Han didn't join the match.
Even after Li Xian left.
Even after the crowd awkwardly tried to recover the excitement—
Han simply handed the sword back and walked away.
Ignoring the whispers.
Ignoring the confusion.
Because none of it mattered.
Not when his thoughts were a mess.
What was that?
His steps were steady, but his mind wasn't.
Li Xian's voice replayed in his head.
"I don't feel too well today."
A lie.
An obvious one.
Han scoffed under his breath.
"…Since when did he start avoiding me?"
That alone was strange enough.
But what unsettled him more was—
The way Li Xian didn't even hesitate.
No teasing.
No lingering.
No glance back.
As if Han… no longer mattered.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"…Ridiculous."
That's what he wanted, wasn't it?
Distance.
Silence.
Peace.
So why—
Why did it feel so… irritating?
Han stopped walking.
His chest felt tight for no clear reason.
"…What exactly am I thinking?"
Annoyance?
No.
Something else.
Something he didn't want to name.
And that—
Made it worse.
Before he could think further—
His eyes caught a familiar figure ahead.
Li Xian.
Back in the crowd.
Laughing again.
Smiling like nothing had happened.
Surrounded by people.
Bright.
Untouchable.
Han's gaze darkened.
"…Acting again."
Without thinking, he stepped forward.
Closing the distance.
"Li Xian."
The voice was low.
Sharp.
It cut through the noise around them.
Li Xian paused.
Just for a second.
Then slowly turned around.
That same easy smile was already in place.
"Hmm? Oh—"
He stopped himself.
The teasing tone that usually followed… didn't come.
Instead—
"Yes?"
Polite.
Light.
Distant.
Han's expression hardened.
"…What is this?"
Li Xian blinked innocently. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb."
Han stepped closer, his voice dropping.
"Why are you acting like this?"
The air between them shifted.
Tension—quiet but heavy.
For a brief moment—
Li Xian's smile faltered.
Just slightly.
Then he tilted his head, still calm.
"…Isn't this what you wanted?"
The words were soft.
But they hit harder than anything else.
Han stilled.
"What?"
"You told me to stay out of your sight," Li Xian said lightly. "So I am."
No accusation.
No anger.
Just a simple statement.
As if it meant nothing.
As if he meant nothing.
Han's jaw tightened.
"…Not like this."
Li Xian raised a brow. "Then how?"
"This—" Han gestured vaguely at him, irritation slipping through, "—this is irritating."
Too calm.
Too distant.
Too controlled.
It wasn't him.
"Just act normal," Han said sharply. "Stop overacting."
Silence.
For a second—
Everything around them faded.
The laughter.
The music.
The festival.
Li Xian looked at him.
Really looked at him.
And something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"…I am acting normal."
His voice was quiet now.
Still gentle.
But empty.
That brightness—
It didn't reach his eyes.
Not anymore.
Han felt it.
That difference.
Clearer than ever.
And for the first time—
He didn't know what to say.
Li Xian smiled again.
Perfect.
Untouched.
"If that's all, I'll go enjoy the festival."
And just like that—
He stepped past Han.
Without waiting.
Without stopping.
Han remained where he stood.
Still.
Silent.
His hand slowly clenched at his side.
"…Tch."
A soft click of his tongue escaped.
Annoyed.
Restless.
Frustrated.
But deep down—
There was something else.
Something unfamiliar.
Something he didn't understand.
Across the courtyard—
Li Xian didn't turn back.
Not even once.