"What?"
The chubby boy dug at his ear.
"Did you guys hear what he said?"
"No."
The short-haired boy shook his head.
"...A leopard."
Xue Jiamin furrowed his brow uncertainly.
He looked at Song Heng.
"Did you just say... a leopard?"
"A leopard?"
The chubby boy and the short-haired boy said in unison.
"What leopard?"
The chubby boy blurted out.
"How did we get to leopards?"
The short-haired boy shook his head, not understanding.
"You're not saying you saw a leopard, are you?"
A thought suddenly struck the chubby boy.
But then he couldn't help laughing at his own guess.
"How could that be?"
He shook his head.
How could there be a leopard at school?
That was ridiculous.
"You sure have an imagination."
The short-haired boy rolled his eyes.
"Hehe."
The chubby boy gave an awkward chuckle.
"I was just saying."
"Hey, so what did you mean by 'leopard'?"
The chubby boy hurriedly changed the subject.
Song Heng: ...
He pressed his lips together.
His fingers gripped the strap of his backpack.
His lowered eyes didn't look at the people in front of him.
"Say something."
The chubby boy sounded a little annoyed.
"I'm asking you a question."
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Let's talk while we walk."
Xue Jiamin glanced at his watch.
He'd already left late today.
And now he'd wasted so much time here.
He was going to be late for piano practice.
Xue Jiamin hurried ahead.
The short-haired boy followed right after him.
"Hey!"
The chubby boy called out, "Wait for me!"
Song Heng raised his head.
The three boys had already gone some distance ahead.
He tugged at his backpack strap.
Then he started walking.
Song Heng followed the three boys at