Alicia's expression suddenly turned downcast, her head bowed like an abandoned pet.

"Sorry, I misspoke earlier. I didn't mean to invite you to join the team, but to join our guild instead."

I chuckled inwardly—she really was so naive.

"You're teasing me again! Hmph, I won't fall for your tricks. Is it really that fun to tease me?"

"Mm, it really is fun."

"You, you... Hmph, I'm not going anymore. Just go away, as far as you can."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, okay? Miss, it was just a joke earlier, but this time I'm serious."

After coaxing her for ages, she reluctantly agreed to join the guild. But first came a probation period—simply put, she'd team up with us for a while and only join officially if satisfied.

*Sigh, what a troublesome young lady.*

4

I logged out of the game world and rubbed my aching head—it had throbbed from lying down all afternoon.

Unconsciously, another day had slipped by.

Outside, dusk was near but not yet dark; the evening twilight painted the whole city crimson.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Are you in?"

It was my fiancée Ouyang Qingsnow's voice—rare indeed. After so long together, she'd never sought me out first.

"The door's unlocked. Come in."

She pushed it open, stepped inside, and gently closed it behind her.

"Hey—"

"Huh?"

Seeing her shy, flustered expression, I was utterly confused.

*What's with this love-struck act? Did she swallow the wrong pill or something?*

"Tonight I have a classmate gathering. Will you come with me? Don't get the wrong idea—I usually skip these, but the seniors organized it. They're graduating soon, and they've invited me repeatedly."

*I hadn't even opened my mouth, and she dumped all that explanation. Whatever. Playing bodyguard for a bit won't kill me.*

"Sure. When do we leave?"

"Soon."

"Mm."

After she left, I changed and headed out too. I waved to Yulan, and we exited our place together.

Near our school stood a fairly upscale restaurant—the venue for Qingsnow's gathering.

We found the reserved private room and climbed to the second floor.

Thirteen people waited inside: seven guys, six girls. With us, fifteen total.

The spacious room had a big screen, karaoke machine, sofas, and more.

"Qingsnow's here!"

A girl in boyish clothes strode over.

*Probably a girl... Ugh, ever since meeting Xiang Yu, I can't tell genders apart anymore.*

That boyish-looking person slung an arm around Qingsnow's shoulders, steering her to a seat. I got ignored again and flopped onto a random sofa.

"The Guild Leader's here. Everyone's present now, right?"

"All here!"

A handsome guy seemed to lead the group.

"I'll start ordering, then."

He flashed a sunny grin and left the room.

*This must be what they call a "real-life player."*

Just like earlier, I sat statue-still on the sofa, smoking. Everyone—guys and girls alike—crowded around Qingsnow and the boyish girl beside her, chattering nonstop.

Next to me sat another wallflower, pretending to watch the music video on-screen to hide his awkwardness.

"Smoke?"

"Thanks, but I don't."

And just like that, we started talking...

"This song's catchy. What's it called?"

"The Idolmaster theme. You don't know it?"

"No..."

*Typical otaku. He launched into anime talk, rambling like a never-ending river.*

I gave half-hearted replies—I knew little about idol anime anyway.

Meanwhile, Qingsnow stayed quiet. The boyish girl did all the talking. *I'll call her a girl for now... unless she's a cross-dresser?*

Soon, the leader returned.

"Everyone, tonight's schedule is set. No conflicts?"

"None!"

"We rarely get free time—let's have fun!"

"Sorry, but I must be home by ten."

Qingsnow stood up, reluctant to ruin the mood.

"Hahaha! The Guild Leader's such a good kid. Loosen up tonight—it's fine! Oriental September will escort you anyway."

"Who you calling 'this guy,' bastard? I'll make you pay!"

"Hahaha!"

Watching those two clowns, even I cracked a smile. *Youth really is golden.*

Turns out the boyish dresser wasn't a guy at all—a real girl. Oriental September, huh? Nice name.

Knowing she was a girl made her look cuter, and weirdly handsome too.

After the food arrived, I sat ignored at the table, chatting only with the otaku beside me.

"By the way, who's this?"

The leader sat across from me. My unfamiliar face made him hesitate before asking.

"My fiancé."

Qingsnow answered instantly, no hesitation.

*I'd expected her to blush introducing me. Her bluntness surprised me.*

"I see. Hi, I'm Ark—Qingsnow's classmate."

"Please don't call me that."

Qingsnow's tone turned icy.

"Sorry, sorry!"

"Hahaha! Got scolded! My Qingsnow's proper—don't make folks misunderstand."

"My bad. Apologies."

*He did that on purpose. I spotted the flicker of disappointment in Ark's eyes.*

"Let's all introduce ourselves. Ouyang Qingsnow's friends are ours too."

"Aotian Long. I'm from First High too."

"Oh! You're that guy who skips class after half a day. We're classmates!"

"Mm."

After that brief chat, I was sidelined again. The gathering orbited Qingsnow, Oriental September, and Ark.

The rest of us were just extras.

Post-dinner, I sat on the sofa listening to music when someone approached.

"Bro, that outfit's years old, right?"

"Mm, about three years."

*I rarely update clothes—if it fits, it works.*

"You can't roll like that. Gotta dress sharp to match our princess, yeah?"

His voice drew a growing crowd around us.