Although she’d agreed, Lulu Lu suddenly remembered something and scribbled:

"Wait—weren’t you supposed to help at your aunt’s place today?"

After reading Lulu’s reply, Lily Liu’s shoulders relaxed with relief. She typed back swiftly:

"Not going. Mom’d just scold me anyway, and honestly? I don’t wanna go. It’s fine. Oh—your parents still away on business?"

"Mm."

...

After school.

Lulu and Lily walked side by side toward the bus stop.

Silence hung between them—Lulu kept her lips sealed tight, utterly uninterested in talking. After a few hesitant tries, Lily gave up and simply matched her pace in quiet.

"Hi~!"

A bubbly voice chirped from behind, followed by light pats on both their shoulders.

Lulu turned. It was Lianlian Ling.

She gave a slight nod.

Lily glanced at Lulu, then forced a smile. "Oh, Lianlian."

Lianlian tilted her head, eyes flicking between them. "Hey hey~ Lily, don’t you usually walk home? Where are you two headed?"

"Ah... I’m gonna hang at Lulu’s for a bit."

Lianlian’s eyes sparkled. "Can I come too? Lulu said she’s got *sooo* many shoujo manga!"

"This..." Lily shot Lulu a questioning look. The choice was hers.

Normally, refusal would be unthinkable—but Lulu wasn’t treating this as "normal."

*An imaginary love rival wants into my house? Get lost.*

Lulu figured Lianlian should be grateful she was role-playing a "possessive-type" yandere. In her mind, other yandere types would grab a cleaver and wipe out everyone near their beloved. Sure, Lulu *could* do that—but the system’s description specified: possessive-types only target their love interest, locking them away to claim them. They don’t "eliminate" rivals. So violence was off the table.

Lulu stepped forward. "Sorry, but Lily and I have something important to handle besides hanging out. Rain check?"

Lianlian just nodded, unfazed. "I see."

Then—a sly smile curled her lips. "Though~ *important* things?" She feigned sudden realization, grinning mischievously. "Wait... are you two *that* kind of couple? Like in that manga we read?"

She meant *The Tsundere Young Lady Wants Me to Confess: A Commoner Girl’s Love Strategy*—a cliché yet wildly popular yuri school romance in this world.

Lily flusteredly waved her hands. "Don’t joke about that..."

Lulu nodded calmly. "Yep. We are."

Then—right before Lianlian’s eyes—Lulu spun Lily around, hands firm on her shoulders. She pulled the dazed girl close by the neck, rose onto her tiptoes to meet her height. Lily’s eyes widened in shock as Lulu’s face drew nearer... until zero distance remained.

"Mmph!!"

The sudden kiss left Lily breathless. In her slightly unfocused gaze, Lulu’s delicate, familiar features felt utterly foreign.

After what felt like forever, they parted.

A glistening strand of saliva caught the afternoon sun.

"Hah..." Lily gasped, cheeks flushed crimson.

Beside them, Lianlian stood frozen, face redder than a ripe apple. Hands clamped over her mouth, voice trembling: "You... you two..."

"Lily and I share this bond," Lulu declared, fingers tightening around Lily’s wrist. "She’s mine. No one takes her." Ignoring Lianlian’s stunned silence, she led the wobbly-legged Lily toward the just-arrived bus.

[Role-play progress: "Possessive-type" yandere — 35%]

...

...

Inside Lulu’s home.

"Why did you do that? What if Lianlian tells everyone?" Lily still hadn’t recovered, eyes locked on Lulu, voice tight.

"I wanted to. Now—let’s talk real matters." Lulu held the reins firmly, brushing it off. "Go on, Lily. Explain."

Lily sighed. "About yesterday... I *was* happy when you confessed. But I can’t accept it." She paused. "I lied. You’re the one I like most. Saying I liked Lianlian was just to stop your confessions... I didn’t expect you’d get so angry."

"Why not accept?"

"Because you act so one-sidedly! Like *just now*!" Lily’s voice rose unexpectedly.

"One-sided? I thought for *ages* and gathered all my courage!"

"It’s not about courage! Confessing isn’t something you do on a whim!" Lily’s hands clenched. "Would our parents support us? Do we even have a future together?"

"Why not?" Lulu shot back. "Same high school, same university—just like before. Stay together forever. Do we need parental approval? After college, we’re adults. Move cities if we have to. Far from their reach—who could stop us?"

Lily sighed softly. "You’re still so naive." Her eyes held a trace of sorrow. "The future you paint is beautiful... but for me, it’s impossible."