Mr. Panda and Miss Bamboo

Early the next morning.

Sunlight spilled through the gap in the curtains, casting several long, slender bands across the floor. Outside, birds chirped brightly, their songs brimming with the vitality of the mountain woods.

Satoru Gojo rolled over and stretched luxuriously.

"Mmm-"

He yawned, a broad grin already spreading across his face before he even opened his eyes.

That was a great sleep.

A really great sleep.

He had drunk too much last night, but he had slept like a log. Whoever this bed belonged to, it was neither too soft nor too firm, the pillow was just the right height, and the blankets had a faint, pleasant scent...

Wait.

Whose bed was this?

Satoru Gojo's eyes snapped open.

Then he saw two faces.

Two faces staring straight at him.

They were close.

Very, very close.

Close enough for him to see the dark circles around their eyes, the blood vessels threading their eyeballs, and the expressions on their faces that... he couldn't quite tell whether they were exhausted or resentful.

"Whoa-!"

Satoru Gojo sprang up in fright and huddled in the corner of the bed, his arms crossed over his chest and his face full of horror.

"What-what are you two doing?!"

Zhiyan sat motionless in a chair beside the bed.

Xian Di stood motionless on the other side.

They simply stared at him like a pair of guardian statues.

Sunlight fell across their faces, illuminating both pairs of unmistakable dark circles.

Satoru Gojo stared at them for a few seconds, then suddenly grinned.

It was an obnoxious grin, practically begging for a punch.

"Hey, are you two cosplaying as pandas?"

The instant the words left his mouth, two iron fists landed on him at once.

Thud!

Smack!

"Owww-!"

Satoru Gojo's scream exploded through the room, startling a flock of sparrows outside the window.

"Ow, ow, ow-!"

Clutching the spots where they had hit him, he rolled around on the bed.

Zhiyan withdrew his fist, expressionless.

Xian Di withdrew his fist, expressionless.

They watched him roll around, their gazes as cold as if they were looking at a cursed spirit with a death wish.

After rolling around for a while and realizing no one was paying him any attention, Satoru Gojo had no choice but to sit up himself.

He rubbed his sore spots, looking aggrieved.

"Why did you hit me?!"

Zhiyan looked at him without speaking.

Xian Di looked at him without speaking either.

Their stares made Satoru Gojo uneasy. So they were cosplaying as twins. Why did they keep staring at me? His voice gradually grew quieter.

"What... what did I do...?"

Zhiyan finally spoke.

His voice was calm. Frighteningly calm.

"You don't remember what you did last night, do you?"

Satoru Gojo tried to recall the events of the previous night.

Last night?

All I did last night was have a little alcohol.

Then...

Then I think we chatted.

Then...

Then I think I fell asleep?

His expression grew somewhat blank.

"What... happened last night?"

One look at his slightly vacant expression told Zhiyan that he definitely didn't remember.

Then he spoke, slowly recounting last night's events, word by word.

"You drank last night and fell asleep on the table."

Satoru Gojo nodded.

I remember that.

"Then you suddenly sat up and started chanting an incantation."

Zhiyan's voice was calm, but every word struck Satoru Gojo's heart like a hammer.

Satoru Gojo's expression froze.

"If Xian Di and I had acted a few seconds later, you would have finished the incantation for Blue."

Zhiyan looked at him.

"In the state you were in, you couldn't control your cursed energy properly at all."

"If that shot of Blue had gone off-"

He paused.

"Those old fossils in your family would have had to clean up your mess."

Satoru Gojo's mouth fell open.

Wide open.

His mind went completely blank.

Last night, I...

Almost blew up the dorm?

Seriously?

He looked at Xian Di.

Xian Di nodded, confirming Zhiyan's account.

Holy shit, I really almost blew it up.

Satoru Gojo looked back at Zhiyan.

Zhiyan was still expressionless, but those two glaring dark circles silently told the story of what they had endured last night.

They had watched over him all night.

Afraid he would start chanting again.

Afraid he would blow up the dorm.

Satoru Gojo fell silent.

He slowly crawled out of the corner and settled into position on the bed-kneeling on both knees, hands resting on them, his back perfectly straight.

The classic kneeling posture for admitting wrongdoing.

His face bore a guilty look unlike anything they had ever seen from him.

"Um... I'm sorry."

Xian Di was amused by the sight.

He crossed his arms, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Oh? Not feeling wronged anymore, young master?"

Satoru Gojo didn't dare talk back.

He lowered his head and spoke quietly.

"No."

Xian Di's smile deepened.

"No more complaining?"

"No."

"No more howling?"

"No."

Satoru Gojo lowered his head even further, looking as obedient as could be.

The corner of Zhiyan's mouth twitched as he watched him.

It was rare for this guy to be so sincere about admitting he was wrong.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Xian Di turned to open it.

The door opened to reveal Suguru Geto, Shoko, and Wana standing outside.

Wana was the first to poke her head in. Her gaze swept the room before settling on Zhiyan's and Xian Di's faces.

What did she see?

Two pairs of unmistakable dark circles.

They were deep and heavy, especially conspicuous in the morning light.

Wana covered her mouth.

But she failed to stifle her laughter.

"Pfft-!"

Her shoulders shook with laughter, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Brother, Kamo, you two... you really have turned into pandas!"

Suguru Geto stepped forward and patted Xian Di on the shoulder.

His face was full of sympathy.

"Kamo, you and Zenin really had it rough."

Xian Di sighed.

Suguru Geto then looked at Zhiyan and nodded in greeting.

Then he lifted what he was holding.

It was a bag of breakfast food, still steaming and giving off an enticing aroma.

"I brought this for you."

Xian Di took the bag and thanked him.

He opened it and took out two portions, handing one to Zhiyan and keeping the other for himself.

One portion remained.

He looked at the white-haired guy kneeling on the bed.

Then he picked up the remaining portion and casually tossed it.

The bag of breakfast food traced an arc through the air, flying straight toward Satoru Gojo.

Satoru Gojo hurriedly caught it, his movements so quick and his manner so meek that he seemed nothing like his usual arrogant self.

He held the breakfast in both hands, barely daring to breathe.

He was afraid of getting hit again.

Watching his overly cautious behavior, Zhiyan suddenly found it rather funny.

This guy was normally insufferably arrogant, but now he looked like a grade-schooler who had done something wrong.

"All right," he said. "Quit putting on an act. Get down and eat. Don't eat breakfast on my bed."

Satoru Gojo froze for a moment.

Only then did he realize he was still sitting on Zhiyan's bed.

He had slept in Zhiyan's bed last night.

He hurriedly climbed off, clutching his breakfast, and slowly shuffled over to Wana.

Seeing his sorry state, Wana felt the laughter she had finally suppressed well up again, and she let out a quiet chuckle.

It was soft, but Satoru Gojo heard it perfectly clearly.

He turned his head to look at her.

Meeting his gaze, Wana quickly turned her face away, but her shoulders were still shaking.

Satoru Gojo scratched his head.

He was utterly mortified.

"Um..." he said quietly. "Stop laughing."

Wana didn't answer. She only laughed harder.

Satoru Gojo looked at her and started laughing too.

His grin made him look like a complete idiot.

Everyone gathered around the coffee table and began eating breakfast.

Breakfast was brought over from the cafeteria by Suguru Geto, consisting of rice balls, fried eggs, and a few side dishes. Though simple, it was piping hot and exceptionally delicious.

Satoru Gojo ate at lightning speed, as if afraid someone would snatch his food.

Zhiyan ate at a leisurely pace, his gaze sweeping over Satoru Gojo from time to time.

Whatever, he was used to it.

After finishing breakfast, Zhiyan put down his chopsticks.

He looked out the window.

The sunlight was already quite bright, casting a golden glow upon the distant mountain peaks.

He suddenly felt very tired.

Really tired.

He had kept vigil all night without closing his eyes. Now that he was full, sleepiness washed over him like a tide.

He looked at Xian Di.

Xian Di happened to be looking back at him.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the exact same thing in each other's eyes-

They wanted to sleep.

He looked at the others.

"Teacher Yaga gave us the day off, so Kamo and I are going to catch up on some sleep."

Everyone nodded.

Suguru Geto stood up.

"Then we won't disturb you any longer."

He walked to the doorway, glanced back at Satoru Gojo, and said,

"Gojo-kun, are you coming?"

Satoru Gojo hurried to his feet.

"Coming, coming, coming!"

He scurried toward the door as if fleeing for his life, moving so fast it was as though a ferocious beast were hot on his heels.

Upon reaching the threshold, he looked back once more.

"Uh... Zhiyan, Xian Di, thanks a lot."

His voice was very quiet, faint to the point of being almost inaudible.

Yet both Zhiyan and Xian Di heard him.

Neither spoke, merely offering a nod.

Satoru Gojo let out a breath of relief and strode quickly out of the room.

Wana followed behind him, then seemed to remember something, turned back, and said,

"Brother, get some good sleep! Once you wake up, you won't be a panda anymore!"

Zhiyan nodded with a helpless expression.

The others left one after another, and the door clicked gently shut.

Only two people remained in the room.

Zhiyan and Shoko.

The birds outside the window continued to chirp crisply.

Zhiyan looked at Shoko.

Shoko looked at him as well.

The two stared at each other like that for a few seconds.

Then Shoko let out a sudden chuckle.

The laughter was clear and bright, echoing around the room.

Zhiyan tilted his head slightly.

"What is it?"

Shoko stepped forward, reached out, and gently poked the area around his eye.

"It's been so long since I last saw a panda," she said with a smile, the corners of her eyes curving. "Since I finally managed to see one today, I have to look my fill."

Zhiyan looked at her.

He looked at her curving eyes, the tiny tear mole at the corner of one eye, and the teasing smile upon her face.

The urge to tease her stirred within him as well.

He stood up.

Before Shoko could react, she was scooped up horizontally in his arms.

"Ah-"

She let out a soft exclamation, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

Carrying her, Zhiyan walked toward the bed.

She looked at Zhiyan's profile, at his up-to-no-good expression, and suddenly felt a flutter of panic in her chest.

Though she knew Zhiyan was hardly the type to pull off something like daytime debauchery.

Still, who could really say for sure?

The man usually looked so steady and composed, but every now and then he did the unexpected.

Just like last night, when he implicitly allowed her to drink.

Just like moments ago, when he suddenly swept her off her feet.

As her mind raced with wild thoughts, Zhiyan reached the edge of the bed.

Then he gently placed her beneath the covers.

Zhiyan pulled back the duvet and climbed in beside her.

Next, he pulled the blanket up and drew her into his embrace.

His chin rested against the top of her head, and his voice came from above, carrying a trace of amusement.

"Since you like pandas, it should be fine to accompany the panda for a little nap, right?"

Shoko pressed against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling the warmth radiating from his body.

Her face flushed slightly.

"You scoundrel," she muttered softly.

Zhiyan chuckled softly, saying nothing more as he slowly closed his eyes.

Shoko lay quietly against his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

It was a very strong heartbeat, beating steadily like some sort of reassuring metronome.

The birdsong outside the window gradually faded away, replaced by profound quietude.

Shoko breathed in the clean, crisp scent that clung to him-reminiscent of bamboo leaves, or perhaps morning mist in the mountains, fresh and pure.

Before she knew it, her breathing gradually grew steady.

Her consciousness slowly drifted into darkness.

She fell asleep.

The sunlight shifted slowly.

The light and shadows outside the window gradually changed over time, turning from bright gold to a soft, warm yellow. The rustling of leaves drifted in occasionally like a gentle lullaby.

Inside the room, the two slept in each other's arms, their breathing steady and long.

Warm and undisturbed.

When Shoko woke up again, it was already afternoon.

The room was very quiet.

Only the sound of their breathing remained.

Shoko stirred, discovering that she was still being held tightly in Zhiyan's arms.

His arm was wrapped around her waist, and his chin rested on the crown of her head, his breathing even and deep.

He was still asleep.

Shoko suddenly felt rather warm.

Perhaps the blanket was too cozy, or perhaps he was holding her a bit too tightly.

She shifted slightly, very gently, and wriggled free from his embrace.

Zhiyan stirred, but did not wake.

Shoko sat up and looked down at him.

Close up, she could properly take in his sleeping face.

A man who was normally so steady and restrained had all the sternness smoothed away from his features while he slept; his brow was unfurrowed, lacking its usual slight crease.

His eyelashes were thick and long, casting a small shadow beneath his eyelids. Those lashes curved up slightly, like a pair of tiny folding fans, trembling softly with his steady breathing.

His lips were pressed together lightly, thin and well-shaped. Usually, they were set in a straight line that made him seem somewhat aloof, but in sleep, those lines softened considerably, making him look... rather kissable.

As Shoko watched, a sudden smile touched her lips.

This guy actually looked better asleep than awake.

When awake, he always maintained that cool, self-contained demeanor that made him feel out of reach. Yet in sleep, all his defenses were cast aside, leaving only his most genuine self.

She stared at him for a moment before a mischievous impulse seized her.

Extending a hand, she gently poked his cheek.

It was soft.

Pulling her hand back, she looked at his eyelashes once more.

His lashes really were long.

So long that she grew a bit curious about just how many there were.

Since she was bored anyway, she might as well count them.

Leaning down, she brought her face close to his.

One, two, three...

She counted with utmost concentration, going through them one by one for fear of missing a single strand.

His lashes were dense, making the counting somewhat painstaking, but she had plenty of patience.

Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine...

She was so absorbed in counting that she failed to notice those eyes had already opened.

The moment Zhiyan opened his eyes, he found Shoko hovering right in front of him.

She was close-so close that he could see the earnest expression on her face as she concentrated on counting something.

What was she doing?

Just as he was about to ask, Shoko spoke first.

"Zhiyan, close your eyes."

Her voice was very soft, tinged with a hint of annoyance at being interrupted.

Zhiyan obediently closed his eyes.

Eyelashes brushed gently across his eyelids.

He felt Shoko's finger approach again, tracing lightly over his eyelid.

One, two, three...

Was she counting his eyelashes?

Zhiyan felt a tickling sensation.

Yet he held still.

"Done," Shoko's voice chimed.

Zhiyan opened his eyes and looked at her.

Shoko met his gaze.

"One hundred and seven, one hundred and nine."

Zhiyan paused for a second.

"What?"

Shoko repeated herself, a hint of triumph lacing her tone.

"The number of your eyelashes. One hundred and seven on the left eye, one hundred and nine on the right."

Looking at her, Zhiyan spoke in a gentle voice,

"Have you been awake long?"

Shoko shook her head.

"Not very long."

She paused, then added,

"Just long enough to finish counting your eyelashes."

The corners of his lips curved upward as he reached out, pulling her back into his embrace.

Shoko offered no resistance, leaning softly against his chest.

After a moment, she spoke up abruptly.

"Can Mr. Panda let me go now?"

Her voice was muffled, carrying a trace of laughter.

Zhiyan looked down at her.

"No."

Shoko raised her head, meeting his gaze.

"Why?"

Zhiyan thought for a moment.

"Mr. Panda doesn't want to leave Miss Bamboo just yet."

Shoko paused for a moment.

Then she laughed.

Her laughter was clear and bright, especially lovely in the quiet afternoon.

She leaned back against his chest and sighed in feigned resignation.

"What am I going to do with you?"

Her voice was soft.

"I guess I'll let you hold me a little longer."

Zhiyan chuckled.

He tightened his arms, holding her a little closer.

The afternoon sunlight fell over them both, warm and gentle.

There was no need for words.

This was enough.