A confession that is not a confession in the darkness

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Xiao lifted her head, forcing a nonchalant smile as she waved her hand.

"It's fine! We'd like nine tickets—how much is that?" With those words, she looked earnestly at the attendant. At last, after their persistent efforts, the tickets were finally in hand.

Xiao held the tickets, feeling a wave of exhaustion. To be honest, she no longer had any desire to watch a movie. Her temples throbbed with a dull ache, and her ever-present sixth sense left her unsettled.

Yu watched Xiao, her head bowed in silent thought, and he longed to pull her into his arms. But he couldn't. The others, too, sensed the tension between the two.

Yet, as outsiders, they knew better than to interfere too much. Sometimes it was best to simply watch and wait. The crystal chandelier above them rotated slowly, casting its radiant light over these two figures who seemed almost godlike.

So dazzling they appeared unreal, and yet, nothing could be more real. With their tickets, the group entered the screening room. Around them, silence reigned—so deep they could hear each other's breathing.

Xiao could no longer focus on the film. Weariness pressed on her heart and she closed her eyes. Her head tilted gently, coming to rest against Yu's shoulder.

Yu supported her softly, adjusting his position so she could sleep more comfortably. Time itself seemed to slow. Gazing at Xiao as she slept, Yu suddenly felt as if a single glance could span millennia.

Were they destined, in this life and the last, to be bound to each other? Love demanded perseverance, but more than that, it required courage. He didn't know how long he could hold on, but he was certain of one thing—he had no desire to give up.

Never. In the darkness, for the first time, Yu's frozen heart began to thaw. A girl named Shangguan Xiao, as ethereal as a spirit, was slowly melting the ice. Unnoticed, she had already taken root in his heart, growing strong like a tiny seed that, somewhere along the way, had become a towering tree.

His heart was now so full of her, there was no room left for anyone else. Yu gazed at Xiao, lost in her presence. At some point, Xiao awoke. Quietly, she looked back at him and noticed his enchanted stare.

Unable to help herself, Xiao let out a soft laugh. Yu, realizing she was awake, felt a flush of embarrassment. He had been utterly entranced! His face grew hot, and he turned away, grateful for the dimness of the screening room that hid his blush.

Otherwise, things would have been even more awkward. Xiao leaned closer to Yu and whispered, so only the two of them could hear, "What is it? Don’t tell me you’ve been bewitched by my charm?"

Yu, hearing her words, turned to look at her seriously and nodded. "Yes. I told you before—would you consider dating me?"

His face remained calm, but his palms were already slick with sweat. He waited nervously for her answer. To his surprise, she only laughed.

"Ha! I won't fall for your trick this time. Hmph!" With that, she turned away and focused on the movie.

Yu glanced at her, sighed softly, and bowed his head in thought. Did he really seem so untrustworthy to her?

She no longer believed him. His gaze darkened, his heart in turmoil. He leaned back helplessly, covering his forehead. It seemed his path to love would not be easy.

He would have to try harder. Bolstering his resolve, he watched as the film drew to a close.

The darkened theater was suddenly flooded with light. After so long without it, Yu looked up at the ceiling, momentarily dazzled by the brilliance.

—Extra Note—

Typing at full speed… everyone, please keep reading! (*^__^*)