The cake shop was located on the second floor of a shopping mall near the university, a place where Kim and Hạ often went whenever there was something to celebrate or simply to "heal" after stressful exams. Kim could name every single dessert there with her eyes closed. Tư Hạ always ordered the Matcha mousse, while she herself liked the Tiramisu because the subtle hint of alcohol in the creamy layers warmed her heart. But today, the taste was different.
"Lunar, you've been losing weight lately. Is there something you haven't told me?" – Tư Hạ sat across from her, tilting her head with a smile, her eyes sparkling as though everything she said was genuine.
Thiên Kim rested her chin on her hand, smiling softly, her eyes seemingly gazing through the steam rising from her mint lemon tea.
"Maybe it's just because I've been studying a lot these past few days. Or maybe it's the old stuff... still affecting me a bit."
"Old stuff?" – Tư Hạ leaned in closer.
"Love stuff," Kim answered lightly, her expression unchanged, her lips still holding that gentle smile like a blooming flower.
"Ah..." – Tư Hạ lowered her gaze. "You still haven't forgotten about that guy?"
"Yeah, but not in the way of still loving him. It's just... still learning how to read people more clearly."
It was a casual remark, but it caused a slight pause in the other person's mind. Kim sat there, as peaceful as a camellia blossom in early autumn, gentle and reserved, but her eyes no longer held the clarity they once had. Since that day, she had started to reevaluate every action, every glance from Tư Hạ – from the excessive concern to the constant questions about whether Kim had seen Khánh, whether there was something between them. The more she observed, the more fake it felt.
That night, Kim returned home. After a shower, her phone rang. It was a message from Khánh.
[Khánh]: Are you okay? Is there something that made you quiet today?
She stared at the screen for a moment before replying.
[Kim]: I’m fine. Just been observing a bit more. Are you free tomorrow? I want to take a walk by the Huangpu River.
[Khánh]: If something is making you sad, don't keep it to yourself.
[Kim]: I know. But, you know, some things, knowing them too soon doesn’t help, right?
There was no immediate reply from the other side. After a while, another message arrived:
[Khánh]: Then I’ll wait for you to tell me when you’re ready. But remember, whenever you look back, I’ll always be there.
Kim smiled. She wasn’t sure whether it was because of his words or because Khánh always appeared at just the right moment when she needed him most. But maybe, if one day that mask fell off, she wouldn’t need to expose it. Because storms, after all, can never be hidden forever under clear skies.