Just as Ouyang Qianxue stepped out of the shower, he reached for his prepped change of clothes.

"Huh? Did someone touch my clothes? I’m sure I folded my underwear neatly… Could it be…" His face suddenly turned deathly pale.

"Did someone sneak in?" He dismissed the thought immediately. The advisor had said the bathhouse stayed closed during daytime—outsiders shouldn’t be here.

"Unless it was Bai Yuxuan? Did that guy sneak in and… do something to my underwear?" A vivid image flashed in his mind: Bai Yuxuan slipping into the locker room after confirming Ouyang was in the shower, pressing his underwear to his face and inhaling deeply.

"No, no, no! That’s absurd. Bai Yuxuan’s annoying, but he’s no pervert. If he were, he’d have groped me back at his apartment. He’s always cold to girls too… I’m just paranoid."

Ouyang changed and exited the locker room—only to nearly collide with Bai Yuxuan emerging simultaneously.

"!" Bai Yuxuan hadn’t tied up his long black hair yet. Cascading freely, it framed a face so strikingly handsome it seemed almost feminine. The drastic contrast to his usual look left Ouyang stunned.

"What are you staring at?" Bai Yuxuan asked coldly.

"Nothing. Just annoyed to see your face the moment I walk out." Ouyang huffed, rubbing his hair with a towel as he strode toward the exit. Distracted, he didn’t notice the puddle on the floor—

"Ah!" His foot slipped. He tipped backward, head aimed straight for the tiles.

"Careful!" Bai Yuxuan lunged forward, catching him from behind. Golden and black strands mingled like ink in water. Their faces hovered inches apart—two breathtaking figures frozen in a painting.

Watching Ouyang’s flustered expression, Bai Yuxuan felt an unexpected urge. *She’s so… cute. Even as a girl, I want to kiss her.*

"T-thanks… You can let go now." Ouyang’s voice snapped Bai Yuxuan back to reality. She released him instantly. Unprepared, Ouyang landed hard on his backside.

"Warn me before dropping me! That hurts!" Ouyang rubbed his sore rear.

"Hmph. Without me, you’d have cracked your skull open."

"True… Thanks. But I never expected *you* to save me."

"Hardly. I just didn’t want you brain-damaged before I could savor beating you and enjoying the pleasure of commanding you."

"Big talk! Piano’s my absolute domain. Get ready to regret everything you’ve done to me!" Ouyang stormed out of the bathhouse.

"This should be our final match." Bai Yuxuan sighed softly, watching his retreating back.

She knew her piano skills couldn’t match Ouyang’s. After this "revenge," their rivalry would end. They’d drift back to being strangers—no words, no contact.

*(I’ve been ignored countless times. I’m used to loneliness. So why… why am I so terrified of losing you? Because you warmed my coldest moments. Now I cling to that warmth—and fear its loss.)*

Bai Yuxuan lifted the hand that had held Ouyang, inhaling the faint floral scent lingering on her fingers from his hair.

---

By the time they reached the music classroom, the Music Club advisor was already waiting.

"Flip a coin for order," the advisor said, producing a coin.

"Heads!" Ouyang declared eagerly, itching to duel Bai Yuxuan.

"Tails," Bai Yuxuan replied.

The coin spun—tails up.

"Bai Yuxuan plays first."

Bai Yuxuan settled at the piano bench. Her choice: Beethoven’s *Pathétique Sonata*, third movement. A C-minor allegro with restless, unstable emotions beneath its elegant melody. The piece opened with cascading arpeggios like falling rain.

"Not bad at all," Ning Caiwei murmured, impressed by Bai Yuxuan’s fluid playing.

"Flawless," the advisor added. "Every nuance, every technique—perfect."

"But Qianxue…" Ning Caiwei’s brow furrowed with worry.

"However—" The advisor’s tone shifted. "The *Pathétique*’s third movement is grade-ten difficulty. For professionals? Routine. Ouyang scored the highest in city history. Ning Caiwei, you’ve never heard her play. Look how calm *she* is."

Indeed, Ouyang watched Bai Yuxuan’s performance with serene confidence.

*Qianxue’s definitely stronger. And… it should be kicking in soon.* Ning Caiwei’s lips curled into a sly grin, already picturing Bai Yuxuan squirming in agony from the chili powder.

Yet as the music swelled toward its finale, Bai Yuxuan showed not a trace of discomfort. Her focus never wavered.

"Why isn’t she reacting?!" Ning Caiwei whispered in disbelief.

"Is she even human? That willpower…"

Bai Yuxuan finished with a perfect cadence, bowed, and stepped aside.

"My turn." Ouyang strode forward, now certain of victory.

*Though… why does my butt keep burning? Did I bruise it that badly when I fell?*