You Are Him

"Passing on Positive Energy: Role Models of Our Time"

"Voices of the New Generation"

"Emerging Talents: The Rising Force"

"Brave and Insightful: Fulfilled and Enlightened"

As the election concluded, Su Cheng and Hoshino Mirai became the center of attention. The campus newspaper and school forums were abuzz with discussions about them, sparking widespread admiration.

"Amazing! Standing on that stage required incredible confidence, and Su Cheng remained completely composed. His self-assurance is truly admirable," remarked a club member, holding the freshly printed campus newspaper and marveling at the photos and articles in one of the sections.

It's worth noting that the audience was filled with student council members and teachers, their scrutinizing gazes enough to unsettle anyone.

"He didn’t even prepare a script—it was all improvised on the spot. What a fearless guy," another club member couldn’t help but praise.

"I always knew Su Cheng was extraordinary, and he didn’t disappoint," chimed in a male student. "But hey, doesn’t something feel off to you?"

The question immediately drew everyone’s attention.

"What’s the problem?" another boy asked curiously.

"The propaganda department shoved Chen Anran, the election winner, into such a tiny corner," the boy pointed at a small section in the corner of the newspaper. "Meanwhile, Su Cheng and Hoshino Mirai dominate the headlines."

His observation instantly sparked discussion.

"Now that you mention it, that’s true," murmured another boy before shaking his head. "Maybe Su Cheng’s performance was just that outstanding, and since it was the first time a freshman took the stage to speak, the contrast is natural."

"Perhaps. But I think the propaganda department deliberately positioned Su Cheng as the representative figure of the freshman class."

"Exactly. He’s always been popular, but before, it was just because of his championship title and rumors. This was his first official appearance, and he made such a stunning debut."

A girl stared at Su Cheng’s photo in the newspaper, her expression full of awe. "He looked so cool on stage. I regret not going to see it live."

"By the way, Xu Tianyi, you’re in the same class as Su Cheng, right?"

"Yeah," Xu Tianyi replied softly, her focus still on the game in front of her.

She was Su Cheng’s classmate, Xu Tianyi.

Her braided hair didn’t hide her delicate features. With her glasses off and a different hairstyle, she could easily transform into a stunning beauty.

"How is he usually in class?" the girl asked, blinking her big eyes with a charming smile, clearly eager for details.

Xu Tianyi hesitated.

Su Cheng…

The boy who had surpassed her in exams and even beaten her at chess…

"He’s exceptional, excelling in every aspect," she answered truthfully after a pause, though her tone was somewhat perfunctory.

"Oh, really?" The girl wasn’t satisfied, sensing Xu Tianyi’s subtle shift in attitude. A playful smile curled on her lips. "Can you be more specific?"

Xu Tianyi frowned but patiently elaborated, "For example, he’s diligent in his studies and achieves outstanding results."

"And how does he compare to you?" the girl pressed suddenly.

"I heard you’ve always been the top of the grade?" Others perked up, their curiosity piqued.

Xu Tianyi was fiercely competitive, and being surpassed was undoubtedly a heavy blow.

Faced with the question, she unconsciously bit her lip, her mood turning irritable.

The chess piece in her hand hovered, unable to land.

Finally, she admitted the truth: "I… can’t match him."

The room erupted in shock.

Xu Tianyi had always been the undisputed top student since childhood!

Before anyone could recover, she dropped another bombshell: "He even beat me at chess."

".................."

Dead silence fell over the group.

Everyone stared at Xu Tianyi in disbelief.

After a long pause, a girl pointed at her, her voice trembling. "W-what did you just say?"

"I said I’m no match for him."

"You’re joking, right?"

"If that’s true, then is Su Cheng even human?"

As members of the Go club, they found this utterly unbelievable.

Xu Tianyi was a renowned figure in the club, the youngest and most promising player in the academy—a shining star among the freshmen.

For her to lose to an amateur was as absurd as a professional athlete losing to a hobbyist. How could they possibly believe it?

"I’m not lying."

Xu Tianyi lowered her head, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "He really won, and more than once."

Her tone grew increasingly aggrieved as she spoke.

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances. Instantly, their estimation of Su Cheng rose another level.

This man was too formidable.

He was practically perfect.

"Talented in both arts and martial arts" couldn’t even begin to describe him—it was as if all the best qualities had been concentrated into one person.

How could someone so outstanding exist?

"Such a remarkable man. I’d like to challenge him if given the chance."

A cool, detached voice suddenly came from the corner.

Xu Tianyi looked up and saw Si Jing, a club member, playing chess alone in the shadows.

She was an extremely reclusive girl, her bangs covering her eyes, leaving only her nose and mouth visible. An air of gloom seemed to cling to her.

Yet, despite her obscured face, her figure was undeniably striking.

As the eldest daughter of one of the major conglomerates, the Si family, her only passion was chess. Whether in class or during breaks, she preferred sitting alone in a corner, engrossed in her games.

Her solitary nature and melancholic aura kept others at a distance, but no one disliked her—she simply never interacted with anyone.

Her chess skills were unfathomable, unmatched in the entire club, yet she never participated in competitions.

"Senior Si, but he doesn’t like playing chess…" Xu Tianyi hesitated before offering a gentle reminder.

"It’s fine. If he refuses, I’ll leave quietly." Si Jing’s voice remained indifferent. "I won’t force him."

With that, she returned to analyzing the unfinished game on her table.

Xu Tianyi exhaled in relief.

Though rumors painted Si Jing as eccentric and unpredictable, she had never been known to bully others or throw her weight around.

"Tianyi, who do you think would win—Senior Si or Su Cheng?"

"I don’t know."

…………………………

A villa district

"Cornelia, look! It’s that guy!"

At a study desk, Ailiya and Cornelia were doing homework when Ailiya suddenly put down her pen and handed her phone to Cornelia.

Cornelia glanced at the screen and was immediately captivated.

Playing on it was a video from the school forum—Su Cheng’s speech.

At first glance, Cornelia was stunned. She immediately snatched the phone and, without a word, hurried toward her mother's room.

"Mom, come quick and watch this video!"

She couldn’t wait to showcase Su Cheng’s brilliant moment.

When Cornelia’s mother saw the footage on the phone, her eyes flickered with surprise, while Cornelia’s face was alight with excitement and pride. She instinctively straightened her posture, eagerly awaiting her mother’s praise for Su Cheng.

"He’s standing up for other girls. Why are you so happy about that?"

"You don’t understand."

"I don’t understand? Aren’t you worried about rivals?"

"Hmph."

Cornelia scoffed with unprecedented confidence, placing her hands on her hips and declaring with absolute certainty, "His heart belongs only to me."

………………………………

Social Practice Club

Hoshino Mirai and her brother arrived at the clubroom door and knocked.

"Come in." A hoarse yet icy voice—Gu Ruoxue’s—responded from inside.

Exchanging a glance, the two pushed the door open and stepped in.

The moment they saw the girl seated at the desk, they froze. She was breathtakingly beautiful, as if meticulously sculpted by divine hands.

"President Gu."

After snapping out of their daze, Hoshino Mirai spoke politely.

Gu Ruoxue lifted her gaze slightly. "Looking for Su Cheng?"

"Yes, but not just—" Hoshino Yikui began.

"Su Cheng isn’t here," Gu Ruoxue interrupted, her tone indifferent. "He hasn’t returned."

With that, she lowered her head again, focusing on her work.

At a loss, Hoshino Mirai hesitated.

Silence stretched between them as they stood there awkwardly.

Finally, Mirai spoke again. "President Gu, thank you for the club’s assistance."

Together, the siblings bowed in gratitude.

"That was Su Cheng’s own decision. It has nothing to do with me," Gu Ruoxue replied flatly. "You should thank him."

Hoshino Mirai blinked in realization. "Understood. We’ll do that."

"Sorry for disturbing you."

They turned to leave, but at the doorway, Yikui suddenly paused.

"Where do you think he went? How do we find him?"

Without hesitation, Mirai answered, "The rooftop."

"Eh? The rooftop?!"

Yikui’s eyes widened in shock.

Why would Su Cheng go there?!

But Mirai didn’t explain. Instead, she began walking toward the rooftop stairs, her steps heavy, each one pounding like a drum against her chest.

Her emotions were a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

But above all, hope.

Her intuition screamed that Su Cheng was the Penguin Prince!

That silhouette, that aura, that presence—it had to be him!

The memory of the Penguin Prince transforming and departing remained vivid in her mind.

On the Rooftop Stairs

One step. Two steps. Three steps.

Her heart skipped a beat with each one.

When she reached the rooftop door, she took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"Little sis, the door’s unlocked."

Yikui, who had reached the door first, noticed it was slightly ajar—meaning someone was inside.

Seeing his sister’s tense expression, a possibility dawned on him.

"Brother… let me… open it."

Mirai pressed a hand to her chest, her voice trembling.

"Alright."

Yikui stepped back, giving her space.

The final step felt like an eternity.

At the door, one hand clutching her chest, she pushed it open with the other.

Creak.

A cold breeze rushed in, tousling Mirai’s hair and fluttering her skirt.

The sunset painted the sky in hues of pale gold.

Gathering her courage, she stepped forward—

And turned.

There, lying on the rooftop, was a boy.

Su Cheng.

But he seemed… asleep.

She stared, her mind spinning, her legs unsteady as if standing on cotton.

"Su Cheng? Junior?"

Yikui noticed too and hurried over, shaking Su Cheng’s shoulder to wake him—but there was no response.

"This doesn’t look like normal sleep!"

Panicked, Yikui pulled out his phone. "I’m calling an ambulance!"

Just then, Su Cheng’s eyes fluttered open.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes, stretched lazily, and mumbled, "Who’s there?"

Mirai studied his dazed, confused expression.

"It’s me. Hoshino Mirai," she said softly.

"Junior, it’s me—your senior, Hoshino Yikui! We owe you big time for today!" Yikui grabbed Su Cheng’s hand enthusiastically, as if greeting an old friend. "I saw you lying here and thought something happened, but—"

"What do you owe me for?"

Su Cheng blinked in bewilderment.

Yikui chuckled. "You can’t have forgotten! Today, you were the talk of the school—bold, brilliant, unforgettable—"

He shook his head, too excited to articulate properly.

Meanwhile, Mirai simply watched Su Cheng in silence.

"Forgotten?" Su Cheng frowned. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

He checked his phone and gasped. "Whoa, it’s almost 5 PM?!"

"Junior, calm down," Yikui urged, pulling him back.

"We came to thank you."

"Thank me?" Su Cheng tilted his head.

"For the election earlier!"

"Ah, right! I was supposed to represent the club at 3 PM, but then I heard a noise from the rooftop. I came up to check, and somehow… I fell asleep here?"

Su Cheng scratched his head, frustrated. "I just passed out! So weird!"

The siblings’ eyes widened, their hearts skipping a beat.

"You… fell asleep here?" Yikui pressed.

"Yeah. I came up, felt super tired, and then…" Su Cheng yawned. "You guys woke me up."

The two stood frozen, speechless.

"You really don’t remember anything?" Yikui asked cautiously.

"No idea."

Su Cheng shook his head, looking between them in confusion. "Senior, what’s going on?"

Mirai’s face paled.

"I… I…"

"Here, watch this."

Yikui pulled up a video on his phone and showed it to Su Cheng.

Su Cheng’s expression shifted from shock to horror. He staggered back, nearly falling.

"This… this can’t be real…"

"This… this can’t be real…"

"Who is in here? This can't be me!"

"What's going on?"

"I definitely didn’t do this! When did this happen? And how could I possibly do something like this?"

Su Cheng’s face turned deathly pale as he collapsed onto the floor, muttering repeatedly, "This is absolutely impossible!"

Seeing Su Cheng in such a state of distress—clearly not faking it—Hoshino Yikui and Hoshino Mirai quickly realized one possibility.

That is, the Penguin Prince had possessed Su Cheng!

"Senior, am I... haunted by a ghost?"

Su Cheng clutched his ears, his expression twisted in agony.

"Su Cheng, calm down!"

"Don’t be afraid, Su Cheng."

The two immediately moved to his side, comforting him from left and right.

But Su Cheng kept shaking his head, refusing to believe any of it was real.

Finally, the siblings exchanged a glance. Hoshino Yikui gritted his teeth and decided to tell Su Cheng the truth about the Penguin Prince—otherwise, he’d surely lose his mind afterward!

So, Hoshino Yikui explained everything in detail.

"Su Cheng, this is the truth! The Penguin Prince possessed you... to help your senior, Hoshino Mirai... so there’s no need to be afraid."

After hearing the explanation, Su Cheng gradually calmed down. He looked up at them and asked, "This prince with the ridiculously long name possessed me... just to help Senior Mirai?"

"It’s not 'ridiculously long prince,' it’s 'His Highness, the Magnificent, Wise, Brave, Benevolent, Thrifty, Diligent, Filial, Heaven-Chosen Prince.'"

Hoshino Mirai, who had been silent until now, corrected him with utmost seriousness.

"Ugh, that’s way too long. How do you even remember that? I bet even he can’t." Su Cheng tried repeating it but stumbled halfway, then shook his head in disbelief. Though his voice still trembled slightly, he had mostly regained his composure.

"Alright, junior, so don’t be scared anymore. And you must never tell anyone about this," Hoshino Yikui warned before adding earnestly, "If you ever need help in the future, just call us."

He handed Su Cheng a business card.

"Got it."

Su Cheng—now dubbed "Little Golden Oscar"—took the card, stood up, and dusted himself off. "It’s getting late, so I’ll head home now."

But as he turned to leave, his retreating figure struck something in Hoshino Mirai’s mind. Unable to hold back, she called out, "Su Cheng, wait!"

"What is it, Senior? Something else?" Su Cheng turned back, puzzled.

Hoshino Mirai stared at him with fierce determination. "I know... you’re actually Him, aren’t you?"