Even from a distance, Shikime Natsu recognized her at once.
It was Mei-Yu Wang from Class 1-D — and a fellow countrywoman at that.
The girl was wearing a light blue knit cardigan today, layered over a pure white cotton skirt. It was, unmistakably, the exact outfit they had bought together the last time they went shopping.
The simple, gentle color palette perfectly complemented her quiet and reserved air. Her signature long dark blue hair was still tied in twin tails, swaying softly in the breeze — playful and adorable.
She was standing beneath a tree beside the dormitory building. Following the direction of her gaze, there was nothing there at all. She seemed to be spacing out.
A smile touched Shikime Natsu's face. He walked up briskly.
"Good morning, Mei-chan."
At the sound of his voice, Mei-Yu Wang gave a small start. She turned around, and the moment she saw it was Shikime Natsu, a flash of delighted surprise crossed those violet-red eyes of hers.
Almost immediately, a faint, shy smile bloomed on her delicate face.
"G-Good morning... Na... Natsu."
She had been about to say 'Shiki-san' out of habit, but caught herself in time. Their manner of address had changed. She was supposed to call him Natsu now. It had been a while since she'd said his name to his face like that — not since the exchange student week ended.
Her voice was soft and sweet, pleasant to the ear.
"What are you doing out here so early?" Shikime Natsu glanced at the quiet, empty street around them and asked casually. "Waiting for Kikyou?"
The scene was somewhat similar to their last encounter — that time, too, he had found Mei-Yu Wang standing alone, waiting for Kushida Kikyou. Now here she was again, by herself.
Mei-Yu Wang gave a small shake of her head, her twin tails swaying along with it.
"N-No. It's not that."
"Then?"
"I'm not waiting for anyone, either..."
She lowered her head with a touch of embarrassment, her hands clasped lightly behind her back, one foot tracing small circles on the ground.
"It's just... I woke up a bit early this morning. I thought, since it's a rare weekend and the weather is so nice..." She paused. "I wanted to come out and get some fresh air. And maybe... take a little look at the school from here."
"Ah, I see," Shikime Natsu said, nodding in understanding.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them just slightly.
"In that case..." He looked into her clear, bright eyes and asked with a smile, "Would you mind if I... borrowed a bit of your time? I thought maybe we could chat a little, Mei-chan."
"I don't have anything going on either, and being alone is a little dull."
At those words, Mei-Yu Wang blinked in surprise. Then a look of flustered, overwhelmed delight spread across her cute face.
She nodded at once.
"O-Of course!"
"If Natsu would like to... I-I'd love that!"
She seemed to realize she'd shown too much enthusiasm, because her cheeks immediately flushed a light shade of pink. She glanced around and pointed at a nearby bench.
"Um... why don't we find somewhere to sit and talk?"
She thought to herself that if Shikime Natsu wanted to chat, the least she could do was make sure neither of them had to stand the whole time.
"Sure."
Shikime Natsu agreed readily. The two walked over to the bench and sat down, leaving a gap of roughly one person's width between them.
Not so far as to feel cold and distant, but not so close as to put a shy girl under pressure. A safe, comfortable distance.
Once they sat, the atmosphere went briefly quiet. Mei-Yu Wang placed her hands on her knees, looking just a touch rigid and bashful, clearly not sure how to start a topic.
Noticing her nerves, Shikime Natsu took the lead with an easy smile.
"You know, chances like this — running into Mei-chan alone outside — really are rare."
"Aside from that one week during the exchange program, it's genuinely hard to cross paths at school."
Mei-Yu Wang nodded gently at that, her voice soft.
"That's true..."
"After all... Natsu and I aren't in the same class."
"And..." She snuck a glance at him, a trace of admiration in her eyes. "Natsu is incredibly popular at school. Wherever you go, there are always people around you... It really is something to envy."
"I'm not that impressive, really," Shikime Natsu said with a wave of his hand.
"Mei-chan, you have a wonderful group of friends too, don't you? Kikyou and the others — I see you all hanging out together a lot. You're quite popular yourself."
"I-Is that so?" Mei-Yu Wang laughed softly at the compliment, her cheeks tinting pink. "I've just been lucky to meet everyone, that's all..."
"Of course it is," Shikime Natsu said with a firm nod. His gaze settled on her with quiet warmth as he looked her over.
"Oh, by the way — if I'm remembering right, the outfit you're wearing today... is the one we bought together last time, isn't it?"
"Mm..." Mei-Yu Wang gave a small, shy tug at her skirt in acknowledgment.
"It really suits you," Shikime Natsu said without hesitation, generous with his praise.
"On Mei-chan, it looks genuinely adorable."
Boom.
Hearing Shikime Natsu call her 'adorable' so directly and plainly, Mei-Yu Wang's face immediately turned as red as a boiling kettle, wisps of steam practically rising from her ears.
She ducked her head, unable to meet his eyes, and said in a trembling voice:
"Th-Thank you so much for saying that, Natsu..."
"Um... your outfit today, Natsu... is also r-really handsome!"
That was the honest truth. It was just casual clothes, but on someone with Shikime Natsu's natural physique — a born clothes hanger if there ever was one — they radiated a clean, bright, youthful energy.
"Then I'll gratefully accept the compliment," Shikime Natsu said with a smile.
He smoothly shifted the conversation to something else.
"Speaking of which, I feel like I've been seeing Mei-chan with Horikita-san quite often lately."
"How is it? Are you getting along well with her?"
At the mention of Horikita Suzune, something in Mei-Yu Wang's expression softened.
She looked up, her eyes sincere.
"Mm. At first I thought Suzune might be a bit hard to approach, but after spending time with her... I found that she's actually a very kind, very earnest person."
"Being able to become friends with Horikita-san... it genuinely makes me happy."
Shikime Natsu smiled at the girl's wholehearted expression.
He had to hand it to her — he hadn't expected Horikita Suzune to actually pull it off. And not only that, but to leave a genuinely good impression on Mei-Yu Wang.
Though, that might have had something to do with who Mei-Yu Wang was as a person. If it had been Kushida Kikyou saying the exact same words in the exact same tone, Shikime Natsu would have seen straight through the lie without any difficulty. And besides — Horikita Suzune had absolutely no desire to befriend Kushida Kikyou in the first place.
"Is that right?" he said. "Having friends you can get along with genuinely... that really is a good thing."
"Knowing Mei-chan is comfortable, I can relax."
Mei-Yu Wang nodded firmly in agreement.
Sensing the mood was good, Shikime Natsu put forward another suggestion.
"Hey, Mei-chan."
"Since it's a rare occasion — just the two of us running into each other like this, and the weather being this lovely..."
"How would you feel about... going for a little walk somewhere together?"
"...?!"
The sudden proposal made Mei-Yu Wang freeze.
Those violet-red eyes went wide. Her mouth fell open slightly. Her face was a picture of pure surprise.
A boy and a girl... going for a walk... alone...
Wasn't that basically a date?!
Her heart immediately kicked into overdrive, pounding so loudly it felt like the sound was echoing right in her ears.
Should she say yes? Or... should she turn it down?
But... it was Shikime Natsu asking...
She kind of wanted to go.
But then again... would agreeing so easily make her seem too forward?
Watching her tangle herself up in shy indecision, Shikime Natsu didn't push. Instead, he said considerately,
"If it's causing you trouble at all, don't worry about it. I only mentioned it on a whim — please don't feel obligated."
At those words, Mei-Yu Wang felt a jolt of panic.
If she turned him down now... a chance like this might never come again!
She lifted her head and gathered her courage.
"I-It's no trouble at all!"
"I... I'd really love to take a walk with you, Natsu!"
"Then that's settled." Shikime Natsu broke into a bright smile.
"So... where should we go?"
He thought for a moment and asked, "When you go out with Kikyou and everyone, what do you usually do?"
Mei-Yu Wang answered earnestly,
"Usually... we go to the coffee shop or a dessert place at Keyaki Mall..." She thought a little. "Everyone orders something they like and sits around chatting."
"Sometimes we browse clothing stores, or go to karaoke and sing..."
Shikime Natsu nodded thoughtfully.
Chatting was something they were already doing. As for the rest...
He handed the decision over to her.
"Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go, Mei-chan? Or something you feel like doing?"
The choice was now in her hands. The girl hesitated a moment, turning the options over in her mind.
If they went to a coffee shop or dessert place... knowing Shikime Natsu's generous nature, he would almost certainly insist on paying again, just like last time. Spending several thousand points just like that... she really couldn't let him spend more money on her.
She had already received so much from him. It was too much.
Better to choose somewhere that didn't cost anything.
She looked up and asked tentatively,
"Um... Natsu."
"How about... we take a walk around the artificial lake by the dormitory area?"
"The scenery there is lovely, and the air in the morning is really fresh."
"The artificial lake?" Shikime Natsu blinked slightly.
That place...
His mind went automatically to Kushida Kikyou and her famous personal 'venting sanctuary.' He could only hope that the two-faced girl hadn't gotten up too early and gone there to unleash her fury at the railing.
If she had...
It would be the end of the 'little angel' persona she worked so hard to maintain.
That said — if he did happen to spot Kushida Kikyou going off in the distance, he would naturally find a smooth excuse to quietly redirect Mei-Yu Wang away from there before she noticed.
After all, he had promised Kushida Kikyou he would help keep her secret side from being exposed.
Besides, he was still looking forward to seeing Kushida Kikyou with long hair.
"Sure," he said, snapping back to the present with a smile and a nod. "Let's take a walk by the lake."
The two stood and set off side by side toward the artificial lake.
Morning sunlight spilled along the path. The leaves on either side rustled gently in the breeze. It was peaceful and pleasant.
After a while, Shikime Natsu spoke up.
"Come to think of it — how long have you been in this country, Mei-chan?"
He knew she was a fellow Chinese, but they'd never actually talked about this before. Now seemed like a good time.
"Mm..." Mei-Yu Wang thought for a moment and answered softly.
"Since... my first year of middle school. My father's work was transferred, so I moved here with him."
"Middle school, huh." Shikime Natsu let out a quiet sound of understanding.
"That must have been tough, coming here at that age. Language barriers, an unfamiliar environment, having to get used to a new school and new classmates..."
At his words, Mei-Yu Wang's eyes dimmed slightly for a moment. Then a faint, bittersweet smile crossed her face.
"It was..." she said quietly. "It really was quite hard when I first arrived."
"I barely understood the language — only a few basic greetings."
"And I didn't know anyone, didn't know how to talk to people properly."
"So in middle school... I basically didn't make any friends, if I'm honest."
She paused there. Then she lifted her head and looked at Shikime Natsu, and the shadows in her eyes cleared entirely.
"But... fortunately, when I came to Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, I met wonderful people."
"Kikyou, Suzune, and you, Natsu... everyone here has been so kind. No one pushed me away — they accepted me. I think that counts as a kind of luck."
Shikime Natsu looked at the peaceful, unburdened smile on her face, and said gently:
"That's because you're a genuinely kind person yourself, Mei-chan."
"Birds of a feather flock together, as they say. It's precisely because you are good and warm-hearted that kind people are naturally drawn to you and end up at your side."
"That's not luck — that's something you earned."
Hearing those warm words, Mei-Yu Wang felt something soft and glowing bloom inside her chest.
A gentle smile settled on her face as she looked at him, curiosity bright in her eyes.
"Then... what about you, Natsu?"
"What were you like before? I feel like you must have always been someone exceptional and kind from the very beginning."
Shikime Natsu let out a quiet laugh. His 'before' was actually two separate things — the time before he crossed over, and the time before he enrolled at this school. The transmigration was obviously not something he could mention.
He smiled and kept it casual.
"Me?"
"Honestly... I'm just an ordinary student. My past isn't much different from anyone else's. My parents are regular working people. Nothing particularly dramatic to tell."
"?"
Mei-Yu Wang clearly wasn't buying a single word of it.
She shook her head, those violet-red eyes fixing on him with earnest conviction.
"Natsu, you're being way too modest."
"You are absolutely not as simple as you're making yourself sound!"
She began listing things off on her fingers.
"Natsu's crane game skills are incredible! When I was there with Kikyou, we were both completely stunned — you cleared out an entire crane machine. That was amazing."
"And Natsu's cooking is unbelievably delicious!"
"And I heard your tennis is phenomenal too — apparently even the Tennis Club's starting players couldn't beat you."
"And your singing voice... I've heard that's beautiful as well!"
The more she listed, the more animated she got, her eyes practically sparkling with little stars.
"In short... Natsu is an incredibly exceptional, incredibly well-rounded person!"
"And on top of all that..."
Her voice softened. A shy flush rose to her cheeks, and a sweet smile curved her lips.
"Natsu is also... a really kind person."
As the words left her mouth, the girl kept her eyes on his face, her thoughts drifting back through every moment she had spent with Shikime Natsu. He really was almost impossibly perfect — the kind of boy who could be any girl's dream, and she would not be wrong to say so. Mei-Yu Wang found herself completely swept away in her own feelings.
And that was precisely why she wasn't watching where she was going.
Too absorbed in talking, she completely failed to notice a small, unremarkable pebble jutting up from the path.
"Ah—!"
Her toe caught it.
Her balance vanished in an instant. Her body lurched forward, entirely out of her control, pitching toward the hard concrete below.
Mei-Yu Wang squeezed her eyes shut.
Oh no... I'm going to embarrass myself in front of him...
But the pain she braced herself for never came.
Instead.
She felt a strong arm wrap firmly around her waist.
The sick, falling weightlessness vanished in an instant.
In its place — warmth. Solid, broad, carrying a faint, clean scent. She had fallen into an embrace.
"Careful."
That familiar voice sounded right beside her ear.
Mei-Yu Wang's eyelashes trembled. She slowly opened her eyes.
And what she saw, right there before her — close enough to fill her entire vision — was Shikime Natsu's face, inches from hers, looking down at her with unmistakable concern.
They were so close. Close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face.
"Are you alright?"
His voice was gentle.
Boom.
Mei-Yu Wang's mind went completely, utterly blank.
Her cheeks flushed red at a speed visible to the naked eye. Something between shock and disbelief and an emotion she couldn't quite name was written all over her face.
What... what just happened? Did Shikime Natsu just... catch her? Is he holding her right now?
____
👻🔥Walnut-chan in "P" for more!🔥👻
🔥 New history: Group chat of the Dead
✅ Get immediate access to 40 early chapters for all stories.
✅ Enjoy exclusive material and special announcements!
Help us unlock these community rewards:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
👻 P - Walnut-chan