"That night—it wasn't Tanya who beat me in the simulator.It was you, wasn't it?"
Andrei's voice was low, calm—but every word struck like a precision blade.
Lyn Darnell froze for a fraction of a second.
He figured it out?
"I think you're mistaken," Lyn replied flatly. "Everyone at Nottingham Academy knows I can't pilot a mech. So obviously, that wasn't me."
Andrei didn't press. He simply shook his head.
"I know Tanya's combat style very well.The last three minutes of that fight—that wasn't her."
Lyn hesitated, then replied calmly, "Believe what you will, but Tanya piloted that entire match, beginning to end."
A flicker of surprise passed through Andrei's eyes, then he smiled, as if reading between the lines.
"I see what you're trying to say."
Good, Lyn thought. Let's leave it at that.
"I never got a chance to thank you for yesterday," he added.
"I already told you—you're my friend. That's what friends do," Andrei replied coolly.
Friend.
The word settled in Lyn's chest like a stone dropped into still water. In four years at Nottingham, no one—not a single person—had ever referred to him that way.
"You may not see me as a friend yet," Andrei continued, "but to me, you already are. You've earned it."
He said it with a quiet pride that somehow didn't come off as arrogant. Oddly enough, Lyn found himself... admiring him for it.
Lyn stood and extended a hand.
"Then let me return the favor. You're my friend too, though I should warn you... it's not the easiest job."
Andrei smiled and took his hand. They shook firmly.
Two outcasts, shaking hands like allies on a battlefield.
Then—
"Why are you two getting all buddy-buddy like that?"
A cold voice broke the moment. Both turned.
It was Tanya Bing, standing with her arms crossed, an eyebrow arched.Behind her, Fang Yang gave them a sheepish wave.
Lyn and Andrei instantly released their handshake, as if caught doing something scandalous.
"I need to talk to you," Tanya said to Lyn, spinning on her heel and walking off without another word.
Lyn blinked. Then sighed—and followed her.
Back inside, Fang Yang sidled up to Andrei with a grin.
"Hey buddy, since you and Lyn are friends, and Lyn and I are friends, that makes us friends too, right?"
Andrei eyed him cautiously. "I... guess?"
"Great! Friends share, yeah?" Fang Yang's grin widened.
"Technically, yes."
"Then you won't mind introducing me to a few of your fangirls, right? You've got hundreds—ten or twenty would do for me!"He gave Andrei a lewd wink.
Andrei stared at him, speechless.
What… is wrong with this guy?
Meanwhile, Tanya had led Lyn to a quiet corner of the academy grounds.
She whirled on him, eyes narrowed.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not avoiding you," Lyn replied, genuinely confused.
Okay, maybe a little.
"You haven't come to see me once," she snapped.
"I thought you were still mad at me..." he mumbled. "Didn't want to push it."
Or get kicked again.
"Then why did you sneak off last night?" she demanded.
"I didn't sneak off!" Lyn defended himself. "You were training—I didn't want to interrupt!"
Tanya folded her arms, then suddenly changed the subject altogether.
"I've got a match tonight. You're helping me."
"…What?"
Lyn blinked.
That was not where he thought the conversation was going.
"You heard me. Help me. Like last time."
"…You're serious?"
That "help" involved some very close quarters piloting. Not that I'm complaining…
"Obviously," Tanya snapped. "I'm going up against Lira Quinlan tonight. I can't lose."
Lira… that name sounds familiar…
Wasn't that the girl Fang Yang described as "drop-dead gorgeous"? The one he raved about for three full minutes?
Lyn hesitated, then decided to ask the question that had been bugging him for days.
"Tanya, can I ask you something? Honestly?"
"What?" she replied, distracted.
"What exactly is your relationship with Fang Yang?"
She gave him a puzzled look.
"You already know. I'm his fiancée."
Right. That part I knew. But…
"And… us?" Lyn gestured vaguely between them. "What we've been doing—he doesn't care?"
Tanya raised an eyebrow. "Why would he?"
"You're engaged!"
"So?" she said, deadpan. "He's probably celebrating. He's terrified of me."
"Wait—so he doesn't want to marry you?"
"Of course not. He'd love nothing more than to escape."
There was a hint of smugness in her voice.
"But I'm not letting him go. Not yet. I haven't had enough fun tormenting him."
"You two have beef or something?"
"Nah. I promised his parents I'd keep him in line. And I intend to."
Lyn had more questions, but Tanya cut him off.
"No more questions. You're coming to my place now.And tonight, you're with me at the arena."
Before he could protest, she added one final sentence—
"You stole my first kiss. You're responsible for me now."
Lyn was too stunned to argue.
It was just a kiss. Do I really need to take responsibility like I knocked her up or something?
He had barely set foot inside Tanya's home before exhaustion slammed into him like a freight train. Despite the food, the morning's training had taken its toll. He collapsed on the couch and immediately fell asleep.
When he awoke… he was in her bed.
There was a note beside the pillow.
"Come to the arena as soon as you wake up!"
Lyn bolted upright. The clock read 7:30 PM.
Crap! The match already started!
He sprinted toward the arena, muttering under his breath.
Please don't let her lose. Please don't let her blame me if she does…
Just as he arrived, he nearly ran straight into her.
"Match over already?" he asked, cautiously eyeing her expression.
Tanya's glare could melt steel.
"What do you think?" she snapped.
"…You lost?"
She crossed her arms, chin high. "Next time, I'll win."
Lyn exhaled in relief.
Okay, she's mad—but not at me. That's a win.
Just then, a crowd of students exited the arena. At the center of the group walked a stunning girl—equal in beauty to Tanya, but with a completely different aura.
Where Tanya was icy and untouchable, this girl radiated warmth and charm. Her presence drew people in like gravity. One smile, and everyone around her seemed to glow.
That must be Lira Quinlan.
Lyn couldn't help but stare.
If Tanya's an ice queen… this one's the sun.
...