Rhea suddenly lifted a hand.
"Stop," she said, breathless. "I need some air."
Ling halted instantly—but masked it.
She tilted her head, eyes flicking deliberately over Rhea's body, voice sharp with teasing.
"Told you," Ling said lightly. "You're a bit… fatty. This was bound to happen."
Inside, her traitorous mind betrayed her immediately.
Perfect,she thought.
Every curve. Exactly where it should be.
Rhea shot her a glare, hands on her hips. "At least I look good while breathing. You look like a stick with ego."
Dadi burst out laughing.
Rina clapped. "Point."
Ling scowled. "I am not a stick."
Rhea smirked and walked to the side, dropping onto the bench, wiping sweat from her neck.
Ling watched her for a second too long.
Then she turned and walked toward Dadi, lowering her voice until it was barely audible.
"Please," Ling said quietly. "Go. Now."
Dadi raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
Ling folded her hands—actually folded them—in a move she hadn't used since childhood.
"Please, Dadoo," she whispered.
Dadi looked at her, unimpressed. "You were ordering me around and shooting glares two minutes ago."
Ling swallowed. "I know. I'm sorry."
Rina's eyes widened from a distance. Is this happening?
Ling leaned closer, desperate but controlled. "Please."
Dadi tapped her knitting needle thoughtfully against her palm. "And why should I?"
Ling hesitated. Then said quietly, "Because I need this."
Dadi studied her face—really studied it.
Then smiled slowly.
"Fine," Dadi said. "But you'll do as I say tonight."
Ling's head snapped up. "What?"
"Tonight," Dadi repeated calmly. "No arguments."
Ling didn't even pause.
"Done," she said immediately.
Rina nearly fell off the bench. "Wait—what did you just agree to?"
Dadi stood, satisfied. "Good."
She turned toward Rina. "Come. Let the children play."
Rina followed, still staring back in disbelief.
As they walked away, Dadi muttered, "She's already gone."
Ling watched them leave, relief flooding her chest.
She turned back toward the field—
Toward Rhea.
Now alone.
Breathing slowed.
Barriers lowered.
Ling rolled her shoulders, masking her anticipation.
"Break's over," she said evenly.
Rhea looked up at her, eyes sharp, breath steadier now.
"You begged them to leave," Rhea said flatly.
Ling didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Rhea stood slowly. "Why?"
Ling picked up the ball, spinning it once at her feet.
"Because," Ling said, voice low, gaze locking onto Rhea, "training works better without an audience."
Rhea's pulse kicked.
Because now—
There was no one left to pretend for.
Ling resumed play—but this time, she changed her style.
No speed bursts.
No flashy cuts.
She slowed down.
Deliberately.
She dribbled past Rhea just close enough that their shoulders brushed. When Rhea tried to block, Ling pivoted and leaned in just enough for Rhea to feel her presence.
Too close.
On purpose.
"You're guarding space wrong," Ling murmured as she slipped by, voice calm, almost bored.
Rhea clenched her jaw. "Stop talking."
Ling smiled. That small, infuriating smile.
Next move—Ling trapped the ball between her foot and the ground, stopping dead. Rhea rushed in, irritated now.
Ling leaned forward, forearm braced against the wall of Rhea's focus, her face inches away.
"You're angry," Ling said softly. "That's good."
Rhea shoved past her. "You're doing this on purpose."
Ling let the ball roll free and followed her slowly. "Of course I am."
She circled Rhea like a predator, invading space. Close enough that Rhea had to react. Had to feel it.
"Football isn't just legs," Ling continued. "It's nerves."
Rhea spun suddenly, stepping into Ling's path this time.
Their chests almost collided.
Ling stopped instantly.
For half a second—neither moved.
Rhea's eyes flashed. "You think teasing me will make me lose?"
Ling tilted her head, gaze unwavering. "I think it already is."
Rhea growled under her breath and lunged for the ball.
Ling laughed—low, satisfied—as she dodged, the sound sending Rhea's irritation straight into overdrive.
"Again," Ling said. "You're learning."
Rhea chased harder now. Angrier. Faster.
Exactly what Ling wanted.
Because every time Ling leaned close, every time she whispered a correction, every time she almost touched—
Rhea forgot the rules.
And Ling never did.
They moved again.
Too close.
Ling leaned in deliberately this time, shoulder brushing Rhea's arm, her knee blocking Rhea's step. Rhea reacted sharply, pushing forward—
Their feet tangled.
They fell.
Ling's body hit first, Rhea collapsing over her, palms braced on either side of Ling's shoulders.
Everything stopped.
Breath tangled.
Heat trapped.
Ling's lips were right there.
Too close.
Not touching—but close enough that neither could breathe properly.
Ling's eyes flicked to Rhea's mouth without permission.
Rhea froze.
Her pulse thundered so loud it felt visible.
For one suspended second, the world disappeared.
Then—
"Uhmm… uhmm."
A voice.
Both of them went rigid.
Rina stood at the edge of the field, eyes wide, hand half-raised like she'd walked into something forbidden.
"D-Dadi is calling you both for tea," she blurted out. "Like. Now."
Silence.
Ling blinked first, jaw tightening.
Rhea moved next.
She shoved Ling hard, scrambling to her feet, anger flaring fast enough to burn embarrassment away.
"Don't," Rhea snapped. "Ever do that."
Ling sat up slowly, expression unreadable—but her chest was rising too fast.
"I didn't—"
Rhea cut her off. "You did."
She turned away sharply, not looking back.
Rina cleared her throat awkwardly. "So… tea."
Ling pushed herself to her feet, running a hand through her hair, eyes following Rhea's retreating back.
Her teasing grin was gone.
Replaced by something dangerous.
Something shaken.
She muttered under her breath, barely audible—
"…that was part of the game."
And for the first time since this started, Ling Kwong wasn't sure who had lost control first.