“Good morning, Xu Mo.”

A soft, graceful voice rang out beside him, like an orchid blooming in a quiet valley. Its gentle notes lingered in the air, and Xu Mo found himself unconsciously lost in them. For a moment, he didn’t react at all…

“Ah… G-good morning, Nianyi-senpai.”

Xu Mo suddenly snapped back to his senses. He gave Qing Nianyi an embarrassed smile as he replied.

Watching him, Xu Yan looked like she was at her wit’s end with him.

Xu Mo was usually smooth-talking no matter who he was with. But the moment he was around Qing Nianyi, he could barely move, and even his words came out in stammers…

“Don’t mind him, Nianyi-senpai. Let’s hurry back to the office and leave him here to amuse himself.”

Xu Yan jumped in to keep the conversation going. If she didn’t say something, Xu Mo would just keep standing there like a block of wood. Was he trying to make Nianyi-senpai laugh at him?

Qing Nianyi didn’t seem bothered by any of this. A smile still touched the corners of her eyes as she glanced at the huge stack of files in Xu Mo’s arms, then naturally walked over to him.

“They look heavy. Let me take some.”

Xu Mo was immediately at a loss. He hurriedly tried to set the files in his hands aside.

“Ah, n-no, it’s fine, President. I can handle the heavy lifting myself.”

But Qing Nianyi didn’t stop. She stepped forward and took a stack of files from his arms, holding them herself. Then she spoke softly.

“Let’s hurry back to the office. Have you had breakfast? I brought some cookies, if you’d like to try them.”

Qing Nianyi tactfully changed the subject instead of picking up on Xu Mo’s awkward response. She took some of the files from him as naturally as could be, then steered the conversation elsewhere.

“Th-thank you, President.”

Xu Mo felt his face grow hot and his head grow light. He didn’t know where to look, and his breathing turned uneven. He was so flustered that his heart might even have skipped a few beats.

But the feeling made his heart race. He was completely captivated…

Watching her little brother moon over Qing Nianyi, Xu Yan was practically speechless. People at the academy were always praising him as the school’s heartthrob, a total dreamboat—and now he was standing there like an idiot!

Xu Yan went over to Qing Nianyi and took some of the files too. Then the three of them chatted as they made their way back to the Student Council office.

“President, your coffee.”

After the three of them returned to the Student Council, Qing Nianyi and Xu Yan got back to work. Xu Mo, being thoughtful, went to get the coffee service and made some coffee. Then he brought a cup over to Qing Nianyi, who was still reviewing documents at her desk.

“Thank you.”

Qing Nianyi set her work aside and looked at Xu Mo. A sweet, gentle smile graced her face.

Her reply was soft and warm, like a songbird’s melody. Anyone who heard it would want to draw closer to her. It was almost like magic—and of course, Xu Mo was no exception.

Xu Mo couldn’t help smiling at her words. He shook his head to show there was no need to thank him, then turned to leave. But the instant he turned around, he couldn’t help glancing back at Qing Nianyi from the corner of his eye.

She had already returned to work. Her flawless, lovely face still wore that gentle smile, and her clear, autumnal eyes were lowered as she focused on the documents in her hands. Sunlight spilled through the window like shards of colored glass, falling across Qing Nianyi’s hair and making its dark golden sheen shine even brighter, like polished gold. A few strands drifted beside her cheek, lightly brushing the ends of her hair…

Xu Mo froze in place, gazing at Qing Nianyi in a daze.

…When would he be able to casually… tuck the hair by her ear back for her…?

To sit beside her, to stay by her side, and keep all that tenderness to himself…

He knew it was selfish, but he really wanted her eyes to hold a reflection of him—and only him. He wanted all of her—

“Hey! Where’s my coffee? Have you been treating your big sister like I’m invisible!?”

Xu Yan suddenly called out from beside him, where she’d been typing, jolting Xu Mo awake and pulling him back from his daydream. Realizing how lost he’d been, Xu Mo spun around. His cheeks were bright red as he hurried to apologize.

“S-sorry, President!”

Qing Nianyi looked up, a little puzzled, and tilted her head slightly.

“Hmm? What’s wrong, Xu Mo?”

“Huh? …Oh, nothing. I accidentally spilled a little coffee just now, but it’s fine.”

“All right. Be careful, and don’t burn your hand.”

Qing Nianyi spoke with gentle concern.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern, President.”

…

After thanking her, Xu Mo hurried over to Xu Yan’s desk as if he were escaping and handed her the coffee. But the hand holding the cup was trembling slightly…

“Just look at you.”

Xu Yan stared at her foolish little brother, utterly exasperated.

“If I hadn’t called out to you, how long were you planning to stand there daydreaming?”

“…”

“Sorry.”

Time slowly crept toward midnight.

“You’ve worked hard today, President.”

“You worked hard today, Nianyi-senpai~”

After packing up their things, Xu Mo and his sister said goodbye to Qing Nianyi.

Still seated at her desk, Qing Nianyi smiled and gave them a gentle wave.

“You’ve both worked hard.”

“Then you should head home and get some rest soon too, President.”

“Mm.”

…

Once Qing Nianyi had finished her final tasks, she gathered her things and prepared to leave as well.

The moment the door closed, the room fell quiet once more…

When Qing Nianyi reached the academy gates, an old butler in a suit was already waiting there.

When he saw Qing Nianyi arrive, the butler opened the car door behind him for her.

“Good evening, Steward Ling.”

Qing Nianyi smiled. The butler bowed slightly in greeting.

“You’ve worked hard, Miss Nianyi.”

…………

A seaside villa in Kyoto—bathed in sunset, it was breathtakingly grand.

The sound of a key turning came from outside, and the door slowly swung open.

Qing Nianyi entered the house and took off her coat and shoes in the entryway.

But strangely, the house was still pitch-black. The darkness stood in stark contrast to the bright, splendid world outside…

Qing Nianyi didn’t turn on the lights. She simply stood still in the entryway.

As the door slowly closed by itself, the last sliver of light from outside was shut out…

Now the darkness inside the house was like an abyss, swallowing every sound along with it.

Her long, pale-golden hair fell over her shoulders, and a few strands brushed across Qing Nianyi’s face. Her eyes, once a clear violet, now glowed gold in the darkness. But…

Those eyes were no longer clear and gentle. They were cold and hollow, and the warmth that had always rested on her face had vanished without a trace…

The coldness on Qing Nianyi’s face was more frightening than the darkness around her…

After who knew how long, a lifeless, listless voice finally left Qing Nianyi’s lips. There was none of the gentleness or warmth from before.

All that remained was false longing and futile desire.

“I’m home.”