Chapter 27.5: [Zi’ai An] Amidst the Exam
The path to school was the same. Indeed, this world was no different from the one I was familiar with; not even the details had changed.
The environment remained the same, but I… and others… had changed.
Speaking of which, I was about to face the people Juncheng was familiar with. Although I had prior knowledge, it was inevitably going to feel a bit awkward without actual interaction, so I could only try my best to play along.
I left quite early, so I should be the first one to arrive at school.
It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve gone to school alone like this…
In my original world, Lan Hua would almost certainly be trailing behind me discreetly. Occasionally, I’d also run into Lin Qing and her younger sister, who went to school with her. Since Lin Qing was always a bit absent-minded, her sister, Xiaomiao, was always… with her. What were Lin Qing and the others like in this world?
They probably wouldn’t recognize me… and Juncheng didn’t seem very familiar with them either…
Due to the difference in gender, our social circles had also changed.
Although, most of the people Juncheng knew were still girls… It seems that when it comes to attracting strange people, both he and I are the same.
(Well then, I’m heading out too.)
Just as I was nearing the school gate, I heard Juncheng say he was leaving. I quickly reminded him, not knowing if he had already cut off our telepathic link.
“Remember not to forget to disguise yourself. It would be bad if someone found out there were two of you in different places.”
(Mmm, don’t worry. I’ve put on a mask and hat. I’ll contact you later then.)
Ah, he could think of what I could too… I’d gone and reminded him unnecessarily.
I hope he doesn’t find it annoying…
Thinking this, Juncheng didn’t interject with any comfort. He had probably already broken the connection. Otherwise, given his personality, he would definitely have comforted me… Even though I knew he would, I still thought up those pathetic-sounding lines. Was I starved for affection?
Zi’ai, Zi’ai, this won’t do. It doesn’t matter who it is, but ‘he’ is not an option. That’s ‘myself’—
I can’t mistake ‘familiarity’ for ‘liking.’
This is neither ‘love at first sight’ nor ‘love after a long time.’ To put it bluntly, it’s just an ‘illusion’ and ‘déjà vu.’
Considering the time since we met and got acquainted, it hasn’t even been twelve hours.
Yet, due to extremely special circumstances, the extent to which we understand each other has surpassed ordinary bounds.
When one becomes familiar with a person to a certain extent, feelings can indeed develop, but it’s not necessarily love. It’s like with childhood friends who are too familiar with each other; because they are used to each other’s existence, their impressions become solidified, and in the end, they often lose to someone who appears out of nowhere. Cough, wait, I’m also someone who appeared out of nowhere… What exactly am I to him?
That’s really hard to define—
However, it’s not like it would be a problem if we were always connected, right?
At first, when I learned about the possibility of mind-reading, I showed disgust. But honestly, anyone would frown if they knew their innermost thoughts were being read, wouldn’t they? That’s just a natural rejection reaction from humans when their privacy is violated.
Later, when I came to my senses and realized it was him, I wasn’t as averse. Instead, I thought it was nice to have someone to talk to at any time, someone who could talk to me normally, and understand my thoughts like the back of their hand… Was this the feeling of ‘closeness’? After climbing this slope, I’ll reach the gate… I let out a long breath, and the tightness in my chest lessened slightly.
At this moment, Juncheng reconnected.
(Oh, I’m nearby. The connection was suddenly interrupted just now. It seems our new spiritual link also has a range. By the way, why are you still wearing that chest binding? And it’s tied so tight, doesn’t it make it hard to breathe? Anyway, as long as the inversion magic circle is still in place, no one will be able to see through it.)
After regaining my composure, I replied in my mind.
“Well, even if they can’t see it, it would be bad if someone accidentally touched it. After all, having these two lumps on my chest…”
“…It’s like an invisible barrier.”
(…They also tend to suddenly pounce on me sometimes. In that case, even if they accidentally touched it, I could just say it was muscle, right?) It seems I didn’t need to explain.
“That’s right, exactly.”
(That must be tough for you. Just for these few days, please bear with it. I’ll make something delicious tonight. What do you want to eat?)
“Almond jelly with rock sugar, please. Is that okay?”
(Consider it done.)
“Alright!”
I suddenly felt motivated!
It really is good to have a reward to motivate myself!
“Ooooh~~ Ha~~~ Yo~~”
“Hmm? Wha—!”
Hearing someone greet me, I was about to turn around when someone rushed over and hugged me, almost making me lose my balance.
“Hmm? Juncheng, your chest feels soft! Did you put something in there?”
I quickly pushed her away.
“I’m just wearing a bit more today…”
After putting some distance between us, I looked at her again and realized this person who suddenly hugged me was Li Nai.
Huh? Li Nai? Is she this cheerful? This is too strange!
“Huh? Juncheng, you’re acting weird…”
“W-What’s weird about it!”
“Because usually at this time, you would tease me, saying, ‘You’re at school this early? Did the sun rise in the west?’ And you wouldn’t have that annoyed expression saying, ‘Don’t just hug me like that!'”
W-What’s going on!
(What’s wrong? Did you run into someone?)
“Yeah, ah, I ran into the class monitor… Li Nai.”
(Huh? This guy is at school this early? Did the sun rise in the west?)
“What she said is exactly right. Is that the kind of relationship we have…?”
(What do you mean, ‘the kind of relationship’?)
“Nothing… She hugged me just now, and she touched my chest. (: I see… But it’s that idiot Li Nai, so it’s fine. She’s completely clueless anyway. The fact that you’re just trying to brush her off so carelessly is really disappointing… The Li Nai I know is dignified, meticulous, like an envoy of justice… She’s usually very quiet, shows few expressions, and has a rather cold demeanor. Her hair is also down.)”
But this Li Nai… is like she’s become a weak person. That’s a rude thing to say.
(Hearing you say that, she’s the complete opposite. A quiet Li Nai? Wow, I can’t even imagine it.)
“I thought so too, but I’m seeing it with my own eyes right now. Anyway, I’ll just play along for now…”
“Hmph, you’re quite self-aware. So why are you at school so early?”
“Because! I forgot to take my medicine last night~ That’s why I couldn’t sleep at all, hahahaha~”
This girl is a complete idiot.
“But it’s not just me, I think everyone couldn’t sleep. After all, it’s the final exam today! If you fall asleep, you’ll forget everything you’ve memorized!”
“I see…”
No, if I keep talking to her, the image of the dignified class monitor in my mind will be completely ruined.
I decided to start walking again. This lively Li Nai, however, walked beside me, chattering on and on. I hadn’t even…
Sigh, how am I supposed to face the original class monitor after this?
When I entered the classroom, I found quite a few people already there. I quickened my pace and walked to my seat.
There were quite a few people in the classroom. Maybe it’s because of the exam? They all came early to do one last round of cramming… Huh? Are they really studying?
Why does everyone look so weird?
(They’re probably preparing to cheat—)
“Cheating?”
“But didn’t you say this exam would be strict?”
(Well, for these guys, as long as they can achieve their goals, they’ll use any means necessary.)
“Is that so…”
“Yo~ Juncheng~ How’s the exam prep going… Whoa!”
“U-Uh, is there something wrong? Meng Fa!”
Meng Fa is also Juncheng’s friend, right?
“Uh, uhhhhhhh! N-No! Um, please, please come in!”
Hmm? What’s with this reaction?
He seemed to be reaching out to put his hand on my shoulder, but he froze mid-motion, and then his demeanor became unnatural. He mechanically walked back to his seat, muttering something.
(What, did you run into someone else?)
“Yeah, Meng Fa. He’s like a delinquent, but kind-hearted inside.”
(…He probably saw your true identity.)
“Eh?! Why! Is it okay?”
(It’s fine. Besides Meng Fa, quite a few people can probably see through it. But even if someone sees it, no one will say anything. ‘Mind your own business’ is the unspoken rule of this class. As long as Teacher Xiaozhen can’t see it, it’s fine.) I nodded and returned to my seat. The seat behind me was empty. That’s Ji Lianbing’s seat. She hasn’t arrived yet…
However, the person in front of me had already arrived.
“Good morning, Juncheng.”
“Oh, good morning, Xueqing.”
Jiang Xueqing… I can just call her Xueqing. For Juncheng, she seems to be quite an important person. From the tone Juncheng used when explaining her to me, her status in Juncheng’s heart is quite high, possibly on par with his girlfriend.
Like a little wife, I thought.
(Cough… Don’t say it so directly…)
“But you didn’t deny it.”
No more words were spoken, and Jiang Xueqing, who was in front of me, also remained silent.
After the brief greeting, Jiang Xueqing stared at me without a word, blinking her eyes as if waiting for something.
(Just pat her head.)
“A pet?!”
(Oh, indeed. She’s comparable to a pet. I usually take care of her.)
What the heck… Fine, I reached out and patted her head. Jiang Xueqing closed her eyes and nudged her head against my hand cooperatively, showing an expression of enjoyment.
“Ah, it’s nothing. Rather, why are you up so early? Is it because of the exam?”
Jiang Xueqing lowered her head and shook it, saying in an even quieter voice.
“I’m sorry… my fingers.”
Fingers? What fingers?
I really wanted to ask, but didn’t know how. She wasn’t explaining either, and the awkward silence returned.
Aiya, I’m dying of impatience! Can you just say it clearly!
I’m not Juncheng, how can I guess what you’re thinking! What does this mean! Juncheng!
(No, even if you ask me— I’m not there, how would I know what’s going on… However, fingers…)
“Hurry up and figure it out for me! Speaking of which, when are you going to stop patting my head— Ugh, this is so troublesome!”
“I’m so troubled!”
“Ah, ah! J-Juncheng! G-Good morning!”
At this moment, someone else greeted me. It was Kaoru Tsukiyose.
She spoke stammeringly, and her eyes darted around, as if she had done something shameful.
“Good morning, Kaoru.”
Kaoru Tsukiyose nodded vigorously, then turned her head to look at Jiang Xueqing and said.
“And, Xue’er, good morning too…”
This reaction is strange.
As far as I know, Jiang Xueqing and Kaoru Tsukiyose are good friends. So why is Jiang Xueqing acting so indifferent to her? Did they have a fight?
But facing Jiang Xueqing’s cold snort, Kaoru Tsukiyose didn’t look angry at all. She just had an expression of guilt… It seemed like she was the one who made a mistake.
So, what exactly is going on here? Juncheng?
(I told you not to ask… How would I know what happened between them…)
“Never mind, I’ll just read my book for now…” Perhaps it was because I took out my textbook and made it look like I was studying, but no one else spoke to me anymore.
More students gradually arrived in the classroom… They were all familiar faces, but something felt off.
How should I put it? The atmosphere? Or their presence? In any case, they were different from the people I knew.
Then, another very familiar face walked into the classroom.
Lan Hua, the guy who gives me a headache. A bit cheerful and a bit perverted stalker… But today, the one I saw was gloomy.
(Lan Hua has been like this for about a week now. I guess something happened.)
Her usual absent-mindedness has also increased… Because I’ve had ‘less’ to see, I haven’t asked out of personal interest. I’ll ask her about it after the summer vacation.)
In other words, she’s not usually like this.
(That’s right. She’s closer to what you called a stalker, but even more perverted.)
“That’s really… I don’t want to experience that at all.”
Lan Hua walked over and, as she passed me, glanced at me and said faintly.
“…So it’s ‘you’ who came for the exam…”
Did Lan Hua see through my true identity too!
(She probably doesn’t know yet… After all, you appeared in my house.)
She patted my shoulder and left. Why does she seem uninterested in me? Did she see that I wasn’t him?
(Eh? Really? Lan Hua isn’t interested in you? That shouldn’t be… Even though the gender is different, you’re still kind of my…)
…I take back my previous statement.
My gaze! My gaze! My gaze!
What is with this gaze!
My back feels so uncomfortable! It’s so unpleasant! It’s like being doused in cola, that sticky feeling!
Ugh, no wonder they say she’s even more perverted! This is like being sexually harassed by looks!
…Do I have to endure such ‘passionate’ gazes every day?
I couldn’t help but shiver, once again experiencing Juncheng’s predicament.
But it wasn’t over yet, because she then entered the classroom.
As if born to be the center of attention, the moment she appeared in sight, all focus was drawn to her.
An overwhelming presence, a natural grace from being in a high position, and a strange, indescribable eeriness.
In this respect, she’s the same as the Lan Hua from my world.
Since I was sitting in front of her, I knew there was a stark contrast between us. Like a swan and a duckling, red flower and green… No, perhaps the gap is even greater than that… She’s an unattainable existence.
She walked up to me and gave an elegant smile. Even I, a woman, was somewhat mesmerized.
Then, she naturally placed her bag on her desk, propped herself up with one hand on the desk, and reached out with the other to stroke my…
She bent down and kissed me.
And not on the cheek, but on the lips.
“A good morning kiss~ Hehehehe~”
“…Mmph!” Snapping back to reality, I immediately covered my mouth with both hands!
She, she actually kissed me directly!
