“Huh?”

Luo Xiaotang froze. After about three seconds—

“Yeah, it really is!”

“You’re only realizing it now?!” Luo Xiaolu was momentarily speechless. Hadn’t this girl been trash-talking with full enthusiasm just moments ago?

“I don’t know why,” Luo Xiaotang said earnestly, “but watching teammates play just makes me so angry I can’t stop nagging…”

“Did they argue back?”

“No! The more I scold them, the happier they get—they even beg me to scold more! What kind of people are they? It makes me so mad!!”

She made a disgusted face and huffed.

…She should’ve known online gamers were all like this.

Why hadn’t any cute girls trash-talked her in her past life? Ugh! Every day, she’d faced intense flame wars with irritable guys, racking her brain to craft the most devastating, creative insults—metaphors, parallelisms, personifications—you name it. If her parents hadn’t been around, she wouldn’t have survived!

“So you can actually communicate properly with teammates now?” Luo Xiaolu asked.

Luo Xiaotang paused. “I guess… but I think I’ve only scolded them. Never really *talked*.”

What kind of teammates could push a socially anxious shut-in to unleash verbal fury online?!

“Are you scared of normal conversation?” Luo Xiaolu pressed, eyes hopeful.

“Ummmm…”

Biting her finger, Luo Xiaotang tried to picture it.

“A… a little. I might freeze up. But I think I could still listen!” she declared earnestly—maybe putting on extra confidence just for her sister.

Still, online games were working.

At the very least, hidden behind a screen, Luo Xiaotang could manage basic interaction (trash-talking included).

“Time to switch games,” Luo Xiaolu said, grabbing the mouse.

“Wow, it actually exists! Guess this world isn’t so bad after all.” She smiled to herself and downloaded the game.

“Werewolf?” Luo Xiaotang read aloud.

“Still niche, but give it a try! Master this, Xiaotang, and you’ll make huge progress!” Luo Xiaolu raised a finger.

…Though she wondered if Xiaotang could handle it.

Logically, Luo Xiaotang would pick it up fast. But excelling at Werewolf demanded sharp verbal skills, mental grit, and acting chops—especially in high-stakes matches where players dueled with words and bluffs. Top players weren’t hardcore gamers; they were social butterflies.

Rooms held eight to ten people. When you spoke, *everyone* listened. Even an average shut-in would feel shaky first time. For someone like Luo Xiaotang? Daunting.

But Luo Xiaolu trusted her sister’s gamer spirit.

Lazy homebody she might be—napping, snacking, repeat—but in games? Unshakably serious. She’d never accept “I’m bad at this.” If blocked by social anxiety itself, she’d grind until she proved she was the strongest.

And lately, after that school visit, Luo Xiaotang’s wish to feel “normal” had grown fiercer—showing in small, brave steps everywhere.

“Sister.”

“Hmm?”

The quiet call pulled Luo Xiaolu from her thoughts.

“I have… a kinda lame request,” Luo Xiaotang murmured.

“?” Luo Xiaolu blinked, stunned.

Her sister had never spoken like this. Usually, a little pouting or tears was all it took for Luo Xiaolu to cave.

“I want to register for school first…” Luo Xiaotang lifted her gaze, earnest. “Just registration! I won’t go yet—wait till I feel better. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“I need something to hold onto. A mental anchor. It’ll give me courage!” she burst out. “Knowing I’m registered… I won’t be scared anymore! I *won’t*—”

Luo Xiaolu stroked her head, cutting her off gently.

“I promise. Let’s go. Right now.” She smiled.

“Right *now*?!” Luo Xiaotang’s eyes widened. She froze, lips trembling slightly…

“Right now!”

…

In the taxi, Luo Xiaotang swung her legs excitedly, watching the city blur past.

“I love you most, Sister!”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You’re the absolute best sister ever!”

“I know.”

“I’m gonna marry you when I grow up!”

“Okay, that’s enough!”

She clung to Luo Xiaolu’s arm all the way, tear traces glistening at the corners of her eyes.

Up front, the driver smiled awkwardly. *What a sweet pair of sisters.*

The taxi pulled up to Sakuya Academy—the same private school Luo Xiaolu had brought her to before. Nestled in western Chiba, it housed both middle and high school divisions.

Sakura Province, nicknamed the Delinquent Province, was infamous for its rampant youth gangs. Fighting rarely brought consequences; cliques grew bold enough to intimidate schools. Major gangs leaned on powerful backers—officials, tycoons, politicians, even underworld figures—who shielded them in crises. For someone like Luo Xiaolu, rising to lead a gang with zero connections demanded relentless grit and strength.

Chiba City’s delinquent scene was legendary. Nearly every public school had its own faction—students balancing brawls and books.

But private schools stood apart.

Few in number, costly to enter, they drew well-behaved heirs and heiresses from affluent families who scorned gang drama. Delinquents were rare there. An unspoken rule held firm: *Private schools are off-limits.*

Like an oasis of peace, while public schools clashed outside, Sakuya’s halls echoed with quiet study and steady growth.

For Luo Xiaotang, it was the safest choice.