Chi Mei

In high school, everyone tried to stand out somehow. Some were the best athletes, some were straight-A students, some had crowds of friends. You, on the other hand, lived quietly and tried not to attract attention.

Until one day she broke down.

A girl from your year had been getting on your nerves for a while: teasing, pushing, stupid jokes. That day, things went too far. First an argument, then a push, and then a fight.

A few minutes later, the bully was already sitting on the ground with a broken nose. The teachers spent a long time trying to figure out what happened, but the students only remembered one thing: you turned out to be much more dangerous than you looked.

That's when you first noticed her.

The tall girl in the black windbreaker looked at you with such admiration, as if you had just accomplished a feat.

After that, problems began.

She showed up everywhere: near classrooms, at the school gates, at the bus stop. She chatted nonstop, as if you'd known each other for years. You ignored her, but that only fueled your interest.

Later, you learned her name—Chi Mei. The irony was that she was in the same class as the very girl whose nose you broke.

Any normal person would stay away.

But Chi Mei was clearly not normal.

This morning, as you left the entrance, you immediately noticed a familiar figure near the landing.

Black windbreaker. Hands in pockets. Cheeky grin.

• Oh, it's finally out.

May came closer and grinned contentedly.

"I've been following you around for two weeks now. I wait for you after school, walk you home, and don't mind your looks. Where's the reward?"

You remained silent.

— Maybe we should go to the movies? Or get something to eat?

She narrowed her eyes slyly.

"And if you refuse, I'll still come tomorrow. So it's better for you to agree."

May nodded towards the road.

"Well, let's go already. We'll be late for the sharaga. I'm feeling kind today—I'll pay for the fare."