"Wake up."
A pillow hit his face.
Li Shen didn't move.
"Wake. Up."
Claire's voice this time.
Closer.
He opened one eye.
Ceiling.
Same as yesterday.
"…why," he said.
"Because normal people don't sleep like corpses," Claire replied.
"I'm breathing."
"Barely."
A pause.
"…go away."
"No."
Another pillow.
Li Shen caught it mid-air.
Didn't sit up.
Just held it there.
Claire stared at him.
"…you did that on purpose."
He blinked slowly.
"…maybe."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're weird."
"Probably."
Silence.
Then—
"Breakfast," she said, turning away. "Mom's calling."
"Not my mom."
"You're still eating her food."
"…fair."
He sat up.
Slow.
No urgency.
The house was already awake.
Plates.
Utensils.
Light conversation.
Emily stood near the stove.
David at the table.
Coffee.
Always coffee.
"Morning," Emily said.
Li Shen nodded.
"Morning."
Claire dropped into her seat.
"Finally."
"I was awake," Li Shen said.
"You were horizontal," she replied.
"Efficient."
David glanced at him over the rim of his cup.
Didn't say anything.
Just… watched for a second longer than needed.
Li Shen noticed.
Didn't react.
He sat.
A plate appeared in front of him.
Eggs.
Toast.
Simple.
…they do this every day.
Same time.
Same rhythm.
No one was in a hurry.
No one was checking exits.
No one was watching hands.
Just—
talking.
"…you going out again later?" Claire asked.
"Probably."
"Field?"
"Yeah."
She leaned back slightly.
"You're getting popular there."
"That sounds inconvenient."
Emily smiled faintly.
Claire rolled her eyes.
"People were talking about you," she added. "Something about a weird pass."
Li Shen ate.
"…it worked."
"That's not the point."
"It usually is."
Claire opened her mouth.
Paused.
Closed it again.
"…you're annoying."
"Consistent."
David almost smiled.
Almost.
—
School was louder.
Not different.
Just—
more directed.
A few looks followed him.
Brief.
Not intense.
Recognition.
"…that's him, right?"
"Yeah, yesterday—"
Li Shen kept walking.
Claire walked beside him.
"You're definitely getting talked about."
"People talk a lot."
"About you."
"…still inconvenient."
She laughed once.
Short.
"Someone's gonna ask you eventually," she said.
"They can try."
"You're not gonna answer, are you?"
"Probably not."
"Wow."
A beat.
"…maybe I will," he added.
Claire blinked.
"Make up your mind."
"Depends."
"On what?"
Li Shen thought for a moment.
"…if it's interesting."
She stared at him.
"…that's such a dumb condition."
"It works."
—
By lunch, someone did ask.
"You play football, right?"
Li Shen looked up.
A boy from the field.
"Yes."
"What was that pass yesterday?"
Pause.
Li Shen considered.
"…angled."
The boy blinked.
"…that's it?"
"Mostly."
"…right."
He waited.
Like there should be more.
There wasn't.
"…okay," the boy said slowly, then walked off.
Claire watched the whole thing.
"That was painful," she said.
"I answered."
"Barely."
"It was accurate."
She sighed.
"Do you enjoy this?"
"…a little."
Claire stared at him again.
Then laughed.
"Yeah, that makes sense."
—
Later, the corridor was quieter.
Classes still ongoing.
Li Shen stood near the window.
Not doing anything.
Not thinking about drills.
Not planning.
Just—
standing.
Students passed.
Voices blurred.
No one's trying to kill me.
The thought came lightly.
No weight.
No one's watching for weakness.
Another pause.
He leaned slightly against the wall.
…and I still want to move.
That part stayed.
Clear.
Not forced.
Just—
there.
—
Evening came without effort.
Claire caught up to him outside.
"Hey."
He glanced at her.
"You going home?"
"Eventually."
She tilted her head.
"That sounds suspicious."
"It's not."
"…you're definitely going to the field again."
"Probably."
She sighed.
"Of course you are."
A pause.
"…can I come?"
Li Shen looked at her.
"…why?"
"I want to see what you're actually doing."
"It's not interesting."
"That's a lie."
"…maybe."
She folded her arms.
"I'm coming anyway."
"Alright."
They started walking.
Same direction.
No rush.
No reason to hurry.
The city moved around them.
Cars.
Voices.
Light.
Too much, maybe.
But—
Li Shen glanced ahead.
There's a lot here.
A small pause.
…might as well try it.
He kept walking.