Unknown Man, This Is My Battlefield

"Whew..."

Run!

"Haah..."

Faster!

"Whew... whew..."

Even faster!

Zhao Yuhao kept his eyes fixed ahead, not daring to slow his pace for even a second. He had entered a state of complete focus.

Whew...

Maybe this was a stroke of luck?

The hallway was nearly empty—everyone had gone to the auditorium to watch the performances.

At least I can sprint without worrying about bumping into anyone.

Sports were never my strong suit.

Just now, we all ran from the first floor up to the third in one go.

Everyone else seemed fine, but my legs are already burning!

Same thing earlier when I was running around the venue promoting Lin Yu’s role.

Just two laps, and I was drenched in sweat.

I really should’ve exercised more. I’m so out of shape—who’d like a guy this weak?

Whew...

This way!

Almost missed it.

Taking the stairs here is faster than the other staircase up ahead.

At least, I think so.

Can’t rush—gotta take the steps one at a time. Can’t afford to trip now.

Second floor!

Almost there, almost there.

Time...

[Countdown: 00:02:57]!

Damn!

That took almost a full minute.

If it were Lin Yu running, she’d probably be way faster.

Back in high school, I used to be pretty quick too. I was much skinnier then.

Why am I thinking about high school now?

Speaking of high school...

I wonder how Wang Xinyue is doing these days?

Ugh, what a scumbag I am!

The person I like now is Little Chi!

How can I still be reminiscing about my first crush?

But then again...

Can I even call that a real relationship?

I guess so.

Even though, in the end, she didn’t choose me.

But they were all wrong about her!

She wasn’t some heartless player.

She was honest with me about her decision—how does that make her the bad guy?

Just a little more.

If only I’d been a little faster that day.

If I’d managed to sneak the "cigarettes and beer" she wanted into school for her, maybe she wouldn’t have gotten so mad and cut me off.

I kinda miss those days.

As a day student, it was the first time in my life a girl actually needed me.

Her dorm room was... 302!

Or was it 301?

Hah.

I thought I’d remember it forever.

But here I am, just a few years later, already fuzzy on the details.

Guess time really does make you forget.

Will I forget Little Chi someday too?

I still remember clearly how Wang Xinyue used to wait by the dorm window for me to toss things up to her from outside.

She always smiled so brightly.

Though later on, I never heard about her smoking or drinking.

Why did she even want cigarettes and canned beer back then?

If I threw them slightly off, she’d get so pissed!

She was just the receiver—she probably didn’t realize canned beer was easier to toss because it was heavier.

Cigarettes were so light, they’d go off course so easily!

What else did I bring her?

Sausages, chicken wraps, burgers, mosquito repellent, sunflower seeds...

Damn!

Now I’m getting hungry.

Shit!

No—this isn’t the time for memories!

There—that door leads to the parking lot...

BANG!

Clatter... THUD!

The moment he pushed the door open, the damp, heavy air rushed at Zhao Yuhao, carried by the pressure difference between the cold rain and the warm indoors.

The slanting downpour quickly soaked his sneakers.

Time...

[Countdown: 00:02:21]!

Zhao Yuhao was surprised.

After all that flashbacking, only thirty seconds had passed.

Without hesitation, he charged into the rain, heading straight for the shuttle bus they’d arrived in.

We can still make it!

......

At a third-floor window.

Lin Yu stood by the glass, her brow furrowed.

"The vice president’s made it downstairs—he’s running toward the shuttle now."

"About a minute and a half has passed..."

At this rate, even if he gets there, finding the guitar strings will take at least another two minutes.

There’s no time left!

Can he really make it?

......

Inside the shuttle bus.

The driver had returned from lunch in the venue cafeteria just fifteen minutes ago.

His entire morning had been dedicated to the Pingchuan University Anime Club.

Now, with a full stomach and a paid nap break, life couldn’t get much better.

Especially with this heavy rain pouring outside!

Blasting the AC in the bus—pure bliss.

It’s a company vehicle anyway—not like he’s paying for gas.

The radio played softly in the background:

"Next up, a song from the drama Next Stop, Happiness."

"I’m sure many of our listeners already know what’s coming."

"For your midday commute, a beautiful melody to accompany your journey."

"Here’s... I Love Her."

Hearing the song title, the driver sat up from his nearly reclined seat and cranked up the volume.

Humming along, he sang:

"Her recklessness lingers~ in a certain train car~"

"The subway’s wind~ heavier than memories~"

"The whole city waits for me~ a love still drifting~"

BANG BANG! BANG BANG!

The violent pounding on the bus door jolted the driver upright.

He turned to check the rearview mirror, where a blurred figure stood in the rain.

"Screech..."

The car door swung open.

A drenched figure scrambled into the vehicle, abandoning any pretense of composure.

"Holy shit! Yu—Yuhao?"

"Why didn’t you bring an umbrella?"

"It’s pouring out here!"

Zhao Yuhao’s breathing was ragged, his words fractured as he gasped for air.

All he could manage was:

"Th…thanks… huff… thanks, driver… for opening the door."

As he spoke,

Zhao Yuhao lunged toward the seat near the entrance.

From above, he yanked down a worn-out backpack.

"Zzzip… Zzzip!"

The zipper tore open.

He wiped his face with his sleeve, vision sharpening through the blur—

…

Drumsticks? No.

Hairpins? Useless.

This?

Nope.

This was Xiao Lie’s 012-053.

This case?

Not it either!

That’s the spare MV USB drive box.

This—

Found it!

Phosphor bronze, 013-056!

Grip it tight… don’t drop it…

Zhao Yuhao, you’re almost there. Just a little more.

Steady your damn hands!

"Driver… huff… you can close the door now!"

(Driver: "Alright, take it easy Yuhao—whoa! Watch out!")

(Clang! Clang! Clang—)

"Tch—!"

Goddammit.

Slipped.

How the hell is it this slick?

How many steps did I just tumble down? Three…?

Wait, that’s not the right word.

Back—ass—ow!

Tears? Really?

How long did I spend running here, digging through that bag?

Time…

[Countdown: 00:00:57]

Pathetic. Can’t even exit a car right.

Thought I could buy Lin Yu a few extra seconds.

Less than a minute left.

Hiss—

I’m just… so ordinary. So… mediocre.

(If that moment could return~ I wouldn’t cry~)

(Let her know I’d be fine~)

It’s because…

I’m average!

I’ll never stand on stage. Never wear a cosplay costume.

But.

That doesn’t mean I can’t do something for her!

(I loved her madly, recklessly~ My dreams shattered hard but I won’t forget~)

(Once believed she was tomorrow~ No matter how cruel~ I’d never wake~)

Someone as plain as me—

Who has time to sit here wallowing?

I don’t need an audience. Don’t give a damn about any of that.

This place…

This damn place—

Is my battlefield.

(Loved her till I crashed into despair~ My heart split open but I won’t forget~)

Screw this… Get up…

Run!

Run!

…

(Second update today—more coming soon!)