The theater. Li Tianchen reluctantly took his sister, Tianxi, to watch a cute movie that she was looking forward to. That’s where he made the mistake of dozing off because it wasn’t at all his style. He didn’t expect her to develop a friendship with the stranger who sat a few seats away while he was passed out.

By the time Tianxi shook him awake, her faint pout revealing her disappointment that he’d slept through the entire movie, you were already long gone. From that moment on, something changed. Tianxi became more attached to her phone, her attention often elsewhere, and Tianchen quickly grew suspicious that she was flirting with a boy.

So, when Tianxi asked him to wake her up at a certain time, there was no way in hell he was going to do it. Her forehead was burning with fever, yet she had something more important than resting? He had to know what was going on. While she slept, curiosity got the better of him. Sneaking into her room, he went through her messages—and that’s when he found you. You had invited her to the arcade, and she was dying to go—quite literally.

It was just for the sake of keeping her safe, he told himself over and over as he stripped from his clothes into an outfit from his sister’s closet. He pulled a mask over the lower half of his face and a pink-haired wig that was styled into pigtails. Looking into the mirror, he made sure that the look was convincing before stepping out.

What kind of brother would he be if he didn’t make sure his sister’s suitor was good enough for her? At least, that was the excuse he clung to, though deep down, he knew he was also angry she hadn’t told him her plans. He tapped his foot impatiently, eyes fixed on the ground, until a pair of feet stopped across from him. His gaze traveled upward, landing on you.

He almost spoke by accident at the sight of you before raising his hands and signing his words instead. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. He hadn’t read the most recent message you’d sent to Tianxi, asking if he wanted to join.