“Whoa! Who are you?”

Startled to see me plop down right beside his seat, Yu Shan yelped and clutched his math textbook protectively to his chest. He looked surprisingly well—yesterday’s incident clearly hadn’t shaken him.

“Don’t shout. It’s me, Su Su.”

I’d sprinted over ten miles in under a minute. After enduring countless judgmental stares on my way into school, I finally reached the classroom—only to find Class Rep Hanhan absent.

She was never late. Had something happened? With no choice, I returned to my seat and waited.

“Su Su? Why are you dressed like this? And why does your voice sound different?”

No wonder Yu Shan was suspicious. I was bundled head-to-toe, face completely hidden. As for my voice—I hadn’t noticed before, but after listening closely, it had turned noticeably androgynous. All rugged masculinity gone. If I softened my tone just slightly, it’d sound exactly like a girl’s.

“I’ve got chickenpox. My face is all bumpy and sore, plus a fever—my throat’s wrecked. Serious stuff… *cough cough cough*…”

I deliberately coughed hard a few times, feigning weakness.

“Chickenpox?! Stay back! It’s contagious!”

Yu Shan scrambled backward and slapped a Chinese textbook onto his math one. Arts and sciences combined—suddenly untouchable.

Ungrateful jerk! Forgotten how I helped you yesterday? Letting a guy who’d never touched a girl experience the silky smoothness of white-stockinged thighs—didn’t you enjoy it? Now playing innocent after getting what you wanted? Total two-faced bastard!

…Though the Fox Demon probably erased her memories of yesterday. No wonder he didn’t ask about my sister—to avoid trouble.

“Tch! If I’m contagious, you’re getting infected first.”

I shot him a glare, slumped onto my desk, and fell silent. *Where’s Class Rep Hanhan? If she skips today… should I leave now before trouble finds me?*

“Teacher’s here! Everyone to your seats!”

The lookout’s warning silenced the classroom—louder than a bustling marketplace—in an instant. Students scrambled back, fake-reciting textbooks with exaggerated focus.

“You’re Su Su? Why dressed like that?”

The teacher spotted me the moment she entered—likely recognizing my usual seat.

“Teacher, I vouch for Su Su! He’s got chickenpox—can’t face wind or sunlight!”

Before I could speak, Yu Shan jumped in. True bro. Guess yesterday’s “favor” wasn’t wasted. I’ll repay you properly later.

“I see. With a contagious illness, you shouldn’t be here. I’ll write a sick note for you to go home.”

“No, Teacher—I can’t go home.”

I cut in fast. Normally I’d bolt. But without Class Rep Hanhan here? I couldn’t leave. What if the Fox Demon woke up? I’d be doomed.

“Why?” The teacher paused, genuinely surprised.

“B-Because… I love studying!”

…

…

…

…

…

…

After a long, heavy silence, the teacher cleared her throat.

“Alright. Take your seat. But no contact with classmates—we can’t risk spreading it.”

“Thank you, Teacher!”

I bowed hastily. The moment I sat down—*creak*—the classroom door opened. I turned.

Class Rep Hanhan stood there.

Same elegant outfit. Same frosty expression. Same… wait. Was it my imagination? Had Class Rep Hanhan… blossomed? Certain curves looked distinctly rounder.

“Sorry I’m late, Teacher. Something came up.”

“No problem. Hurry to your seat.”

The teacher let it slide. Hanhan was the model student—top grades, flawless conduct, meticulous student council president. A first-time slip? Easily forgiven.

“Thank you, Teacher.”

Class Rep Hanhan bowed, walked to her seat, and as she set down her bag, turned toward me. Strangely, no surprise at my bundled look—just a faint, enigmatic smile.

Maybe becoming a half-demon sharpened my instincts. The second her gaze locked onto me, ice shot down my spine. My whole body trembled uncontrollably.

That feeling… like prey frozen under a predator’s stare.

As if she might devour me any second.