"Ah, open your mouth."
He Xi scooped up a spoonful of milk pudding with a small wooden spoon and held it to Zoya's lips.
Her purple eyes flicked swiftly toward He Xi. She pursed her lips as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she merely took a small sip of the pudding from the tip of the spoon.
The sweet, soft texture melted across her tongue.
He Xi withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on the little hand wrapped in his palm.
The bandage around her delicate skin was particularly glaring.
Noticing He Xi's concern, Zoya hurriedly said, "It's already healed."
"So," He Xi's gaze shifted from her hand to her eyes, "what did that mimic... say afterward?"
"N-Nothing..." She stammered, her gaze drifting aside as she dared not meet his eyes. "It just said... it could take me to find the Spindle-Speaker and trade stories for information."
"Oh? That's all?" He Xi leaned forward slightly, narrowing the distance between them.
Seeing her evasive eyes and ever-redder cheeks, how could He Xi not guess part of what had happened?
He deliberately moved closer and lowered his voice. His warm breath brushed Zoya's ear, making her shrink her neck involuntarily.
"Could it be... it disguised itself as me and said something special to you?"
"I-I didn't agree!"
"Agree to what?"
Realizing she had let something slip, Zoya pressed her lips together, looking as though she would not say another word.
He Xi reached out and touched the tip of her burning-hot ear.
"...Y-You, stop asking!"
"Tell me..."
"He Xi, you had that stupid dog call me over just so I could see this?"
The teacher's timely arrival let Zoya breathe a sigh of relief.
Fivik's gaze moved between He Xi and Zoya before finally settling on He