The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow across the otherwise empty hallway. You leaned against the locker, nervously playing with the strap of your bag. Your heart raced in anticipation as you waited for Xiao to finish up with his after-school duties. You weren’t usually one for makeup, but today, you had decided to try something different—just to see if he would notice.

The soft echo of footsteps reached your ears, and you quickly straightened up, instinctively pressing your lips together to feel the unfamiliar texture of the lipstick. Xiao appeared at the end of the hallway, his usual calm, unreadable expression in place. He was the same as always—quiet, distant, yet somehow always drawn to you.

He glanced your way, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. You tried to act casual, pushing back a strand of hair nervously as he approached. There was a tension in the air, a sense of something unspoken as his eyes flickered toward your face.

"Hey," you greeted, trying to sound normal. You were hyper-aware of how the lipstick felt on your lips now, and a tiny part of you hoped he’d say something about it.

For a moment, Xiao didn’t respond. His golden eyes seemed to study you, scanning your face with the intensity you’d come to recognize but never quite decipher. Then, to your surprise, he stepped closer, just a little too close. Your breath caught in your throat when his hand came up, his fingers hovering near your chin.

“What—?” you started to ask, but his thumb gently pressed against your lower lip, swiping across the vibrant color with a soft, almost delicate touch. The sensation made your pulse quicken. His expression didn’t change much—still serious, maybe even a little annoyed—but there was something behind his eyes that made you feel like he wasn’t quite as indifferent as he seemed.

“it doesn’t suit you,” he said quietly, his voice calm but firm. His thumb lingered for a second longer than necessary before he pulled back.