Chapter Fifteen: I Long to Tell You

After a night of rain, the morning was gentle, with a soft breeze that always felt so warm. Yan Ye Gui loved the wind, the sensation of it brushing through her hair, as if she were living in a fantasy novel—when the breeze passed, the lady smiled.

A new transfer student...

Yan Ye Gui glanced at a group of five in the distance, paused, and stopped walking. She felt timid; in truth, it was enough for her just to see him.

Mengchao Liu.

Regrettably, Yan Ye Gui remembered only that name, just like her phone’s standby screen, which displayed only one person—Mengchao Liu and his cheerful smile.

“I never secretly took his picture on the subway, so how do I have his photo?” Yan Ye Gui lowered her head and looked at her shoes. They were her favorite pair, with white tops and a delicate pink bow.

“Should I... go up and greet him? Although the other two Chinese transfer students look rather intimidating... But just saying good morning, I suppose... should be alright? Yet... would he think I’m frivolous?”

The thoughts of a young girl never rested, swirling like the wind beside Yan Ye Gui, lifting the fallen leaves of her heart and letting them drift slowly in the air.

“No!”

Click.

Yan Ye Gui snapped her phone shut. Her snow-white hand clenched it tightly in her palm, as if this could grant her boundless courage.

At last, taking a deep breath, Yan Ye Gui made up her mind.

No matter what, she had to greet Mengchao Liu.

Lifting her head, her eyes like water brimmed with hope for a beautiful future. But... in front of her, Mengchao Liu’s figure was already gone.

Foolish Yan Ye...

The girl reproached herself, yet secretly rejoiced as she walked toward Sakino Academy. The anxiety of fearing rejection by someone she liked was eased in that moment, and aside from her cheeks still tinged with red and her slightly hurried breaths betraying her secret, everything else was as usual.

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Class 1-4, far right, last row.

Mengchao Liu leaned against his chair, quietly observing everything happening in the classroom. Otome Kato was happily chatting with her trio, sometimes making exaggerated gestures.

A girl longing for attention and applause.

Mengchao Liu gave her this definition in his mind. Out of boredom, observing others had become a bad habit of his.

Then, for example, there was Weiwei Hua, sitting not far from him.

She deliberately avoided eye contact, and when facing any classmate, lowered her head with a shy expression.

It seemed that yesterday, when he revealed her connection with Qingqing Zhang, the shock had been considerable. Now, Weiwei Hua was probably worried that contact with him would expose even more secrets.

Bang...

A dull sound.

The whole class’s gaze immediately focused on the person who pushed open the door and entered. Soon, class would begin; arriving now was just in time.

“You’re not quite like your usual self, Yan Ye Gui.”

Mengchao Liu glanced at the empty seat beside him. The girl who entered was the same one who, at the station that morning, had hesitated over whether to greet him—Yan Ye Gui.

Indifference, like a contagion, slowly spread among the girls in the class. Each one wore an expression as if they hadn’t seen her.

Yan Ye Gui seemed accustomed to it.

She walked steadily, like a doll wandering alone in a vast mansion, smiling yet with a hint of pain.

Her steps stopped.

Mengchao Liu watched as she stood before him, head lowered, unable to speak. He took the initiative.

“Good morning.”

“……”

Yan Ye Gui was suddenly stunned. Her nervousness exploded inside her like a bomb. Mengchao Liu’s smile was so handsome... but... did she hear him correctly? Was it not just a fantasy born from reading too many novels, or perhaps an auditory hallucination?

Her lips trembled, sweat gathered in her palms.

“...morning...”

Yan Ye Gui’s voice was barely louder than a breath. Yet, as the words left her lips, even the faintest airflow seemed to make her nervous.

Blushing, head lowered, she hurriedly sat in her seat, burying her head behind her schoolbag and finally letting out a deep breath.

Should she say more to Mengchao Liu? Was her voice too soft just now? Would he think her rude, uninterested in talking to him? But that wasn’t it at all...

Actually... she wanted so much... to tell him...

The more she thought, the more anxious she felt, and the more afraid she became. Within minutes, worry had already moistened her eyes.

But rescue arrived, albeit belatedly.

Teacher Yuanshan entered the classroom at a leisurely pace. In a sharp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, if not for his somewhat feminine appearance, he might have been considered a good teacher.

“Class!”

Teacher Yuanshan stood upright at the front of the podium, trying hard to appear less effeminate.

“Every year, on this date, we hold Sakino Academy’s festival. Now November is halfway over; it’s time to start preparing!”

He spoke, raising a delicate finger and adjusting his glasses, his gaze sweeping the class.

“Is there anyone willing to serve as the festival executive committee member for Class 1-4?”

Though he had just transferred, thanks to Otome Kato’s big mouth, Mengchao Liu already knew what the executive committee was. While everyone else enjoyed their leisure, the executive committee member had to run around, coordinate with classmates and teachers, handle props, prepare costumes and venues, gather materials, and organize the festival.

A thankless task, though the role carried the honorary title of class president, it only lasted until the festival ended.

And this thankless job had always been...

Mengchao Liu shifted his gaze.

Smooth black hair hung by her ears, her cheeks unexpectedly flushed—always her, his desk mate, Yan Ye Gui.

He’s looking at me! Mengchao Liu is watching... he cares about me... he knows I organize the festival every time... Is he encouraging me?

At that thought, a mysterious sweetness rose in Yan Ye Gui’s heart. It was as if he had recognized her.

“Teacher...”

Yan Ye Gui pressed her hands to the desk and stood, a rare smile on her face. Following the path Mengchao Liu cleared, she walked step by step toward the podium.

Everyone who wanted to be the festival executive committee member had to speak in front of the class, though no one really wanted to join.

Yan Ye Gui stood at the podium and took a deep breath.

From here, she saw that the place where she sat was rarely touched by sunlight—except for Mengchao Liu.

“Um...” Yan Ye Gui’s voice was soft, but her gaze was determined as she looked toward Mengchao Liu in the corner. In truth, she only wanted him to hear. “I’d like to be the festival executive committee member. Please... support me.”

No, no!

Yan Ye Gui’s body trembled gently; she already understood her own feelings.

I want so much to tell him... so much...

Mengchao Liu, I like you.

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Ahem, that image above is Yan Ye Gui’s monologue. It feels as though this chapter was written by a young girl.

Whispering... so many recommendation votes... I’ve been knocked out, oo~~ wonderful.

Originally I wanted to say, with so many recommendation votes, it feels like I can’t love anymore.