Every class was gathered outside at the sportsfield where the preparations for today’s competition were already set up. The students all wore different shirt colors according to their assigned class.   “I’m so glad we got blue,” Hyunmi cheered, high fiving Seulyi who eagerly nodded in agreement for getting their favorite color.   “I wished we got black,” Myungsoo interrupted, making a face as he stretched out the bottom of his shirt. Some of his fangirls who had been watching immediately gasped, hoping he’d pull up his shirt just enough to reveal a glimpse of his abs.   “Um, but you look good in blue too,” Seulyi immediately said, quickly standing in front of Myungsoo to block those thirsty fangirls’ view. No way she was gonna let them see Myungsoo like that.   Myungsoo smiled at her. “So do you.”   Seulyi blinked, completely frozen in her tracks. She nearly forgot how to breathe even as Myungsoo left to approach their other friends. Had he actually admitted she looked good?    “Ooh, did something happen between you two?” Hyunmi immediately cooed, curiously jerking her friend’s arm.   “No. He usually hangs out with you because of the practice anyway,” Seulyi answered.   And most of the time, Hyunmi had tried her best to talk Seulyi up. She had interrogated Myungsoo about his ideal type and would subtly suggest that the descriptions reminded her of Seulyi. If there was one thing she learned from Kibum’s annoying meddling, it was that shoving the idea of viewing someone romantically did something to their brain. They’d consider new options and might even be convinced in the possibility. It was brilliant.   “What are you grinning about?” Woohyun suddenly appeared, making her jolt in surprise. Instead of feeling sorry, he laughed instead. “Shouldn’t you get used to me by now?”   “I was deep in thoughts,” Hyunmi said, backing away. The sudden movement made her ankle ache. The countless number of practices with Myungsoo must not have healed in time.   “About what?”    Woohyun handed her his headband, and she immediately understood he needed help to tie it around his head. Other classes chose to paint something on their face or wear matching wristbands, but their class went for the traditional headband. Ahreum suggested it would be cute to do an exchange with fellow students for good luck or for memories’ sake.   “About Myungsoo and Seulyi,” Hyunmi said, tapping his shoulder so he’d adjust his height to her level.   “What about them?”   “I don’t know,” she absentmindedly spoke. She did not notice Woohyun stiffening a little when she stepped closer to tie a knot at the back, practically hugging him. “I think they’d make a nice couple.”   “So you’re not interested in Myungsoo?” he carefully asked.   “Who said I was?” She adjusted the band around his head so it wouldn’t easily fall over his eyes if he began to sweat. Her fingers casually touched his face, and only then did she notice Woohyun’s dark chocolate eyes intently watching her every move. It was the kind of gaze that made her feel as if she was the only person in his eyes—a gaze that beckoned her to fall even deeper if she wasn’t careful enough. Hyunmi drew a sharp breath and immediately stepped back, keeping her hands to her side. She made sure not to wince from her pain.   Woohyun flashed a grin, the dimples sinking in his cheeks. “That’s a relief.”   Hyunmi could feel the blush threatening to spread over her face as she interpreted his words in different possible ways. Was he relieved that she showed no interest in Myungsoo? But why would he care about her interest?   “Thanks for this,” he continued, pointing at his headband. “Want me to do yours too?”   “N-No, I’m good.” Hyunmi quickly grabbed her band and hid it behind her back. Now that she was fully aware of his presence, she couldn’t have him close to her. When she had no feelings for him, she was already busted for unconsciously sniffing him. Things could only go a thousand times worse now that she did have feelings for him.   And for that reason, she felt her heart sink when Hime approached. Her class was the purple team, and they used their headband like a bracelet rolled around their arm. Was she going to ask Woohyun to exchange it with her?   “Morning,” she greeted in her usual feminine and soft spoken way. It was amazing how she could look so fairy-like even when wearing gym shorts. “Woohyun, do you have time after the competition is over?”   “Sure. What’s up?”   “If my class wins during the three legged race, I have something to talk to you about,” Hime said shyly, keeping her eyes to the ground.   Hyunmi flinched. She knew this. She had seen it in many dramas and animes. Hime was going to confess to Woohyun again. Even though she got rejected the first time, things were different now. Woohyun and Hime were closer now. There was no way Woohyun would reject her the second time. He liked her back. The realization filled Hyunmi’s heart with a heaviness that would weigh her down for the rest of the day.   “What if you don’t win?” The words escaped Hyunmi’s lips before she could stop herself. “I mean, technically speaking. Will you cancel whatever it is you wanted to talk about if you don’t win?”   Hime gave her a weird look before forcing an uneasy smile on her face. “I suppose.”   Hyunmi nodded, a new determination filling her. Though it was probably very petty and childish of her, she wasn’t ready to see Woohyun with another girl yet. If she could delay the attempt a little longer, she’d do it. Her goal was to ensure that Hime’s class wouldn’t win the three legged race, even if her own ankle was at risk.   “Well, that’s gonna be tough. Cause you see,” Woohyun casually leaned his arm against the shorter girl’s shoulder, “you’ll compete against Hyunmi, and she is no easy opponent. I don’t think anyone could beat her.”   Hyunmi gulped at his touch and words. A part of her suspected he wasn’t talking about the three-legged race anymore, but that’d be her own mind playing tricks on her. Even if she knew that it bore no meaning, she couldn’t stop her lips from curling into a smile, something Hime was bound to notice.   Someday, she’d have to confess the truth to Hime.    ***   Each class got ready in their respective cheering spots as the principal appeared to give some encouraging words about today’s event, repeating cliche phrases such as “there are no losers, all of you are winners.” It was his go-to line every year, and several students held in the urge to imitate him.   The first sport was tug of war, which Woohyun, Sungyeol, Kibum, Seulyi, and Ahreum had to participate in. Their opponents happened to be Maerin’s class who all wore bright orange shirts.   “Ah, we’re up against human tangerines. Easy,” Kibum taunted, even more so when he saw Maerin, Taemin, Sungjong, and two extra skinny kids as their opponents.   “You shouldn’t judge people by their looks,” Taemin said.   “Actually, that is exactly the first thing I judge people by,” Kibum said, and coming from him, no one was surprised.   “They have an advantage. Maerin is the only girl in their team while we have me and Ahreum,” Seulyi pouted.   “Maerin’s equal to us guys,” Sungjong added, just to scare them. He did not see the girl frowning, looking hurt.    “Don’t worry. It doesn’t make you any less attractive,” Taemin quickly told her, affectionately patting her head.   “Look at their PDA,” Woohyun commented, shaking his head. He then turned to Hyunmi, holding his palms out. “Did you bring the lotion?”   Hyunmi quickly looked in her bag to retrieve a hand cream. She squeezed a good amount on his hand, but he kept staring at her in anticipation. He wasn’t expecting her to rub it for him, was he? She clapped his hands together, forcing him to do it himself.   “Worth a try, right? Could’ve been my good luck charm.” Woohyun grinned.   Hyunmi rolled her eyes, hoping the reaction seemed normal enough to cover up the rapid pace of her heartbeat. One day, she might end up having a heart attack because of these remarks.   “You’ll be fine,” she said, shooing him away.    Woohyun was the last one to join their classmates, resuming his position at the back of the group.    “I think I might throw up,” Ahreum said, making Seulyi who was standing in front of her, g