospital bed?!

"Uh... Lixin?"

Elwin tested her name cautiously.

"What? Can’t you see I’m busy?!"

She snapped back rudely.

"Hmm. Definitely her."

Elwin had worried he’d brought back an imposter. Now he was relieved.

After a moment, Lixin finished wiping. She crumpled the tissue and threw it at Qin Fan’s face, then gestured sharply for him to toss it.

"Sigh..." Qin Fan sighed and obeyed. He suspected she still held a grudge over that kiss last time. Better not provoke her—even if he was half-sick himself.

"Done?" Cleyna’s temple throbbed with a dark vein.

"No!" Lixin dodged the topic, yanking the blanket over her head. "I’m dead! Only the apocalypse or mealtime can wake me!"

This can’t be Lixin! Absolutely not! Does she have split personalities?!

"Stop messing around, Lixin. We just want to know your plan now." Qin Fan tugged the blanket.

"What plan?" Lixin clutched it tighter, creating an awkward stalemate.

"………… Huh?" Qin Fan froze. The other two stared at him like he was scum, silently screaming: "Ew, pervert—yanking blankets?"

"Ahem. I meant your future identity." Qin Fan forced through the awkwardness.

"Let the Principal handle it. Barely anyone saw... Hey, stop pulling, creep!"

*Crack.*

Something inside Qin Fan shattered.

The other two’s glares turned even more accusatory...

"Um…………"

Lixin peeked out from under the blanket, half her face visible. "You won’t... mind, right?"

"Mind what?"

Qin Fan didn’t catch on immediately.

"You know... this whole thing. Hehe."

She grinned stupidly.

"Oh—"

Qin Fan got it. "O-of course not! You were a cute boy before anyway. No real difference now..."

"Pervert" x2.

Cleyna and Elwin saw Qin Fan’s true lecherous nature.

"Oh. Thanks."

Lixin muttered and vanished under the blanket again.

"Who are you?! My bro can’t be this cute!!!"

………………………………………………………………

"Commander, Preyas’s forces are locked in a stalemate with ours. Enemy numbers exceed intel. Repelling them will take time."

"Understood. Hold position for now. They can’t afford to wait."

"Yes, sir."

"………… What else?"

"Kundry is dead, Commander."

"You mean the underwater base is destroyed?"

"Yes."

"I see. Seems the other side has capable people. After this battle, I’ll inspect the site personally."