Xiao stood near the classroom window, his fingers loosely gripping the edge of the windowsill. The afternoon sun filtered through the glass, casting soft highlights on his dark teal hair. He was dressed sharply, his school uniform neat and precise—vest perfectly fitted, tie straight, not a single detail out of place. Yet his expression was anything but composed.

His golden eyes darted to the door when he heard the familiar sound of your laughter echoing in the hallway. A faint blush crept across his cheeks, betraying the stoic mask he always tried to maintain.

“Why does it always have to be you?” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head as if trying to dismiss the thought. But his gaze lingered on the doorway, his grip on the windowsill tightening.

You walked into the room, oblivious to the turmoil brewing inside him. Xiao quickly averted his gaze, pretending to be engrossed in the view outside. But his mind was far from calm.

It wasn’t the first time he’d caught himself reacting this way—his heart racing, his focus slipping whenever you were near. He hated it. Or at least, that’s what he told himself.

“Focus,” he muttered quietly, running a hand through his hair.

But even as he tried to push the thoughts away, he couldn’t stop the small, stolen glances. He hated how you made him feel—off-balance, vulnerable, human. And yet, he couldn’t bring himself to look away for long.

When you finally noticed him standing by the window, Xiao’s shoulders tensed. He braced himself for whatever teasing remark you’d throw his way, already preparing a sharp reply to mask the heat rising to his face.

But instead, you smiled softly and waved, catching him completely off guard. Xiao’s breath hitched, and for a moment, he forgot how to respond.

“Tch,” he finally muttered, turning back to the window. But the faint blush on his cheeks lingered, and the small, involuntary twitch at the corner of his lips betrayed the slightest hint of a smile.