Chapter 48

The shocking scar was exposed to the air, and the atmosphere in the room immediately fell silent.

Two seconds later than Takahashi Mio, Chang Gu Chuan Saori lowered her gaze to the boy's arm, her cold eyes instantly clearing.

The scar was like a fuse burning in her eyes, pulling forth a flood of memories...

"Hu, hu, hu..."

In the final sprint before sunset, the girl panted heavily, stopping as she saw the red flag standing by the creek.

Fatigue surged through her, and she plopped down, stretching her body out on the slope in the shape of a big "X."

The tied ponytail pressed uncomfortably against her spine.

Unconsciously frowning, Saori reached back and pulled the hair tie off.

Her jet-black hair spread across the grass, sunlight filtering through the leaves above, dappling her hair, face, and neck.

The warmth made her squint her eyes, sleepiness washing over her, her breathing gradually slowing and steadying, and her consciousness fading.

Just as she was about to drift off, she suddenly felt the light on her eyelids blocked.

Sensing something was wrong, she opened her eyes and found Shiratori Kiyoya leaning over her.

"You really don't listen again."

Sleepiness vanished instantly. Saori pressed her lips together, propping herself up with her palms on the grass.

Her gaze lowered silently, feeling guilty and unwilling to look at the boy beside her.

*Click.*

Kiyoya gave her a somewhat speechless glance but didn't repeat the countless nagging words he'd said before. Instead, he twisted open the cap of a water bottle and held it to her lips.

"Drink some water first. Small sips, to soothe your throat."

"Oh."

His words made her throat feel a little dry.

She licked her lips and carefully took a few sips. When the bottle was half-empty, she couldn't help but stare at the worn black shoe tips and asked,

"Kiyoya, are you mad?"

But there was no reply. The girl's delicate ear twitched.

Just as she was about to study his expression, she heard the crisp crinkle of a plastic bag.

Curious, she looked up and saw Kiyoya pulling a cardboard box from the bag.

"Of course I'm mad."

He stared into her eyes seriously and said,

"I've told you so many times but you still don't listen. I think you're trying to drive me crazy."

After running, you can't just sit down immediately. Blood pools in your legs, increasing the heart's burden and causing muscle metabolism issues. He'd repeated this to Saori countless times, but she never took it seriously.

Well, if she wouldn't listen, he'd just have to work harder.

Kiyoya opened the box, taking out a pair of black running shoes while patting the girl's thigh.

"Lift your leg."

"Oh."

Saori was already familiar with this routine. She arched her slender waist, lifting her long legs steadily onto Kiyoya's knees.

But this time seemed different.

She glanced at the new shoes next to Kiyoya and her eyes lit up. Biting her red lips, she couldn't help but ask,

"Are those new shoes you bought, Kiyoya?"

His palm covered her calf, gently kneading as he glanced at her.

Seeing her expression that clearly said, "They're for me, right? Right, right?" Kiyoya found it amusing.

A mischievous thought arose, so he put on a serious face and said,

"Yeah, I originally bought them for you, but since you don't listen, I'm planning to keep them for myself."

"Ah?"

Her face stiffened, mouth agape as she stared blankly at him.

After a moment, she realized and poked his shoulder, pouting,

"Saori was wrong, please forgive Saori..."

"This isn't the first time. How many times do you expect me to forgive you?"

Kiyoya said calmly, then lowered her hand,

"Other leg."

"Oh."

As he put down her left leg, a wave of relaxing numbness swept through her muscles.

Saori shifted her hips, turning slightly, and placed the other leg on his knees.

Biting her lip, she glanced again at the new shoes, puffing her cheeks as she thought hard.

Suddenly, a bright idea struck her. She quickly tugged his shirt and said,

"But, but... Kiyoya can't wear them."

Kiyoya was surprised she thought of that. Narrowing his eyes, he looked her over but kept a poker face.

"Then just return them."

"Ah?"

"Isn't that a hassle?"

Saori felt even more aggrieved. Tears shimmered in her moist eyes as she leaned close to Kiyoya and whispered,

"Would you rather return them than let Saori wear them?"

"If you make mistakes, you have to accept the punishment. Otherwise, you won't learn."

"Saori knows she was wrong..."

"No means no. No discussion."

"Oh."

Seeing no chance, Saori lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers, no longer asking. She lay down, eyes full of disappointment staring at the shade above.

But every time after running, she was so tired...

Lost in thought, Saori suddenly felt a coolness on her foot. Looking down, she saw Kiyoya had taken off his shoes.

She immediately perked up.

"Ah?!"

She gasped, staring at him in surprise.

A sweaty stench filled the air, one she could even smell herself.

Her fair cheeks flushed crimson. Her toes curled inside white socks.

She abruptly pulled her thigh out of Kiyoya's hands, pressing her foot against her bottom.

She quietly glanced at him, biting her lip,

"Kiyoya, you're naughty."

"Huh?"

"Have you finally lost control?"

Her fingers twisted nervously, and she sniffed again, still catching the smell. She quickly scooted away from him.

Maybe feeling she was hurting his feelings, she pursed her cherry lips to comfort him,

"Naughtiness isn't forbidden, but not right now..."

Hearing this, Kiyoya understood immediately and couldn't hold back a laugh.

"So when do you think it's okay?"

"At least, at least tomorrow morning..."

"Oh, I thought after washing feet it would be fine."

Her face turned even redder, neck flushing too. The shame nearly filled her chest. She pressed her legs tightly together.

Finally, she snapped,

"Kiyoya, you're a bad boy!"

Watching her adorable pout, Kiyoya found it even funnier. Pretending to be disappointed, he said,

"Not allowed? I brought water, so I wanted to do it now. If it's tomorrow morning, then I won't want to anymore."

"Ugh..."

Saori was torn. This was the first time Kiyoya had ever asked her for something like this.

She'd had some fantasies before, but now he wanted it immediately...

After hesitating for a full minute, Saori sat up straight and said,

"Saori wants to wash herself..."

"No."

"Huh?"

Her request was immediately refused, catching her off guard. She turned, stretching her neck like a stunned goose to look at him.

Before she could react, Kiyoya grabbed her ankle, pulled off her sock, and gently washed the dirt between her toes with water, softly saying,

"I'm not disgusted by you. If I were, there'd be no point in us being together over something so small."

"Besides, being able to help you makes me happy."

Kiyoya walked into the classroom just after eight. The morning sun slanted through the tall windows, striping the desks with pale gold. Friend A was already sprawled in the back row, half-asleep over a notebook.

"Morning, Kiyoya," A muttered without looking up. "You're late. The caffeine hasn't hit yet."

Kiyoya dropped into the next seat. "Traffic on the Yamanote. Besides, the prof isn't even here."

A cracked one eye open. "Heard you've been spotted around campus with a stunning brunette. That true, or am I hallucinating?"

Kiyoya's fingers drummed on the desk. "You've got an overactive imagination."

"Right, and I suppose the rumors about you composing a graduation piece for some prodigy at Tōgei are pure fiction too?"

Before Kiyoya could answer, the door slid open and their lecturer stepped in, folders balanced like a tower against her chest. Conversation cut off as papers rustled across the room.

From the front row, a quiet voice—North-South Miss Kitajo, though no one had seen her since last semester—floated back: "He's choosing 'Riding on the Back of a Silver Dragon' for the recital. Mark my words."

Kiyoya's ears burned. He opened his notebook to a fresh page and tried to look somewhere, anywhere, else.