Chapter 25: A Twist of Fate
“That’s good. Since I can consider this place home, does that mean I can come and go freely?”
“Mm.”
“Since I can come anytime, there’s no need to insist on today, right? With that said, I’ll head back for now.”
Heh heh, after going in circles, I’ve finally found a reason to go home with peace of mind.
“Ugh…”
Xue Qing, who was never good with words, couldn’t possibly win an argument with me. Unable to find a reason to stop me, she eventually gave up on the idea of me staying overnight.
They say a gentleman uses his words, not his fists. Of course, I had to fully utilize my advantages.
“Speaking of which, I left in quite a hurry, so I didn’t properly notify my family. They must be worried.”
A hundred and one calls from Keling… Now that I think about it, going home probably won’t be peaceful.
Ahhh, this is so troublesome. It’s making me want to stay overnight…
“Mm, younger sister, is worried.”
“Younger sister?”
How did Xue Qing know that my younger sister was the one worried about me?
“Ah, did my sister call you?”
Was it Xinran or Keling? Did one of them call Xue Qing?
“I called.”
“I see…”
So, Xue Qing called me later? Ah, why was I so impulsive and just ran out like that… If I hadn’t been in such a hurry, I could have received Xue Qing’s call…
Oh well, this is fine too.
Although I was impacted in various ways tonight (especially visually), overall, I didn’t suffer any harm.
Let alone harm, even the injuries I had sustained were almost healed.
Moreover, my feelings for Xue Qing deepened. Hmm… and I got to touch her hand to my heart’s content…
All in all, the gains were greater.
“Then, that’s that. I’ll be taking my leave now, Xue Qing.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“No need, just tell me the way, and I can get back on my own.”
But Xue Qing still shook her head and said.
“Black Street is dangerous, you’ll get lost.”
I thought about it. There was no reason to insist on refusing, so I accepted her kind offer.
“Alright then, just escort me to the exit.”
“Mm.”
I changed my slippers and stepped out. I noticed the sky outside had become rather gloomy, and there were very few pedestrians on the street.
Xue Qing took my hand again and led me towards the exit.
I had this feeling that if Xue Qing wasn’t guiding me, I might not have been able to get out on my own…
It felt like… yes, it was similar to the cemetery when the zombies showed up that day.
When leaving the cemetery, there was a sensation of passing through a thin film, wasn’t that similar to the feeling of entering and exiting the Black Street?
This street might not be an ordinary place, my intuition told me so.
“Right, Xue Qing, could you take me to the exit where we went shopping, or any nearby exit will do.”
Xue Qing didn’t ask any further questions and nodded, agreeing to my request.
Xue Qing never refused my requests. She was petite, yet remarkably reliable.
If the person who lost us in the alleys of the Black Street was still lurking nearby, they might be wandering around there now.
Of course, it’s also possible they’ve already left. I was just trying my luck.
Then, Xue Qing led me back to the entrance of the alley where we had gone shopping before.
“Go straight from here.”
“Okay, this is far enough. Xue Qing, you can go back now.”
As I waved and prepared to leave, Xue Qing forcefully pulled my hand. I immediately lost my balance and fell backward.
However, I didn’t hit the ground. Instead of falling backward at a 45° angle, I fell in the opposite direction as Xue Qing caught my head.
“Juncheng.”
“What is it? Uh, this position is really hard on my back…”
“I’m your friend.”
“Ah? Ah, yes, a friend. Why are you suddenly saying this?”
Was it because I asked her about the definition of a friend during dinner, that she emphasized again that she was my friend?
But why say it now… And in the end, she didn’t give me a reason I could accept.
In the end, Xue Qing, why do you consider me a friend?
“Because… I like you.”
“Wha-what?”
The sudden confession caught me off guard, and I slipped, landing on my butt.
“So… I want to get closer to you.”
As I sat on the ground, I was shorter than Xue Qing. She looked down at me, her body close to my chest as I rested the back of my head against her stomach.
Xue Qing cupped my chin, tilting my head up to look at the sky at a ninety-degree angle, and then bowed her head… and kissed me in reverse!
A fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly touching the water.
“Thank you.”
The corners of her small mouth curved upward slightly, and she gave me a warm smile, like ripples on a lake, making my heart flutter.
Then, she half-knelt behind me, embraced my body, and with a strong lift, helped me stand up.
Huh? She’s so strong?
“Next time we meet… will be…”
“Huh?”
Before I could hear the rest, she pushed me forward. I couldn’t stop or turn around, so I could only twist my head back as much as possible.
But because she was so short, I couldn’t see her figure, only her title.
Her sky-blue title began to change color, as if some other color had mixed in, becoming deeper and deeper…
“Wait, hold on, Xue Qing, what were you trying to say? I didn’t hear you clearly!”
As I was about to leave the alley, I was forcefully pushed from behind. I stumbled forward, and at that very moment, I twisted around with all my might and looked back!
I saw snow-white hair and blood-red pupils.
And above her head, her title, in contrast to the red and white, turned blue-black, blending into the dark background, becoming difficult to see.
She said she liked me, but there were no pink elements in her title. That likings wasn’t romantic, was it?
But what kind of feeling was that deep blue, almost black, color?
I stumbled back a few steps, bumping into something before regaining my balance. I steadied myself and peered into the alley, but Xue Qing was nowhere to be seen.
Next time we meet… what did that mean?
What were you trying to say, Xue Qing…
“Ugh, that hurts…”
A voice from behind made me snap out of my daze and focus on what was in front of me.
I had accidentally bumped into someone just now, which prevented me from falling. However, the person I bumped into seemed to have fallen quite hard.
“Ah, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you…”
I turned around with an apologetic smile and extended my hand to help the other person up.
Then, my smile froze.
The person who looked up and saw my face was also startled, their eyes widened, and they froze.
The person I bumped into happened to be the one I was least adept at dealing with… Stalker (Intermediate), Lanhua!
Ugh, I want to run away…
The reason I’m so repulsed by Lanhua is because of her gaze. It’s so terrifying! That gaze, which seems to see right through me from the inside out, makes my skin crawl…
…Hm? Gaze?
Wait, could it be… Lanhua is the one who’s been stalking me?
Bumping into Lanhua, who is essentially a stalker, near the entrance of the Black Street? How could there be such a coincidence!
I’m sure, absolutely positive! This guy is definitely the one stalking me!
But why would she follow me? She should be following Lianbing instead… Could she be trying to find my weaknesses or leverage?
As my mind started working, I regained my composure first. I pretended to have just recognized her and said in a cheerful tone.
“Hmm? Lanhua? What a coincidence, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
“Eek! Ya! Ya-ahhhhhhhh!”
Suddenly, she let out a shriek.
Passersby cast confused, bewildered, and curious glances in our direction. Lanhua and I instantly became the focus of attention.
“Uh…”
I mean, was there really a need to be so surprised? If you’ve been stalking me all along, you should have been prepared to be discovered.
If anything, *I’m* the victim. You’re the one putting me at a disadvantage, making it seem like I did something bad to you! Anyone who didn’t know the situation would think I actually did something to you!
While Lanhua’s situation was tricky, the priority wasn’t Lanhua herself but the surrounding bystanders!
I quickly turned, waving my hands, and shouted loudly.
“Um, everyone, please don’t crowd around! My girlfriend is just having a little tiff with me!”
As soon as I said that, Lanhua stopped screaming. Most of the passersby said things like, “In public, that’s so rude,” “If you’re going to argue, do it at home,” “What an embarrassment,” and “But that guy’s girlfriend is quite attractive,” before going on their way. Only a few who were still eager for drama kept their eyes on us.
Phew… I managed to get away with it…
But I feel like I used a really lame excuse…
Lanhua stared at me blankly, her surprised expression frozen on her face, her mouth slightly agape.
“Um? Lanhua?”
I bent my knees and squatted down, waving my hand in front of her eyes.
Only then did she snap back to reality.
Her cheeks then turned as red as a ripe octopus, and she covered her mouth, making a strange sound.
“Mmph mmph mmph mmmph mmmph mmmph!”
“Uh… are you alright…”
Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve actually spoken to her…
Although she spent more time behind me than Lianbing did, I never spoke to her either.
So, I don’t really know her personality.
However, through her title and its color, I did deduce that she’s a yuri-leaning stalker…
Ugh… Anyway, I don’t want to deal with her.
After holding her breath for a while, Lanhua finally released her grip, took three deep breaths, and then said to me with a trembling voice.
“Um, just now, were you, were, were you calling me your girlfriend!”
“Ah, I’m sorry, I must have caused you trouble by saying that. I just didn’t want the bystanders to misunderstand and make a big scene…”
As I said this, I extended my right hand again, wanting to pull her up.
She grabbed my hand without hesitation, but instead of standing up, she placed her left hand over mine. My hand was firmly held by her two hands.
It felt a little damp, and a lot of sweat seemed to be flowing from her palm.
“Th-th-then, thank-thank-thank-thank you-you-you…”
Like a broken tape recorder, she stuttered out her thanks.
And I was completely frozen, like a scratched DVD.
The sweat in her palm increased, and it felt as if she had just wiped her hands with a wet wipe. It was as if she had finally obtained her beloved toy, and she held my hand as if she couldn’t bear to let go.
Her touch was a little ambiguous, her fingers intertwined with mine, and she stroked my finger gaps.
What’s dripping from the corner of her mouth… could it be drool…
“…”
Why did it turn out like this…
Why, Lanhua, when facing me…
Her title turned pink, ahhhhhh!
