During PE class, a swarm of energetic kids bounced around the playground.

Lin Ning and Liu Shuang trailed behind. Liu Shuang’s usual icy demeanor contrasted with Lin Ning, who clutched her phone, giggling softly to herself.

*What’s so funny?* Liu Shuang wanted to ask—but refused to be the one to speak first.

*Why should I fawn over her like the rest?* Resentment simmered inside her.

"Alright, playtime’s over!" The PE teacher clapped his hands. "Warm-up drills now! Today’s lesson: tennis. Pair up in twos!"

The moment he finished, a flood of kids charged toward Lin Ning.

Panicked, she grabbed Liu Shuang’s hand. "We’re partners!" she announced loudly, as if shouting through a megaphone. Leaning in, she whispered urgently, "Help me~ They’re terrifying~"

Liu Shuang almost refused—letting Lin Ning drown in the crowd felt deserved.

But those teary, wide eyes melted her resolve.

"Fine. We’ll play together~"

"Okay~"

On the court, boys’ gazes kept drifting toward the pair.

Lin Ning shifted uncomfortably under the stares.

*Su Shui, hurry and help me!* she thought desperately of the boy across the ocean. A tennis ball whizzed past her cheek.

"Hey! Pay attention!" Liu Shuang yelled from the other side, racket raised. "Get serious!"

...

Under the setting sun, both girls stood breathless on the court.

"Looks like a tie~" Lin Ning crouched down, smiling at Liu Shuang.

"Who wants a tie with you?!" Liu Shuang tossed her racket aside. "I’ll never lose to you! Just wait!"

...

Midterm exams.

"Let’s compete—with our test scores!" Little Liu Shuang planted her hands on her hips, pointing at Lin Ning entering the exam hall.

"Why?"

"Doesn’t matter. Scared?"

"Bring it on!"

Inside, kids chewed pencils, swaying as they struggled with papers.

Lin Ning stared at her test, remembering Su Shui copying her answers.

A soft giggle escaped her as she pictured his pleading face.

*How dare she underestimate me?!* Liu Shuang seethed, watching Lin Ning’s smile. *I’ll crush you!*

She buried her head, scribbling furiously.

But Lin Ning stood up, strolled to the front, and declared:

"Teacher, I’m submitting my paper!"

*Snap!* Liu Shuang jabbed her pencil so hard the tip shattered on the desk.

*That girl!*

She scrawled a few last lines and rushed out.

"Teacher! I’m done too!"

In the hallway, Lin Ning crouched by a window, texting.

"Question three is C, dummy!" she muttered.

*Still laughing?!* Liu Shuang stormed over, fuming. "Do you even take me seriously?!"

"Huh? Of course—I can’t miss something as big as you."

"You—!" Liu Shuang nearly choked. "Just wait for the results!"

...

"Today, I want to praise a student~" The homeroom teacher stood at the podium. "Not only is she our class’s top scorer—she got a perfect score in math!"

Heads turned toward Liu Shuang. She’d owned that spot for so long, praise felt routine.

"And that student is..." The teacher paused dramatically, finger hovering near Liu Shuang.

Students nodded knowingly. Liu Shuang smiled, ready to stand.

"...Lin Ning!" His finger swung to her. "Let’s applaud Lin Ning!"

Lin Ning rose slowly, dazed. *Why isn’t Su Shui replying?* she wondered as applause washed over her.

"Come get your certificate, Lin Ning~"

Only when she held the "Math Top Scorer" award did reality sink in.

Liu Shuang watched from her seat, teeth clenched.

She forced a careless expression—but as classmates swarmed Lin Ning, showering the "new #1" with praise while ignoring the old runner-up, her smile froze.

*Next time... I’ll beat you.*

...

"Go! Go!"

At the sports meet, Lin Ning and Liu Shuang crouched at the starting line.

"This time, I’ll win!" Liu Shuang declared confidently.

"Let’s both do our best~" Lin Ning smiled back, settling into position.

*Bang!*

The starter pistol fired. Runners exploded forward.

Liu Shuang surged ahead, basking in the crowd’s cheers. She glanced back—Lin Ning was closing in.

*Not this time!*

Gritting her teeth, she pushed harder. The finish line glowed ahead. Fire burned in her lungs, but she sprinted desperately.

"Ahh!"

Her foot caught air. *Thud!* She crashed onto the track.

Her ankle screamed—useless, twisted.

Tears pricked her eyes as she sat there. *Losing again...*

"You okay?!" Lin Ning skidded to her side, breathless.

Runners streamed past as Lin Ning gently massaged her ankle.

"Why... help me?" Liu Shuang’s voice trembled. "You’d win if I fell..."

"I don’t want to beat you~ We’re friends, right~" Lin Ning hauled her up, draping Liu Shuang’s arm over her shoulder.

Slowly, supporting each other, the two girls crossed the finish line.

"See? No need to compete~"

Liu Shuang turned her head—*mwah!*—and pecked Lin Ning’s cheek.

"Thanks~"

Lin Ning wasn’t one to lose a kiss. She tilted her head and pecked back.

On the finish line, the two girls stood cheek-to-cheek, pecking each other like baby birds...