247 won't let you get away

There was still plenty of time before the agreed one hour of alone time was up. Leaning against the corridor wall, I silently watched Mazao in the room.

Mazao seemed to be performing a one-person pantomime. Her face wrinkled up like a bun with annoyance, as she hugged the pillow tightly to herself then tossed it aside, and then appeared to lose all her strength as she flopped backward, lying on the bed.

Gazing blankly at the ceiling, her expression alternated between joy and distress, and at times even sadness. Despite my inability to probe her inner thoughts like a Mind Reading Technique user, I could still somewhat discern her happiness, worries, and sorrow. Yet, I was utterly unable to predict the decision she would make or whether she would accept my feelings.

After a while, something seemed to cross her mind, her expression changed suddenly, and she sat up quickly, looking rather embarrassed.

"Um... Zhuang Cheng?" she asked softly, "Are you... watching?"