Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 221: Yu Xi’s speech

Yu Xi didn’t need to clear his throat.The moment his fingers touched the podium, the air shifted. The rustle of robes, the distant hum of drones, even the wind seemed to still. Silence deepened, reverent and expectant.

"Today," he began, voice calm but resonant, "we graduate not just as soldiers... but as stewards of Virelia’s future."

His gaze swept across the crowd, cadets in uniform, professors in their regalia, families and dignitaries seated in the stands. His eyes were steady, his presence unshakable.

"Some of us will join the Vanguards. Others will serve in research missons, or guide the next generation of Espers. Wherever we go, whatever we become, our duty remains the same: to protect what we believe in. To honor the people who raised us, trained us, and stood beside us in the fire."

He paused for the length of a heartbeat before continuing, "But let me say this—"

His voice softened, just slightly, "Work hard. Push your limits. But don’t forget the people you love."

He turned his head, just a fraction. His eyes found Jian Ci’s in the front row. It was only a second.

But Jian Ci felt it like a blade to the chest. It was sharp, sudden, and impossible to ignore. His breath caught and his heart stuttered. Yu Xi’s gaze was unreadable, but it lingered just long enough to say I see you. Then Yu Xi looked away.

"Don’t neglect them," he continued, voice steady once more. "Because in the end, it’s not medals or missions that define us. It’s who we fight for."

He stepped back from the podium. The silence held for a beat then the grounds erupted in applause. Cadets clapped, some cheering, others wiping their eyes. Professors nodded, murmuring to one another. Even the Chancellor looked moved.

He approached with the ceremonial cap. Yu Xi bowed his head, and the cap was placed on him with solemn pride.

As he straightened, the applause swelled again louder this time, echoing like thunder across the grounds. Yu Xi descended the steps with quiet grace and before he could take another breath, Jian Ci was there. He rushed forward, arms wrapping around him in a tight, unrepentant hug.

Yu Xi stiffened for half a second and for a heartbeat, he didn’t know what to do. But then his hand moved, almost instinctively, and he patted Jian Ci’s back twice. Jian Ci blinked, realizing belatedly that this wasn’t the place.

He straightened up, clearing his throat, and gently guided Yu Xi back to their seats. They sat down side by side, posture perfect, but Jian Ci wasn’t listening to a single word that followed.

His focus had narrowed to the space between them. To the way Yu Xi’s sleeve brushed his. To the subtle rise and fall of Yu Xi’s breathing. Every small movement, every shift, every glance, was magnified in his mind.

The ceremony droned on, but Jian Ci was somewhere else entirely. Then, at last, it ended.

A burst of confetti exploded into the air, shimmering gold and blue raining down like stardust. The graduates erupted in cheers, laughter, and celebration. Some threw their caps and others embraced. The grounds were alive with joy.

Jian Ci didn’t even hesitate this time. He turned and hugged Yu Xi again. He hugged him tightly and fiercely, like he couldn’t help himself. And this time, he didn’t let go.

He didn’t know why he felt so overwhelmed. Why his heart was pounding. Why his fingers trembled slightly where they gripped the back of Yu Xi’s uniform.

He had the sudden, inexplicable urge to kiss him.

It wasn’t supposed to be strange. Among espers rough, celebratory cheek kisses were common. Even right now a few espers aggressively kissed their friends’ cheeks. It was nothing romantic. Just a way to share energy, to ground each other after intense emotion but an action he had done several times in the past suddenly felt awkward.

Jian Ci didn’t want to kiss him roughly. He didn’t want it to be careless or automatic. He wanted—

Yu Xi suddenly pulled back, loosening the hug. And before Jian Ci could think, before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed Yu Xi’s cheek.

It landed dangerously close to the corner of his lips.

"I am really proud of you," Jian Ci whispered into Yu Xi’s ear, his voice low and sincere.

Then he stepped back, releasing him. Yu Xi stood there, dazed his mind blank. His skin tingled where Jian Ci’s lips had brushed. He really didn’t know how to react.

But then he saw Jian Ci’s face bright, open, beaming with pride and nothing else. There was no hint of teasing, no expectation, just joy.

Yu Xi’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile.

"I am proud of you too," he said softly.

Jian Ci felt like his skin didn’t fit right. The moment Yu Xi stepped off the stage, something inside him buzzed. It was an awkward restlessness and he was too aware of everything. Of how close Yu Xi stood. Of how warm his cheek still felt from that kiss. Of how his own heart hadn’t stopped pounding since.

So he talked a lot. He talked more than usual about anything and everything to offset this feeling.

He talked about how the vice chancellor’s robes looked like they hadn’t been ironed properly. About how the confetti smelled faintly of burnt paper. About how the photographer’s lens was crooked. He stuck to Yu Xi’s side like a shadow, hovering just close enough that their sleeves brushed every few steps. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He had always stuck close to Yu Xi but today, it was different. Today, it felt like if he turned his head for too long, Yu Xi might vanish.

After the formal group photos with the professors and the entire graduating class, the cadets broke off into smaller clusters. Former teams gathered, laughing and reminiscing, tugging each other into frame.

Rowland appeared with his usual bright grin, his arm hooking around Yu Xi’s with practiced ease. "Team leader," he said, "let’s take a picture. Just us."

Yu Xi didn’t hesitate. "Sure."

He didn’t think much of it. Rowland had asked him out once. He was direct, honest, and respectful. As expected Yu Xi had declined, and Rowland had taken it with grace.

Since then, he had never brought it up again, but Yu Xi could still see it sometimes, in the way Rowland looked at him like he was still hoping, still waiting.

Still, Yu Xi thought, it’s just a picture. They posed for one shot, Rowland’s smile wide, Yu Xi’s expression calm.