A Moment Too Late [GL] by cat喵

Chapter 5

"Chatting with someone?"

Shu Yubai smiled, "So late, and not sleeping?"

The atmosphere grew subtly tense.

Their relationship was unique; some things had happened that couldn't be ignored or forgotten. Shu Yubai had confessed to her, and even though they later reverted to being friends, that layer of their relationship could never be as simple as real friendship.

But to call it ambiguous was also inaccurate.

Nan Xue was quiet, then suddenly said, "Aren’t you too?"

Shu Yubai was stunned for a moment, then realized she was referring to her coming home late.

"It just so happened that I ran into a classmate and we talked for a bit," she explained.

Shu Yubai was wearing a knitted long dress, beige in color, exuding a gentle aura. Her light makeup was still on, with a touch of pink at the corners of her eyes, making her look even more beautiful than usual.

It really looked like she had been on a date.

A date?

Nan Xue quietly observed her, her lips slightly pursed.

Shu Yubai turned, went to the balcony to get the clothes, and held the freshly taken-down towel, as if she was about to leave. She paused in her steps, but her posture seemed to be waiting for something.

She was waiting for her to say something.

After a while, Nan Xue just curled back into the blanket, softly saying, "Sleep, it's almost midnight."

She didn’t explain why she was chatting with someone so late at night, in such an ambiguous manner. But then, there really was nothing to explain. What were they to each other anyway? Just friends.

However, Shu Yubai was a bit surprised.

Nan Xue also had secrets from her.

Nan Xue didn't mind her going on a date or coming home late.

Just as she shouldn't pry into her private matters.

Some relationships, an inch closer, would be overstepping boundaries.

The night was silent.

Outside, it was cold, a dry cold unique to the north. Shu Yubai held the towel, feeling a bit dazed. The light outside was dim, but she could still see the black and white outline of the eaves.

The snow had fallen thick.

The clumsy, youthful confession seemed to have happened on such a night.

Young and naive.

That day, she tugged on Nan Xue's sleeve and leaned in:

"Hey, do you have a crush on any boys?"

"No."

She answered lightly, her tone indifferent, but her cheeks had a faint blush.

Back then, the girls who were close would often talk about such topics.

Shu Yubai probed with a question, got a satisfactory answer, and then took her hand.

Looking into her eyes, her heart raced.

Nan Xue wore a white down jacket, her small face hidden under the brim of her hat, her eyes bright. She looked a bit dazed, which made Shu Yubai's heart flutter. She leaned in and quickly pecked her cheek, asking, "What about girls?"

Nan Xue said nothing, her red lips curving slightly.

Shu Yubai couldn't resist pinching her waist: "Do you?"