Relationships

The questioning of Mo Bai ended with the academy deciding to keep an eye on him for now.

The students who had been hurt all said Mo Bai wasn't to blame. Even Moqu, who had been caught up in it more deeply than anyone, insisted he was innocent.

The victims seemed unconcerned, and the academy had no leads on the Remnant Star Society.

So everyone returned to their posts and got back to work.

The Day-Switching Ceremony was fast approaching.

"I think we were mostly lucky it ended this way."

Mo Bai spoke to Rover, who sat beside him.

After the questioning, he and Rover had come to the familiar academy garden.

"No. You resolved the problem in Sonoro yourself, and you even uncovered a few traces of the Remnant Star Society."

As always, Rover answered Mo Bai's self-deprecation with encouragement.

Mo Bai only gave a wry smile and shook his head.

He believed those students were so grateful because they didn't know Mo Hei, the one who had trapped them, had come into being because of him.

If they knew, their attitude would probably be very different.

He always tended to assume the worst of what others would think.

Seeing his expression, Rover didn't know what to say.

She had met all kinds of people in her travels, but Mo Bai was a first for her.

Still, despite their differences, Mo Bai shared a problem with the students of Star Torch Academy.

It was a problem that came with youth.

Rover had traveled far and wide and resolved crisis after crisis. She was a mature person.

Mo Bai was different. Compared with her, he was still a "newcomer."

"Oh, and if you can, be careful when dealing with Verlaine."

Mo Bai suddenly brought up the professor who had been so aggressive toward Lynae and him.

Rover trusted that Mo Bai wouldn't say this out of a personal grudge, so she quietly took his warning to heart.

"I thought you'd ask me why."

When Rover simply nodded, Mo Bai was caught off guard.

"I trust you."

"That sounds a little mushy."

Mo Bai ended with a joke.

In his old world, the internet had grown so widespread that people had moved their entertainment and much of their work online. A lot had changed along the way.

Love, trust, promises, friendship—words that had once been common had become hard for people to say aloud.

The internet had connected everyone, yet people still seemed separated by walls.

So hearing someone say to his face that she trusted him made Mo Bai happy.

Phew.

Rover gave him a faint smile and rose from the bench.

He called it mushy, but the smile on his face gave away his delight.

"I'll go. We shouldn't keep your guest waiting."

With that, Rover waved to Mo Bai and left.

As for the guest she meant...

Mo Bai had already spotted Moqu standing in the shadows nearby.

Once Moqu saw that he'd been noticed, he came over and sat beside Mo Bai.

"So you snuck out of the infirmary?"

Mo Bai had noticed the cast on his hand.

After Mo Bai's questioning ended, Doctor Lu had sent the students injured by Mo Bai and Mo Hei back to the infirmary to recover.

"No. Doctor Lu said I could come out for a little while this time," Moqu said, shaking his head.

Hearing that, Mo Bai figured Lu had known Moqu would come to see him. That was probably why he had let him out.

Honestly, he's a little too trusting.

Mo Bai was still a potential suspect in the academy's eyes.

"Mo Bai."

"Hmm?"

Moqu called his name with his head lowered, and Mo Bai answered without thinking.

"You said you'd help me put on my next play, right?"

"Yes. I promised you before, and I gave you my word in Sonoro."

Mo Bai had no intention of backing out, despite the way Moqu kept his head down as he asked.

It was something he owed him.

"And... after that?"

"..."

The question came out of nowhere, but Mo Bai understood exactly what Moqu meant.

He wanted to know whether they would still have anything to do with each other after Mo Bai helped him put on the play.

After his talk with Mo Hei and that questioning, Mo Bai had finally figured something out.

Dealing with people was a hassle.

He had realized it while being questioned, with all those eyes fixed on him.

Looking back, part of the reason he'd never made friends was that he'd never taken the initiative. Deep down, he'd avoided other people.

If Lynae and Rover hadn't been so warm toward him, he was sure he would still be alone.

"After that? Let me watch your performance from backstage first. Then we'll see."

Tch.

Mo Bai clicked his tongue inwardly.

He hadn't come out and said he wanted nothing more to do with Moqu afterward.

As he'd said before, he had rushed to save Moqu only because he wanted to repay what he owed him. He simply couldn't let it go otherwise.

"Okay. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

Moqu stood, bowed slowly to Mo Bai, then left.

His final words and sincere gesture drew a soft sigh from Mo Bai.

So I really am this awkward...