Chapter 2

I woke up before my alarm.

Not drastically early—just a few minutes before the soft ring that usually pulled me out of sleep.
The sky outside was tinted with pale morning light, the kind that made everything feel quiet and distant.

I sat up slowly, brushing my hair behind my ear.

Why am I awake this early?

Today wasn't an exam.
Not a festival.
Nothing particularly special.

...Except it was.

Today was the official start of the joint project.

The groups had been posted last week, so I already knew who I'd be working with.
It wasn't a bad group—Xia was there, after all.

But still, my chest felt a little tight.
A soft, unfamiliar tension.

Not fear.
Not dread.

More like... anticipation mixed with quiet uncertainty.

I got out of bed, straightened the sheets, and washed my face.
My reflection in the mirror looked the same as always:

Calm.
Orderly.
Expressionless.

But inside, my thoughts were moving faster than usual.

Would Rui be awkward again?
Would Class 2-B actually pay attention during the introduction?
Would the atmosphere feel different now that groups were set?

I sighed.

I'm thinking too much.

Knowing that didn't stop the small whirlpool in my chest.

I changed into my uniform, tied my hair neatly, and stepped into the kitchen.

Mom was already preparing breakfast, humming as she stirred a pot.

"Oh? Yiyi, you're up early today," she said with a warm smile.
"That's rare for a Monday."

"I woke up naturally," I replied, taking my seat.

She placed a bowl of warm porridge in front of me, steam rising gently.

"Do you have something important at school?"

"...Sort of."
I stirred the porridge.
"Today's the joint project with Class 2-B."

"Ah, the one you mentioned."
She nodded.
"So that starts today."

I hummed lightly.

She studied me for a moment, noticing the tension in my shoulders.

"Nervous?" she asked.

"...No."
A beat.
"...Maybe just thinking too much."

Mom chuckled.
"That's normal. Girls your age think a lot."

I paused.

Normal, huh.

She leaned her elbows on the table.

"Worried about your group?"

"No," I said honestly.
"I'm with Xia. She'll handle everything."

"And the boy?"

"...Rui?"

"Yes, him."

I lowered my gaze.

"I don't mind him. He just... tries too hard sometimes."

Mom's eyes softened in amusement.

"So no one you're particularly interested in?"

I froze.

"M-Mom..."

She laughed gently.

"I'm joking. Mostly."

I pressed my lips together.

"...There's no one."

"Mm-hmm," she hummed, wearing a suspicious smile that made me look away.

Why was I reacting like this?

Mom continued stirring her drink, still amused.

"Well, if someone does catch your eye someday, don't worry. You're allowed to feel things too."

I felt my cheeks warm—barely, but she caught it.

"I should finish eating," I muttered.

She chuckled and let me be.

When I stepped outside, the cool morning breeze brushed against my cheeks.

The street looked the same as always.
People walking dogs.
A few shops opening early.
Bicycles passing quietly.

But for some reason...

The world felt a little sharper.

Clearer.

Like today might bring something different, even if I couldn't explain what.

I checked my phone out of habit.
Nothing.

Of course nothing.

Why would there be something?

I tucked the phone away, feeling strangely embarrassed at myself.

It's just a project, I reminded myself.

Just a normal Monday.

But the faint flutter in my chest didn't disappear.

I reached the usual intersection near the convenience store—the spot where Xia and I always met when our schedules aligned.

She was already there, standing on her toes as she tried to reach a poster on the community board.
Her short brown hair swayed with each stretch, and the pink flower hairpin on her left side caught the morning light.

When she turned and spotted me, her face brightened immediately.

"Yiyi!" she waved. "Good morning!"

"...Good morning," I replied.

She jogged over, her bag bouncing lightly on her shoulder.

"You're early today," she said, tilting her head.
"Actually—earlier than me. That's suspicious."

"I just woke up early," I said calmly.

"'Just' woke up early?"
She narrowed her eyes dramatically.
"Hmm... suspicious."

I sighed. "...Can you not start this already?"

"Okay, okay," she said, though her grin said otherwise.

We began walking toward school together.

The morning streets were peaceful, filled with the soft chatter of students heading the same way.

Xia swung her bag casually.

"So~ it's joint-project day."
She nudged me lightly.
"Feeling nervous?"

"No," I answered truthfully.

"Excited?"

"...No."

"Then why do you look like someone who's been thinking all morning?"

I paused half a step.

She caught it instantly.

"Aha. So you were thinking about something."

"I think about many things. It's normal."

"Normal for you," she said, poking my arm.
"But today you're a bit... different."

"Different how?"

She studied my face with exaggerated seriousness.

"Hm... softer? Distracted? Maybe a tiny bit restless?"

I looked away. "...You're imagining things."

"Nope."
She leaned closer.
"My instincts are usually right, you know?"

I sighed again, but she only smiled more warmly.

"It's fine though," she added gently.
"Everyone's probably feeling the same way today. New people, new groups, new responsibilities."

"That's true," I admitted.

"And," she continued, "some people might be looking forward to working with certain classmates..."
She tapped her lips thoughtfully.
"Like Rui, for example—"

"No."

My answer came faster than I meant.

Xia blinked—then burst into laughter.

"I was teasing. You didn't have to reject it that fast!"

Heat crept up my cheeks.
"I just didn't want any misunderstandings."

"Then what were you thinking about this morning?" she asked lightly.
"Was it the project? Or... someone in Class 2-B?"

I stopped walking.

Xia turned to me, her expression softening.

"Yiyi," she said quietly, "I'm not teasing now. I'm asking seriously."

I hesitated, searching for something that felt true.

"...It's nothing specific," I said finally.
"Just... thinking."

"About yesterday?" she asked gently.

"...Maybe."

She smiled, not pushing any further.

"That's enough answer," she said warmly.
"I get it."

I glanced at her.

Sometimes Xia acted silly and childish.
Other times—like now—she understood me too well, even when I said very little.

That was why she was my best friend.

The school gate came into view, already crowded with students.

Xia stretched her arms above her head.

"Ahh—new week, new chaos. I can already feel Class 2-B's energy from here."

I nodded.

"But don't worry," she added confidently as we passed through the gate.
"Whatever happens today, I'm right here. You won't deal with anything alone."

"...I know."

"And," she said with a mischievous grin,
"if Rui tries to talk to you first thing in the morning, I'll deal with him."

"Please don't," I said instantly.

"No promises!"

I sighed again—
but this time, a faint smile tugged at my lips.

The hallway leading to Class 2-A was noisier than usual.

Students clustered around the bulletin boards, checking the group list again even though it hadn't changed since Friday. Others chatted excitedly about Class 2-B—who was smart, who was friendly, who was "kind of cute."

Xia and I wove through the small crowds.

"Wow, everyone's extra lively today," Xia said, amused.
"It's like a festival instead of a project."

I nodded lightly.
Some students reacted this way when something new was coming.
I didn't dislike the energy... but it felt a little overwhelming this morning.

We entered Class 2-A.

The difference was immediate.

The air felt heavier—not in a bad way, just... charged.

Some students were cleaning their desks.
Some fixing their hair.
Others kept glancing at the door, as if waiting for someone.

Xia leaned in to whisper,
"Half our class is pretending this is a social event."

"...It does feel like that," I admitted.

We walked to our seats.
I placed my bag quietly on my desk.

From the corner of my eye, a few girls in the back row whispered while glancing at me.
When they noticed me looking, they quickly waved.

I nodded politely.

Xia smirked.
"Rumors about Rui again. I bet they're imagining romance scenarios."

"That's not funny."

"It's a little funny," she insisted.

I sighed.

A few minutes later, students from Class 2-B began passing our door on their way to the multipurpose room. Their voices drifted through the hallway—friendly, loud, energetic.

Xia looked at me knowingly.

"Ready?"

"...For what?"

"For the chaos that's about to enter our daily life."

I didn't respond.

Instead, my gaze drifted—
toward the back of the room, where Tang Yuan usually sat.

He wasn't there yet.

A small, unexplainable breath escaped before I caught myself.
I looked away before Xia noticed.

A moment later, the classroom door slid open again.

Liu Cheng entered first, laughing loudly at something one of his friends said.

Right behind him was Tang Yuan.

He looked the same as always—quiet, composed, slightly sleepy—
but with a faint alertness, like he was already bracing himself for the noisy day ahead.

Cheng scanned the room and shouted,
"Morning!"

Several students responded enthusiastically.

Yuan simply nodded and walked to his seat without drawing attention.

Except—

My eyes followed him for a second longer than necessary.

Just one second.
Nothing more.

But one second was enough for Xia to notice.

She leaned close.

"...You're staring."

My heart jumped.

"I—I wasn't."

"Mhm."
Her grin was immediate.
"You looked like you were thinking about something."

"No," I said quickly.
"I was just... spacing out."

"Spacing out in Tang Yuan's direction?"

"...Xia."

She laughed quietly.
"Okay, okay. I'll stop."

But the smile stayed on her face.

Our homeroom teacher finally entered, carrying a stack of documents.

"Good morning, everyone," she began.
"As you know, today marks the start of the joint project between Class 2-A and Class 2-B."

The room straightened immediately.

"We will head to the multipurpose hall shortly for the official introduction and instructions. Please bring your writing materials and move in an orderly manner."

A soft buzz spread through the room as students prepared, the quiet tension still lingering.

Xia leaned toward me and whispered,
"Here it begins."

"Mm," I replied softly.

I gathered my notebook and pen, then stood with the rest of the class.

We formed lines and filed into the hallway.

Nothing dramatic.
Nothing loud.

Just a calm start to something new.

I exhaled slowly.

Let's see what happens today.

The multipurpose hall was already arranged neatly when we arrived—rows of chairs facing a long table for the teachers.
Class 2-A filed in first, taking the left half of the room.

Xia and I found seats somewhere in the middle.

"It feels like some kind of ceremony," she whispered.

"...A little," I admitted.

The room smelled faintly of chalk and floor polish.
Morning sun filtered through the tall windows, casting soft lines of light across the floor.

I sat quietly, notebook on my lap, hands folded neatly.

Then—

The door on the opposite side opened.

A lively wave of voices entered as Class 2-B filed in.

Not noisy—just more energetic than our class.
Most walked confidently, chatting as they searched for seats.

Xia leaned closer.

"There they are. Class 2-B."

I nodded, watching them settle on the right side of the hall.

Some students exchanged greetings across the aisle.
Others straightened their backs, trying to look composed.

I kept my posture steady.

Just watching.

Some faces I recognized from passing them in the hallway.
Others were familiar but not by name.

And then—

I saw someone I recognized.

Ye Ling.

Calm, composed, gentle-looking.
Her medium-length hair swayed softly as she walked, her expression serene.
She didn't seem nervous at all.

Xia followed my gaze and whispered,
"That's Ye Ling from Class 2-B. I told you about her, right? She's well-liked."

"...Yes," I replied.

She did seem like the type many people found easy to approach.

Both homeroom teachers took their seats at the long table.

Our teacher stood first.

"Good morning, everyone. As you know, this week marks the beginning of the joint project between Class 2-A and Class 2-B."

Her voice carried clearly.

"Our goal is to help you learn, collaborate, and experience working with students outside your usual environment."

Class 2-B's teacher continued:

"You'll be sharing certain periods due to the project's structure. Please be cooperative and respectful. This is an opportunity for growth, not competition."

A soft murmur spread through the room.

Xia whispered,
"Sounds serious."

"It's schoolwork. It's always serious," I said quietly.

She giggled.

The teachers outlined the structure:

Morning study periods together once or twice a week

Occasional combined class sessions

Group meetings outside regular hours allowed

Teachers supervising creative planning

Final presentation at the end of the arc

Nothing surprising—we'd heard a preview before.
But hearing it formally made everything feel more real.

The teachers' voices blended together as they went over the details.

I took quiet notes, expression unchanged.

Xia whispered,
"You're writing really fast."

"I don't want to forget anything," I replied.

"You're such a model student," she teased.

"...I prefer being prepared."

While the teachers continued, I let my eyes wander subtly.

Some students looked excited.
Others already seemed bored.
A few whispered to their group members.
And some—the confident boys—openly scanned the opposite class.

A few girls from our side glanced toward Ye Ling.
She didn't seem to notice.
Or perhaps she simply didn't mind.

Xia leaned closer.

"Some people already checking out their competition."

I blinked. "...Competition?"

"You know."
She smirked.
"Who's popular, who's good-looking, who's talented. Teenagers are simple."

I looked away.
"I don't care about that."

"I know."
She nudged me lightly.
"That's why I'm telling you."

When we returned from the multipurpose hall, Class 2-A slipped back into its usual rhythm.
Students settled into their seats, flipping notebooks open or stretching lazily.

For a small moment, everything felt normal again.

But the moment didn't last.

Footsteps and voices filled the hallway—
livelier, louder, more energetic than our class.

Xia nudged me lightly.
"Class 2-B is here."

The door slid open, and Class 2-B filtered in by small groups.

The atmosphere shifted immediately.

Our class was usually calm, but with an entire second class entering, the room filled quickly—voices blending, desks shifting, chairs scraping.

It wasn't unpleasant.
Just... different.

Some students greeted familiar faces from 2-B.
Others avoided eye contact.
A few boys straightened up, suddenly more alert.

Xia looked around, eyes sparkling.

"It's noisy in a good way," she whispered.
"Like the room got bigger and smaller at the same time."

I nodded quietly.

There were too many people to look at directly, so I focused on my notebook instead.

Then I sensed movement beside my desk.

When I looked up, Li Rui was standing there—
trying very hard to look casual
and failing just as badly.

"Uh... Zhao Yiyi," he said, clearing his throat.
"About the project... if you need anything, you can, um... ask me."

I blinked.

"...Thank you."

His ears turned faintly red.

"I—I mean, not that you'd need help, but—if something happens—or if you—"

Before the sentence collapsed entirely, one of his friends pulled him away.

"Rui, stop blocking the walkway."

"O-Oh! Right!"

He practically ran back to his seat.

Xia leaned over immediately.

"That was painful to watch... but also kind of cute."

I sighed softly. "...Please don't make this worse."

"No promises."

Her grin said the teasing would last for weeks.

From the row behind us, a few girls whispered—loud enough to hear.

"So he talked to her again..."
"He's so obvious..."
"Do you think they'd look good together?"

Xia twisted in her chair and gave them a warning glare.
They fell silent instantly.

I lowered my gaze.

I didn't dislike Rui.
I just never knew how to respond to attention like that.

It always made me feel... exposed.

I looked toward the front of the room, searching for something to focus on—
and saw Ye Ling walking toward an empty desk with her classmate, Cai Qing.

Her movements were calm, poised.
She didn't seem bothered by the noise around her.

Some girls in our class watched her with mild curiosity.
A few boys, too.

Xia whispered,
"She's popular already. Makes sense."

I didn't respond.

But I watched Ling a moment longer than I expected.

She seemed gentle, approachable... easy to talk to.

Different from me.

Then—

Almost without thinking, my gaze shifted.

Toward the back of the room.

Tang Yuan sat with Liu Cheng, both settling into their seats while Class 2-B students chatted around them.

He didn't look overwhelmed.
Or particularly interested.

Just... quietly observing.

The same way I was quietly observing.

I caught myself staring and immediately straightened my posture, eyes returning to my notebook.

Xia noticed.
Of course she did.

She didn't say anything—
but her small, knowing smile said everything.

After the merged-class morning session ended, the teachers announced that the remaining periods would return to normal lessons.

Class 2-B headed back to their room, and ours slowly settled into its usual quiet.
The shift felt almost... strange.

Just an hour ago, the room had been full—voices, movement, new faces.
Now it was only Class 2-A again.
Familiar.
Calmer.

Xia stretched her arms above her head.

"Whew... finally, it's peaceful again."

"Was it too noisy?" I asked.

"Not noisy. Just... different."
She tilted her head.
"But I bet it'll stay like this only for today. Tomorrow, who knows."

I hummed softly. She was probably right.

The next two periods passed smoothly.

The teacher lectured.
Notes were taken.
Students murmured occasionally.
Pens scratched quietly against paper.

It was the normal rhythm of school life.

But I couldn't help noticing—

Some students kept glancing toward the door, as if expecting Class 2-B to walk in again.

Some whispered about when project planning would start.

Others exchanged hints about their group members, making their excitement—or nerves—obvious.

Even I wasn't completely focused.

My mind drifted back to the earlier atmosphere...

Ling calmly introducing herself.
Cai Qing glancing around with steady confidence.
Class 2-B boys trying to figure out who was who.
Our own class adjusting to the attention.

And somewhere in the middle of all that—

A moment replayed quietly:

The second I realized Tang Yuan was observing everyone too.
Calmly.
Carefully.
Quietly.

Almost the same way I watched things.

I blinked and forced my eyes back to the board.

...This is unnecessary.
It's nothing important.

But telling myself that didn't erase the faint awareness that lingered.

During the five-minute break between classes, Xia leaned over my desk.

"So?" she whispered.

"So what?" I asked.

"What do you think about Class 2-B? Anyone interesting?"

I shook my head.
"They seem fine. Just... normal students."

Xia pouted.
"You're impossible to tease."

"I don't know what answer you expect."

"A more dramatic one! Like, 'Ah, Xia, someone caught my heart!' or something."

"...No one caught my heart."

She burst into soft laughter.

"That's exactly the Yiyi I know."

I felt a faint urge to sigh.

"But," she continued, her tone shifting,
"you did seem a little... thoughtful today. More than usual."

I paused.

"...Maybe. It's the start of something new. It's normal to think too much."

"Mhm."
Her eyes softened.
"And I'm here if you need someone to talk to."

"...Thank you."

She smiled brightly, and I felt the tension in my shoulders ease—just a little.

The last bell of the day rang out sharply, signaling the end of Monday.

Students immediately began packing their things.
Some rushed to discuss project plans, while others looked drained from the emotional weight of the day.

Xia stood and stretched again.

"Let's go home together?"

"...Yes," I replied.
"It's been a long morning."

She grinned. "See? Even you admit it!"

I didn't answer, but she laughed as if I had.

As we walked toward the hallway, I glanced at the window—the afternoon sunlight was softer now, warmer than in the morning.

A normal school day.

But it felt like the quiet beginning of something new.

When the final bell rang, Xia and I packed our bags and stepped into the hallway.

The corridor was full of voices—students from both classes streaming out of their rooms, heading toward the shoe lockers or lingering to chat about the day.

It felt lighter than the morning, yet strangely more crowded, as if the whole building was still buzzing from the joint classes.

Xia walked beside me, swinging her bag casually.

"Well," she said, "that was a lot for a Monday."

"...Yes."

"Are you tired?"

"A little."

"Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually?"

"...Xia."

She laughed quietly.

We followed the flow of students, turning the corner toward the stairs leading to the first floor.

I was just about to ask her what she planned for dinner when—

Xia suddenly slowed down.

"Hm...?"
She tilted her head, looking ahead.

I followed her gaze—

Tang Yuan was a short distance ahead, walking calmly, just about to turn toward the shoe lockers.

He didn't seem to notice us.

I didn't think anything of it.
Seeing classmates in the hallway was normal.

But Xia's eyes brightened for a reason I couldn't understand.

Before I could stop her—

She raised her hand and called out:

"Yuan! Ah—sorry, Tang Yuan!"

My steps faltered.

Xia, what are you doing?

Tang Yuan paused and turned, looking back with mild surprise.

Xia jogged forward a few steps—
leaving me no choice but to follow.

"Sorry," she said, slightly breathless, "we were talking about project groups earlier, so—uh—we thought we should say good luck."

She made it sound natural.

Too natural.

I bowed politely.

"...Good luck."

Tang Yuan blinked once, then gave a small nod.

"You too."

It lasted only a few seconds—
brief, simple, almost forgettable.

Yet for some reason, my heartbeat felt a little louder.

Xia waved goodbye, then turned toward me wearing an unreasonably satisfied expression.

I looked away.

"...Why did you call him?" I asked quietly.

She shrugged.

"Why not?"

I had no answer for that.

Or maybe... I didn't want to admit I had one.

We continued down the hallway, the surrounding noise fading into a gentle hum.

A small, unimportant moment.

But one I would remember clearly.