9 a.m. Manager Wang received a message: today’s wrap-up meeting was reassigned, key tasks postponed.

Again?

Fine. He didn’t dare ask anyway.

Some things could be canceled. Others simply couldn’t.

3 p.m. The laziest hour of afternoon. Bai Ningning quietly opened her eyes, glanced at her deeply sleeping older sister, and rolled out of bed.

Her movements were silent. But the moment her feet touched the floor, her body wobbled.

Legs numb. Ugh…

Steadying herself, she shed her pajamas, changed into her school sailor uniform, then stepped out to pull on white ankle socks and sneakers.

She’d posted in the QQ group yesterday: she’d mentor the new girls today. As a senior, she couldn’t break her word.

Let’s go!

Qin Yue’s place wasn’t far from campus. Yet the usual twenty-minute walk took Bai Ningning over forty—slow, unsteady steps.

Legs too weak to hurry.

Somehow she arrived. Checked in. Pulled out her phone. The underclassmen were waiting at the milk tea shop.

Several shops dotted campus. The one nearest the girls’ dorm buzzed with female students. By the window counter, four beauties stood out.

“Senior Bai, over here~”

“Senior sister, this way~”

“Good afternoon, Senior~”

“What would you like to drink?”

Bai Ningning joined them—another campus-beauty-level girl at the counter, drawing even more glances.

“Black thigh-high socks…?” Wait, no—that was Qin Xin who’d asked, “What should we drink?”

“Plain tea, or a light fruit tea,” Bai Ningning said, sitting across from them. “Thanks.”

After a quick chat, she realized she barely recalled the other three girls’ names besides Qin Xin. Nicknames it was.

Twin-tails: Xiao Yi, petite like a doll.

Denim shorts: Lan Lan, cheerful and sunny.

Princess dress: A Jin—a Lolita fashion enthusiast… who also dabbled in hanfu circles.

“Senior Ningning,” Lan Lan asked, “any fun spots in Xicheng? We’re all from out of town. Could you show us around?”

Bai Ningning gently pressed her sore waist. A flicker of pain crossed her eyes. “Too tired today. Tomorrow?”

The girls froze, straws slipping from their lips.

Why the silence? Bai Ningning frowned slightly, confused.

“Come to think of it,” Xiao Yi piped up, “Senior didn’t come yesterday… and arrived late today too.”

A Jin mused, “Senior Bai didn’t pop up in the group all morning. First reply came after 3 p.m.”

Lan Lan’s eyes widened. “So… what kept you up last night? Slept super late, and even after waking, no energy to move…”

Then—lightbulb moment. “Senior… do you have a boyfriend?”

Qin Xin’s fingers tightened around her straw—like choking a windpipe.

Bai Ningning shook her head. “No.”

The grip loosened.

“Wrong guess,” Lan Lan chirped. “Then tell us about campus clubs, Senior?”

Bai Ningning paused. “After military training, you’ll pick clubs. Choose carefully.”

Xiao Yi blinked. “Why?”

“Some clubs are unreliable. If trouble hits, the school disbands them—and zeros all members’ club credits for the semester.”

A wry smile tugged her lips. “I fell for it last semester. That’s why I’m volunteering now.”

Xiao Yi’s eyes welled up. “So… you’re only mentoring us because of that?”

“Not entirely,” Bai Ningning added quickly. “Partly that. Partly… you’re cute.”

Said flatly. Detached.

“Senior Ningning,” Qin Xin spoke—her first words all day—“any club advice?”

Bai Ningning shrugged. “I can’t advise. I just stumbled myself. If you followed my lead… you’d stumble too.”

“Then which club will you join?” Qin Xin pressed.

Last year’s Tea Ceremony Club was gone. She needed a new one for credits.

Bai Ningning bit her straw. Her gaze drifted.

Clubs… credits…

*“Back then, I floated rootless like duckweed~~”*

The shop speaker’s melody pulled her under.

The credit system had always existed. For the Bai Ningning of years ago—the unlucky kid before the accident—it was just as hard.

Back then: shy, socially awkward, and living as an utterly ordinary boy. Joining any club felt impossible.

Eighteen. Huddled in a corner at recruitment fair. Club reps left one by one. She never found the courage to step forward.

Finally, she hid in the table’s shadow, phone in hand, watching anime—pretending it could shield her from the world.

Until a hand rested on her desk.

*“You’re watching ‘[Anime Title]’ too?”*

*“Mm… yeah.”*

The Anime Club president—a third-year senior—chatted her up, then invited her in.

*“But I won’t attend activities…”*

*“No problem. Love anime? We’ll sign you in.”*

And just like that, she joined.

Years passed. Presidents changed. Seniors, juniors, everyone knew her situation. Never pressured her. Always signed her in.

Sometimes she’d lurk in the QQ group, listening to their chatter.

They dreamed aloud: *“If we had a pro video team, we’d grow an official Bilibili channel.”*

*“If we had a pretty cosplayer, we’d hit conventions or film stage plays.”*

*“If we had a sweet-voiced girl, we’d pitch podcasts, shows, even music.”*

“Senior Bai… decided?”

“I have.” Bai Ningning snapped back, voice firm. “I’m joining the Anime Club.”

*President. Everyone. I’m here to repay your kindness.*

Silence.

“Senior… you didn’t know?” Lan Lan asked.

“Know what?”

“Last semester,” Qin Xin checked her phone, “Xicheng University merged five clubs—Gaming, Japanese Music Appreciation, Video Production, Otaku Dance, and Anime—into the 2D Club. Per the report… the Anime Club department has the lowest weight now.”