The cafeteria was half-full, filled with the low murmur of morning chatter and the rhythmic clatter of chopsticks on trays. Warm light streamed through the tall windows, illuminating steamed buns stacked high in bamboo baskets, breakfast porridge simmering in large metal pots, and the scent of fried dough hanging thick in the air.
Gu Xi walked in quietly, head down, avoiding the busiest lines. He didn't need to be noticed. Not yet.
Near the far corner of the cafeteria—right by the open windows—a familiar blond figure waved both arms like a drowning man.
"Gu Gu! Over here~!"
Gu Xi felt every cell in his spine flinch.
Several girls nearby turned to look, their gazes flicking between Su Daji's radiant smile and Gu Xi's face.
"Oh," one of them said flatly. "It's him."
"New haircut?"
"No, just clearer skin."
"Ah."
They turned back to their trays.
Gu Xi didn't say a word. He grabbed a sweet potato bun, paid, and made his way over.
Su Daji had already taken over the entire window seat with his clutter—two trays, one with untouched soy milk and sliced fruit, the other with pickled radish, steamed dumplings, and a suspiciously pink thermos that said "Peachy Boys Win Hearts."
Gu Xi sat down.
"You didn't have to yell."
"But I missed you~" Daji pouted, propping his chin on his hand. "You've been acting so mysterious lately. You didn't even message in the group chat."
"Because the group chat is just you and me."
"I know! It's lonely!"
Gu Xi took a bite of his bun and chewed slowly. Daji, unfazed, immediately launched into another topic.
"So? Did you bring the mock papers?"
"No."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You have a tell when you lie. You blink twice before answering."
Gu Xi paused. "You're making that up."
"I'm not," Daji said sweetly. "I made a study plan for us over break. I laminated it."
"Burn it."
"You're no fun," Daji huffed, then leaned in, dropping his voice to a whisper. "But seriously… you look different. Like, not a lot, but your jaw's sharper, and your neck's not as—eh—soft. Are you wearing product?"
"No."
"Working out?"
Gu Xi sipped his soy milk. "Maybe."
"I knew it! You're going through a glow-up arc! It's always the quiet ones."
"Don't narrate my life like a shoujo manga."
Daji giggled behind his thermos, his eyes curved into perfect crescents.
Their exchange was simple. Familiar. The kind that could only exist between people who shared something small and stupid—something they'd never admit to in public.
Gu Xi didn't smile, but he didn't frown either.
He just ate quietly, listening to Daji chatter about a new manhua release, a leaked math quiz, and how one of the PE teachers had tripped during flag duty and fallen into the koi pond.
"…and everyone saw her abs, which were incredible, honestly," Daji was saying. "She's forty-two. I hope I look like that when I'm forty-two."
"You're a man."
"Shh," Daji whispered dramatically. "Let me dream."
Gu Xi didn't argue.
He looked out the window, watching the trees sway gently in the courtyard.
From a distance, laughter drifted through the air. Somewhere, a bell rang faintly. Time slipped forward.
And just for a moment, he let himself forget about stats, systems, and face scores.
Just two weirdos, hiding in plain sight.