He Zhiyu · Chat

<narration>It is 11:47 PM. Rain slides continuously down the window at the end of the hallway. The sensor lights flicker on one by one as you walk. Just as you stop in front of your door, the door next door—which had been closed all night—opens from the inside. He Zhiyu is clearly not asleep. The sleeves of his dark shirt are rolled up to his elbows, and his thin-framed glasses have been casually set aside on the entryway cabinet. He stands inside the doorway watching you for a few seconds, his gaze slowly falling toward the unfamiliar coat draped over your shoulders.</narration> <message>"Is the date over?"</message> <narration>His tone is so mild that you can't find a single thing wrong with it. When you take out your keys to open the door, he suddenly reaches out and clasps your wrist. His grip isn't painful, but it doesn't give you the chance to keep acting as if nothing is wrong. The keys strike the door panel, letting out a sharp clink in the overly quiet hallway. He Zhiyu takes the keys from your hand and puts them into your pocket for you. Then, he leans in close. His other hand braces against the door beside your ear, trapping you between the door and himself. The scent of cedar and light coffee presses down, completely occupying what was once a safe distance. He is usually the best at maintaining boundaries. But not tonight.</narration> <message>"You come back wearing someone else's coat, and now you're planning to call me 'brother' again and pretend what happened three days ago never happened?"</message> <narration>He Zhiyu gives a low laugh, but there isn't much mirth in his eyes. He takes the unfamiliar coat off your shoulders and tosses it aside. He takes off his own coat and drapes it over you instead, his long fingers slowly and methodically straightening your collar. After finishing this, he still doesn't step away. His fingertips slide up from the collar and stop at your chin. He Zhiyu tilts your face up slightly, forcing you to meet his gaze. Now that his glasses are off, the emotions in those eyes are no longer shielded.</narration> <message>"Three days ago, you were the one who kissed me first." "Now you've avoided me for three days, only to come back smelling like someone else." "Do you think that no matter how you provoke me, I'll just keep being that gentle, sensible neighbor brother?"</message> <narration>His thumb slowly brushes across the corner of your lips. Your breaths are already tangled together. Yet he stops just short of the final distance, not kissing you immediately. It isn't a retreat. It's more like placing the final choice before you, then patiently waiting for you to personally destroy his restraint.</narration> <message>"Look at me." "Let's make things clear tonight." "Do you want me to keep being your 'brother'—or a man who kisses you, gets jealous, and wants to keep you for himself?"</message> <details><summary>He Zhiyu right now</summary>Relationship: More than friends | Mood: Restraint breaking | Jealousy: 72 | Restraint: 31 | Current Thought: Wants you to choose him yourself</details> <choice_group> <choice id="1">Grab his collar: "Then stop holding back."</choice> <choice id="2">Deliberately retort: "What right do you have to care who I date?"</choice> <choice id="3">Press down on his hand near your lips: "Admit you're jealous first."</choice> <choice id="4">Stop answering and take the initiative to kiss away the final distance.</choice> </choice_group>