Morning.
After washing up, Lin Zhi stood before the mirror, adjusting his uniform for the Private Integrated High School. Once he confirmed everything looked fine, he picked up his school bag and stepped outside.
A gentle breeze brushed against his face.
The view from Aoyama Apartments was wonderful. Perhaps because it was close to the sea, the ocean wind constantly swept through the area. The sky was a bright blue, scattered with a few drifting white clouds.
"What a beautiful day," Lin Zhi said, tilting his head up in appreciation.
Click!
Two doors opened almost at the same time.
"Good morning, Nozono-kun!"
On either side, two girls greeted him — the angelic Gabriel and his new neighbor, Umaru Doma.
"Good morning, Amane-san, Doma-san." Lin Zhi smiled. Having new neighbors who happened to be beautiful girls wasn't a bad way to start the day.
"Shall we go together?" he asked.
"Sure!" Gabriel replied without hesitation, and Umaru nodded after a short pause.
Though they didn't attend the same school, they could still walk part of the way together — several schools, including Lin Zhi's, were located in the same district.
As the three headed downstairs, they noticed a few figures standing by the entrance.
Among them was someone Lin Zhi recognized — Shouko Nishimiya. Beside her were an elderly man with a kind smile and a woman who appeared stern and difficult to approach — Shouko's mother, Yaeko Nishimiya.
Hearing footsteps, the group turned.
Yaeko's sharp gaze swept over them, then lingered on Lin Zhi. Her brows furrowed slightly in puzzlement.
Shouko looked up as well. When she saw Lin Zhi, her eyes brightened; when she noticed the uniform he wore, a flicker of surprise and delight crossed her face.
Lin Zhi blinked. So Shouko wears the same uniform… does that mean she's in the same school as me?
But before he could ask, he felt the full weight of Yaeko's piercing gaze on him — like needles pricking at his skin.
She hadn't been home when he visited before, so Lin Zhi quickly introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Nozono — I just moved into the apartment above yours a few days ago. Please take care of me."
Yaeko's expression softened a little. She nodded, then turned to her daughter. "Did you remember what I told you?"
Shouko quickly nodded, clearly intimidated by her mother.
"If you don't mind," Lin Zhi offered gently, "why don't we walk together?"
A faint light flickered in Shouko's eyes — only to be extinguished by her mother's cold voice.
"No. She'll go alone."
The light vanished instantly.
Lin Zhi frowned slightly, puzzled by Yaeko's tone.
Perhaps realizing her words sounded harsh, Yaeko spoke again, more evenly this time. "She needs to do these things by herself. She can't rely on others forever."
Shouko fell silent, her eyes cast down.
Lin Zhi's gaze softened, and after a brief pause, he said quietly, "In that case, we'll be going first."
"Eh?" Gabriel, who had been staring at Shouko with a look of pure sympathy — practically glowing with holy light — was suddenly pulled away by Lin Zhi before she could say anything.
Shouko watched them go, her head slightly bowed, lips pressed tightly together.
…
The three walked in silence for a while.
Lin Zhi could feel the faint tension — both girls seemed a little displeased with him.
He didn't explain. Instead, when they reached a corner down the street, he stopped.
"Let's wait for Nishimiya here," he said.
The two girls blinked, surprised.
Lin Zhi sighed. "You didn't really think standing there would help, did you? Or were you planning to argue with her mother?"
They imagined the scene — then quickly shook their heads.
No way! Yaeko Nishimiya didn't seem like a bad person, but she was clearly not someone easy to talk to.
"Exactly," Lin Zhi said with a shrug.
Realization dawned on them. Their faces flushed, and they looked down awkwardly.
Lin Zhi chuckled softly and turned back toward the apartment.
He understood their feelings, but confronting Yaeko head-on wouldn't have solved anything. She might be strict, but she was a responsible mother — and he had no right to interfere with how she raised her daughter.
Still, that didn't mean she could dictate their choices.
Before long, a familiar figure appeared in the distance — a girl clutching her school bag, head lowered, walking alone. Her frail silhouette looked heartbreakingly delicate.
"Nishimiya!" Lin Zhi called, waving.
He'd been living at Aoyama Apartments for a while now and knew a bit about his neighbors. Shouko was indeed hearing-impaired — but not completely deaf. With her hearing aid, she could make out some sounds. Her speech, however, was affected by years of hearing difficulty, making it hard for her to speak clearly.
She really was a pitiable girl.
Hearing his voice, Shouko looked up. The initial confusion in her eyes slowly gave way to a soft glow — like starlight flickering to life.
She was beautiful and gentle, and when she smiled, the whole world seemed to brighten.
At that moment, Lin Zhi felt exactly that — a quiet warmth blooming inside him.
He sincerely wished happiness for this kind-hearted girl.
"Nozono-kun, Amane-san, Doma-san…"
Shouko looked at the three of them waiting for her, eyes wide in disbelief.
Lin Zhi smiled. "If you don't mind, shall we go together?"
Shouko froze for a heartbeat — then nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
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T/N:
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