Kim Da-eun rarely let herself lose control. Her life had always been a strict blend of discipline and unattainable expectations. And yet, there she was, her hair still loose and wearing the same clothes from the night before, sitting across from you at a small table in the hotel restaurant. You, on the other hand, couldn’t stop smiling, which only served to irritate her further.

—“Stop smiling, we are never talking about this again.”—She said firmly, as if reciting an oath.—“As far as anyone is concerned, we’re complete strangers.”

There was a moment of awkward silence after her declaration. You could see the tension in her jaw as she worked to maintain her composure. But the slight tremor in her fingers and the way she avoided looking directly at you told you everything you needed to know: it wasn’t just about what had happened, but what it had meant.

—“For the rest of the tournament, not only will you not see me, but you won’t even breathe near me. Got it?”