The activity room door opened, and Kiyono Lin looked up briefly to see Xiaoquan Aonai walking in, head hung low.

She returned to her book, continuing to read.

Xiaoquan Aonai slumped down on a metal chair, propping up her chin with her hands, staring blankly at the refrigerator across from her.

For a stretch of time, neither short nor long, the only sound in the Human Observation Department was that of Kiyono Lin turning the pages of her book.

Through the window, the sounds of musical instruments and the cheers of sports teams floated in, as if coming from the depths of the sea.

"Mr. Kiyono," Xiaoquan Aonai hesitated before speaking.

"What is it?" Kiyono Lin responded without looking up.

"Just now, I saw Mayi Asuka in the music room."

"Is that so." Kiyono Lin's tone was indifferent.

"She's really beautiful."

This time, Kiyono Lin didn't even bother to reply.

"Such a beautiful person, willing to be Dubian Che's lover, and also there's you, Mr. Kiyono...

The more Xiaoquan Aonai spoke, the more agitated she became within.

She eventually laid her head down on the elm desk, motionlessly staring at the classroom door.

"Do you fancy Dubian?" asked Kiyono Lin.

"What?" Xiaoquan Aonai jumped in surprise, sat up straight, and waved her hands frantically, "No, no! How could I! I haven't even spoken a word to him!"

Kiyono Lin offered no agreement or disagreement, those cool eyes still on her book:

"Those who haven't spoken yet but fancy Dubian are everywhere in this school, of course, I am no exception."

"I know you fancy him," said Xiaoquan Aonai.

Kiyono Lin looked up at Xiaoquan Aonai: "What I mean is, those who fancy me are just as pervasive."

"Oh, I see, sorry about that."

"So, you don't need to feel psychologically burdened because you've developed a liking for Dubian," said Kiyono Lin, turning her gaze back to her book.

"I really haven't fallen for him!" Xiaoquan Aonai emphasized her point.

Worried that Kiyono Lin wouldn't believe her, she added:

"Moreover, Mr. Kiyono, you think about it, I know he has a lover, how could I fancy someone like that?"

"Is that so?" Kiyono Lin flipped a page back in her book.

"Yes, yes." Xiaoquan Aonai nodded vigorously.

"Does one really become aware of the moment they fall for someone?"

"What?"

"There are cases in this world where one sees someone and immediately, their eyes light up, they fall in love instantly, but there are also times when after a long association, in a sudden moment, they come to realize they like the other person."

"I don't quite get it."

"Like, you spend the entire night with someone, preparing for tomorrow's Cultural Festival."

"The whole night?"

"Nothing happened."

"That's good then."

"You talked about the progress of a movie, the causes of a typhoon, which convenience store has the tastiest boxed lunches, just an evening like that. In the morning, that person leaves, you're in the shower thinking about the Cultural Festival, warm water washing over you, and in the moment your brain relaxes, you suddenly realize: Ah, I might like this person."

Kiyono Lin's gaze remained on her book, but the expression on her face clearly showed she was thinking of something else.

The sunlight outside the window spilled over her supple skin, surrounding her in a halo of white light.

She was like Heaven's maiden, telling mundane stories in a voice that belonged in Heaven.

Xiaoquan Aonai couldn't tell whether she was provoked to thought by Kiyono Lin's words or stunned by her beauty, or perhaps it was both. She sat there, dazed, for quite some time.

"So," the light returned to Kiyono Lin's eyes, "you don't have to vehemently deny the truth just because you're shy about liking Dubian."

Xiaoquan Aonai regained her composure and reiterated:

"It's really just a slight concern! He is my student, after all!"

Why did her face feel so hot? Was it because she had been staring at Big Sister for so long?

Kiyono Lin did not speak further.

When someone lies, unless it's something serious, the only person Kiyono Lin would continue talking with was Dubian Che—Jiutiao Meijie constituted an argument.

Communicating this much with Xiaoquan Aonai was already a favor on behalf of Dubian Che.

The Human Observation Department returned to silence, but this time, Xiaoquan Aonai could no longer fixate her gaze on any point for too long, fearing that Kiyono Lin might misinterpret it as pining.

She wanted to leave, but wouldn't running away imply that she cared?

Not until the warning bell rang did the anguished Xiaoquan Aonai finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Kiyono Lin closed the book, rose gracefully, and her silky long hair swayed, every movement captivating sixteen-year-old Xiaoquan Aonai.

They headed towards their class, one after the other.

On the way, Xiaoquan Aonai paid close attention to her surroundings, noticing the odd expressions of the girls who saw "herself."

When "she" looked their way, they shyly averted their eyes.

Dubian Che really was popular.

"Mr. Kiyono," she called after the figure ahead.

"What is it?"

"So many people fancy Dubian Che, don't you mind? You seem to be not angry at all," Xiaoquan Aonai asked curiously.

As a girl herself, she probably couldn't stand it if her boyfriend was too popular, but then again... it seems not being popular wouldn't do either.

What a dilemma.

"If one had to get mad just because they are liked, Mr. Dubian would have gone insane by now."

Xiaoquan Aonai didn't quite grasp her meaning.

Realizing her confusion, Kiyono Lin stopped, turned her head and said:

"Dubian is only popular among girls, while everyone likes me."

That side-profile reminded Xiaoquan Aonai of her favorite spot at home—the afternoon sunlight, the plum tree shadows fluttering on the corridor.

This ordinary scene was the essence of home, the most beautiful moment in her heart.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.