"W-What's wrong? Why are you suddenly looking at me like that...?" I felt slightly flustered, unused to seeing Xialin with that expression. "But, Xialin, how did you even know where I live?"

"Woah, Wu-chan, you're so lucky," Xialin said, poking her head past me the moment I opened the door. She scanned the room like it was uncharted territory. "Living here of all places."

"Here? What's so special about this place?" Her question puzzled me. Was it... especially hard to find?

That might make sense. It'd keep other students from bothering me, tucked away in this remote corner.

I nodded to myself inwardly, growing more convinced. Yeah, that had to be it.

"You," Xialin teased, pretending jealousy as she ruffled my hair, "got the luxury dorm—the only one per floor. Haven't you noticed how amazing the facilities are? It's seriously enviable."

"Eh? Luxury dorm?" Those four words crashed into my mind, shattering my earlier guess. A lottery-win feeling surged through me.

I didn't even notice the hand sliding to my waist.

"Whoa!" My body jerked involuntarily as Xialin struck. I collapsed into her arms, and she caught me smoothly, like she'd planned it.

"W-What are you doing, Xialin? Attacking me again? I'm ignoring you, hmph!" I shoved her wandering hand away and gripped the doorframe to steady myself.

"Oh no, Wu-chan's ignoring me. What do I do?" Xialin feigned distress, her face twisting as if she'd committed an unforgivable crime. Paired with her stunning beauty, anyone would've melted at the sight.

Before I could sigh inwardly, she switched back to her playful self, grabbing my hand. "Alright, let's go. Aren't you hungry?"

Now that she mentioned it, my stomach did feel empty. I'd cleaned the dorm all afternoon after a light lunch. Dinner time had come.

"Let's go then." I caught up to Xialin, hand in hand, and we descended the stairs to the lobby again.

At the lobby entrance, I glanced back at the duty room. Empty. The icy senior was nowhere to be seen.

Xialin noticed my turn. "What's up, Wu?"

"Hmm... Xialin, do you know who manages Dorm 1?"

"Huh? Yeah. Why ask all of a sudden?" She followed my gaze, saw no one, and turned back. "She's famous even among juniors."

"Famous?"

"Mhm. Known for terrifying grades and an ice-cold personality. If she's in charge of Dorm 1, daily stuff runs smoothly—she's responsible. But... avoid her for anything else."

"Why?" Her warning sparked my curiosity.

"Nothing major. Just... better not get too close to her, Wu-chan." She squeezed my palm. "Come on, let's eat."

"Okay..." I replied, letting her pull me away.

As we left, I stole one last look at the book on the duty desk.

Did it have the character "demon" on it?

Probably just my imagination...

First Floor Cafeteria, Closest to Academic Buildings

Xialin and I stepped inside to find long queues at windows near the stairs. Every student wore freshman uniforms.

"Xialin, what's going on?" I asked instinctively. She answered without hesitation, as if expecting it:

"Special windows welcoming freshmen. The cafeteria ladies give extra portions—it's a school tradition."

"Eh? That's nice!" I tugged her hand toward the line. "Let's eat here tonight, okay?"

"Mhm." She nodded, following me to the freshman counter.

Though portions might be generous, the line was long. I unloaded today's questions on her.

"Xialin."

"Hmm? What is it?" She turned, standing ahead of me in line.

"Has your senior roommate arrived?" I recalled my own senior, absent past five o'clock.

"Yeah. She's lovely. Her personality's a lot like yours," Xialin mused, then nodded. "Both so... small-animal-like."

"Mmph..." Here she went again, teasing me. I bared my teeth in warning. "Keep that up, and I'll bite you!"