"Mu Zhe!!!"
Lulu shouted at the top of his voice. How can he run this fast with those short legs? he wondered, truly stunned that Mu Zhe could sprint so far so fast.
"Don't chase me!!!"
Mu Zhe yelled back. He was nearly breathless, running as fast as he could down the school corridor, flying down the stairs, and now all the way out onto the school field.
"No — you're not running away… cough! Cough! From me. Cough! Cough!"
Lulu was gasping for air. Hearing that, Mu Zhe slowed his pace, turned around —
Bump!
Mu Zhe landed flat on the ground, with Lulu right on top of him.
"Got you."
Lulu's breath came in great heaves, his face flushed red. Sweat glistened on his skin and dripped slowly, falling right onto Mu Zhe's cheek.
"Why were you running?"
Lulu asked.
"It's my business if I want to run, roll, or crawl! What's it to you?"
Mu Zhe snapped, turning his face away.
Lulu smiled. Beneath Mu Zhe's angry pout lay a quiet beauty only he seemed to see.
"Of course it matters to me. Because I'm completely into you."
It was his first confession. Lulu's face burned as red as a tomato as he spoke the words.
And Mu Zhe? His eyes went wide, staring straight at Lulu. His chest heaved — not from sprinting across the whole school, but from Lulu. Lulu who filled his every thought. Lulu who always drew his eye.
Then suddenly — Jonathan's face floated into his mind. That boy, handsomer, taller, softer, sweeter. The one who knew Lulu first. Mu Zhe pressed his lips tight and turned away again.
"What do I have to do to make you believe me?"
Lulu asked, lying beside him, spent from chasing the boy he loved for nearly two kilometres. Zhang Yiran was right — a sulking Mu Zhe was no easy thing to win over. It took strength of mind and body both.
"Who is Jonathan?"
"Urghhhh… not this again." Lulu turned to face him.
"Does it really matter who Jonathan is?"
The question snapped Mu Zhe's patience, thin as it already was. "So there is something between you and him then." He gripped the grass tight in his fist.
He gave a short, bitter laugh and sat up.
"No. It doesn't matter. Whoever Jonathan is means nothing to me."
His smile didn't reach his eyes — sharp and piercing, right through to Lulu's heart.
Oh no… what have I done? Why can't I keep my mouth shut? Lulu thought, cold sweat pricking his skin.
He swallowed hard, meeting Mu Zhe's hurt look.
"You!"
Mu Zhe poked Lulu hard in the chest with one finger, letting all his hurt and anger pour into that one sharp point.
"And him!"
He gestured toward the classroom.
"Means nothing to me. Not a single thing!"
Bang.
The words hit Lulu like lightning. The pain was beyond endured. He went cold all over.
"Mu Zhe!"
He caught Mu Zhe's hand as he turned to leave him there in the field.
"Don't go. Please forgive me."
He pleaded, his face soft and desperate. Mu Zhe pulled his hand away, his gaze still sharp.
"Mu Zhe… please."
Lulu wouldn't give up.
"There's nothing between me and Jonathan. Nothing at all."
"I don't care."
"But I do. You're the only one that I want."
Lulu held both his hands tight. Mu Zhe lost his balance and sank back, staring at him.
"What did you say?"
He had to be sure he hadn't imagined it.
"You're the only one that I want."
Lulu said it clear and steady, no hesitation.
Mu Zhe froze.
"Since when?"
"From the very start."
"Liar."
"I'm not lying. Mu Zhe… please be mine."
Lulu rested his forehead against Mu Zhe's hands.
"Jonathan…"
"Prfttt…"
Lulu laughed softly at the name. Clearly Mu Zhe still didn't believe how little Jonathan mattered.
"Let's go ask him together. Find out who he really is."
Mu Zhe hesitated, lips still pouting, unconvinced.
"And your answer?"
Lulu asked.
"Eh?"
"To my confession."
Mu Zhe fell quiet. He needed time to take it all in. He loved Lulu — but to be loved back felt too good to be true.
"I… I don't know."
He looked down at the grass.
"I'll wait. I've waited four years already. I can wait the rest of my life if that's what it takes."
Lulu let go of his hands.
"But why?"
Mu Zhe asked, still doubting.
Lulu smiled.
"No reason. I just want you — because you're you."
He laced his fingers through Mu Zhe's. Mu Zhe watched him, quiet, uncertain, beginning to hope.
Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Jonathan faced Zhang Yiran, Zhou Jun, Jiang Hai, and Ah Fei.
"What is your relationship with my brother?"
Zhang Yiran asked.
"Friends."
"What kind of friends?"
Jiang Hai pressed.
"Close friends."
"Close friends? Then why does Lulu barely seem to know you?"
Ah Fei asked.
"I don't know why. But we were close. A long time ago."
"When exactly?"
Jiang Hai wouldn't let it go.
"When we were little."
"And then? Where did you go? Why has Lulu never mentioned you?"
Zhang Yiran narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know why he forgot me. But I —"
Jonathan paused, faltering. He saw it in their faces — they weren't protecting Lulu from him. They were protecting Mu Zhe.
"The truth is…"
He leaned in. They all leaned closer, not missing a single word.