Zach caught a glimpse of Mirabe pausing mid–step, a sly twinkle in his eye revealing his sessful ploy. Then, rubbing his shoulders, he continued to whine and groan about his difort.


    Beside him, Leo stood up proactively, offering with empathy, “Hey Zach, want me to give you a shoulder rub?”


    Zach’s face darkened in an instant, and he shot Leo a sharp re.


    Leo smirked.


    “Mom told me that you’ve got some killer massage skills.” Zach said, deliberately turning to look at Mirabe with a suggestive gleam in his eye.


    Mirabe’s mouth twitched in resignation, shaking her head and walking over to him.


    “Is your shoulder hurt?” she asked.


    Zach nodded.


    “Want a rub?” Mirabe raised an eyebrow.


    Again, the fervent nodding from Zach.


    “Alright then.” Mirabe lifted her hand to his shoulder and squeezed. Instantly, Zach felt tears welling up from the pain. “Ouch… easy, easy!”


    Mirabe’s hands didn’t stop: her tone was stern and serious as she said, “Your muscles are tight. That’s a sign of strain, Zach. You’ve gotta take care of this.”


    It was too much for Zach; his shoulders cringed under the pain, and he quickly started to backtrack. “I think I’m good. Maybe you don’t need to-”


    “No, you’re not,” Mirabe interrupted with conviction, pressing down harder, not giving him any chance to escape.


    Zach was on the verge of tears. Why did he have to shoot himself in the foot?


    Leo, watching Zach turn pale as if in excruciating agony, instinctively shifted away, a bit frightened by the scene.


    After about fifteen minutes, Mirabe finally let Zach off the hook. The moment he was released from her clutches, Zach felt like he hade back to life. He turned to Mirabe, fear still evident in his eyes. Mirabe seemed so delicate, yet her strength was formidable.


    Mirabe ignored the ‘you’re terrifying‘ look in Zach’s eyes. “How’s it feel now? Still hurt?” “No pain, no pain at all,” Zach shook his head frantically, certain that if he expressed any difort, she’d be on him again in <b>a </b>heartbeat.


    Witnessing Zach’s quick surrender, Leo shielded his eyes with a hand.


    12:13


    LIIDITY 230


    Mirabe raised her eyebrows slightly, tossing out casually, “Oh, by the way, Zach, I also do acupuncture.”


    Zach seemed terrified. His sense of personal safety felt threatened once more!


    “Ahem, right, you’ve got homework, right? I won’t keep you,” Zach waved her off. It was aplete turnaround from his earlier maniptive antics.


    “Sure, just call me if it hurts again.” Mirabe said before leaving.


    Zach thought to himself. “There’s no way it’s going to hurt again. Not in this lifetime<b>.</b>”


    Only when she hadpletely disappeared from sight did Zach let out a heavy sigh, copsing on the couch as if drained. But soon, he realized his shoulder felt surprisingly light. He moved it around, the stiffness gone, no more soreness.


    Zach let out a curious sound, then sat up straight, pressing on his shoulder, feeling no difort at all. He had exaggerated a bit earlier, but the pain had been real. His sister’s technique was truly something!


    Leo, witnessing the emotional rollercoaster on Zach’s face, couldn’t help but ask, “You good, Zach?”


    Feeling relieved, Zach shot him a nce and replied, “Never better.”


    Leo was speechless. That was not the impression Zach was giving a moment ago.