The shrill school bell shattered the campus silence—and the shackles confining our restless spirits. A sea of students poured from every direction, merging into one current. Only a trickle exited the gates; most scattered toward clubrooms. I was among them.

The Student Council met in a small tiered classroom—far plusher than ordinary club spaces. After all, no other club president had such a lavish office. Perks of the position, I supposed.

Inside, the room buzzed with chatter. Students clustered in groups, none familiar. I slid into an empty seat.

Fang Yiyi soon entered, scanning the room before heading straight to me.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Free," I said, shifting inward.

She smoothed her skirt and sat. As the only two from our class in the Council, we’d likely collaborate often—unlike my unreliable partnership with Xia Tong. I didn’t mind talking to Fang Yiyi, but after months of near-silence beyond class duties, words stuck in my throat. Awkwardness thickened the air.

A sudden commotion erupted. Heads turned: Xia Tong had arrived. No surprise—everyone knew the gorgeous, wealthy freshman. For many, this was their first glimpse of her in person.

Trailing her was someone I disliked. Fang Xuan clung to Xia Tong’s side, chattering nonstop while she ignored him, irritation plain on her face.

Xia Tong’s gaze swept the room. I knew that look—she was hunting for me. I ducked my head onto the desk. Futile. She tiptoed over, stopping beside Fang Yiyi.

"Excuse me?" Xia Tong addressed Fang Yiyi. "Could I squeeze past?"

Fang Yiyi blinked, startled. "Oh! Sure!" She stood aside.

"Move over," I hissed under my breath.

"Or I’ll step over you," Xia Tong shot back, equally quiet.

"Be my guest!" I sprang up. She slid in, cheeks flushed with anger. *What now?* I was baffled.

Up front, Fang Xuan’s smile had vanished. Seeing Xia Tong choose my seat publicly must’ve cemented my "rival" status in his mind. Her earlier video confession might fool strangers, but not someone watching her like a hawk—especially when she refused to play along. His eyes flicked between Fang Yiyi and me before he dropped into the seat ahead of Xia Tong.

Silence pressed in around us. Whispers fluttered elsewhere, but our trio sat frozen. Xia Tong scrolled her phone, ignoring everyone. Fang Yiyi shuffled meeting documents. Relief washed over me—no overt affection from Xia Tong. If questioned, "we’re just partners" would suffice.

The tension held until Jiang Chen entered. The noisy room hushed instantly. Even her presence commanded respect.

"*Ah!*" I yelped.

"What’s wrong?" Fang Yiyi turned. Fang Xuan glanced back too.

"Just—a cramp!" I mumbled. Their attention faded. My left hand stealthily pried loose the fingers pinching my thigh.

Xia Tong released my leg but trapped my wrist instead. Her index finger traced circles in my palm. I scanned the room—no one noticed. Slowly, I tugged to free my hand. Impossible without drawing eyes.

I glared at her, jerking my chin toward our joined hands. *Let go.*

She glared back, then lifted her eyebrows pointedly at Fang Yiyi.

*Seriously?!* I palmed my forehead, blinking frantically: *We’re nothing!* I stabbed a look at our tangled fingers. Xia Tong ignored me, staring fixedly at Jiang Chen.

*Fine. War it is.* I gripped her hand firmly. She stiffened, surprised.

Holding her still, I returned the favor—tracing slow circles in her palm, then scraping my nails lightly over her skin. My fingers drifted up her arm. Her breath hitched. Her cheeks flushed. Her calm facade cracked.

She yanked her hand back the moment I loosened my grip, shooting me a furious, flustered glare. I wiped my sweaty palm, pretending innocence. Fang Yiyi remained absorbed in Jiang Chen’s speech, oblivious.

The meeting covered sports day preparations. As freshmen, we mostly observed Council procedures.

"That’s all for today," Jiang Chen announced. "We don’t meet daily. Do as you please after school—just don’t disgrace the Council. Meetings will be notified in advance, though emergencies may arise. Punctuality is non-negotiable." Her gaze swept the room. "Any questions?"

Silence.

"Dismissed."

As I gathered my things, Jiang Chen’s eyes locked onto mine—*Bring Xia Tong with you.*

"*Your Highness,* trouble’s coming," I texted Xia Tong, nudging her phone.

Outside, rain hammered the ground. The soundproofed classroom had hidden the downpour. *Good thing I listened to Xiaoxi about bringing an umbrella.* That kid’s useful sometimes.

"You two seemed *very* busy during the meeting," Jiang Chen said, scowling from her chair.

Caught. We stood like scolded children.

Before Jiang Chen could continue, Xia Tong darted forward. She perched on the desk edge, chin resting on her arms. "Sorry! Won’t happen again!" Her hands waved frantic signals behind her back.

"*Never* again," I vowed earnestly.

Jiang Chen sighed, worn down by Xia Tong’s wheedling. She pulled Xia Tong up. "Stay tonight. My mom misses you. I’ll call your mother."

"Really? I’ve missed Auntie too!" Xia Tong beamed.

They chatted like old friends, forgetting I existed.

"Can I... go now?"

Jiang Chen barely glanced at me. "Go. But be careful. If others discover your relationship with Xia Tong, it won’t end with a scolding. Scandals spread fast."

"*We’re not—*" I started, but Xia Tong’s murderous glare silenced me.

"Bye!" I bolted out, ignoring her death stare.

Downstairs, crowds huddled under the eaves, trapped by the rain. Then I spotted Fang Yiyi.

"Class rep! No umbrella?" I approached.

She pushed damp hair from her face. "Didn’t expect rain. Guess I’ll wait it out."

"This could last hours." I pulled an umbrella from my bag. "Take mine."

"No! What about you?"

"Consider it repayment for this morning." I pressed it into her hands. "Don’t worry—I’ll walk with my sister. She’s in the middle school building."

Before she could protest, I dashed into the rain.

Fang Yiyi watched me vanish into the downpour, then opened the umbrella.

By the time I reached the middle school wing, I was soaked through. I texted Xiaoxi. Third-years had an extra class; I waited fifteen minutes for the bell. The quiet halls erupted with noise again.

Scanning the flood of students, I finally spotted Xiaoxi. She broke away from friends and jogged over.

"Told you it’d rain! Why no umbrella?" She scolded like a tiny storm cloud.

"I *had* one!"

"Where is it now?"

"Lent it." I shrugged.

She rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Fine. But my umbrella’s small!"

"No problem!" I slung an arm over her shoulders, opening her umbrella. "Cuddle close. Gotta get home—dinner won’t cook itself."

Suddenly, I noticed nearby boys’ shocked stares. *Right.* "You’re popular, huh? Sorry—I forgot we don’t have ‘siblings’ stamped on our foreheads. They probably think I’m your boyfriend."

"*You—!*"

"Shameless..." Xiaoxi scolded me, her face flushed red. "I don't care if they die! Saves me from their constant bothering. Hurry up, hurry up! You still owe me a meal!"

I slung an arm around Xiaoxi's shoulders and stepped into the rain. "Don't worry—I won't skip out. Tonight, I'll make up for yesterday's meal, okay?"

"Absolutely! Just you dare not!" Xiaoxi shot me a sideways glare, pretending to be mad.

I chuckled. "Wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare!" The two siblings walked side by side through the rain.