Su Nuan stopped beside the large public restroom on the sports field, still holding Lin Shu’s hand. Lin Shu often changed clothes here—he knew the place well.
Unlike typical school restrooms with shared entrances splitting left for women and right for men, this one had completely separate doors. The men’s side had urinals on one side and squat toilets on the other. Lin Shu wasn’t sure about the women’s layout—probably symmetrical? A thin wall separated them, and chatter from the girls’ side always drifted through.
Su Nuan halted at the women’s entrance. She shoved Lin Shu’s backpack back into his arms, pulled out his summer uniform, and slipped inside.
“Wait here.”
The bell rang for break. Since next period was PE, many girls stopped by the restroom. Even standing slightly apart, Lin Shu felt their stares like he was some creep. He wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Thankfully, Su Nuan didn’t keep him waiting. She emerged wearing his oversized uniform T-shirt, scanning the area for him.
“I’m here…” Lin Shu raised a hand weakly, his basketball-court swagger gone.
“Why’d you hide here? I told you to wait where you were.”
“I don’t wanna look like a pervert.”
“You *are* one. Here—my uniform. It’s got my fresh sweat on it. Sniff it properly. I promised you could.” She stuffed her own sweaty uniform into his arms.
“Seriously?”
“Dead serious. I’ve smelled yours twice—once off your clothes, once on you. Want to sniff me now? Though my scent’s fading since I changed.”
“Like hell I will.”
Lin Shu couldn’t tell if she was joking or testing him.
“What a shame.” Su Nuan tugged the hem of his loose shirt, sighing. “This thing swallows me whole.”
“Well, duh. I ordered a size up in freshman year thinking I’d grow. Stopped after two inches.” The baggy fabric hid her hips completely. The wide collar slipped, revealing delicate collarbones. Sleeves draped past her elbows. She tied the excess fabric into a tight knot at her waist, somehow making it look fitted.
“See? No more tripping. How do I look?” She twirled proudly.
“You look good in anything.”
“So generic. Do you tell your sister that too when she wears new clothes?” Su Nuan pouted.
Lin Shu pictured his sister’s new pajamas from last week.
“No comment.”
“Your sister will be heartbroken.”
“Is your uniform really unwearable?”
“Partly. Mostly I wanted to show off my boyfriend’s uniform—stake my claim. You were drawing too much attention on court. Consider this damage control. No need to thank me.”
*Was it really that bad? It was just a game.* Would Class Rep Tian collapse seeing Su Nuan like this?
“You can borrow my uniform, but be careful—it’s easy to flash someone.”
“Worried about me? Boyfriend possessiveness?” Su Nuan grinned playfully.
“I’m just concerned.”
*Though… yeah, I do feel possessive. Weird for a fake boyfriend, right?*
Su Nuan leaned close and tugged her collar down. Pale skin met the edge of a black sports bra.
“Relax. I came prepared. But not everyone gets to see this.” She rummaged in Lin Shu’s backpack, pulled out his uniform jacket, and zipped it up to her chin. The oversized fit ballooned at her stomach.
“Can’t you wear your own jacket?”
“All or nothing.” Her hands vanished into the sleeves as she swung the empty cuffs. “Prep bell’s ringing. Break’s almost over. Heading back to class. Train hard!”
She jogged off, waving over her shoulder. Lin Shu stared at the uniform in his hands—still warm from her body.
*Should I… smell it?* Curiosity, not perversion, tugged at him. He stuffed it into his bag. Her jacket remained inside too—she’d shed it during PE.
Coach Huang’s whistle cut through the air. Training was brutal as usual—leaving them half-dead afterward.
Gu Chu Chu’s last class today was PE. *This* was the period she’d gotten injured weeks ago—the start of their “fate.” Coach Huang taught regular PE classes too, not just training athletes. After assigning drills, he wandered off to teach Gu Chu Chu’s class, checking on them occasionally.
Gu Chu Chu waited by the pavilion.
Today’s session wrapped early—no extra drills. Coach dismissed them before the final bell, reminding them to stretch. Gu Chu Chu darted over immediately.
“Senior, since Sister Su Nuan’s not here, let me help you stretch!”
“She’ll be mad. I’ll do it myself. We’ve got time.”
“You were amazing on court today! Sister Su Nuan’s so stingy—not even telling me about it.” Gu Chu Chu pouted.
“You heard too?”
“Everyone’s talking! People kept asking, ‘Who’s that hot senior from high school who dunks?’ I recognized your talent right away.”
*Just like Su Nuan said… it’s blowing up. Because I dunked on Tian Peng? Is he that big a deal?*
“Senior, your shoelace is loose.”
“Oh. It came undone after training. Didn’t bother fixing it.”
“Let me.” Gu Chu Chu knelt, untying and retying his laces into a neat bow.
Lin Shu spotted a paper stuck to her back. He tilted his head to read:
**“Bitch. Fake.”**
*Still pulling elementary school pranks?* He ripped it off and crumpled it. *Then again… she’s only in junior high.*
“Something nasty written on it?”
“Who put this on you?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head.
“You knew it was there?”
“Sort of. People kept giggling behind me during PE. Others pointed at my back in the hallway. I didn’t leave it on to look pitiful for you—I just can’t reach it.” She strained to touch the spot between her shoulder blades, arms too short, body too stiff.
“Are you being bullied?”
“Not really. I don’t have friends in class. Not a class officer either. Just… this. No real harm. I don’t care what others think.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
*Of course she cares.* With limited high school spots, even top elementary graduates faced brutal competition. Gu Chu Chu’s guaranteed placement made her a target.
Lin Shu didn’t buy her act. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing smooth arms. “See? No bruises. I’m fine. Check my whole body if you want.” She tugged her shirt hem upward—Lin Shu grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t flash your stomach here.”
“Only if we’re alone? Then let’s go to the sports storage room, Senior.”
“*Well, well.* Looks like you two are getting cozy behind my back.” Su Nuan’s icy voice cut through the air from behind them.
