Loko returned to her dorm with mixed emotions.

She spotted the light glowing on the second floor—Shilufei was still awake.

Pushing the door open and stepping inside, Loko suddenly collided with a golden figure near the kitchen.

“Ouch…”

A soft voice sounded right by her ear.

Loko stared at Shilufei before her: one hand holding a cup, the other rubbing her shoulder. For a moment, she was speechless.

The girl had clearly just bathed. Loose pajamas draped her frame; damp golden hair flowed down her back, wisps of steam rising faintly.

Her doll-like face was flushed, delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed—as if the bump had stung just a little.

Loko quickly stepped back.

“Uh… Shilufei, sorry! The kitchen was dark—I didn’t see you…”

“It’s fine, really.”

Shilufei waved it off. She’d just come down for water after her bath. The spill had dampened her fresh pajamas.

Following Shilufei’s glance, Loko realized the mess she’d caused.

“I’m so sorry! I—” Flustered, words failed her. She turned and dashed upstairs.

Shilufei watched, puzzled—until half a minute later, understanding dawned.

Loko hurried down holding a set of pink pajamas.

“If you don’t mind… wear mine? I brought a spare.”

“…”

Shilufei was momentarily speechless.

*Pajamas… are those really something you swap?*

Noticing her hesitation, Loko rushed to add, “Ah! Just consider it a gift! I have plenty—and this one’s brand new.”

“Pfft…”

Amused by Loko’s flustered cuteness, Shilufei chuckled, took the pajamas with a smile, and set her cup on the living room table.

“Then I’ll accept. Thank you, Loko.”

Watching Shilufei climb the stairs, Loko sighed in relief and retreated to her room.

*Peacefully resolved… right? She’s not mad… is she?*

A soft knock came at her door.

“Shilufei?”

“Mm. Still awake? May I come in?”

“Sure.”

Loko nodded. The knob turned; Shilufei’s head peeked in.

“Hope I’m not disturbing you?”

She now wore the pink pajamas.

“Not at all.” Loko smiled instantly.

Reassured, Shilufei entered and closed the door.

“Earlier, you weren’t in the dorm. Meet a friend?”

*Friend? If Teresa counts… but could I say that?*

“No~ Just my exercise habit. Went for a solo run.”

“Oh.” Shilufei’s eyes drifted to Loko’s elegant dress—*definitely not running gear*. She sat casually.

“When you were gone, I thought our first night as roommates and you’d already pull an all-nighter.”

A cold bead of sweat traced Loko’s temple.

*Why so much pressure? Her words sound like normal girl-talk… Is it because I’m hiding something?*

Forcing calm, she laughed lightly. “No way~ Academy rules barely let us leave campus. Even if I wanted to stay out… nowhere to go.”

“True.” Shilufei shifted topics. “Tomorrow’s opening ceremony. Freshman rep is the famous Teresa. Know her?”

*Know her? Way too well.*

Loko kept her face neutral. “Family matters brought us together a few times. Why?”

“Tell me about her?” Shilufei’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“They say she’s gorgeous, strong, *and* kind. Is it true?!”

“Not sure… but yeah, she’s stunning. You’ll see tomorrow—we freshmen sit front row, right…?”

…

After Shilufei left, Loko watched the clock tick past midnight and collapsed onto her bed, drained.

*Shilufei’s so normal—gossipy, chatty till exhaustion. If we’d known each other longer, she’d probably bring a pillow and share my bed.*

But every word required caution. No slips. No tells.

*No wonder I’m wrecked.*

“I’ve gotta get used to lying… or I’ll drop dead someday.”

She rolled out of bed, grabbed pajamas from the wardrobe, and headed to the bathroom.

—

Meanwhile, Shilufei locked her door, leaned against it, and breathed deeply.

The cheerful mask from Loko’s room melted into cool calm.

“Not a single truthful word.”

She stepped onto the balcony, gaze fixed on the dorm direction Loko had taken earlier.

*That’s still the dorm zone… and if I recall right, the York Family’s young mistress lives there.*

A faint smirk touched her lips.

“Day one… already rushing to report?”

Her favorability toward Loko dipped again.

*Two-faced.* Her strategy? Pretend ignorance. Let Loko believe she’d fooled her.

…

In the tub, Loko curled small, knees peeking above water. She buried half her face, blowing lazy bubbles.

Steam flushed her cheeks pink.

Blissfully unaware that next door, the girl she thought she’d deceived had already seen through her.

After a while, she surfaced, stretching with a sigh.

Gazing at the hazy steam, she let out a soft, silly giggle.