Early the next morning.
When Chen Shi'an arrived in the classroom with his soy milk, Lin Meng Qiu was already in her seat.
The girl held a thermos, steam rising from its mouth. She took small sips of her stomach-warming tea, but her gaze rested on the bottle of Water Babies between their seats.
Seemingly catching sight of Chen Shi'an approaching out of the corner of her eye, she withdrew her gaze from the colorful Water Babies.
The slender, delicate fingers peeking out of her sleeve screwed the lid back onto her thermos and set it on the desk. In the same motion, she picked up her pen and lowered her head to look at her book.
Until Chen Shi'an's voice rang out-
"Morning, Class Monitor."
"...Morning."
"Thanks for the milk, Class Monitor."
"~"
Chen Shi'an hung up his backpack, pulled out his chair, and sat down, then picked up his water bottle.
The bottle that had been empty last night now felt heavy. Even through its walls, he could feel the warmth inside.
"You already filled my bottle for me, Class Monitor?"
"..."
"Thanks, Class Monitor."
"~"
Chen Shi'an started drinking his milk. Only when he turned toward Lin Meng Qiu did he notice that there seemed to be a few new things around her seat.
A carton of milk sat beside her chair, its top open, revealing one bottle missing from the top row;
There was also a small pillow in a clean reusable bag, hanging beside her desk;
Chen Shi'an blinked.
"Class Monitor, did you just buy this carton of milk?"
"...My dad gave it to me."
"Oh, oh. I thought you'd bought a whole carton especially to give me a bottle every day."
"..."
Drink it if you want. So much talk.
Lin Meng Qiu turned