Lonely…?

It was hard to imagine—Senpai, always treated like the center of everyone’s attention, could actually be lonely.

But I couldn’t argue. This was Xiao Xian’s conclusion. She was Senpai’s daughter. Even if my future self hadn’t shouldered much responsibility, Xiao Xian had lived alone with Senpai and her mother for a long time. Nurtured and shaped by her mother daily, she naturally sensed the truth about Senpai that outsiders could never see.

I remembered that autumn breeze encounter.

Amid the crowd, that proud silhouette suddenly carried a trace of solitude. As a second-year student and Student Council President, Senpai should’ve been instantly recognizable. People around her *should* have noticed.

Yet for unknown reasons, they all looked away—leaving her to walk alone through the noisy, bustling stream. That’s why I mistook her for a freshman. In my mind, only new students faced that awkward loneliness on their first day.

Her uniform was neat and crisp—a girl clearly mindful of her appearance. Someone like her *should* have been popular. If she were truly Senpai, she might not be swarmed by admirers, but at least have one or two close girl friends.

I called my past self a “reckless newbie,” sure—but I’d still sized things up before approaching. Convinced she was just another first-year like me, I found the courage to speak.

Now I recall: while fixated on Senpai beside me—every slight smile, every fleeting glance—I occasionally caught “odd” looks shot my way. At first, I thought it was jealousy over talking to such a goddess. But looking back… those stares weren’t just from guys. Many girls stared too, eyes wide with astonishment.

And that final parting—Senpai’s thoughtful smile.

I’d smugly assumed I’d impressed her. But now I see: it was the quiet smile of someone long accustomed to solitude. To me, walking with her, chatting, parting politely—it was ordinary. To her? A trivial moment she’d etched deeply in memory.

In an instant, it clicked.

Yes. Senpai always appeared poised and noble, handling everything flawlessly. With her around, the department felt steady. Under her leadership, the Student Council thrived. But perhaps… that very excellence slowly built invisible walls.

This wasn’t rejection from “above.” It was awe from below. People saw her as untouchably elevated—revered, not relatable. Between Senpai and her peers, seniors, even juniors… barriers quietly hardened.

Second-years viewed her as existing on another plane. Third-years, constantly overshadowed, felt helpless—maybe even whispered behind her back. First-years? Simple. To them, Senpai was a towering mountain.

A peak so imposing most gave up climbing at first glance.

But that day, I—captivated by the view—climbed without hesitation. Even reaching only the mountainside, I made the mountain *notice* me. Made Senpai remember me.

In short? Being a reckless newbie worked in my favor.

I’d already surged far ahead of everyone else!

Thrilled, I swept Xiao Xian into a hug.

“Xiao Xian, I love you so much!”

“Eep… Hentai! Daddy, you big hentai!”

Flustered, Xiao Xian pummeled my chest with her tiny pink fists once more.