[Mutual pining, sweet romance]
[Sunny, outgoing, energetic top × socially anxious, poker-faced cutie bottom]
On his first day at military academy, freshman Bai Cheng fell in love at first sight with Gu Qing, a fourth-year senior.
Gu Qing was the quintessential cool alpha, always wearing a cold expression and keeping everyone at arm's length. He never attended alpha-omega mixers, and rumors on the military academy forum said he was frigid and uninterested in romance.
Bai Cheng knew the road to winning him over would be long, but secretly vowed never to give up easily.
That day, he flashed a bright smile and went to great lengths to style his hair in a way his roommates had all called handsome, hoping to invite Gu Qing out for lunch.
Bai Cheng was prepared to be turned down. After all, Gu Qing always kept to himself and never ate with anyone.
Sure enough, Gu Qing kept a cold expression and didn't reply for a long time.
Seeing how things were going, Bai Cheng was just about to smooth things over and say it was fine if he refused, when the handsome, poker-faced senior grabbed his sleeve. He opened his mouth, but couldn't get a word out. In the end, all he could do was nod with a flushed face. "...Mm."
*
Gu Qing had social anxiety. Talking to strangers made him so nervous he could barely breathe.
Fortunately, the military academy's fully automated system meant he could earn credits simply by checking in and uploading assignments, without having to socialize needlessly.
As he grew up, he had learned to put on an unapproachable front. It was the best way to keep people from striking up conversations.
But no one knew that he had a secret crush.
...Back in middle school, a younger student from a few grades below had liked coming to see him. The kid chattered away without needing him to respond, and always shared interesting things. Back then, the only thing that could put Gu Qing at ease was listening to the kid's nonstop chatter.
In his fourth year at military academy, he finally saw that student again.
Except the other boy didn't seem to recognize him.
Theme: Life is like an ocean. Only those with strong will can reach the other shore.
