Give Me Another Smile

"...Morning," Yin Zhao-an greeted Tang Yu with weary eyes. She even let out a big yawn after her greeting, physiological tears pooling up in her eyes.

Tang Yu subconsciously stiffened when she felt the additional weight on her shoulder. Immediately afterward, she felt Yin Zhao-an's short hair rubbing against her bare neck and Yin Zhao-an's arms wrapping around her waist.

Tang Yu noticed that Yin Zhao-an's mental state was in terrible shape recently. Yin Zhao-an would always wear an exhausted look on her face these past few days, and the girl would hardly pay attention in class, always dozing off in the middle. Before, Yin Zhao-an still knew how to maintain a certain distance from her. Now, though, Yin Zhao-an had essentially transformed into a koala that always clung to her…

Several times Tang Yu deliberately changed the time she went to school. However, no matter the time she chose to go to school, she always saw Yin Zhao-an waiting for her by the military compound's entrance. Even when they were running late, she had never seen Yin Zhao-an leave without her. Instead, Yin Zhao-an waited until she showed up, ran up to her, and ran to school with her. The last time she deliberately left home at a late hour, Yin Zhao-an even said to her the following: "Tang-Tang, if you can't wake up next time, how about I go to your house to wake you up?"

…

Even when they were close to reaching their school, Yin Zhao-an still showed no intentions of letting go of Tang Yu. Eventually, Tang Yu couldn't bear it any longer and stabbed Yin Zhao-an with her elbow, causing the koala girl to gasp in pain and let go of her.

However, when Tang Yu saw the pale look on Yin Zhao-an's face, she couldn't help but panic. I didn't use much strength just now, so why…

"I'm fine…" Yin Zhao-an waved at Tang Yu and forced a soothing smile as she bent down her body a little. "You go to class first. I'll rest here for a bit..."

Tang Yu stared at Yin Zhao-an, her expression turning serious when she saw that there was clearly something wrong with Yin Zhao-an.

Yin Zhao-an wanted to persuade Tang Yu to go ahead without her again, but she saw Tang Yu walking into the school before she could do so.

Yin Zhao-an's forced smile gradually crumbled, a hint of loneliness appearing on her face. Then, holding her aching ribs, she moved to a nearby stone bench and sat down.

Yin Zhao-an had to admit that Tang Yu's panicked reaction just now moved her heart. If Tang Yu had chosen to stay with her, the pain her body experienced might not have felt as bad. Unfortunately, Tang Yu didn't stay with her. Although she had known this would be the result, she still couldn't help but feel disappointed...

Lowering her head dejectedly, Yin Zhao-an waited for her ribs to stop aching.

"Come with me for a bit."

Suddenly, a pair of bright leather shoes appeared in Yin Zhao-an's vision, and a mellow voice came from above her. Yin Zhao-an lifted her head, a look of disbelief appearing on her face when she saw Tang Yu, who had already dropped off her schoolbag somewhere, standing in front of her while holding something in her hand.

Meanwhile, after saying her piece, Tang Yu turned around and walked into the school again. However, when she noticed the slow walking speed of the girl behind her, she deliberately slowed down her gait.

When Yin Zhao-an saw the big sign with the "WC" logo a short distance ahead, she quickly guessed what Tang Yu would do next, and she couldn't help but hesitate. She had many injuries covering her body, and she couldn't help but worry that Tang-Tang would get frightened by them.

"Hurry up," Tang Yu urged.

"Ah, I'm coming."

After stepping into the restroom, Yin Zhao-an felt a hand grabbing her and holding her steady. Immediately afterward, she felt her abdomen getting exposed to the cold air, and the intense gaze she sensed on her abdomen made her blush. She was so embarrassed by this situation that she even stammered when she spoke: "T-Tang Tang, don't you have to go to class?"

"I asked for leave from the monitor," Tang Yu said, the frown on her face deepening when she saw the patches of blue and purple covering Yin Zhao-an's fair skin. Then, she couldn't help but look up and narrow her eyes on a certain someone who was feeling guilty.

Yin Zhao-an shuddered and moaned a little when the icy cold ointment was gently applied to her bruises. When Tang Yu saw and heard this reaction, a blush formed on her face, the blush reaching all the way to the tips of his ears.

Tang Yu took a deep breath. She knew she was overthinking things, so she quickly reigned in her thoughts from running wild. Then, she started applying the ointment with much greater speed.

If it wasn't for the little jab she did just now stirring her guilt, she wouldn't have cared about this fellow's wellbeing!

After Tang Yu was done applying the ointment, she handed the remaining ointment to Yin Zhao-an and went to wash her hands at the sink. Then, she left the restroom without a word, leaving Yin Zhao-an dazedly standing in the restroom with a warm tube of ointment in her hand.

...

Outside the restroom, Tang Yu gradually pursed her lips as she looked at the hand she used to apply ointment for Yin Zhao-an...

Can't we just be strangers?!