An Unexpected Encounter

“Good morning, Senior Zhou Chen.”

Ai Xi saw me come out, put her hands behind her back, stepped back to the edge of the classroom wall, and gave me a cute smile.

“Mm, good morning. You must be Junior Ai Xi. What can I do for you?”

My head throbbed slightly as I looked at the fair maiden before me, already dreading how I would explain this to Ling Yan and Xiao Lu later.

“You don’t have to be so formal with me, Senior Zhou Chen. Just call me Xiao Xi.”

Ai Xi blinked her bright eyes at me, her voice sweet as honey.

“That’s not necessary. We’re not that close. Just tell me what you need.”

I averted my gaze from her somewhat eager demeanor.

I’ve never been good at dealing with girls who are too familiar too quickly.

“…Senior Zhou Chen, you really are… Well, fine. Xiao Xi came specifically to thank you. After all, yesterday you not only saved me but also got hurt.”

Ai Xi’s smiling lips twitched, but she quickly recovered, her eyes falling on the bruise on my face.

“Oh, that. Actually, yesterday I wasn’t entirely helping you. I had my own selfish reasons too, so you really don’t need to worry about it.”

I rubbed the bruise on my face and gave a wry smile.

“…Senior really is different from others.”

Ai Xi stared at me without blinking, then her cherry-like lips parted softly.

“Different how?”

“Nothing.”

At my bewildered expression, Xiao Xi just shook her head, gave me a cute smile, and then her expression turned serious.

“Even if Senior doesn’t mind, the fact is that Senior helped Xiao Xi and got hurt. So I still want to thank you.”

Ai Xi looked determined, as if she would persist until I agreed.

“Sigh, fine. How does Junior Ai Xi want to thank me?”

I looked at her helplessly. Why was she being so stubborn? Her attitude seemed to hold something more than just gratitude.

“Then Xiao Xi will treat Senior to a meal after school.”

Ai Xi tapped her cute chin with her slender finger, thought for a moment, and then looked into my eyes.

(After school of all times? I’m not giving up my time with Ling Yan.)

“No need to trouble yourself. I appreciate the thought, but maybe let’s skip it.”

I smiled wryly, waved my hand, and turned to go back to the classroom.

(It’s just a small matter. If Ai Xi makes it this complicated, I’d rather just refuse outright.)

“…Please wait.”

“Huh?”

Ai Xi paused, gently tugged at my sleeve, her eyes complex as she looked at me, her voice losing its earlier sweetness.

“Why does Senior keep rejecting me? Is it a game of hard to get?”

“What!”

Her sudden shift startled me. Wasn’t she just a pure, cute girl a moment ago?

“Senior is going to the swimming club after school, right? But everyone knows you’re just helping out there, not training. If you explain the reason, they’ll surely let you leave early.”

Ai Xi stared at me intently, as if she couldn’t believe I would refuse her thanks.

“No, why can’t I refuse? And what I do for the swimming club is none of your business.”

Frowning at her unreasonable words, I pried her hand off my sleeve.

“…”

I thought she’d get angry at my blunt, almost biting reply and just walk away—which would have suited me fine. But she only stared at me blankly, speechless. Had my words stunned her? Guys usually fawn over girls like her.

(Honestly, if it weren’t for Ling Yan, I’d probably be thrilled to accept her thanks. Who could refuse a meal invitation from an incredibly cute girl?)

“…If it’s Senior Zhou Chen, would it be different?”

Ai Xi suddenly said softly.

“What? You said that earlier too, didn’t you?”

What was she talking about? What was “different”? I looked at her in confusion, but at least this should make her back off and never bother me again.

“Senior Zhou Chen.”

Ai Xi completely ignored my confusion, gave me a sweet smile, and her voice returned to its sugary, sweet tone.

“Uh, wh-what?”

I stepped back warily at her unpredictable behavior.

“Xiao Xi will treat Senior to a meal. Since Senior is busy after school, we’ll do it another time. Either way, I will repay your help.”

Ai Xi pointed at me, her expression leaving no room for argument.

“Hey, why are you so fixated on one meal? It’s just a meal. How about you treat me at the cafeteria at noon?”

I rubbed my forehead, exasperated.

“That would be meaningless. Xiao Xi is very curious about Senior.”

“Curious about me? About what?”

“Mmm~ I can’t tell you that.”

Ai Xi tapped her chin with her finger, thought for a moment, and then gave me a sweet smile.

What did she mean? She seemed different from when we first met. But I couldn’t bother with it.

“Fine, whatever. I’ve refused you so many times and you’re still insisting. If I don’t accept, I’d look like a fool.”

“Mhm, Senior should have accepted earlier.”

Ai Xi nodded cutely, her smooth twin tails swaying energetically, looking very happy.

“Only because I have no choice. Otherwise, I wouldn’t agree. It feels like such a hassle.”

“Saying that to a cute girl will make you hated, you know.”

Ai Xi puffed out her cheeks, looking at me with dissatisfaction.

“Then I’d welcome that.”

I glanced at her and sighed.

“What do you mean by that, Senior? I don’t understand how someone like you got a girlfriend like Senior Ling Yan. You’re not gentle at all… Senior, what’s wrong?”

Ai Xi stomped her little foot in anger, her pleated school skirt swaying, the absolute territory between her slender thighs wrapped in white knee-high socks briefly visible.

But I had no mind to appreciate it. A pang of pain struck my chest again. (I’m not worthy of Ling Yan.) The thought surfaced in my mind.

Ai Xi noticed my change mid-sentence and looked at me with concern.

(I really can’t let go of Ling Yan.)

“I’m fine.”

I took a deep breath and waved at Ai Xi.

“I’ll head back to the classroom.”

“…Mm.”

After a moment of silence, Ai Xi nodded at me apologetically.