When Shilufei first burst into Loko’s room, Loko noticed nothing unusual—until the door clicked shut. Only then did she realize she was wearing next to nothing.

Heat flooded Loko’s face like steam from an overheated boiler.

Why? Why did Shilufei always barge in without knocking? Did she think girls had nothing to hide from each other?

But if that were true… why had she scrambled out the moment she saw her?

What *was* Shilufei thinking?!

Loko couldn’t understand. Couldn’t make sense of it.

Then—a knock.

“Um… Loko? I have something to say. Are you… free right now?”

*So she* can *knock?!*

Loko’s inner monologue screamed. She snatched the pajamas beside the bed and yanked them on in a flash.

“Um… I’m decent now.”

Only then did Shilufei enter.

A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks—the earlier sight had clearly shaken her too.

Loko’s chest wasn’t huge, but it was nicely shaped. And at that exact moment, she’d been slightly bent over… offering Shilufei an unexpectedly intimate glimpse.

Shilufei’s thoughts drifted again. *Oops.* She patted her own cheeks lightly and whispered,

“Um… sorry.”

Loko assumed she meant barging in. She shook her head quickly, forcing nonchalance.

“Ah, it’s fine! We’re both girls. Nothing to be shy about.”

But Shilufei spoke earnestly:

“It’s not that. It’s about downstairs… I snapped at you. I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

Loko blinked, then caught on.

“Ah… I must’ve said something upsetting. *I* should apologize.”

“No. You didn’t know my past. Your question was innocent. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you…”

Shilufei’s sincere apology melted Loko’s embarrassment completely.

*Again?* Today was the second time. Victim yet comforter.

Reluctant inside, Loko softened her voice:

“It’s okay, Shilufei. Everyone has painful memories. And honestly? I’ve let it go.”

She offered a gentle smile.

Unexpectedly, Shilufei’s expression steeled.

“Loko… there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Hmm?”

Shilufei walked quietly to the bed.

“Can I sit beside you?”

“Sure.”

Loko nodded.

Shilufei settled close, silent for a beat.

“Truth is… I have no home to return to.”

She began slowly, voice low.

“When I was little, my parents were murdered. With their last breath, they entrusted me to a friend. I grew up in that home.”

“But this year… Grandma Hermia—the one who raised me—passed away. Her final wish? For me to go to Rickrode, enroll at Saint Stephen Academy, learn skills… and live a peaceful life.”

“So… I came here.”

The air grew heavy. Without thinking, Loko wrapped an arm around Shilufei’s shoulders.

Yet inwardly, ice-cold clarity settled.

*She’s lying.*

In the original story, everything up to “Grandma Hermia” was true. But the real instruction was: *Master your skills… then hunt your parents’ killer.*

“I’m so sorry, Shilufei. I had no idea.”

Loko’s tone dripped with practiced sympathy.

“It’s okay…” Shilufei shook her head.

“Have you ever thought of revenge? Making the killer pay?”

“Revenge?” Shilufei let out a soft, hollow laugh.

“Revenge *who*? Grandma Hermia never named the enemy. I don’t even know who did it. How could I?”

“Her last words were: *Let go of hatred. Live your own life. Don’t let revenge cage you.*”

“And what do *you* feel?” Loko pressed gently.

Shilufei closed her eyes, leaning her head against Loko’s shoulder.

“Right now… I just want to graduate, return home, and protect that place—like Grandma Hermia did.”

“Revenge? That’s fate’s job. If it’s meant to happen… the enemy will find me. If not… so be it.”

With every word, Loko’s heart grew colder.

*Of course. She’s the protagonist. She’d never trust an outsider this easily.*

This “confession” was just pity-play—to make Loko soften, to secure future help.

Since day one, Loko knew their dynamic wouldn’t mirror the original plot. But this shift? So fast.

*Does she know I’m a York Family spy? Is this a smokescreen for them?*

A chill shot through her—then faded.

No. If Shilufei knew… she wouldn’t have seen tomorrow’s sunrise.

More likely: testing the waters. Or… after years of loneliness, she just needed *someone* to hear her. Even if the story was half-false.

Loko tightened her embrace.

Beside her, Shilufei breathed in the faint sweetness of Loko’s hair… and felt a quiet thrill.

*How ironic.*

This tactic—fabricating tragedy to stir pity, lower guards—was *Loko’s* old move.

And now? Shilufei wielded it perfectly.

Apology? Yes. But weaving a smokescreen for the York Family while mending ties? Even better.

Why *wouldn’t* she take this win-win?

Unseen by either, two girls held each other close—

each certain she’d unraveled the other’s little scheme.