Thursday felt longer than it should.
Irene avoided Yuan Mi again.
Not accidentally.
Not subconsciously.
Deliberately.
When he entered class, she looked down.
When he passed her desk, she pretended to be busy.
When his presence filled the air around her—
She walked away.
Every time.
And Yuan Mi noticed.
Of course he noticed.
He noticed everything about her.
The way she stopped laughing when he was near.
The way her shoulders stiffened.
The way she refused to even glance at him.
It shouldn't have mattered.
It never mattered before.
People avoided him all the time.
People feared him.
Respected him.
Admired him from afar.
He was used to distance.
But this?
This was different.
Because she wasn't just creating distance.
She was leaving him behind.
And it hurt.
He didn't understand why.
He didn't understand when she became something he needed.
But he knew one thing.
He couldn't let her disappear like this.
By recess.
He found her.
Or rather—
He captured her.
She had barely stepped into the quiet staircase when his hand gently wrapped around her wrist.
Firm.
But not painful.
She froze.
Her heart stumbled.
He didn't say anything.
He just led her.
Up.
Step by step.
To the rooftop.
The wind greeted them first.
Soft.
Cold.
Quiet.
He released her wrist.
She didn't run.
Didn't speak.
Didn't look at him.
He watched her for a moment.
Then asked quietly,
"You're avoiding me."
Not a question.
A fact.
She didn't deny it.
She didn't confirm it.
She just stayed silent.
And somehow…
That silence hurt more.
He swallowed.
Then spoke again.
"You owe me a favor."
Her eyes finally moved to him.
Confused.
Defensive.
"What favor?"
His gaze didn't waver.
"Pretend to be my girlfriend."
Silence.
The world stopped.
Her brain stopped.
Her breathing stopped.
"…What?"
Her voice came out small.
Disbelieving.
He remained calm.
"Just pretend."
She stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"What about Haoxiaoyi?"
The question escaped before she could stop it.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Are you jealous?"
Her face heated instantly.
"No."
Too fast.
Too defensive.
Too obvious.
He didn't argue.
Didn't tease.
He just looked at her and said quietly,
"Just once."
His voice was softer now.
"After that…"
"I'll leave you alone."
Her heart clenched.
Leave her alone?
Why did that sound worse than it should?
"…You'll be free."
Free.
The word echoed strangely in her chest.
She didn't know why she felt disappointed.
This was what she wanted, right?
Distance.
Normalcy.
Peace.
So why did it hurt?
She forced herself to nod.
"…Fine."
His fingers curled slightly at his side.
Relief.
Pain.
Both at once.
"Good."
He turned away first.
But his eyes darkened.
Because he knew.
This favor wasn't just for show.
It was the only way he could stay close to her.
Just a little longer.
That night.
Irene didn't log in.
LavenderQuin was offline.
ShadowByte stared at the empty friend list longer than he should have.
Then leaned back in his chair.
Alone.
Again.