Strange. Far too strange!
Zhang Zhaomu was usually a rascal, but he was still careful about how he behaved.
From what Chen Zhenzhen knew of him, he was all talk. At most, he would make a few suggestive remarks, but if he actually made physical contact with a girl, he would be unbearably awkward.
Back when the two of them hung out together all day, Chen Zhenzhen had been the one who cared less about the distinction between boys and girls. Sometimes Zhang Zhaomu even had to remind her to keep her hands to herself.
But today...
He had ruffled her hair and tried to pull her overall straps, as childish as a grade-schooler trying to get a girl's attention.
"Hm?"
Chen Zhenzhen seemed to have noticed something, and her heart suddenly raced. Could that really be what he's trying to do?
She stole a glance at Zhang Zhaomu as he walked beside her. His attention was all over the place, looking this way one moment and that way the next, pretending to be curious about everything. But to Chen Zhenzhen, he plainly looked guilty.
Chen Zhenzhen's heart gave a thump.
Oh no! Could this guy have finally seen the light after spending so long in Class Nine's Cave of Silken Webs, exposed to those spider spirits day after day?
That's the smell of friendship turning into something more!
Chen Zhenzhen was at a loss.
She was already so used to being best buddies with Zhang Zhaomu that she really had no idea how they would get along if they took things further.
She had never considered that possibility. She and Zhang Zhaomu were supposed to keep hanging out and playing games together for the rest of their lives, as a matter of course.
If they really did take things further, wouldn't they end up in a relationship where they held hands, kissed, and even slept together?
Then, surely they would even cuddle while playing games, right?
At the thought of herself curled up in his arms, playing games on her phone, Chen Zhenzhen couldn't help blushing scarlet.
That sort of thing... definitely wouldn't do, right? It would absolutely affect how I play. Then he'd make fun of me for being bad at games again!
Chen Zhenzhen glanced at Zhang Zhaomu again, just in time to catch him stealing a look at her while pretending to be casual.
This atmosphere... He isn't going to suddenly confess to me, is he?
The moment the thought surfaced, Chen Zhenzhen panicked even more.
Should I say yes? But it's too sudden! I'm not mentally prepared yet. Besides, I heard that once a couple breaks up, they can't even be friends anymore. They'll never speak to each other again for the rest of their lives!
But if I say no, he'll definitely be heartbroken and cut ties with me on the spot, right?
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Zhaomu's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Your face keeps going pale, then red."
"N-no, no-" Chen Zhenzhen jumped and reflexively blurted out what was on her mind. "I haven't made up my mind yet... This is really too fast. Give me some time to think it over!"
"Huh?" Zhang Zhaomu was thoroughly bewildered. "Didn't I just ask you to treat me? If you really don't want to, I'll make it up to you with a bottle of iced black tea, the PLUS version!"
"Oh, oh, you meant treating you." Only then did Chen Zhenzhen realize she had gotten carried away with her own fantasy. Her face went bright red, and she hurriedly thumped her chest. "Sure, my treat! I'll buy the iced black tea too!"
A surge of waves immediately drew Zhang Zhaomu's gaze.
It looked like it had a really nice texture. He really wanted to step on it a couple of times.
The moment the thought appeared, Zhang Zhaomu ruthlessly crushed it.
A cat could do that sort of thing without restraint and even be considered cute and clingy, but he was human!
Ruffling her hair and pulling her straps were one thing; at most, those were pranks. But if he did this, even Chen Zhenzhen would definitely consider it sexual harassment, then call the police uncles without hesitation and have him locked up at the station!
He hurriedly looked away, trying to find something else to attract the attention of his [Cat] persona.
But how could Chen Zhenzhen have failed to notice such a burning gaze? Her fair cheeks had turned cherry pink, and she was even more certain.
Their friendship really had turned into something more!
That look! Who knows how many filthy images are going through this guy's head!
If we weren't at school right now, but at his house, he might have already given in to his bestial urges!
Boys going through puberty... are too scary.
Even Chen Zhenzhen's way of walking became awkward. She unconsciously bit her lip and didn't dare think any further.
Forget it. Let him look. I'll just consider it a small sacrifice as his best buddy.
Chen Zhenzhen tried to comfort herself. As long as he doesn't confess to me right away, I'll pretend I don't know. That way, at least we can keep being best buddies.
Since she couldn't face it, running away was also an option. It was shameful, but it worked.
Lunch ended in silence, and the atmosphere between them was unusually awkward and delicate.
Zhang Zhaomu simply didn't dare focus his attention on Chen Zhenzhen again, for fear he would lose control and do something excessive. Chen Zhenzhen, meanwhile, was even more afraid to speak first because of her suspicions, worried that he would suddenly steer the conversation in a direction they couldn't turn back from.
They walked out of the cafeteria and looked at each other.
"Um-"
"You-"
They spoke almost in unison, then both fell awkwardly silent.
"Ahem." Zhang Zhaomu was the first to speak again. "Then I'll head back to the classroom? Are you going to New Era during the evening break?"
"Not today." Chen Zhenzhen looked away. "I still have a mountain of homework to do."
"All right."
They parted at the stairwell. Chen Zhenzhen watched Zhang Zhaomu's retreating figure as he went upstairs and let out a long breath.
Then she couldn't help stamping her foot.
What was with that weird atmosphere? It felt like none of the ease and comfort we used to have around each other was left!
The various bits of relationship knowledge Wang Qianzi habitually forced on her surfaced in her mind.
Wait, could this be... romantic tension?
There really was no such thing as pure friendship between a boy and a girl!
"Chen Zhen was acting weird at lunch today."
Back in the classroom, Zhang Zhaomu belatedly reflected on what had happened.
Doesn't she usually have a lot to say? Why was she quiet the whole time just now? Could it be because I went too far this morning?
At the thought, Zhang Zhaomu couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
It was true that, although they were close friends, he should have been the one to bear the trouble caused by the [Cat] persona. It was a little unfair to Chen Zhenzhen for him to think, all on his own, that it would be fine to let some of it out on her.
"Even if we're best buddies, Chen Zhen is still a girl."
Zhang Zhaomu sighed. "Good thing I didn't do anything more excessive, or we might not even be able to stay friends."
"Forget it. I'd better spend less time around Chen Zhen for now. I'll wait until I've gotten through this week with the [Cat] persona."
A finger reached over from beside him and tugged at the hem of Zhang Zhaomu's clothes.
Zhang Zhaomu looked over and saw Xiang Qing sneak a lunchbox out of her desk and offer it to him.
There was also a note on the lid.
"There were spare ribs at lunch today, and I thought they were especially delicious! I wanted you to try some too."
"They're not leftovers. I picked them out beforehand!"