"Is that Qin Yumou?"
"He's so handsome! What a shame..."
Teenage girls giggled and whispered among themselves as they passed by.
Delicate features like a flower in bloom.A tall, lean figure that made their legs squeeze unconsciously.But what really caught their attention—
—was the black cloth wrapped around his eyes.
From a distance, he looked like any dashing, cool-headed youth. Maybe sixteen or seventeen. Standing tall, sharp jawline, hair tousled just enough to look intentional.
But up close, something didn't fit the perfect picture.He was blind.
The blindfold turned admiration into quiet pity.
Qin Yumou hadn't always been blind. He lost his sight the day he crossed into this strange new world.
Two years ago, he'd woken up to darkness—total, suffocating darkness.Lost, hungry, and stumbling, he fell into a garbage pile behind a convenience store.
That's when she found him.
A gorgeous woman with a sharp tongue and a soft heart took him home.Thanks to his striking looks, he at least didn't starve or freeze to death.
You could say he was one of the unluckiest transmigrators ever.
"Good morning, Sensei!"
Soft voices chimed from nearby.
Then—he felt it.A pair of soft hands gently lifted his arm.A familiar softness pressed into him.That scent… that warmth.
"Alright, break it up. Nothing to see here," the woman beside him snapped.
Even though he couldn't see, Qin Yumou could feel the students scatter, footsteps growing distant.
He smiled faintly. "It's okay, Shizuka Cute."
Yes—this was Shizuka Hiratsuka.
She had grown used to his endearing nickname, even if it still made her blush from time to time.Looking at the grown-up version of the boy she had taken in two years ago, her heart was filled with a strange warmth.
"Heh… hard to believe it's already been two years," she murmured.
Two years since she found him collapsed in that garbage pile.Back then, he was like a stray kitten—frail, dirty, and defenseless.
Something about his presence moved her.Without thinking, she brought him home.
His documents said his name was Qin Yumou, from China.An orphan with no family, no home.And now, blind.
With a kind heart and more than enough financial stability, Shizuka didn't hesitate to take him in.
That decision probably saved his life.
"My little Yumou is growing more handsome by the day," she said softly, brushing his hair. "I wonder which lucky girl will snatch you up someday."
Qin Yumou chuckled bitterly. "Come on, Shizuka Cute. Don't tease me. Who'd want a blind guy like me?"
He meant it.He couldn't see. Couldn't even walk without counting his steps.How could someone like him expect love?
Well... maybe he could still do that with enough practice, by feel alone. But still.
Even so—his life wasn't without hope.Just breathing around Shizuka Hiratsuka made him stronger.Sleeping next to her strengthened his body's foundation.
At first, the changes were subtle. But after two years?He was clearly stronger. His body was lean, muscular—even if he still looked slim in clothes.
And Shizuka would know.After all, she used to help him bathe.Because of his blindness, she had taken care of every little thing.
Though lately, Qin Yumou had gotten better at sensing things, even without sight.He could tell where she was, hear the subtle shift in her breath. He had become self-sufficient.
Shizuka was both relieved and a little wistful—like a parent watching their child grow up too fast.
But marriage? Qin Yumou still couldn't imagine anyone wanting a blind guy.
Hearing his words, Shizuka's grip on his arm tightened.
Looking at the self-deprecating expression on his face, her heart clenched with sadness.
After a moment of silence, she smiled and said, "Don't worry. I'll take care of you... always."
Qin Yumou returned her smile. "You said it. I'm gonna hold you to that, Shizuka Cute."
Boom.
A soft fist landed on his stomach.
"You're supposed to call me Onee-san," she huffed.
Qin Yumou bent over dramatically like a cooked shrimp, faking pain.
Shizuka rolled her eyes. She knew exactly how strong his body was now.There was no way that little punch hurt.
Still, Qin Yumou pouted playfully. "Okay, okay, Shizuka Cute! No problem, Shizuka Cute!"
Shizuka couldn't help but laugh.
He used to be a scared, skittish little stray.But over time, their bond had deepened. Somewhere along the way, "Onee-san" had turned into "Shizuka Cute."
She had long stopped correcting him. In fact... she liked it.
The intimacy.The exclusivity.The way only he called her that.
"Hey, Yumou," she asked as they walked together, "Why do you keep calling me 'Shizuka Cute'?"
Qin Yumou smiled. "Because you're super cute, obviously."
Shizuka laughed. "You've never even seen me. What if I'm actually really ugly?"
Qin Yumou tilted his head as if pondering seriously, then smiled again.
"Then we're a perfect match. I can't see anyway, so in my heart, you'll always be the cutest and most beautiful."
"And if you ever regain your sight?"
"You'd still be the cutest. My favorite Shizuka Cute."
Shizuka's heart skipped a beat. She let out a helpless chuckle.
What a sweet-talking brat.
After the awkwardness of those first few months, he had become so gentle, so warm.He was the kind of boy you couldn't help but fall for.
The school bell rang in the distance.
Qin Yumou raised his hand and, with surprising accuracy, touched Shizuka's cheek.
"Shizuka Cute, time for class. You are a teacher, after all. Skipping's not a good look."
Shizuka batted his hand away, face slightly flushed.But she was smiling.