Scattered papers fluttered across the floor.

"Eep…"

A muffled cry of pain from the girl.

Logically speaking, in anime and novels, when the male and female leads collide—no matter the angle or speed—they always end up tumbling into the same spot, even faking a crater landing.

But reality? Highly unlikely. A sudden bump like this only brings sharp, honest pain.

No delicate maiden’s scent. No accidental brush against soft curves. No lips meeting in a cinematic kiss… None of it happens.

Even if mouths did collide, blood would smear both faces—hardly romantic. Both would panic, thinking the other had transformed into something monstrous. Awkward? Absolutely.

Thankfully, this was just a bump.

Lu Huai’s instincts flared with unease. Pushing past the sting, he scrambled up and nervously glanced at the girl lying before him.

Her silky black hair, like a spilled waterfall, was slightly tousled. A flustered blush dusted her pale cheeks—like plum blossoms blooming in a snowstorm.

Thick bangs framed her face, hinting at lush, worry-free hair.

*Why "beauty"?* He’d sensed it the moment she fell. And now? Confirmed.

His gaze met hers just as she looked up.

For a heartbeat, Lu Huai forgot his social anxiety—and even doubted he had any.

He’d never seen eyes like these.

Graceful lashes. Exquisite peach-blossom eyes shimmering with starlight—like constellations scattered across the Milky Way, colorful pebbles gleaming in a sunlit stream.

That fleeting glance left him speechless, apology forgotten.

But the girl was more flustered. Her first move wasn’t to scold him or check for injuries. Instead, she hastily swept her bangs down, hiding those stunning eyes.

Only then did she exhale softly.

"S-sorry…"

Lu Huai snapped back, heart hammering. *Must be the quiet hallway. Definitely not because her eyes bewitched me.* Even if this was a one-time encounter, he couldn’t afford rash infatuation…

Teenage boys always spun romantic fantasies around girls. Deny it aloud? Sure. But the heart still stirred.

"N-no, *I* should apologize," he murmured, lowering his head.

The girl blinked, then cautiously peeked up.

"It was my fault… I ran too fast…"

She ducked her head again like a startled rabbit.

"No… I wasn’t watching the stairs. Didn’t even hear you…"

Her nervousness infected him. Tension tightened his chest. *Just two of us. She’s not even looking…*

Their heads dipped lower and lower.

Two students passed by on the stairs, glancing curiously.

"Getting married right here?" one teased.

Lu Huai froze.

The girl spun away abruptly—*even for shyness, that’s extreme*.

Thankfully, the pair didn’t know them. They chuckled and walked off, still laughing.

"Total dorks, hahaha."

Silence returned, leaving two bewildered "dorks" in the hallway.

This couldn’t continue. Lu Huai crouched, gathering scattered papers.

"Let me help…"

As he picked one up, the girl whirled around.

"Ah—don’t—"

Too late.

The sheet held a printed illustration: a young couple embracing in soft, refreshing anime-style colors.

He barely glanced—but it was lovely. Other sheets shared the same art style.

She knelt nervously to collect them too.

By the time she gathered half, Lu Huai had stacked the rest neatly, illustrations facing up.

"Here."

His nerves eased slightly. Her cheeks flushed; thick bangs still hid her eyes.

"Thank you…"

Her voice had calmed, but that faint tremor felt… endearing. *Weird quirk. All desire, no courage.*

"No problem."

She took the papers, head bowed, and hurried down the stairs. She stumbled on a step, caught the railing, and let out a tiny "Eep…"

Embarrassed, she vanished in seconds.

Lu Huai looked away, a hollow feeling lingering.

*Should I have asked her name? Too suspicious. She’s shy—she wouldn’t tell me anyway. If we meet again… if not, whatever.*

He excelled at two-sided rationalizations. Truth? A quiet regret. But someone ordinary like him? No story with a beauty like her. *Forget it.*

He reached his classroom. Only a few remained: the bespectacled class monitor collecting homework, a boy tidying up, and Teacher Xu Zhixi at the podium collecting fees.

Lu Huai steadied himself, aiming for nonchalance as he approached.

"Teacher, I’m here to check in."

The young yet poised teacher pushed up her glasses. "Lu Huai… Of course you’re last again."

His voice wavered. "Sorry, Teacher Xu… Got delayed."

Xu Zhixi smiled at the boy avoiding her gaze. "No worries. Many checked in late this afternoon—especially out-of-towners. Just amused it’s *you* again. Relax."

Lu Huai nodded, placing the tuition on her desk.

She counted while chatting. "Travel this summer? Or a part-time job?"

A dry smile. "N-no… stayed home."

"Gaming?"

"Y-yeah…"

*(Not really. Wrote web novels for pocket money… But admitting that? Unthinkable. If anyone asked the title—shame overload.)*

"Focus on studies now. Grade 11’s tougher. Don’t let gaming drag grades down. You’re stable—but lift your head in class. Teachers think you’re on your phone."

"I… was taking notes…"

She looked up, smiling. "Then why avoid my eyes when I ask for answers?"

*(What else?! Eye contact = 90% chance of being called on! Pure ostrich mentality: don’t look, don’t get picked!)*

He *could* answer—he just couldn’t speak up. The strained effort would invite ridicule. Too embarrassing.

"I’ll improve…" *Next time. Definitely.*

"Tomorrow: no lateness. Bring summer homework. No 'forgot' excuses."

"Okay… Bye, Teacher Xu."

"Not chat with classmates?"

"N-no thanks."

*Chat? Escape.*

Ignoring stray glances, he fled the classroom.

Downstairs, he texted Yan Ningning: *Checked in. Waiting below.*

*(Never visit her classroom. Rumors would swirl. "Lu Huai? That invisible nobody linked to Yan Ningning? Yeah, right.")*

He spotted her back instantly. Hated admitting how familiar it felt—he always walked behind her.

He approached silently. Calling her name from afar? Too familiar. Better not…

But as he reached her and said, "I’ve checked in,"

a gentle face turned toward him.

Sunlight dappled between them. Yan Ningning smiled.

"Uh…"

"Eh…?"

She felt like she’d witnessed a new species’ ritual: lock eyes, then panic and look away.

Like two ostriches spotting a predator.

Absurd. Like a meeting of clueless dorks.

But… why did Yan Ningning feel a flicker of annoyance?