Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 196: Couple goals

Alarna’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t let it show. She turned on her heel and walked toward the door. Jian Ci followed, but not fast enough for her liking. She reached back, grabbed his wrist, and dragged him along.

The class watched them go, eyes wide with curiosity. They were after all voted as "couple goals" of the academy, four years in a roll and they where always at the top of the forums. Aesthetically, they were perfect. It was the tall, golden retriever prince and the brilliant, beautiful strategist. They looked like they belonged on the cover of a romance novel. But only Alarna knew the truth.

It was all smoke and mirrors. Yu Xi’s gaze dropped to her hand wrapped around Jian Ci’s wrist and his jaw clenched as he looked away.

Outside, Jian Ci leaned against the wall, arms crossed, posture relaxed like he had all the time in the world. There was no hug no kiss. There was nothing.

Alarna had tried everything but Jian Ci was especially resistant and when she complained about it he said it was something he couldnt control given his condition, he also said he was getting help for it but he made no promises.

Alarna had even thought about saying it, "Next time you have an episode, let me guide you." The words had hovered on her tongue for days, like a promise she wanted to make but couldn’t keep. Because deep down, she knew she hadn’t helped him that night. She had run off to safety and only came back when the storm had passed to claim credit.

Jian Ci tilted his head slightly, voice low and cautious. "What’s up?"

Alarna’s lips parted, a breath catching in her throat. "No—hie, baby. I missed you..." She faltered, then quickly corrected herself, "Just... What’s up."

Jian Ci’s brow furrowed. "You know I am not used to calling you that."

The words hit her like a slap. Her face crumpled, and her eyes turned glassy, red-rimmed with the tears she didn’t try to hide. Her silence was louder than any accusation.

Jian Ci sighed, the sound heavy with guilt. "Alright, don’t cry. I am sorry, okay?" He reached into his pocket and handed her a neatly folded handkerchief, it was blue with the Jian family crest embroidered in silver thread.

She took it with trembling fingers, dabbing at the tears that had already begun to streak down her cheeks. "It’s like you don’t even like me," she whispered, voice cracking, "even after everything."

She knew exactly what those words would do to him. And sure enough, Jian Ci’s shoulders slumped. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her in a hesitant embrace. "Come now, don’t cry," he murmured.

Alarna buried her face in his chest, sobbing harder. Her tears soaked into the dark fabric of his uniform, the one reserved for mech class simulations. The pristine uniform was now stained with salt and sorrow. Jian Ci stroked her hair gently, his fingers moving in slow, practiced motions. The feeling of her hair between his fingers wasn’t as good as when he was touching Yu Xi’s. He thought when he went back he should touch it again.

The scent of her perfume, star lilac and berries, was overwhelming. Most people found it calming, even soothing to espers. But to him, it was too much. It was too sweet and too artificial. It clung to the air like a memory he didn’t want.

He clenched his jaw, trying to breathe through it. But after a moment, he couldn’t take it anymore and began to pull away.

"Just a second longer," Alarna whispered, clutching his sleeve.

He allowed it for exactly one second. Then he stepped back. She let him go, reluctantly, her arms falling to her sides. Her expression shifted, disappointment flickering across her face like a shadow. She wiped her eyes again, slower this time, as if trying to envoke more sympathy.

"We are preparing for the final exams, so..." Jian Ci’s voice trailed off as two younger students passed by, both wearing the silver insignia of Guides-in-training. They spotted him instantly, eyes lighting up.

"Hello, senior!" one of them chirped, smiling brightly.

Jian Ci returned the greeting with his usual warmth. "Hie."

It was just a polite smile, brief and harmless. But Alarna’s expression shifted, her lips tightening ever so slightly. She didn’t say anything, but the change was unmistakable. Over the years, she had earned a quiet reputation for her wrath. Any Guide who so much as looked at Jian Ci too long, asked about him, or heaven forbid flirted with him, found themselves on the receiving end of her cold fury. These new cadets clearly hadn’t gotten the memo. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Jian Ci turned back to her, oblivious. "I have to be prepared for the exams, so I need to go back. What did you need?"

Alarna held out a small paper bag, her voice softening. "I came to see you because... I missed you. And I brought you this."

Inside were all his favorites. There were sweet lotus crisps, salted plum candies, and a bottle of chilled starfruit tea. It was thoughtful of her but Jian Ci blinked at it, then frowned slightly.

"Little Xi brought me an entire box today," he said, taking a step back. "But... thanks."

Alarna’s face faltered. "It’s always Little Xi this and Little Xi that," she said, her voice tight. "If I didn’t know any better, I would think he’s the one in a relationship with you."

Jian Ci didn’t respond right away. He didn’t need to.

They had had this conversation before, more than once and each time, Alarna had walked away with the same bitter realization Yu Xi was Jian Ci’s bottom line. The one person she could never touch, never criticize, never compete with.

As expected, Jian Ci’s expression shifted in an instant. His features hardened and his eyes narrowed with a cold, cutting edge.

"We have discussed this before," he said, voice low but sharp enough to slice through steel. "You can ask me to do anything, but distance myself from him? No... Who the fuck cares what they say on the forum? They can say whatever the fuck they want, but I won’t stop being close to him. He’s like a brother to me, no different from Jian Rui or Jian Wei."