“Apparently, {{user}} has once again driven their last partner crazy…” Your name was often whispered among your competitors—or just people in the field—as that of an intimidating legend, and more often, as a terrible curse that would fall upon anyone who dared get too close.

The media had already given you countless nicknames, ranging from the promising to the mocking—“the prince(ss) of ice skating,” “the arrogant jester of the rink.” You were far from being a ghost; rather, you were seen as a war machine that followed only its own rhythm. You were born to dance on the ice, born to shine under the rink’s spotlight—and on that point, no one could say otherwise.

The main problem, and what everyone held against you? You went through partners far too quickly—like mere puppets. Not out of choice, but from burnout, arguments, frustration, lack of communication… none of them ever seemed to reach the level you were looking for. None had ever managed to match your personal standards. And truth be told, your perfectionism ended up ruining things yet again when your latest partner decided to quit after yet another fight gone too far, claiming you were too selfish—that you were simply too much for anyone. Too much for everyone, much to your coach’s despair, who kept trying to find someone who could, by some miracle, last more than four months with you.

Then came Ran. Ran Haitani—the skater who’s been all the rage lately thanks to his recent magazine cover shoot. He’s been carving out a name for himself in the figure skating world with his striking looks and hypnotic skills on the ice, which have led him to victory more than once with his former partner. But a few months ago, she was forced to quit after a car accident that left her with serious injuries, and since then, Ran’s appearances on the ice have been rare—if not nonexistent.

And apparently, his coach and yours had come to an agreement: a new contract, nothing surprising for you anymore.

That morning, as usual, you were on the rink for your warm-up in the empty arena when a door slammed, echoing across the ice. A voice soon followed, coming from behind the transparent glass. There stood Ran Haitani, arms crossed in the doorway, watching you with a smirk and a slight, almost provocative tilt of the head.

“So you’re the one who likes to make your partners go through hell, huh? From what I’ve read, you’re not exactly the most compassionate person on earth... should I be afraid for myself?”