The moment Di was pushed into the seat by Jie, it was as if all the strength had been drained from his body. He sank into sleep almost instantly.
He was exhausted. The thin thread of energy he had been clinging to since morning finally snapped the moment he was given a quiet space. He didn't even dream—just fell straight into a deep, silent darkness.
—
Some time later, Di stirred and slowly opened his eyes. His vision was still hazy. Through the glass door of the train car, he vaguely saw Jie and Lan still standing where they had been, chatting. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but just knowing they were still there gave him a sense of calm. He let his eyes close again.
He didn't realize that at some point, his head had come to rest on the shoulder of the passenger sitting next to him.
And that passenger hadn't moved an inch—just let him lean there quietly.
—
The passenger looked about the same age as Di, but dressed far more maturely, like a college student—simple, clean button-up shirt, a refined watch, and a calm, grounded way of sitting that seemed older than his years.
He looked down at the sleeping Di, a flicker of interest flashing in his eyes.
This guy… is actually pretty cute. Especially when he's asleep. Definitely his type.
—
Just then, a train attendant approached to check tickets.
The passenger lifted his hand in a gentle shushing gesture, signaling the attendant to keep quiet. His movement was soft and natural, like someone protecting something fragile.
The attendant understood immediately and turned to walk away.
—
Di was sleeping soundly. Though his neck was a little stiff, the "pillow" he was leaning on was surprisingly firm and warm. It had just the right amount of give, and the steady warmth beneath his cheek lulled him deeper into sleep.
Until—suddenly—something clicked in his head.
Wait a second… he didn't bring a pillow.
—
His eyes flew open. He bolted upright, his body springing back like a startled animal. His face flushed red in an instant, like someone had flipped a switch.
Even his ears burned.
He slowly turned his head to see who—what—he had been leaning on.
—
It was a face that made him freeze.
Sharp features. Bright, calm eyes. A quiet confidence.
For the first time in his life, Di found himself thinking—this guy… might actually be more handsome than Jie.
—
He blinked, looked away quickly, and stammered, "S-sorry! I—I didn't mean to… I'm really sorry!"
—
The passenger blinked, then chuckled.
He didn't say anything right away. Just looked at the boy who had just woken up and immediately started apologizing.
There was something about him—an innocent messiness, a defenseless kind of softness—that made it hard to blame him for anything.
—
After a moment, the passenger leaned in slightly, a playful light in his eyes, his voice gentle and direct:
"You're really cute, you know… totally my type."
—
Di froze.
Then, as if reacting instinctively, he shrank back into his seat, ears burning red.
—
But this time, he didn't run away.
Because for the first time, he realized that this unfamiliar kind of warmth didn't come with pressure.
It wasn't like Jie's warmth, the kind that blurred the lines between love and dependency. It didn't carry the weight of memories or make his heart ache in familiar ways.
This was something else.
A simple kind of affection.
Clean, bright—like a ray of light brushing across a window on a quiet afternoon.