The rain grew more intense as night deepened. Heavy drops battered the leaves, tearing them from their branches and pressing them into the soil, where time would quietly turn them to earth again—a return to their roots.
Silently, Tang Li turned up the TV volume, letting the girl in his arms cry without restraint. He could feel every tremor from her sobs reverberating against his chest, each one a tiny thorn pricking his heart.
Now, he finally understood. Understood what Ji Yu had carried before, and what she bore now. As a friend, as a man, as a bystander—there was nothing he could do to change it.
But he also understood his own feelings, and her state of mind.
Her burdens were not like his. The weight of life pressed squarely on her shoulders. Her worldview had been shaped by a man's perspective, which was why she tried so hard not to let anyone see her fall apart after her transformation.
Yet here, in the privacy of home, on an ordinary night when no one was watching, her fragile, beautiful side surfaced.
He held her, feeling that small body's warmth, the heartbeat against his ribs. She didn't resist, and he didn't pull her closer. It was just a quiet embrace—nothing more than friendship. But when his broad hands shielded her thin back from the chill, the sound of her sobs slowly faded.
She cried until her eyes were swollen, until her body's strength and spirit were spent. Then, still curled in his arms, she drifted into a drowsy sleep.
Tang Li gazed at the small bundle in his arms, his eyes unreadable.
Her soft, even breathing carried a faint scent unique to her, the kind that made the chest beneath her rise and fall gently with sleep.
Lowering the TV volume, he switched it off and carried her to the bedroom. He tucked her in and gently brushed aside the strands of hair damp with tears, so they wouldn't wake her from what he hoped—hoped—was a good dream.
Maybe she was dreaming of still being a boy, standing here in this little apartment as Ji Yu, strong enough to drive away the man who didn't belong.
He turned off the lights and settled on the couch for the night. Luckily, it was soft enough to rival his dorm bed.
Outside, the rain whispered. The neon lights Ji Yu hated so much… faded away.
Morning came right on time.
When Tang Li opened his eyes, he saw two breakfast sets on the table, along with a few thick textbooks.
Light footsteps approached from behind.
"You're up?" Ji Yu's voice was lighter today. The sky outside was gray, but something about her seemed more at ease.
Putting on a smile, he teased, "You always wake up this early, so how do you still manage to be late every day?"
His gaze slid from her small feet upward to her neck, a teasing glint in his eyes, though he said nothing else.
"About… last night…" she began awkwardly.
"Last night? Nothing happened. You went to bed early," he replied easily.
Relief softened her eyes.
"That's good. Eat up—we've got a busy day. Just one morning math class, then I have to drop by the Student Council and the police station. My mom and sister get back from their business trip tonight, so I need to talk to them too."
She traced the rim of her cup idly, but the quiet determination in her tone was clear.
"And… I don't think I'm changing back."
She gave a self-conscious little laugh, as if to explain herself. Tang Li's lips curved slightly. "If it can't be changed, then accept it. At least don't make life harder for yourself. You've cried, you've vented. As long as you hold on to your dreams, no matter your form, you can overcome that fear—right?"
Her cheeks flushed. She glanced at the split ends of her hair, then smiled. "Don't give me those big, cheesy speeches. I get annoyed~"
Change, huh? It's never that easy. But I have to try—or else I'll just be… different in all the wrong ways.
After class, the campus felt empty. Ji Yu strolled under a light drizzle, tilting her head up toward the overcast sky. She reached a hand beyond her umbrella, letting the rain pool in her palm.
In just one math class, she could already tell—this subject wouldn't like her much.
With nothing else to do, she wandered to the Student Council office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"First-year Ji Yu from the Publicity Department, here to correct my membership form. Anyone inside?"
Silence. The fresh, rain-washed air felt strangely stifling.
"Hello? Senior? Anyone?" she tried again, knocking.
Creak—
"It's you, from the supermarket yesterday. Come in," said a calm voice.
Ji Yu straightened immediately. The one opening the door was none other than the Student Council president, Mo Yachen. "Uh… okay."
Inside, she glanced around politely. Filing cabinets lined one wall, topped with books ranging from Three Days to See to The Tiger Team Adventures. Odd combination.
Mo Yachen walked at an almost frustratingly slow pace—like an old man in poor health—until he gestured for her to sit. Without waiting for her to settle, he drew a blank form from his desk.
"This is the new membership application. This time, don't make 'playful' mistakes out of… questionable taste."
His tone was as cold as the rain outside, but Ji Yu still tried to defend herself softly, "It wasn't anything like that… I just filled it for fun."
"For fun? You think the Student Council is a game?"
Even without looking up, she could feel the weight of his gaze. She hurried to fill the form.
"I'll hand this in a few days later—"
"No need. Give it to me now."
He was already holding a stamp, almost eager.
"…Wasn't it supposed to be a few days?"
"That's for the initial recruitment. This is just a correction." He adjusted his pale-gold glasses like the matter was trivial.
"Oh… well, I'll get going then."
"Mm."
"Thanks, Senior."
As she turned to leave, he added casually, "By the way, this application goes directly to the Presidium's Admin Department. So be here every day at noon."
"…Huh?!" The uncharacteristic outburst made her freeze, thinking she'd annoyed the university's most admired figure.
"I thought I applied for Publicity… Why am I in the Presidium's Admin Department?"
"Because each department has a quota. You used up Publicity's last spot with your mistake. The Admin Department happened to have one opening left. If you still want in, this is your only option. Take it or leave it."
He smiled faintly. "It'll look good on your résumé after graduation."
By the last sentence, she'd already decided. "Alright, Senior Mo. I'll report here tomorrow at noon. I'm off to class."
She all but fled, not noticing the holes in his explanation—or his slight smile as she left. Her hand was still on the doorknob when she realized she felt… oddly pleased.