Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

"Elhesen?" I caught up with Elhesen, eager to figure out what had happened, but for a moment I forgot about the natural difference in our strides. If he hadn't slowed down to wait for me, I would have had to jog to barely keep up with him.

But today, he clearly wasn't going to wait for me.

As I watched that familiar figure about to disappear behind the door, I instinctively quickened my pace.

"Watch out!" Kavi, who had rushed over quickly, grabbed my arm just in time.

boom!

The door slammed shut just centimeters from my nose, the loud bang echoing in the silent corridor, making my eardrums ache.

The airflow from the wooden door brushed against my cheek, carrying a hint of cold resolve.

His attitude changed so drastically and so suddenly that I didn't even have time to feel resentment or sadness; all that was left was a sense of bewilderment and helplessness.

I instinctively turned to Kavi for help, but when I turned back and saw the clothes he had haphazardly put on, I couldn't help but let out a short laugh.

Two buttons on the shirt were off, and the collar was turned up on one side and drooping on the other, making the person look both disheveled and adorable.

“I can explain to you,” Kavi said, panting, clearly exhausted from the chase. His reddish eyes were filled with worry and helplessness.

……

"You mean he made a deal with the demon god?" I sat on the sofa, forcing myself to calm down, and listened carefully to Kavi's explanation.

“Elhesen only has one bargaining chip: the ‘riddle solver’ chosen by his own god. If his answer is very close to the solution, perhaps he can exchange his own memories for yours before handing in the answer,” Kavi said, rubbing his head, his expression complex. Although he knew Elhesen’s plan beforehand, the weight of this decision still left him confused and unsure how to evaluate it.

"I feel like I've been dragged into a very big event." I could barely understand what Kavi was saying, and a chill slowly crept up my spine.

I sensed the dangerous truth hidden behind their seemingly peaceful early romance: their daily sweetness and arguments were all built on such a precarious balance.

“If you’re scared, you can lean on my shoulder. After all, your boyfriend is looking through his diary, and you might not see him for a long time,” Kavi said, his tone cautiously comforting.

He patted the spot next to him, indicating that I could move closer.

“Brother Kavi, when he opens the door, will he still be my boyfriend? Judging from the diary alone, will he still like me?” I asked him, my voice trembling involuntarily.

“Uh… him? He’s hard to predict…” Kavi didn’t try to comfort me with the usual platitudes, but chose to be honest.

"Is he being so nice to me because the future is dangerous?" I asked.

“Absolutely not! Even if the world ended the next day, he wouldn’t be this close to a girl!” Kavi shook his head violently, his tone very firm.

Hearing him say that, I breathed a sigh of relief, but then another question popped into my head: "Where's the florist?"

“That one is also a demon god, but she’s different. As long as we send you there for a while each day, she’s still very willing to help us protect you,” Kavi explained, also feeling relieved that I was no longer pressing him about matters of the heart.

"Hmm. So why are you protecting me? Does someone want to hurt me?" This question confused and frightened me. What kind of incident have I gotten myself into?

“Actually, for you… for you who has regained your memories… you don’t need protection. Isn’t that because you can’t protect yourself right now?” Kavi’s heart, which had just relaxed, clenched again.

Still unable to calm my anxiety, I softly asked, "Can I lean on your shoulder?"

“Of course.” Kavi patted his shoulder, his movements a little stiff, but his eyes were very gentle.

I leaned against him, and we waited together for what would happen after the door opened.

Time passed slowly in silence, each minute feeling like it was stretched out and unbearable.

“Brother Kavi, I have another question. Why are all your friends officials, but you are not?” I asked while waiting, trying to distract myself with small talk.

“Uh…” Kavi immediately realized something, his expression became somewhat subtle, and then he lowered his head, as if the question had touched a sore spot.

"Are you the only one without a permanent position and a stable income?" I continued, completely unaware of how hurtful the question was.

In a child's simple worldview, this is just a question that needs an answer, not a sensitive topic.

......

Several hours later, the door we had been waiting for finally opened.

Kavi and I had already taken a nap because we were so sleepy. Since we weren't covered with blankets, we could only huddle together like two little animals trying to keep warm in the cold wind.

Startled awake by the sound of the door opening, I opened my blurry eyes. In the hazy vision, someone walked towards me, lowered their body in front of me, and looked me in the eye.

Those familiar grey-green eyes held emotions I couldn't decipher, like a traveler finally returning from a long journey.

“I’m sorry,” Elhesen said to me, his voice low and hoarse, as if he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

"Huh?" I had just woken up and didn't know what he was talking about. My brain was still in a daze, and I couldn't immediately understand the meaning of his words.

“I apologize for forgetting you a few hours ago,” he said, his eyes filled with a rare tenderness and apology.

"Oh. It's okay..." I gently hugged him, taking the hug as both a sign of forgiveness and proof of his existence.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, buried my face in the crook of his shoulder, and breathed deeply into his familiar scent.

Soon, a familiar embrace enveloped me, and his scent enveloped me. That fragrance, a blend of the scent of books and a faint, cool aroma, was like a calming spice, instantly soothing all my unease and fear.

His arms were wrapped tightly around my back, the force of which seemed to confirm my presence and also to seek comfort.

"Do you two really have to be hugging and kissing in front of me?" another person on the sofa complained.

Kavi rubbed his sleepy eyes, but a slight smile appeared on his lips as he rejoiced at the reunion.