I'll Pick the Stars for You

[Childhood Sweethearts | Slow-Burn Daily Life | Mutual Pining | Gentle Healing]

The year Qi Wanxing turned twelve, a new family moved in next door.

The older boy was three years her senior, refined and handsome, with a gentle, melodious voice. Even his school uniform was always so clean and smelled so nice.

Wanxing loved spending time with him. Taking advantage of his good nature, she pestered him to do her homework, walk her to and from school, and buy her breakfast.

-

Wanxing was precocious. After starting high school, she gradually realized that her feelings for Qi Zhou were changing.

He was just too good to her. He looked after every aspect of her life, from her studies to her meals and daily needs. The one and only time he ever got into a fight was because of her.

For the past three years, she had written her girlish feelings in her diary. Then one day, his classmates happened to see it and teased her about it in front of Qi Zhou.

He gazed at her for a moment, then set down his pen.

Having read every romance novel under the sun, Wanxing's heart skipped a beat. But she waved her hand with exaggerated magnanimity and said, "I know what you're about to say: you really do think of me as a little sister. It's fine. I can accept that ending."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Zhou confiscated the few colorful magazines in her drawer.

"Big Brother has told you not to read so many weird books."

He leaned down slightly to meet her gaze. His handsome face was full of smiles, but his usually gentle voice was a little husky. "I was just wondering: if I wanted to kiss you right now, would that be too sudden?"

[If you want, I can even pluck the stars for you]

Playful and bright x gentle and warm

* A seventeen-year-old's unrequited love comes true

Note: I wrote this sweet little story as a twist on all the novels where the guy says, "I only think of her as a little sister."

The diary is discovered after the college entrance exams, when they're both adults.

* Blurb written on 2021.9.28

Theme: My Big Brother