I, Leng Shuang—

How could I possibly be that kind of reserved person?

Yu Mo must’ve totally misread me.

And here I thought he had such sharp judgment.

Back in the classroom, Leng Shuang recalled it all and gave a slight shrug. In his head, he started picturing forty-something Yu Mo washing his hair upside down.

At the absurd image, the corners of Leng Shuang’s mouth twitched upward just a little.

He hadn’t even reached thirty years into the future, yet he already wore that smug, confident look.

------

Time flew. In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

"Class, this problem might show up on the Gaokao—listen closely! If you miss it, see me after class…"

"Students, this one could also appear. Don’t slack off…"

"Hmm, this has a decent chance too…"

"Everyone, push a little harder! Only seventy-some days left. Get into a good university, and your path widens—more choices, brighter future…"

The classroom air grew heavier by the day. Every time the teacher reviewed predicted exam papers, they’d insist, "This will definitely be on the test—no room for carelessness." The homeroom teacher, perched at the podium during morning readings or evening study, kept hammering the exam’s importance, thickening the suffocating tension until most students felt like they couldn’t breathe.

Only Yu Mo—completely checked out—or Yuriko Nichikawa, from a comfortably well-off family, seemed untouched by the pressure.

Each time the bell rang, students collapsed onto their desks with a thud, as if they’d just finished a full set of push-ups, looking like they’d lost half their spirit.

Leng Shuang was no exception—though he handled it slightly better.

Having lived through the Gaokao twice, he knew his limits.

Pass? Great. Fail? That’s just fate.

Meant to be.

"Lin Mo, feeling the pressure?"

Yuriko turned. Her JK-uniform-clad figure shifted, fabric wrinkling gently, accentuating her curves.

Oops—I looked again!

Hearing her voice, Leng Shuang instinctively glanced up… and his eyes drifted exactly where they shouldn’t.

What a sin.

"Pressure’s real, haha," Lin Mo smiled.

"And you, Leng Shuang? How’s it feel?"

Yuriko’s gaze had seemingly been aimed his way all along. Seeing him look up, she smoothly continued.

Perfectly timed.

"Honestly? Tough," Leng Shuang sighed with a wry smile, resting his head on the desk toward Lin Mo. "If I had half your study skills, I’d be way more at ease."

"Don’t say that. You’re smarter than you think," Lin Mo said, chin propped on her palm. Her eyes—bright, dewy, clear—shimmered with a shy smile, like a moonlit pond that had stolen the moon’s glow. For a heartbeat, it felt like her gaze had stolen his soul.

Thankfully, the classroom’s heavy air snapped him back.

"Just do your best. Leave the rest to fate. Worst case? Come work at my company—front desk suits you perfectly~"

Yuriko’s joke broke the tension. Laughter from the three of them rippled through the room.

"So biased! Why not invite me?" Lin Mo teased.

"You’re in! Security guard role—room and board, starting at 10k."

"Yuriko, does your gate need a stone lion? Post-grad, I’ll crouch there. Full benefits, 5k monthly, room and board—deal?"

"I’ll take it! At that rate, I’d scrub toilets."

"Count me in! Haha, whole class team-building trip to Yuriko Inc.!"

"------"

Others chimed in, spirits lifting.

"When I run the company? I’ll hire every single one of you. Promise!"

Yuriko slapped her firm chest with bold confidence. The JK uniform strained gently over the curve, sending subtle ripples through the room.

This time, Leng Shuang’s eyes still wandered.

"Whoa! Yuriko for the win!"

"Amazing, sis!"

"Ugh… time to practice stone-lion poses."

Cheers erupted.

In that moment, the weight vanished. Yuriko lifted her chin, fox-like eyes crinkling with pride—but her glance lingered on Leng Shuang, barely hiding a laugh. Joy swelled inside her.

Showing strength to the one she liked, without awkwardness—victory.

No… not just "the one she liked."

A confident smile touched Yuriko’s lips as she flicked her cherry-blossom pink hair. A mature, alluring grace—unexpected for her age—flickered, drawing every boy’s gaze.

Including Leng Shuang’s.

Yuriko Nichikawa truly stood out.

Silky cherry-blossom hair, fox-like eyes warm and captivating, a figure developed beyond her years. Her family’s comfort gave her a quiet confidence few peers possessed.

In this classroom, beside Leng Shuang, she shone brightest.

"Maybe… it’s just appreciation for beauty?"

Leng Shuang clapped with the others, feeding the cheerful vibe.

But to Yuriko, his smile and applause tasted different.

*Leng Shuang likes me. I like him. I want to confess… but what if I mess up his Gaokao?*

*Wait—he probably won’t pass anyway. Why push so hard? Be my boyfriend… I’ll support him forever after.*

*Sigh… I wish I could just say it. Soon others will confess. I’m scared… No! Impossible. He watches me more than anyone. He *sees* me.*

Amid the applause, Yuriko wavered.

She’d liked Leng Shuang since freshman year—this person hailed as Sakura High’s number one school beauty.

Whether infatuation at first sight or genuine love, years of quiet longing felt undeniably real.

She sensed he liked her too.

Lately, she’d caught his glances—fueling a hopeful flutter in her chest.

*He likes me!*

Proud as she was, she’d waited for *him* to speak first.

But with Gaokao closing in… silence grew painful.

The longer she waited, the sharper the ache.

She hesitated—aching to confess, to end the wait.