An Early Morning with Xiao Xi

At six in the morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten. There were few pedestrians on the street. For the students of Taolisi High School, who didn’t have morning self-study, they were still sound asleep. Even more so for Xiao Xi, who always arrived at school just on time.

“Haa~”

Xiao Xi covered her mouth as she yawned. She rubbed her eyes, which were about to close, looking completely listless.

After the initial excitement wore off, Xiao Xi had been like this the whole way. She probably wasn’t used to waking up so early.

“Senior, I’m so sleepy. My head is spinning too.”

Xiao Xi wobbled beside me, her voice weak. It felt like she might collapse at any moment.

“Serves you right. Who told you to suddenly get up so early?”

I looked at Xiao Xi helplessly, moving closer to her to prevent her from falling.

“Haa~ It’s all your fault, senior.”

Xiao Xi leaned heavily against me, yawned, and looked at me with dissatisfaction.

“How is that my fault?”

I was a bit annoyed. How was she blaming me?

“Of course it’s related to you, senior. You ran off like that yesterday, and Senior Ling Yan and Senior Xiaolu and I were all worried about you. That’s why I wanted to get up early today to go to school with you and comfort you. But you seem perfectly fine. I worried for nothing!”

Xiao Xi leaned on me, pressing hard as if venting her dissatisfaction. I found it both amusing and guilt-inducing. So they really had been worried about me.

“Sorry for making you worry, Xiao Xi.”

I couldn’t help but pat her head, but then I realized and quickly pulled my hand back.

“Sorry.”

I rubbed my head awkwardly.

“Mm, mm. As long as you’re okay, senior.”

Xiao Xi was startled, then shyly lowered her head. Though I couldn’t see her expression, her small, cute ears turned bright red, so I knew she was embarrassed.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. I always subconsciously treated Xiao Xi like a little sister.

“Um, senior.”

“Hm?”

“Why did you suddenly run off yesterday? You looked terrible. Did something happen?”

After a moment of silence, Xiao Xi seemed to calm down. She looked up at me secretly and asked cautiously.

“No…”

I didn’t intend to answer. She was a memory that belonged only to me. I didn’t want to share it with anyone. Even if it meant returning to the time when I was alone, I didn’t care.

Xiao Xi interrupted me. She reached out and gently took my hand, her eyes very gentle. But her voice carried a hint of disappointment.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, senior, don’t. I understand. Everyone has their own sad stories. There must be things you don’t want others to know.”

“I’m sorry, Xiao Xi. You must feel bad that your concern was rejected. I’ve been through that too. But she, alone, I don’t want to remember, and I dare not remember.”

“Thank you.”

I said softly.

“Mm.”

Xiao Xi nodded. She didn’t pull her hand back, just gently held my hand and stayed by my side.

I let her hold it. Maybe this was the last bit of concern she wanted to show, so I didn’t refuse.

****

And so, comforted by Xiao Xi, my mood gradually calmed. We chatted as we reached the intersection leading to the school. Turning at this intersection was the direct road to school.

“Zhou Chen…”

Just as Xiao Xi and I walked out from the corner hand in hand, a cold voice came from the corner, reaching my ears.