Chapter 12

The alarm hadn't even finished ringing before I reached out and silenced it.
I was already awake.

Not because of nerves.
Not because of excitement for the joint project tomorrow.

Just habit.

My body always woke at this hour — the quiet moment before the world began to stir.

I sat up, straightened the blanket, and opened the curtains a little.
Morning light spilled onto the floor in soft brushstrokes, pale and gentle, like the start of a watercolor painting.

Another school day.

I stretched, washed my face with cold water that cleared the last traces of sleep, then tied my hair neatly and buttoned my uniform.

By the time I stepped out of my room, the scent of breakfast drifted through the hallway.

Mom was humming softly in the kitchen.

She looked up with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Yiyi. Early as always."

"I don't like rushing," I said simply.

"I know."
Her tone carried a quiet fondness.

She set a warm plate of food on the table.
"Sit. Eat before it gets cold."

I nodded and took my seat.

Mom sipped her coffee while the morning news murmured in the background.
The clink of chopsticks, the faint simmer of soup, the gentle hum of the kitchen — it all blended into a comfortable silence.

After a moment, she spoke.

"I heard from the parents' group that your grade is doing a joint-class project with Class 2-B."

I paused mid-bite.

"...Mm. It starts officially tomorrow."

"What kind of project?"

"Something about 'modern youth.' It's a mixed-group assignment."

Mom's eyes softened with a teasing glint.
"Mixed group, hm? Sounds lively."

I shook my head. "It's just a school assignment."

She chuckled.
"You say that, but I remember you mentioning how excited your classmates were yesterday."

I hesitated.
"...They're just noisy."

"That's usually a sign they're looking forward to something," she said gently. "Which isn't a bad thing."

She took another sip of coffee, studying my face.

"How about you, Yiyi? Are you looking forward to it?"

I lowered my eyes to my bowl.

Truthfully... I wasn't sure.

"...I guess I feel neutral," I said. "It depends on who I'm grouped with."

Mom tapped the rim of her cup thoughtfully.
"Well, that's natural. Working with friends feels easier, doesn't it?"

I nodded.

In my mind, Xia's excited grin flashed.

And then Rui's nervous face from yesterday.

Mom leaned forward a little, voice softening.

"You know... it's okay to enjoy noisy, lively things sometimes. Even if it feels unfamiliar."

I blinked.
"...Enjoy noisy things?"

She laughed quietly.
"Yes. Noise means you're surrounded by people who care. It means you're not alone."

I didn't respond right away.

But her words warmed some quiet part of me.
A part I hadn't paid attention to recently.

Mom placed my lunchbox on the table.
"There. Don't forget it."

I took it carefully.
"...Thank you."

"And don't worry too much. Whatever the project is like, just do your best."

"I will."

The morning light felt a little warmer as I stood up

When I stepped outside, the morning air wrapped around me—cool, light, and clean.
The neighborhood was still waking up. A pair of children hurried toward the bus stop, a dog barked somewhere behind a fence, and the faint whir of bicycles drifted past like background music.

I started walking toward school at my usual pace.

Alone, but not lonely.
Calm, yet aware of a faint movement somewhere beneath that calm—
like a small ripple you only notice when the pond is otherwise still.

Tomorrow was the joint project with Class 2-B.
Today was the last quiet morning before everything inevitably became louder.

I didn't know whether that made my chest feel lighter or heavier.

Maybe both.

But for now, the street was peaceful, the sky soft, and the breeze gentle.

And for this moment—
that was enough.

******

The moment I stepped through the school gate, I felt it.

Not excitement.
Not tension.
Just... a shift.

Subtle, but unmistakable—like the air itself had been stirred by all the whispers traveling ahead of me.

Clusters of students gathered near the courtyard, their voices louder than on any normal morning. Some pointed toward the bulletin boards, even though nothing new had been posted yet. Rumors had been spreading since yesterday, and clearly they'd only multiplied overnight.

I walked quietly through the crowd, catching pieces of conversation without even trying.

"Do you think we'll get paired with Rui's class?"
"I heard the group lists come out at lunch!"
"I wanna be grouped with someone from 2-B—they're all so cool."
"Who do you want?"
"Anyone except the quiet ones."
"Hey! Quiet ones are smart!"

I didn't react.
Noise wasn't unusual.
It always swelled whenever our class had something to do with 2-B.

At the shoe lockers, Xia was already waiting, tapping the floor impatiently like she'd been counting the seconds.

"There you are, Yiyi!" she said, practically glowing. "Walk with me!"

"I was going to."

"Good. You missed all the gossip. Everyone's losing their minds over the project."

I changed my shoes silently.

Xia leaned close, lowering her voice dramatically.
"Some girls said if they get grouped with Rui, they'll faint."

I blinked. "...Why?"

"Because he's popular! Basketball star, friendly, Class 2-B royalty."
She wagged her finger. "That doubles the sparkle."

"...I don't think sparkle works like that."

"Hush. It does in girl logic."

I let out a soft breath, and Xia grinned like she'd won a debate.

******

Class 2-A was already buzzing when we stepped inside.

A few students waved at Xia; she waved back with her usual bright energy.
I walked to my seat quietly, letting the chatter wash over me like background noise.

"Did you hear? There's an announcement today."
"The teacher said it's happening during homeroom!"
"I can't focus at all."
"I hope I get paired with Yiyi—she's reliable."
"No way, if you're with her, Rui's gonna glare."

Xia snorted under her breath.
"They talk too much," she whispered.

I nodded slightly.
Not annoyed... just surrounded.

I unpacked my books, letting the simple routine settle my thoughts.

Seconds later, Cheng stormed into the room as if chased by fate itself, slamming his bag onto his desk.

"Yuan! It's happening today!" he declared dramatically.

Tang Yuan didn't even flinch. "Good morning."

Cheng deflated. "How can you say 'good morning' when DESTINY is approaching?!"

Xia nudged me.
"That boy needs help."

I covered my laugh behind my hand.

Just then, our homeroom teacher entered, a folder tucked under his arm.

"Settle down, everyone."

The room froze instantly—anticipation hanging thick in the air.

"We will begin preparations for the joint project today. The mixed group lists have been posted on the bulletin board near the stairwell."

Excitement burst across the room in one synchronized wave.

Xia sucked in a dramatic breath.
"Ohhh—it's happening."

I kept my expression neutral, though my fingers tightened slightly on my pencil.

The teacher added, with impossible hope:
"You may check the lists during lunch break. Please keep the noise level reasonable."

Reasonable?
In this class?
I admired his optimism.

When he dismissed homeroom, Xia immediately grabbed my wrist.

"Yiyi, let's check it together later, okay?"

"...Yes."

She beamed, satisfied.

My heartbeat felt... uneven.
Not fast.
Not anxious.

Just unsteady—caught somewhere between anticipation and uncertainty.

Maybe it was the energy in the room.
Maybe it was the weight of mixed groups.
Maybe it was simply the sense that today would shift something, quietly but unmistakably.

I wasn't afraid.

Just... unsure.

But Xia walked ahead confidently, and for now, that was enough.

******

The first two periods dragged on with a strangely restless energy.

Even as teachers explained formulas or assigned exercises, students kept whispering behind their textbooks, passing notes, or sneaking glances toward the hallway—as if the group list might magically appear early.

I tried to focus on writing answers in my notebook.

But the voices behind me were impossible to ignore.

"Who do you think Yiyi will get paired with?"
"Probably Xia. They're inseparable."
"What if Rui's in her group?"
"He'd explode."
"She'd run away."
"No—she'd just politely ignore him."

Xia, sitting beside me, heard every word.
She rolled her eyes so hard it was almost impressive.

I whispered, "...People make such strange assumptions."

She didn't hesitate.
"It's because you're too pretty. Face reality."

I blinked. "...That's not a reason."

"It is a reason," she said confidently. "People get weird when they like someone."

I looked toward the window, pretending to study the scenery outside.

The sky was calm.
Soft clouds drifted lazily.
Even the breeze looked gentle.

Inside the classroom, however, it felt like everyone was vibrating with tension—
over a project that hadn't even started yet.

******

Five minutes before the bell, our teacher cleared his throat and spoke with unnecessary optimism:

"You may check your group assignments after the bell. Please do not run in the hallway."

Half the class immediately tightened their shoelaces.

Xia shut her notebook with a snap.
"Yiyi, ready?"

"...Yes."

My voice was steady, but inside, something felt... unbalanced.

Not nerves.
Not excitement.

Just that faint, suspended feeling right before stepping onto unfamiliar ground.

Whoever ended up in my group—
friends, strangers, or... certain people—
would shape the next few weeks.

I inhaled slowly.

The bell rang.

In an instant, the classroom turned into a mini stampede.

"Let's go!" Xia grabbed my hand before I could stand fully.

I let her pull me along; she practically skipped into the hallway.
Students from neighboring rooms spilled out too, all heading toward the stairwell.

The air buzzed with voices.
Footsteps echoed down the hall.
Someone shouted, "Move! I need to know my group!"

I kept my breathing controlled.

As we turned the corner, the noise grew louder—
a wall of chatter, squeals, and groans.

Then the bulletin board came into view.

A dense crowd was already gathered, faces pressed close, fingers tracing down the printed sheets.

Names were being read aloud, reactions erupting one after another.

"I got paired with Rui?!"
"No way—I'm with 2-B's honor student!"
"Who is this? I've never even heard of them!"
"Hey, switch groups with me—please!"

Xia squeezed my hand tighter.

"Come on, Yiyi. Let's see where fate put us."

I nodded once—

and stepped into the crowd.

******

When the bell rang, the hallway burst open like a shaken bottle.

Students poured out from every direction, voices overlapping, footsteps echoing against the walls.

Xia's grip tightened around my hand.
"Let's go before the boys flood the whole area!"

"I'm not rushing."

"Well, I am!"

She practically dragged me through the tide of bodies moving toward the stairwell.
With each step, the chatter grew louder, sharper, more frantic.

By the time we reached the bulletin board, a full crowd from both 2-A and 2-B had gathered.
Some students stood on tiptoe.
Others complained loudly.
A few were already celebrating like they'd won a prize.

Xia didn't hesitate at all.

"Excuse us~! Coming through!"
Her voice was sweet but her elbows were not.

I followed her until the printed sheets finally came into view.

My eyes scanned down the page.

Group 5 — Mixed 2-A / 2-B
Zhao Yiyi (2-A)
Lin Xia (2-A)
Li Rui (2-B)
[another 2-B classmate]

I read it twice.
Then a third time.

Rui.

My stomach tightened—not in fear, just a quiet flicker of uncertainty.

Xia leaned in until her hair brushed my shoulder.
"Ohhhh. So we're together! Lucky!"

"That's good," I said softly.

"And Rui too... hmm~ interesting combination."

"...Is it?"

Her grin told me yes, but I didn't want the explanation.

Around us, voices rose and blended together:

"Wait—Rui got paired with Yiyi?"
"Someone record his face! He's about to pass out."
"Xia's with them? Thank goodness."

"Cai Qing's group is crazy too. They've got Ling... and Tang Yuan..."

At that last name, something tugged at me.

I scanned the board again.

Group 3 — Mixed 2-A / 2-B
Tang Yuan (2-A)
Liu Cheng (2-A)
Cai Qing (2-B)
Ye Ling (2-B)

A strange, quiet feeling brushed my chest.
Barely there, but real.

Tang Yuan... with Ling?

Xia was already studying it.
"Oh wow. Yuan with Ling and Cai Qing? That's kind of amazing."

"It seems balanced," I managed.

"Balanced, yes. Normal? Not at all."
She snorted. "Two quiet geniuses, one calm princess, and Cheng the chaos gremlin."

I stared a moment longer.

Yuan and Ling...
I hadn't expected those two names to appear together.

"It'll be fine," Xia said breezily. "Group 3 will be a silent monastery. Except for Cheng."

I nodded.

Still... something felt unfamiliar.
Not uncomfortable.
Just new.

Then a loud groan split the air behind us.

"No way... I'm with Yiyi?!"

We turned.

Rui stood frozen in front of the board, face bright red, gripping the wall like he needed physical support.
His friends swarmed him instantly.

"Congratulations, Lover Boy!"
"You're done for!"
"Don't faint in the first meeting!"

"S–Stop it! I didn't— I wasn't— I just—!"

His words tangled hopelessly.

Xia whispered, "He's already malfunctioning."

"...I can see that."

For a brief second, Rui's eyes met mine.

His entire soul disintegrated on the spot.

He vanished behind his friend at supernatural speed.

Xia wheezed with laughter.
I exhaled quietly.

"This project is already sounding tiring," I murmured.

Xia tugged my sleeve again.
"Come on, Yiyi. Let's grab seats before the cafeteria becomes a war zone."

"I'm not eating cafeteria food."

"I know! But you're keeping me company!"

She dragged me away from the board.

I let her.
It was easier that way.

But before we turned the corner, I looked back—
just once—
at Group 3.

At one name in particular.

Tang Yuan.

I didn't know why.

I just did.

******

By the time we reached the cafeteria, most of the tables were already taken.
Xia spotted an empty one at the back and practically sprinted toward it.

"You can eat your lunch box here," she declared, dropping her tray with a thud.
"I'll guard us from loud boys."

"That isn't necessary."

"It absolutely is."

I unpacked my lunch quietly as she dug into hers with the enthusiasm of someone who had run a marathon before noon.

"Okay," she said between bites, "let's review our group. There's you, me, Rui, and... that other quiet guy from 2-B."

"Mm."

"It's not bad! Rui might be silly, but he works hard. And he's not a bad person."

"I know."

She leaned in dramatically, whispering, "Also, he likes you."

My chopsticks froze mid-air.

"...I know," I said softly.

Xia dropped her spoon. "Oh? You actually noticed?"

"It's... very obvious."

She exploded into laughter. "Fair point!"

I tried focusing on my rice, but Xia nudged me insistently.

"Oh! Look, look!"

I followed her gaze.

Across the cafeteria, Ling and Cai Qing sat together, calm and composed.
Moments later, Tang Yuan and Liu Cheng joined them.

Ling greeted them with her usual softness.
Cai Qing waved at Cheng, who responded by nearly dropping his tray.
Tang Yuan took his seat quietly, listening as Ling spoke.

The four of them looked—
unexpectedly natural together.

Xia rested her cheek on her palm.
"Group 3 synergy is already starting, huh?"

"...Maybe."

Ling said something.
Tang Yuan nodded, expression steady.

It was... peaceful.

Xia poked me.
"You're staring."

"I'm observing."

"That's called staring."

"...No."

She giggled under her breath.

I lowered my eyes to my lunch again, but the cafeteria felt warmer somehow—
as if the noise had softened into something pleasant.

Then—

A shadow fell over our table.

We both looked up.

Rui stood stiffly with his tray, hands trembling like he was defusing a bomb.

"H-Hi. Um. C-Can I— since we're... in the same... group, I thought... maybe—"

Xia sighed. "Use your words."

Rui went rigid, inhaling sharply.

"C-Can I sit here?"

I blinked.
Xia didn't hesitate.

"Sit."

He dropped into the chair across from us like gravity doubled.

I continued eating.
Rui attempted conversation.

"S-So... the project... I'll work really hard. I promise."

"Okay," I said quietly.

He visibly lit up—

Then choked on air.

Xia thumped him on the back hard enough to knock the soul out of him.
"You good?"

"I'm— cough— I'm fine—"

I offered him a napkin.

"T-Thank you, Yiyi."

"Mm."

It was a simple moment—small, harmless.

But it left Rui looking like he had just completed a heroic quest.

When the bell rang, he shot up from his seat.

"I—I'll see you in class!"

He nearly tripped, bowed awkwardly, then dashed off.

Xia snorted.
"He's hopeless."

I closed my lunch box.

"...Maybe not hopeless."

"Oh? You're warming up to him?" she teased.

"No," I said immediately.

Xia laughed so loudly the next table turned to stare.

We left the cafeteria together—
her humming,
me walking quietly beside her.

And strangely...

My heart felt unsettled.

Not troubled.
Not confused.

Just...

Different.

Like a page inside me had been turned without my noticing.

******

The walk back from the cafeteria felt quieter than before.

Maybe it was because Rui nearly tripped over his own feet while fleeing.
Maybe it was because Xia couldn't stop laughing.
Or maybe it was because the mixed-group list had settled somewhere in the back of my mind and refused to leave.

I wasn't nervous.
Just... adjusting.

When we stepped into the classroom, the noise returned immediately—like someone had unmuted an entire room all at once.

"Group 3 is insane."
"Rui's done for."
"Yiyi and Xia together? That group's gonna finish early."
"Wait, Ling's working with Tang Yuan?"
"What kind of combination is that...?"

I sat down without reacting.

Xia collapsed over her desk dramatically.
"School is too loud. My ears deserve financial compensation."

"You were the loudest one," I reminded her.

"Lies and slander."

I ignored her again.

Our teacher entered soon after, and the class gradually settled.
Pages opened. Pens clicked. The room adopted its usual study rhythm.

I stared at the text in front of me.

But the words weren't settling.
They blurred at the edges, as if my focus kept slipping between lines.

Xia nudged my elbow.

"You're not focused."

"I am."

"You're not. Your eyes look like you're reading the spiritual plane."

"...It's still literature."

She tried — and failed — to hide a grin.
"Thinking about the project?"

I thought about denying it.
But that felt pointless.

"A little."

"Well," she whispered, resting her cheek on her hand, "Rui didn't combust in the cafeteria today. That's a good start."

"He didn't combust."

"Oh? Look at you. Already defending him."

I lowered my eyes to my book.

"I'm just stating facts."

Xia practically glowed.

"That is exactly what defending sounds like."

"...Please read."

She laughed softly and returned to her page.

I didn't argue further.

It wasn't worth the energy.

But even as I tried to drown myself in the story on the page, a small part of my mind drifted again—to Rui's trembling voice, to Xia's relentless teasing...

...And to Group 3, where Ling sat naturally beside Tang Yuan, speaking to him like it was the most normal thing in the world.

The thought lingered longer than I expected.

******

Partway through the next subject, while the teacher scribbled a wall of formulas across the board, my attention drifted — just for a moment.

Across the room, Tang Yuan was taking notes, posture calm, movements steady.
Beside him, Cheng looked half-awake, half-busy imagining something dramatic again.

A few rows ahead, I caught whispers.

"He's in a group with Ling?"
"Do they know each other well?"
"They were talking yesterday."
"I didn't expect that from Tang Yuan..."

He didn't react.
He never reacted.

I returned my gaze to my notebook, pretending I hadn't heard any of it.

During the short break, Xia stretched so loudly the teacher in the hallway probably heard it.

"Ughhhh... I need sugar. Should've bought pudding."

"You have candy in your bag."

"Oh—same thing!"

She dove into her bag and unwrapped a piece like she was defusing a bomb.

Across the aisle, Rui was fighting with a water bottle cap.
He failed.
His friend helped him.
Then he glanced our way—

—and immediately snapped his head back down, staring at his math sheet like it held the meaning of life.

I let out a small breath.

Everyone felt... off today.
Or maybe I was just paying attention more than usual.

The last class passed quietly.

Near the end, the teacher said:

"Mixed-group class starts tomorrow. Come prepared."

The atmosphere shifted again.
Not loud — just a subtle, collective breath across the room.

Xia tapped her pencil rhythmically.

"Tomorrow's gonna be hectic," she whispered.

"Probably."

"You ready?"

"Yes."

She raised an eyebrow at me like she didn't quite believe it, but didn't argue.

When the bell rang, the classroom erupted into motion — papers rustling, chairs scraping, voices rising.
Some students dashed out to find friends from 2-B.
Others texted furiously, planning tomorrow's "strategy," whatever that meant.

Xia slung her bag over her shoulder.

"Walk home with me today, okay? I just need to return notes to 2-C."

"I'll wait."

"Great!"

She rushed out, leaving a small breeze behind her.

I packed more slowly, sliding books into my bag one by one.
The noise around me faded into something familiar — background noise, the kind that didn't demand anything from me.

When I glanced out the window, clouds drifted lazily across a pale afternoon sky, untouched by the chaos brewing inside the school.

Tomorrow would be noisy.
Chaotic.
Crowded.

But right now?

It was peaceful.

I breathed out softly, tightened the strap of my bag, and stepped out of the classroom.

Ready — calmly, quietly — for whatever came next.

******

I waited by the shoe lockers for Xia to return from Class 2-C.
The hallway had thinned out—only a few students lingered, chatting or stuffing things into backpacks.

Xia came jogging back after a minute, waving.
"Done! Sorry for the wait."

"It wasn't long."

"Good. Let's go."

We left through the school gate together. The afternoon sun warmed the street; shadows stretched long and soft. We walked without hurrying, letting the conversation drift the way it always did.

"Hey," Xia said, suddenly thoughtful. "Your group isn't bad, you know. Rui might be a handful at first, but he works hard."

"I know," I answered.

"And the other boy—quiet, but smart. We'll be fine."

"I'm not worried."

Xia smiled. "You're steady about this. I can tell."

I didn't answer—partly because I didn't know what to say, and partly because something ahead caught my eye.

A short distance down the street, two figures walked side by side.

Tang Yuan.
Ye Ling.

They moved calmly, as if the world around them were simply scenery. Ling's hands were folded neat in front of her bag; Yuan's steps were quiet and unhurried. Their conversation looked easy, ordinary—no laughter, no theatrics—just two people walking together like it was natural.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing staged.

Still, something small tugged at my chest—less a pang than a tiny, sudden gap of air.

Xia followed my gaze.
"Oh? Isn't that Yuan and Ling?"

"...Yes."

"They go the same way, don't they?"

"So it seems."

Xia raised an eyebrow at my flat reply but didn't press. The pair turned down a side street toward Ling's neighborhood; their figures shrank and vanished.

Xia exhaled, theatrical as ever. "Well, that's interesting."

"It's just coincidence," I said softly.

"Is it?"

"...Yes."

My voice sounded softer than I meant it to.

We kept walking. Xia swung her arms, easy and loud.

"So—what do you think now that you've seen everyone?" she asked.

"It's manageable."

"That's such a Yiyi answer."

"Is that not enough?"

"It's too neutral." She laughed. "But that's fine. You'll warm up eventually."

Maybe I would. Maybe not.

She nudged me. "And hey, if Rui actually behaves normally, that'll be a miracle."

I let out a small breath. "...He was trying."

"Oh? You noticed?"

"It was obvious."

Xia's eyes lit up like she'd found something to file under entertaining. "Interesting," she murmured.

I didn't ask what she meant.

At the intersection where our ways split, Xia tightened her grip on her bag straps. "See you tomorrow, Yiyi! Get ready for chaos!"

"I will."

She waved and jogged away. I stood for a moment watching her go, then turned down my street alone. The quiet settled around me like a familiar blanket.

But today felt different—not colder, not warmer—just subtly unfamiliar. A faint echo of something I couldn't yet name. Maybe it was the project. Maybe Rui's determined awkwardness. Maybe the sight of Yuan and Ling moving together so naturally. Or maybe something else entirely.

I breathed out softly and walked home.

Whatever tomorrow brought, I'd meet it the way I always had—quietly, carefully, one step at a time.