Chapter 56: Is it because I kissed you?

The night air was much cooler than during the day. As the wind brushed by, a chill crept in, prompting Qiao Xi to pull her school jacket tighter around herself.

It was a casual gesture, but Oya noticed.

He slipped off his own jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"I'm not cold," she protested, reaching to hand the jacket back, but he interrupted her.

"It's fine. Just wear it."

She paused, then accepted it in the end.

"Thank you," she said.

Oya smiled, lowering his gaze to study her.

She felt a little uneasy beneath his stare. "What is it?" she asked.

"It seems you’re not very good at refusing me," he replied with a charming smile.

Qiao Xi fell silent, pondering his words. It did seem true—whether he suggested a walk, offered to escort her home, or even kissed her, she never turned him down.

"Is that so," she answered softly, not wanting to dwell on it, nor to think about it any further.

Then she heard him say, "Is it because you think we're dating?"

Qiao Xi was momentarily taken aback.

"Don't you feel like what we're doing right now counts as a date?" His tone was gentle, with a softness that made one’s defenses lower.

"Why... why do you say that?" Qiao Xi asked.

"Don’t you like me?" Oya looked into her eyes, his gentleness carrying a subtle pressure.

Her heart skipped, and she couldn't deny it.

Even if she hadn’t thought much about it last night, she knew that she probably did like him. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have accepted his kiss.

"And you?" she asked him. Since he had brought it up, she wanted to be clear; she didn’t want to guess anymore. "Do you like me, too?"

"Why do you think I like you?" Oya smiled, his voice tender. "Because I kissed you?"

Qiao Xi remained quiet, and then he said,

"That day... it was April Fool’s, wasn’t it?"

She froze, her face showing neither a smile nor anger—hardly any expression at all.

"I know it was April Fool’s. Thank you for reminding me," she replied, rising to her feet and handing his jacket back.

"Are you angry?" Oya gently clasped her hand through the jacket.

"No," Qiao Xi answered. After all, they had only known each other for half a month. Even if she did like him, it couldn’t be very deep.

"I’ll walk you home," Oya said, standing as well.

Qiao Xi lightly pulled her hand free; he hadn’t held it tightly to begin with.

"It’s alright. I can go back by myself."

"It’s no trouble, let’s go," Oya replied, already heading off ahead of her.

Qiao Xi frowned slightly, watching his retreating back, unmoving.

After a few steps, Oya noticed she hadn’t followed. He turned, looking at her. "What’s wrong?"

She didn’t answer.

He walked back, stopping very close to her.

He draped the jacket over her shoulders once more and said softly, "You’ll catch a cold."

She had never been one for many words or expressions, and she was the same now.

After a moment’s thought, she gave him a faint smile.

Oya smiled back, gentle as ever.

Then she looked at him and said, "The vice president must care about all the students like this, doesn’t he?"

His smile faltered, then deepened. "…Perhaps," he replied.

Qiao Xi said nothing more, nor did she refuse his offer to walk her home.

At her door, she stopped and turned to him.

"Thank you for bringing me back," she said, handing his jacket to him.

He took it, his voice low. "Rest early. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Vice President."

――――――

"Grandma, I’m off to class."

"Be careful on the way."

"I will."

After closing the door, Qiao Xi set off toward the school.