"Hey, this paper logs exactly how many times you glanced at Lin Mo versus Nikawa Yuriko these past few days," Yu Mo murmured to Leng Shuang, tapping the sheet. "Each full 'zheng' character means five looks. And if it’s written in red? That glance lasted long—*really* long, totally entranced..."

"See? You didn’t just look at Nikawa Yuriko more—you *lingered* on her way longer too."

"N-no way!" Leng Shuang’s eyes flew wide, voice flustered. "How could I do that during serious study time? You’re imagining things!"

"Come on, Leng Shuang. Fool others, fine. But me? That’s low." Yu Mo shot back, "Studying? Bullshit. You were just ogling."

"Impossible?!"

"Why not?! Tell me—after all that 'studying,' do you feel like you actually learned anything?"

"I..."

"See? *See?*" Yu Mo jabbed a finger at the speechless Leng Shuang. "Evidence!" He slapped his thigh like a judge sealing a verdict.

Leng Shuang opened his mouth—but memories flooded in. Yeah, he’d studied… then kept glancing up at his front-desk classmate’s sakura-pink hair, that soft curve visible even from behind. After a few stolen looks, he’d slightly turn toward Lin Mo, diligently reviewing notes… almost as if scared she’d noticed him staring at Yuriko. It had become instinct. So automatic, he hadn’t even realized his own body language.

*Could it be…* Did he actually like Yuriko? His thoughts tangled. He’d never *considered* liking her—just saw her as a casual classmate to chat with.

"Leng Shuang, admit it—you like Nikawa Yuriko!" Yu Mo’s voice boomed in his chest like a temple bell, shaking his calm. He shook his head fiercely, body rejecting the words.

"Impossible… I *can’t* like Yuriko. Never."

Yu Mo sighed. Then a sly smile curled his lips. "Hey… still think you like Lin Mo more?"

Leng Shuang held his gaze a moment, then gave a small nod. With Lin Mo, his heart fluttered—that genuine, warm thrill of youth. Unfakable.

"What if…" Yu Mo leaned in, "you like *both*? One part admires Lin Mo—her diligence, her drive. The other? Your honest self… drawn to Nikawa Yuriko’s stunning figure."

"*Both?!*" Leng Shuang pointed at himself, stunned. "No way! I’m a straightforward guy—I’d never juggle two people!" His ears burned crimson. Was it denial… or truth?

Yu Mo burst laughing. "A 'straightforward guy'? Hah! Ohhh~ So *our* 'school beauty' Leng Shuang calls himself that?" He shook his head. "Lin Mo? Sure, she fits the 'nice guy' trope girls watch in those dramas—the destined-to-get-cheated-on type. But *you*? Nah."

"Y-you… how dare you slander my innocence!" Leng Shuang’s delicate face flushed rose-red, like unripe fruit kissed by dawn—suddenly, irresistibly tempting. Nearby students paused mid-bite, glancing over at Sakura High’s "school beauty." Even their lunches tasted sweeter.

Noticing the stares, Leng Shuang’s blush deepened. He turned away sharply, glaring at Yu Mo. Not the time. Yu Mo simply murmured, "We’ll talk later." They finished lunch in silence.

After wandering to a quiet spot, Yu Mo resumed. "I don’t slander. I read people."

"You do?"

Yu Mo crossed his arms, silent. After a long stare-down, Leng Shuang nodded. True—Yu Mo had been right before. The fruit vendor with shifty eyes? Rigged scale. The "honest-looking" woman in the elevator? Tried to pickpocket someone else. Caught red-handed. Several times like that.

"But… could you be wrong *this* time?" Leng Shuang, half a head taller, looked down with a confident smirk.

"Wrong? Never." Yu Mo waved dismissively. "You’ve been restrained too long. Conservative on the surface—but inside? A flame fighting to break free. You’re a quiet flirt. Passionate. You just don’t see it yet."

"Hmph!" Leng Shuang scoffed. "You’re wrong. I’m not that kind of person."

"Bet?" Yu Mo’s eyes sparkled. "Not ten years—you’d only be 28. Thirty years from now. We meet old and gray. If I’m right, you treat. If I’m wrong? I’ll stand on my head and wash my hair."

Without hesitation, Leng Shuang hooked his pinky.

"Deal."

"Deal."