Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts

The virtual AI streamerYuan-chan's debut livestream onC-Siteexploded in popularity, amassing5 million fansin one go—nearly crashing the platform's servers. Lin Youxi had been working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.

"Phew… Finally over!"

The moment Xia Yuan stepped off stream, she threw herself into Mei Fang's arms, nuzzling against him like an exhausted kitten. "I'm wiped out… Chat was insane to manage today."

"You did amazing. Want to check your viewer stats?"

"Nah… Doesn't matter if it's 1,000 or 100,000. Right now, I just need my A-Fang recharge—gimme hugs!"

As Mei Fang indulged her clinginess, Lin Youxi knocked and entered the studio."The virtual stream was a huge success. Everyone's celebrating with dinner—Uncle's treating. Said to order whatever we want."

"Wait,thatUncle?! Mr. Frugal himself?! We're somilking this!"Xia Yuan gasped.

Youxi smiled faintly. "You guys go ahead. I'll head home."

"You're not coming?"

"…Right." Mei Fang pulled out his keys, but Xia Yuan suddenly piped up:

"If Youxi's not going, I'll skip too. Let's all go home together."

"Yuan." Youxi's smile turned sly. "I won't 'accidentally' seduce A-Fang during the ride."

"Th-that's not—! Ugh!" Xia Yuan huffed, then studied Youxi closely. "…You started your period early, didn't you?"

"Ah." Youxi blinked. "How'd you guess?"

"We've known each other how long? That 'I'm-in-pain-but-hiding-it' face is obvious."

Xia Yuan wriggled out of Mei Fang's grasp, letting him immediately scoop Youxi into a hug.

"Dummy, why didn't you say anything?! You worked through cramps today?!"

"Had to make sure the site didn't collapse under Yuan-chan's traffic. Couldn't trust anyone else to handle it…"

Youxi winced, burying her face in his chest. "…Stop talking. Hurts."

Congenital dysmenorrhea—Youxi's periods had always been brutally painful. But she habitually endured in silence, not wanting to worry others. Though Mei Fang and Xia Yuan usually doted on her, the livestream prep had left them distracted.

After bidding farewell to their colleagues, Mei Fang drove the trio home. In the backseat, Youxi curled up with her head in Xia Yuan's lap as the latter rubbed soothing circles on her abdomen.

"Better now?"

"Mm… Your hands are warm. Helps a lot."

"See? Girls just get how to comfort girls. A-Fang could never."Xia Yuan stuck out her tongue.

"That's not true." Youxi gazed at Mei Fang's reflection in the rearview mirror. "He's good too."

"Ugh, you'reso biased…"

"A-Fang." Youxi's voice softened. "Remember… my first period?"

"Oh! That was… seventh grade, right?" Mei Fang's grip on the wheel tightened slightly. "Yeah. Hard to forget."

Xia Yuan, who'd been happily roleplaying as "mom," suddenly froze. "Wait. Whathappened?! Why don'tI know this?!"

"We swore to keep it secret… then never got around to telling you." Youxi chuckled weakly. "Want the story?"

Mei Fang eyed her through the mirror. "Should I tell it? You're still in pain—"

"I'm fine now. Let me."

Youxi took a breath. "It was winter of 2008. First semester of middle school—"

———

Flashback: Bai Mei Experimental Middle School, 2008

Lin Youxi and Mei Fang had just gifted her father a motorcycle, settling back into school life.

Puberty arrived at different paces. While most girls had already hit growth spurts, leaving boys in the dust height-wise, Mei Fang—still shorter than both his childhood friends—chugged milk daily, determined to catch up.

But height wasn't the only change.

"Yuan, you cold? You've been bundling up like a dumpling."

"N-not really… Just… adjusting." Xia Yuan tugged her jacket tighter over her chest.

Youxi tilted her head. "Did they… grow again?"

"…Yeah." Xia Yuan groaned. "Don't tell A-Fang. I refuse to be teased for 'only developing in one area.'"

"He wouldn't."

"Still! It's embarrassing. I'm the only girl in class like this… Sometimes I wonder if it's a disease."

"Doubt it. Teacher Yu's the same."

"Mom says it's genetics, but…" Xia Yuan sighed. "What if she's just humoring me?"

"Boys in novels seem to prefer bigger ones, though."

"Wha—?! What kinda books are you reading?!" Xia Yuan gasped. "Those rot your brain! My elementary friend got hooked and turned into a delinquent!"

"I—I just heard it somewhere!" Youxi backpedaled frantically. Thankfully, Xia Yuan dropped it.

"You're lucky. I wish I'd just gotten taller."

"You're cute small!" Youxi's deadpan sincerity made Xia Yuan snort.

"Hah! Since when did you become such a sweet-talker?"

As they parted ways, Xia Yuan called over her shoulder: "Oh! Spy on A-Fang for me!"

"Okay."

Ever since being placed in separate classes, Xia Yuan had been paranoid about Mei Fang makingnew friends—especiallygirlfriends.

Youxi understood.

After all… she felt the same.

But so far, Mei Fang's only close buddy wasZhang Ming. And even their friendship took a backseat whenever Youxi needed him—whether poking him with a pen or dragging him away mid-conversation.

Returning to class, Youxi found Mei Fang immersed in aYu-Gi-Oh!duel with his classmates. Though their homeroom teacherLi Shibingbanned "distractions," Youxi—as class monitor—turned a blind eye as long as it didn't disrupt lectures.

Especially since herprecious idiotloved the game.

And was weirdlygoodat it.

Boys constantly flocked to him for rulings advice.

"Mei Fang's so popular…" Yue Xinyi, Youxi's deskmate, sighed. "Too bad it's only with boys."

"Girls don't like him?"

"They prefer matureguys."Xinyi propped her chin on her hands. "Like the male lead in my novel—he dumps his girlfriend after getting leukemia because 'true love means letting go.'Nowthat's maturity!"

"…That's a tragedy."

"Variety's good! Anyway, the girl finds out and they fight it together. Rich people can cure anything, right?" Xinyi shrugged. "If I got leukemia? I'd just enjoy life 'til the end. No way my family could afford treatment."

"Same."

The conversation lingered in Youxi's mind.Leukemia—an unfathomable nightmare for poor families like hers.

…

Why am I even thinking about this?

Bored, Youxi jabbed Mei Fang's back with her pen.

"Hm?"

"Class soon. Stop yapping."

"Aye aye." He spun around, grinning. "But I haven't talked to you all day. Can't have my deskmate feeling neglected~"

"I was just reminding you—"

"Uh-huh. Translation: 'Pay attention to me.'"

Youxi responded bystabbing his ribs repeatedly with her pen.

"GAH! Quit it—tickles! Hahaha—"

"OMG OMG! THEY'RE SO CUTE TOGETHER!" Xinyi squealed, somehow more excited than the duo.

———

By evening study hall, Youxi noticed a dull ache in her lower abdomen. Assuming it was indigestion, she ignored it—until standing up sentwhite-hot agonyshooting through her body.

"You okay?!" Mei Fang rushed over as she doubled over.

"Stomachache…"

"Need a taxi? I'll get Yuan—"

"Bus… is fine."

As he helped her up, Mei Fang caught ametallic tangin the air. His face flushed.

"Uh… Youxi. Are you maybe… y'know—"

"Hm?"

"Never mind."

Their intimate posture drew stares—middle-school boys and girls rarely touched so openly. When Xia Yuan saw them, she nearly tripped sprinting over.

"What happened?!"

"Says her stomach hurts."

"Bathroom or home? We'll escort you."

"Home's fine… Really."

The packed bus ride was torture. Xia Yuan shielded Youxi while Mei Fang braced them both against the lurching vehicle.

"Almost there! Hang on!"

But upon reaching Youxi's apartment, they found it dark and empty.

"Your dad's still at work?"

"Overtime at the construction site."

Xia Yuan and Mei Fang exchanged glances. "Stay at my place tonight? Easier to take care of you."

"No need… Rest'll fix it."

———

Alone at last, Youxi finally checked her underwear.

Blood.

So muchblood.

The leukemia talk from earlier came rushing back. A wave ofhelplessnesscrushed her.

Silently, she scrubbed her clothes raw, but thesmellwouldn't fade.

Tears dripped onto the fabric.

Then came thesobs.