Two People (2)

In the darkened room, the rhythmic clicks of a mouse and taps on a keyboard echoed into the silence.

You Xi guided her in-game character through the final enemy, securing victory.

The moment the results screen appeared, as if afraid of what emptiness might rush in during the pause, she immediately clicked “Match” and plunged into the next game.

Fighting endlessly in this virtual world brought You Xi no real joy. But stopping now would only invite a deeper boredom—a suffocating void that seemed to seep from the shadows of the room, wrapping around her like clinging vines.

【Congratulations! Rank Up: Master】

After over ten hours of grinding, the achievement notification flashed briefly across the monitor.

The fleeting sense of satisfaction and excitement faded quickly—ripples on a still lake, soon swallowed by calm.

Expressionless, You Xi moved the cursor and clicked the ‘X’ to close the message.

The dimmed screen reflected her face—and eyes as hollow as frosted glass.

“…So boring.”

Yawning, You Xi pushed herself up from the gaming chair. She pulled open the heavy curtains, only then realizing it was already night.

Outside, deep darkness blanketed the city.

She remembered how, under this same cover of night, she used to patrol with Senior Tidal as a magical girl. Those memories now felt distant—like fragments from another lifetime.

Were Senior and Huang Xing flying between rooftops right now, watching over the city?

As the thought passed through her mind, her fingers instinctively drifted to the spot on her chest where her soul gem had once rested.

Only emptiness greeted her touch.

“…Right. I’m not a magical girl anymore.”

As if resisting the truth, You Xi yanked the curtain shut—the sliding track screeching sharply under her rough motion.

Silence returned. But inside, the girl’s heart remained restless—filled with不甘 and loneliness.

“…Is this really okay?”

It was her first day back at school in weeks, yet the moment she put on her uniform, it felt as though she’d never left—as strange as the first day after summer break.

Standing before the full-length mirror, You Xi adjusted her collar, lost in thought.

Satisfied, she left the house.

The streets, the bus stop, the breakfast stand by the school gate—familiar sights brought her a sliver of comfort.

But that comfort shattered the instant she reached her classroom door.

Inside, more than a dozen pairs of eyes turned toward her—staring, surprised, as if she were an intruder who’d wandered into the wrong room.

“It’s only been half a month… Have they all forgotten me already?” You Xi muttered inwardly.

Still, being naturally aloof, she wasn’t particularly bothered.

“Huh? No time this week either? Seriously!?”

Just as she stepped forward, a shrill, exaggerated voice cut through the hallway.

“That dessert shop is amazing, you know? Really won’t come with us? So uncool—we four even risked our necks for you the other day, holding off Teacher Li…”

“Sorry… got plans after school. Hehehe.”

Once the unfamiliar tone registered, You Xi recognized Mo Li’s voice—and instinctively turned her head.

Shock. Embarrassment. Discomfort.

Their eyes met for a split second before both girls quickly looked away. You Xi’s gaze darted to the adjacent building.

…It’s her?

The four girls surrounding Mo Li noticed You Xi and shot her cold, unfriendly stares.

Inside the classroom, students leaned forward like spectators catching scent of drama, eagerly awaiting the coming clash.

Will they fight? Will it happen again?

Almost everyone—except the two involved—watched with morbid curiosity, as if the ordinary classroom doorway had transformed into an ancient Roman arena, charged with tension.

Yet, the much-anticipated confrontation never came.

“…M-Morning,” Mo Li said softly, lifting her hand in greeting.

Her gesture was so stiff that her sleeve slipped down, leaving only a few curled fingers visible—just like her shy, uncertain heart.

“…Morning,” You Xi replied, just as awkward.

She scratched her nose, then her hair, revealing a few strands dyed red.

Then, unsure where to put her hands, she let them hang uselessly at her sides.

……
……

Realizing she was blocking the way, Mo Li stepped forward—only to find You Xi still frozen in place like a door guardian.

“Oh!”

Startled, You Xi leapt backward with comical exaggeration, clearing a path.

—Pfft.

Mo Li lowered her head, barely suppressing a giggle at the absurd reaction.

“Um… you…”

Mo Li opened her mouth—

—but the morning bell rang, cutting off her words.

Classes began.

You Xi had never cared about studying, not once in her life.

Yet, blessed with genes from her highly educated parents, she could maintain solid grades without effort.

A two-week absence was deadly for subjects requiring accumulation, like literature. But for math and physics, she could sit through class, re-derive formulas on her own, and grasp nearly everything the teacher explained.

Still, even if learning came easily, lack of passion remained. Just sitting there, trapped in the monotony, made her feel like time was slipping away pointlessly.

Finally, lunchtime arrived.

As usual, You Xi bought food and headed to the rooftop—her old sanctuary.

The moment she stepped out of the emergency stairwell, wind carrying sunlight brushed her face, welcoming her beneath an endless blue sky.

“Everything feels so familiar. But the person I used to share bread with, swap drinks with… isn’t here anymore.”

Leaning against the wall, You Xi sat down, her expression wistful.

She neatly arranged her food to her left—as if someone would appear any second and pick their favorite, just like before.

“…Mind if I have this?”

A sudden voice shattered her reverie.

To her shock, someone was actually beside her.

“Mind if I sit here? Hehe.”

Mo Li picked up a sausage from the ground, smiled, and plopped down beside her.