School Anniversary (2)

Fern looked up from the book.

She closed the book and gently placed it on her lap.

His gaze shifted to the side.

The black cat, Ashelu, perched on the low cabinet, its emerald green vertical pupils fixed intently on the empty water glass on the edge of the cabinet. The glass was white with a pale blue glaze around the rim, and a little water from last night remained inside.

Fern looked at it.

Ashelu was also looking at her.

A few seconds of silence.

Then, Ashelu extended its front paws, gently placing its paw pads on the rim of the cup, and gave it a push.

"Despair."

The cup fell off the edge of the cabinet and landed on the carpeted floor with a dull thud. It rolled twice and came to rest a short distance from Fern's feet. A small puddle of water spilled out, but it was quickly absorbed by the carpet, leaving only a slightly darker wet stain.

Fern didn't move.

She simply stared at the cup, then looked up at the black cat on the low cabinet.

Ashelu looked at her, the tip of his tail swaying leisurely behind him.

A few more seconds passed.

Fern took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the cup, bent down to pick it up, returned to the low cabinet, and put the cup back in its original position. The bottom of the cup made a slight "click" sound as it touched the wooden cabinet surface.

She turned around, preparing to sit back down in her chair.

My hand had just touched the back of the chair.

A familiar, subtle sound came from behind—the scraping of claws against ceramic.

"Despair."

The cup fell to the floor again.

This time it rolled farther, finally stopping only after hitting the base of the wall.

Fern remained holding onto the back of the chair for two seconds.

Then she turned around again, walked over, picked up the cup, and put it back on the low cabinet.

He walked back to his chair and sat down.

I picked up the book from my lap and opened it again.

"Despair."

Third tone.

Fern looked up from the book and gazed at the low cabinet.

Ashelu was licking its front paws, as if it hadn't been the one pushing the cup. After licking twice, it raised its head, its emerald green vertical pupils meeting Fern's gaze, and blinked.

Fern put down his book and stood up.

Pick up the cup and put it back.

Sit down.

"Despair."

Fourth tone.

This time, Fern didn't get up immediately. She sat in her chair, staring at the white cup that had rolled to the center of the room for a long while.

Then, she stood up, walked over, picked up the cup, and instead of putting it back in the cabinet, she took it to the small coffee table on the other side of the room and poured half a cup of water from the kettle.

She walked back to the low cabinet and placed the glass of water steadily in the center of the cabinet, far from the edge.

After doing all that, she looked at Ashelu.

The black cat tilted its head, looked at her, and then at the cup placed in the center of the cabinet.

It raised its front paws, trying to reach for it.

Its claws swished twice in the air, still a short distance from the cup.

Ashelu retracted its paws, squatted down, its tail coiled in front of it, its emerald eyes gazing quietly at the cup, then at Fern, and remained still.

Fern was also looking at it.

After a while, she let out a soft breath, walked back to the chair, sat down, and picked up the book again.

The main path of the academy.

More students gathered in front of the booth, their conversations, laughter, and the faint sound of music from a distant stage creating a warm background atmosphere.

The stage has been set up, and in the center, three girls are dancing.

The music was broadcast through magic, and its light and lively melody danced in the air.

"I really want to be in a relationship. Oh, the more I think about it, the more restless I get!"

There were three girls dancing.

At the very front was Nangong Yu. She was dressed in a slightly playful and rebellious "landmine-style" devil outfit, with an exaggerated pink bow hair accessory that bounced with her movements. Beneath a black choker and cat-head bow was a halter-neck dress that revealed her fair waist and abdomen. She wore a bright smile, her dance steps were light and powerful, and every turn and every wave of her hand was full of confidence.

Behind her on the left was Qianxia, wearing a white preppy shirt paired with a black pleated skirt, a red ribbon tie adorned with angel and star patterns, and pink and white striped arm warmers that matched her slouch socks. Her light green hair swayed gently with her movements. Her expression was a bit shyer than Nangong Yu's, but her dance moves were equally fluid, only occasionally her ear tips would turn slightly red when she missed a beat, before she would purse her lips and break into an even more determined smile.

On the right is Airui. Her pink-dominated pigtails with blue-green highlights sway rhythmically. Her movements are precise, and her smile is standard and sweet.

The trio's dance was synchronized, radiating the energy unique to idols. Their synchronized movements, sweet smiles, and vibrant melody attracted many onlookers, drawing a crowd to the front of the stage.

I don't know who is right for my love.

At the very front, Ying and Xing squeezed to the very front of the crowd, standing on tiptoe, trying to see the stage, almost breaking through the crowd to reach the front.

His short, fluorescent blonde hair was a little messy, his eyes were wide open, and he clenched his fists in front of his chest, shouting at the stage:

"I'm a good fit! I'm a good fit, Qianxia! I'm your dog!"

Beside her, a few strands of Xing's long gray hair also stood up; she hopped around, her voice no quieter than Ying's:

"And me! Qianxia! I'm your dog too!"

The two were so excited that their cheeks flushed red, completely ignoring the surprised looks from those around them, and the blush that quickly spread from Qianxia's neck to her neck due to embarrassment.

Gepard stood before them, dressed in a sharp knight's uniform, his short blond hair neatly combed, his expression serious, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Excuse me, you two. Please maintain a safe distance." His broad shoulders effectively separated the crowd from the edge of the stage.

His upright posture, like a silent and reliable wall, blocked the two men's momentum as they tried to rush forward.

Ying and Xing tried to struggle, but Gepard's hand was as steady as a rock.

Just once! Just once is enough!

Gepard remained unmoved, simply repeating, "Please step back and maintain order."

Ling stood a little distance away, arms crossed, watching Ying and Xing's expressions. She curled her lip, her face full of undisguised disdain.

"Those two guys..."

She muttered to herself, shook her head, and turned to leave.

Just then--

A hand gently patted Ying's shoulder.

It was a slender, fair hand, belonging to a woman.

Ying's excited shouts came to an abrupt halt.

Her body stiffened, and she slowly, extremely slowly, turned her head.

Ayaka stood behind her.

Her long blue hair was styled into an elegant updo, adorned with delicate hair accessories. She wore a light-colored kimono, and a gentle smile graced her face, but a deep, mysterious light shone faintly in the depths of her azure eyes.

Her voice was soft and gentle, as if she were whispering sweet nothings, each word clearly penetrating Ying's ears:

"Fluorescent."

I love you so much.

She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against Ying's earlobe.

You love me too, right?

He raised his other hand and gently stroked Ying's cheek, his fingertips slightly cool.

"After,"

Her voice was lowered, and her smile deepened.

"Don't do anything that worries me."

"OK?"

Ying broke out in a sweat instantly.

She opened her mouth, and a few indistinct syllables came out of her throat.

"Aya, Ayaka... let me explain...! I was just... just appreciating Qianxia's dance! Purely artistic appreciation!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Ayaka's smile remained unchanged, but her fingers gently pinched Ying's earlobe, applying slight pressure.

"So, was shouting so loudly about wanting to be a dog just now part of appreciating art?"

"Uh... this... that..." Ying broke out in a cold sweat.

"Do you think... there's still a place for you in this family?"

"Um... I forgot to turn off the gas in Serenitea Pot..."

"Alright, let's go, let's go to the gate together." Ayaka didn't give her a chance to explain or escape. She grabbed her wrist and turned to walk out of the crowd. The movement looked gentle, but the strength was irresistible.

"Since Ying likes being a dog... I also know a little about training techniques."

"Ouch! Ayaka, be gentle!"

Ying was pulled along, staggering as she followed, leaving only a series of mutterings behind her.

Almost simultaneously.

With his other hand, he patted Xing on the shoulder.

Xing's body stiffened as well.

She slowly turned her head.

Fireflies stood behind her.

She had a smile on her face, but that smile seemed a little too... "kind".

Firefly's eyes curved into crescent moons, and the corners of her mouth turned up.

"Star."

She spoke, her voice sweet.

"Is the performance over?"

Xing swallowed hard and gave a dry laugh.

"Haha... Firefly, what a coincidence, you're here to watch the performance too?"

"Yes," Firefly nodded, tapping Star's shoulder lightly with her finger, "To see a guy who's about to rush onto the stage and act as someone's dog."

"Misunderstanding! Huge misunderstanding!" Xing immediately raised her hands. "I was just caught up in the atmosphere! I got excited for a moment! Of course, my favorite is still you, Firefly!"

She tried to change the subject, forcing a fawning smile onto her face.

"Hey! Let's not crowd here! I heard there's a shop over there that makes really good oakwood cake rolls! My treat! How about we go now?"

Firefly looked at her, maintaining her smile.

A few seconds of silence.

Xing's smile faltered.

"... Fireflies?"

"Hmph." Firefly finally let out a soft snort, turning her face away, but releasing her grip on Xing's shoulder. "... Lead the way."

"Alright! This way, this way!" Xing felt like she had been granted a pardon and quickly turned around to lead the way, her steps light and fast.

Firefly glanced again at Qianxia, who was still dancing on the stage.

"You danced pretty well," she murmured to herself, her tone devoid of emotion. "I'll learn it myself later and dance it for Stelle."

Only then did she begin to follow Xing.