“Seniors, I like you!”
Miskatonic University, a regular afternoon. In the garden of the main teaching building, a girl with flaxen hair braided into a plait and round-framed glasses gathered her courage and confessed to the handsome young man before her.
Standing in front of a legendary investigator who had been famous for nearly a decade, You Shuyao was extremely nervous, her fingers twisted together, her head lowered, not daring to look at the expression on his face.
“Seniors Ye Xi, you are the reason I got into this university. I really admire you…”
Afraid that Ye Xi would refuse her halfway through, she didn’t stop speaking for a moment:
“Seniors, do you remember? Six years ago by the sea, in that Seaside Village, it was you who saved me… After that, I made up my mind to become an investigator!”
“I can say you are my motivation to keep moving forward. I really, really, really… like you so much, so Seniors Ye Xi, please, please go out with me—!”
These words had taken almost all of You Shuyao’s strength. She felt as if her whole body had just run a thousand meters, numb and limp. Then, holding onto hope, she raised her head and met those eyes as dark as a starless night sky.
Ye Xi reached out to help her up, a somewhat apologetic smile on his face as he said:
“Thank you for liking me, but I already have a girlfriend.”
“Wha…!”
The words that followed, You Shuyao hardly heard a single one. A buzzing sound filled her ears, and Ye Xi’s face became blurred and indistinct.
Ah… so Seniors already has a girlfriend…
Then what have I been looking forward to all this time?
Like a fool…
For the next few days, You Shuyao muddled through. If she hadn’t been so hungry that she couldn’t even think about eating, she wouldn’t have bothered to eat at all. Although she’d known before confessing that she’d most likely be rejected, when it really happened, the sadness was overwhelming.
After all, no matter how unlikely the Cat of Schrödinger is to exist, before opening the box, anything is possible.
She lay around in her dorm for a week, having her roommates answer roll call for her classes. Even though it was almost the end of term, she just couldn’t bring herself to study.
“Forget it, since it already happened, I might as well accept it calmly…”
You Shuyao comforted herself and finally put on her clothes and went out.
She’d mentally prepared herself, and felt that nothing could hurt her anymore.
And then, right at the school gate, she saw a familiar figure—Seniors Ye Xi, and beside him, another girl.
That was the most beautiful person You Shuyao had ever seen in her life—white hair and blue eyes, like a fairy who had walked straight out of a cultivation novel, coldly elegant, as if separated from everyone by a layer of unbreakable film.
But only when standing next to her beloved Seniors did she show a stunning smile.
The two walked hand in hand, shoulders touching, occasionally whispering to each other, intimate like any ordinary couple you’d see on campus.
You Shuyao stood at the school gate, staring at their backs, her skirt crumpled into a ball in her fist.
“So! Annoying! I! Am!!!”
That night, the pillow on her bed was pummeled out of shape by You Shuyao, then kicked off the bed.
Like a little kid, she vented her frustration by beating it up, then turned her head to the mirror beside her desk.
She had always been confident in her looks—arched brows, clear innocent face, a smile as sweet as the girl next door, easy to like.
“But compared to her, I’m just not in the same league…”
You Shuyao smashed the pillow again, rolled on her bed like a salted fish, covered her eyes with her arm, and muttered:
“…If only Seniors didn’t have a girlfriend…”
Maybe find a chance to invite that white-haired girl out and quietly deal with her somewhere with no one around…
“!”
The instant this idea appeared in her mind, You Shuyao snapped awake, her eyes wide, a cold sweat breaking out all over her back.
How could I have such a terrifying thought?
She shook her head desperately, burying that idea deep in her heart where it should never appear.
Maybe it was just a moment of confusion. Seniors and that White-haired Girl look so happy together. I should bless them!
After a night’s sleep, You Shuyao left it all behind. Days went by, she studied enough theory, officially joined the Investigation Bureau, and became the investigator she’d always dreamed of being.
Although she didn’t end up on the same team as Seniors, it wasn’t so bad. As long as she could occasionally catch a distant glimpse of him, she would feel very happy…
“Cough, cough… cough, cough, cough…!”
The girl lay amidst the ruins, coughing repeatedly. The flames were reflected in her chestnut eyes, gradually losing their focus.
The walls were blackened with soot, the heat suffocating, ash and dust falling now and then with a faint “sha sha” sound.
Experience told You Shuyao that a second collapse was imminent.
“Cough…!” Another cough, as if her lungs were about to come out of her throat.
She looked at her own legs.
—A massive slab was pressing down on them, black blood oozing out beneath. She could no longer feel the lower half of her body.
Raising her head, You Shuyao gave a bitter smile.
Was that just now a life-flashing-before-my-eyes moment?
Aren’t you supposed to recall your happiest memories before dying? Why were the scenes that flashed by just things that made her furious? Even at the end, she couldn’t die in peace.
Thinking this, You Shuyao looked around.
There’s probably no hope of survival now…
No one could have expected that a Traitor had emerged within the Investigation Bureau, and reported the wrong Cultist Stronghold to their team, causing them to be ambushed during their raid.
The entire building was rigged with bombs!
Barring a miracle, You Shuyao was likely the last survivor of the team.
But she wasn’t afraid.
Long before becoming an investigator, she’d already prepared herself to face death at any moment.
Only…
The image of Ye Xi appeared before You Shuyao’s eyes again.
On that night of utter despair, it was that person who brought her to the warmth of the campfire, made her a cup of hot cocoa, and stayed by her side through the night until she was rescued.
“…Seniors, if only I were the one by your side…”
You Shuyao slowly closed her eyes.
“…that would be so, so happy.”
Do you want to obtain happiness?
Do you want to obtain happiness?
You Shuyao opened her eyes. All around was pitch black, her breathing smooth, she could still feel her lower body—it was as if everything just now had been a nightmare.
“Where am I?”
Do you want to obtain happiness?
She heard no voice, saw no words; it was as if the question arose from her heart, appearing in her mind out of nowhere.
“Of course, I want it!”
She answered without hesitation.
Who doesn’t want happiness?
Very good, then…
I wish you happiness.
The veil of night was torn away, and You Shuyao saw a splendid, colorful starry sky.
From now on, I am you, and you are me…
Your new name is Youmiya·Sothos.
“Be careful on your way home. Do you want me to walk with you for a bit?”
A black-haired girl stood in the foyer, a gentle smile on her tired face.
“No need, teacher. I can take care of myself.”
Youmiya turned slightly, gazing at her face. Through this body, she saw the shadow of another person.
That person she had yearned for day and night, the one she loved most, the one who could bring her happiness…
Seniors♡