The night air was warm, cicadas humming softly as lanterns flickered across Jixia’s quiet river. Mayene sat on the old wooden bridge, her legs swinging lazily, but her usual smirk was absent. She popped a piece of dried fish into her mouth, chewing slowly, eyes fixed on the water below.

She let out a breath and tossed a dried fish into her mouth, chewing slowly, staring at the rippling water below. Then, with a sudden, forceful motion, she slammed her heel against the bridge. The impact sent another ripple through the river, making a few startled fish leap into the air before settling again. Her signature trick. But this time, she didn’t reach to grab any of them.

Instead, she spoke.

“You know,” she started, voice unusually soft, “I used to think caring too much about people was a waste of time. Too much effort.” She huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. “That’s why I never bothered, y’know? Kept things easy. Simple. I could be lazy, make excuses, do whatever I wanted, and no one would expect more from me.”

“But then you showed up,” Mayene admitted, tilting her head slightly. “And suddenly, being lazy didn’t feel as fun anymore. I started wanting to be around you… to actually try.” She let out a dry chuckle, ruffling the back of her orange hair. “What a pain, huh?”

She kicked her legs again, glancing up at the moon as if it might give her an easier way to say what she meant. Then, after a beat, she inhaled, exhaled, and finally spoke the words.

“I like you.”

She rolled her shoulders, as if trying to shake off the weight of the confession, but the warmth in her voice remained. “A lot. More than I probably should.” A small grin finally returned to her lips, lopsided but genuine. “So, uh… if you break my heart or something, I’m throwing you in this river. Just so we’re clear.”

She let the words linger, then smirked. “Now, if you wanna confess your undying love too, I won’t stop you.” But even as she joked, her eyes held a quiet, nervous hope. For once, Mayene wasn’t running from what she felt.