Chapter 77 - X-Chocolates

  It’s a new day. My internal clock has been out of sync ever since I moved to Xyraxis, and even after nine months, my body stubbornly refuses to adjust to the two-hour time difference. Every morning feels like a sluggish battle against an invisible force dragging me back into sleep.

  As usual, I reach for my phone, letting the soft glow of the screen wake me up while mindlessly scrolling through memes and funny videos. It’s a routine, a small comfort, a way to start the day without actually engaging with it yet. But as I flick past a few posts, something catches my eye—a local advertisement.

  “Merry X-mas! This is the time for lovers to confess at the Cybertree! Buy our Cyberroses and X-Chocolates at a special one-for-one price! Get yours now!”

  The ad plays a short video featuring a young couple, a boy and a girl, standing beneath a massive, luminescent white pine tree. The girl hands over a neatly wrapped box of X-Chocolates, and in return, the boy presents her with a bouquet of glowing Cyberroses. Snow-like flakes drift around them in a perfectly manufactured winter wonderland. It’s a picture-perfect scene—too sweet, too artificial, but still oddly mesmerizing.

  I recognize the setting instantly. According to the ad, the Cybertree is located on the opposite end of the Northern Children’s Park, near Miss Mirana Alicent’s hospital. I furrow my brows, remembering a very different version of that place—one where Myrrh once fought off a gorilla-type Cosmic Beast in a chaotic, adrenaline-fueled battle. There was no Cybertree back then. They must have installed it for the holidays, another glittering attraction for couples to gather under.

  Out of curiosity, I check my calendar app, and my eyes widen slightly. The second week of December has already arrived. Christmas is creeping closer, though here in Xyraxis, it seems the holiday carries more of a Valentine’s Day vibe—something Myrrh once mentioned offhandedly.

  Now fully awake, I stretch my arms, letting out a slow exhale before grabbing my bathrobe and stepping out of my room. The dormitory corridors are quiet, bathed in the soft light of the early morning. As I walk, my gaze drifts toward Neil’s door.

  A familiar weight settles in my chest. It’s been lonely without him, all because of a misunderstanding—one ridiculous love triangle that I never even intended to be a part of. No matter how many times I’ve tried to reach out, tried to explain that my so-called romantic involvement with Fei is nonexistent, Neil refuses to listen. Every message is ignored. Every attempt at conversation is met with silence.

  I let out a slow sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. If he’s decided to hate me, then maybe it’s best to just let him be. Some things aren’t worth forcing.

  Shrugging off the thought, I continue down the hallway, ready to face whatever this day has in store for me.

  <><><>

  After finishing breakfast, I headed straight to school. The streets were alive with activity, but one particular sight kept gnawing at me—couples. Everywhere.

  Hand in hand, walking side by side, whispering sweet nothings to each other. That, I could tolerate. Barely. But then there were the more obnoxious ones—the ones who acted like the entire city was their personal romance drama.

  One couple had the audacity to share a single slice of toast, each nibbling from opposite ends like they were in some sappy love anime. Another pair took it even further, licking the same popsicle, their tongues practically dancing around it in some weird, synchronized ritual.

  I scowled. Disgusting. Absolutely vile. And yet… a tiny, unwelcome voice in my head whispered a different truth.

  I’m just jealous, aren’t I?

  I clenched my jaw, trying to shake off the thought. But before I could fully banish it, my own mouth betrayed me.

  “When will I have that kind of smooches?” I muttered under my breath. The moment the words left my lips, my eyes widened in horror. “No! No! No! That’s disgusting!” I cried, shaking my head as if that would physically remove the shame from my brain.

  Suddenly, I felt a tap on my left shoulder.

  “Yo! Good morning, Zaft!”

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  I turned to see Remuel, his small frame practically radiating energy, his usual lopsided grin plastered on his face.

  “Oh, it’s you,” I muttered, quickly stuffing my hands in my pockets and continuing my walk.

  “Hey, it’s been so long since we talked. Are you ignoring me?” Remuel asked as he caught up to me, his voice carrying a hint of playful accusation.

  “Not really,” I muttered, slowing my pace as realization struck—I had been unconsciously avoiding him. “If anything, you’re the one ignoring me.”

  “You’re the one ignoring me,” he shot back with a sigh. “I guess we’ve all just been caught up in our own lives. Ever since they reshuffled the partner system, our study group kind of just… fell apart. And let’s not forget your whole mess with Neil and his love triangle drama.”

  I let out a small grunt. He had a point.

  “Anyway, have you talked to Neil?” I asked. “I was counting on you to explain my side since he’s not replying to my messages.”

  Remuel shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Yeah, about that… He actually blocked me a week ago. Probably found me annoying or something.” He let out a short laugh, though there was little humor in it. “Said I shouldn’t stick my nose in other people’s business for my own sake. If that’s not a threat, I don’t know what is.”

  I scoffed. “Threats are just words. Do you really think Neil would actually do anything to you? To any of us?” A smirk tugged at my lips.

  “Well, he is sick, so I doubt he could take me in a fight.” Remuel clenched his fists, his small frame trying its best to look intimidating. “If worse comes to worst, I’ll beat some sense into him.”

  “Whoa, slow down there, meathead,” I said, shooting Remuel a look. “I meant that Neil couldn’t hurt a fly, not that you need to beat him up. He’s not the type to just attack someone out of nowhere.”

  Remuel huffed but didn’t argue further as we stepped into the classroom.

  And then, there he was—Neil.

  For a fleeting second, our eyes met. His expression was unreadable, but the moment stretched just long enough for the tension to settle in my chest. Then, with a quiet scoff, he ran a hand through his messy brown hair and turned away, pretending I didn’t exist.

  Remuel, ever the master of reading the room, quickly changed the subject.

  “Hey, did you know? It’s X-Mas week—the Xyraxis version of Christmas and Valentines,” he said with an exaggerated grin. “Got any plans? Maybe a date?”

  “Nope.” I answered flatly, my tone colder than intended. “I don’t have anyone to go out with. I’ll probably just head back to Earth this weekend.”

  I could tell Neil had heard me. Maybe, just maybe, that would help clear some of the tension between us. After all, as long as I wasn’t dating Fei, there was still a chance to fix things. Right?

  As Remuel and I walked at the center of the classroom, a commotion near Myrrh’s desk caught our attention. A small crowd had gathered, their excited voices overlapping in a chaotic chorus. At the center of it all was Kian—Myrrh’s partner and, apparently, the campus heartthrob.

  White gift boxes piled up around him as girls eagerly handed over their offerings, their faces flushed with nervous excitement.

  “Kian! Please take my X-Chocolates!” one girl exclaimed, thrusting a neatly wrapped box toward him.

  “Take mine too, Kian! Are you free this holiday?” another chimed in, her eyes practically sparkling.

  “Kian! I baked the perfect X-Chocolate cake just for you!” a third girl declared with absolute confidence.

  And then—

  “U-Um, here’s my X-Chocolate! You can take my ovaries as well!”

  A brief silence followed. Remuel and I exchanged glances, trying to process what we just heard.

  “…That last one was pretty cringe,” I muttered under my breath.

  Still, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Kian had this effortless untouchable prince charming aura, the kind that made people gravitate toward him. And yet, despite all the attention, he remained calm, collected—chill, even. It was no wonder he had the entire classroom swooning over him.

  “Thank you, girls! I really appreciate your efforts for these gifts!” Kian said, flashing a charming smile that seemed to make the entire room sparkle.

  “Kyaaaaah!” The girls squealed in unison, their excitement echoing through the classroom.

  Meanwhile, Myrrh sat beside him, wearing a polite smile—but I noticed the subtle twitch of her eyebrows, a flicker of irritation that only someone paying close attention would catch. Was she actually pissed that all these girls were showering her partner with gifts? Hard to say, but I had my suspicions.

  I finally reached my seat and sighed. Unfortunately, Fei Xian wasn’t here yet, leaving our shared desk feeling oddly empty.

  For no particular reason—other than a compulsive, slightly pathetic hope—I glanced under my desk, half-expecting to find a neatly wrapped box of X-Chocolates from some secret admirer.

  Nothing. Not even a pity gift.

  “Hey,” Remuel scoffed from beside me, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. “Were you just checking to see if someone left you X-Chocolates?”

  “No, I wasn’t!” I shot back, sitting up straight so fast it probably looked suspicious.

  Remuel just snickered, and I cursed myself for being so obvious. And then, Remuel skedaddled to his respective seat.

  My partner WAIFU, Fei Xian, finally stepped into the classroom. Her long black hair swayed gracefully with each step, catching the light as if it had a will of its own. Her deep brown eyes locked onto me, and with an innocent, radiant smile, she greeted, “Good morning, Zaft!”

  “Morning, Fei,” I replied, resting my chin on my hand. My voice came out more tired than I intended, followed by a long sigh.

  Fei set her bag neatly beside her chair before settling into the seat next to me. Instead of jumping into conversation, she simply stared at me, her curious gaze quietly studying my expression. I sighed again, feeling her silent inquiry press against me.

  I had half-expected her—of all people—to hand me a box of X-Chocolates. But when she didn’t, I told myself it was for the best. No unnecessary drama. No misunderstandings. No more making things worse between me and Neil.

  And yet… a small part of me couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.