“Hurry… up…”

Outside the room, Yan Ningning waited, sipping juice. She peeked through the narrow gap in the door and urged again.

Her tone sounded impatient, but her eyes kept drifting back inside.

A faint blush dusted her cheeks; her gaze sparkled with shy mischief.

With each sip, her cheeks gently puffed and deflated.

“Alright, you’re so annoying…”

After dawdling forever, Lu Huai finally emerged—having “strategized” only to swap into a black tee and jeans.

His complaint was barely a whisper, careful not to provoke her.

Yan Ningning blinked her lovely eyes, scanning him head to toe, then toe to head.

“Is this it?”

Lu Huai sidestepped behind her, avoiding her gaze—his cheeks already warming.

Undeterred, her eyes followed him.

“Can you stop moving? You’re making me dizzy.”

He froze. Her familiar presence eased the awkwardness… as long as he didn’t look at her face. *Too pretty.*

Then his eyes locked on the juice in her hand.

*Wait… that’s mine. Left on the desk before gaming. She didn’t even change the straw?*

His heart hammered traitorously.

“You… you’re drinking my juice…”

Voice so weak it held no stance.

The girl nodded matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, your juice. Sounds weird, huh? What’s the big deal? So stingy?”

“It’s not about stingy, it’s…”

“Well? Spit it out~”

She shook her head; her ponytail swayed, carrying a hint of fragrance. Lu Huai took a tactical step back.

“Nothing…”

*Too embarrassing. If she knew, she’d think I’m flirting… she’d disdain me. Better pretend I didn’t notice.*

Lu Huai turned away, retreat drums booming in his mind.

“Can we go…? Honestly, I’d rather go alone. You don’t have to come.”

Before he could retreat further, Yan Ningning sprang up, braced a hand on the sofa, and leaped lightly beside him.

“Nonsense. I promised your parents. What if you sneak back? Not happening.”

Lu Huai glanced at her teasing eyes and quickly looked away.

“I wouldn’t do that…”

“Fine, fine! Let’s go—straight to reporting!”

She pushed his shoulder.

Sweat beaded on his brow. “I can walk myself!”

“I’ll touch you! So what?”

*Sigh…* Helpless against this unpredictable girl—but glad it was *her*. With anyone else, he’d be tongue-tied, flustered…

Outside, under the blazing sun, he refused to push back his bangs. To him, they were a helmet. A shield.

On the bus, he sighed in relief: the back window seat was empty. *His* spot. Without it, he’d wait for the next bus.

Naturally, Yan Ningning sat beside him. “Is your social anxiety *that* bad? Front seats are empty—it’s awkward to exit back here.”

*She thinks I’m pathetic. Prove it? But caring what she thinks… is that “nice guy” energy?* He stayed frozen.

This was his pattern: pride and insecurity tangled. Wanting to prove himself, then imagining rejection—and surrendering.

The driver glanced in the rearview. “Empty bus… sitting way back? Kids these days… Should I watch them?”

Lu Huai had no clue.

After a long pause: “Why don’t you sit up front…? I’m fine alone.”

Yan Ningning blinked, then playfully punched his arm. “Heartless! Am I not tall enough? Not ‘ideal cute girl’ material? You’re the only one who dislikes me!”

“I don’t dislike you… I…” He trailed off.

She leaned closer, nearly brushing his shoulder. “If you don’t dislike me… do you *like* me?”

“I don’t…”

“You won’t even look at me. Total secret crush.”

“Don’t say that… scoot over…”

“Hmph! Nope. This isn’t social anxiety—you can’t face your crush. Admit it: you’ve liked me forever?”

“I won’t admit it.”

“Stubborn duck. Deep down, you’re totally—*eep!*”

The bus swerved sharply. Off-balance, she tumbled fully onto him.

*Thud.* His head bumped the window; a soft impact echoed on his shoulder.

The bus steadied. Silence.

“You okay?”

“You okay?”

Two voices. Same words. Spoken together.

She looked up from his arm. He met her gaze—worry raw in his eyes. Rare eye contact.

Both blushing. Both hearts racing.

Lu Huai opened his mouth. *Did I mess up? But she said the same thing…*

*No. Don’t overthink. Anxiety kicking in.*

“I’m fine.”

“I’m fine.”

Again, in unison. He glanced at her—she was watching him too.

He jerked away like he’d been shocked. She giggled.

“Pfft… What face is *that*? Like I assaulted you.”

“Nothing… just… my anxiety.”

“Okay, relax. Bus turned—I slipped. My fault. No need to apologize.”

Her words calmed him… *Like a gentle friend-zone card.*

He wiped his brow. *Any normal guy would cherish a girl like her… But I won’t trouble her. I don’t deserve it.*

His world held only games and endless text. Extra words made him overthink—even jokes felt dangerous.

Better sink into solitude. Better be called “pretending sorrow for poetry.”

*Only I know the temperature of this water.* Yes. Perfect self-comfort.

Seventeen-year-old Yan Ningning looked away, catching the faint sun-warmed scent beside her. A tiny smile curved her lips.

Her own sensitivity made her understand him perfectly. *How alike we are—this uncontrollable care, this ache to pull him out. Just as “abnormal.”*

At Chuzhou No.1 High School, Lu Huai waited for her to step off first.

Few words exchanged. She smiled at classmates who greeted her; no one noticed him. He accepted the invisibility with quiet relief. *This is kindness.*

Yet… part of him wished for a glance. *But avoiding eyes might offend. Whatever. No trouble.*

“Go report to your class. I’ll go to mine. Wait for me after—no sneaking off like middle school.”

A flicker of reproach crossed her face. He nodded.

“Okay.”

Relief washed over him as he turned down another corridor.

*Not that I dislike her… But all those stares terrify me. She must be annoyed—after all we were friends.*

Sunlight climbed the stairs. *Almost there. Report. Pay. Leave. Wait for her. Simple.*

He stepped onto the final stair. Turned the corner.

A swift figure flashed before him.

*Thud!*

Dizzy, stumbling back—he glimpsed a flustered, delicate face.

White papers scattered between them.

Like goose feathers soaring into the sky.

*Oh no…*