The day passed swiftly, and upon returning to his dormitory, Zhang Fan immediately shed his school uniform, preparing for a well-deserved bath after an afternoon of intense training. His body was drenched in sweat.
Though just a school dormitory, the facilities were quite comprehensive: a standard single room with a living area, a private bathroom, and even a kitchen. However, Zhang Fan was surprised to hear someone in the kitchen. Intruders in a Butei dormitory? Unheard of! Puzzled, he decided to dress before investigating further.
Just as Zhang Fan was about to don his trousers, a figure emerged in the living room: Bai Xue. Had she come from the enigmatic SSR department? SSR, with its air of mystery, rarely saw its students mingling with others. From the entrance exam to now, this was only the third time Zhang Fan had encountered Bai Xue, and their meeting was rather awkward this time.
There stood Zhang Fan, clad only in his underwear, about to put on his pants. Such exposure was a bit too much for Bai Xue.
"I'm so sorry!" Bai Xue apologized profusely, bowing deeply, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Zhang Fan, however, was perplexed by her apology, as it didn't seem to be her fault.
"Hey Bai Xue, there's no need to apologize," Zhang Fan said with an awkward smile, quickly dressing himself. He didn't think much of it, treating Bai Xue as a younger sister. If it were Little Tear Sister instead of Bai Xue, however, maintaining such composure would have been impossible.
"I entered your room without permission and saw you..." Bai Xue stammered, the image of Zhang Fan in his underwear still lingering in her mind, bringing a blush to her cheeks. It was embarrassing but also fortunate, making her day worthwhile.
"It's just a small matter; we are childhood friends after all. And I was wearing underwear," Zhang Fan brushed off the incident, considering it a trivial mishap.
"If only..." Bai Xue murmured, glancing at Zhang Fan with a mix of admiration and something more. Zhang Fan, however, didn't catch her softly spoken words.
"What did you say, Bai Xue?"
"Nothing... You go shower, dinner is almost ready." Bai Xue quickly changed the subject and gently ushered Zhang Fan toward the bathroom, aware that he had planned to bathe upon returning home.
"Alright, thanks for the meal."
After Zhang Fan entered the bathroom, Bai Xue stood at the door for a moment, her face reddening as she thought of his undressing figure. She then hurried back to the kitchen, lost in her fantasy world, imagining them as a newly married couple.
"The food is excellent, Bai Xue. You could be a chef! Anyone who marries you is truly fortunate," Zhang Fan complimented her cooking skills after his bath, giving her a thumbs up.
"Marry... me? Then I, an unworthy girl, shall be in your care from now on," Bai Xue misinterpreted his words, kneeling before him. Zhang Fan was taken aback, clarifying the misunderstanding before things escalated further. He felt a bit helpless, dealing with the emotional intricacies of relationships.
A month later, the basic training finally concluded, much to Zhang Fan's relief. He was eager to escape Ranhyou's rigorous regimen. The intensity of his training, tailored specifically for him, was beyond normal limits, his progress accelerating remarkably.
His skill levels also improved significantly, though he didn't elaborate on them.
After the training, Zhang Fan felt a sense of emptiness. He had grown accustomed to training and chatting with Ranhyou. Despite her fierce reputation, she harbored a softer side, often sharing her dreams and aspirations with Zhang Fan over drinks, though never revealing her true intentions.
Zhang Fan and Ranhyou, both underage, had casually dismissed the legal drinking age in Japan, bonding over their shared experiences and backgrounds.