It started with the sound of a car slowing beside her.

She kept walking—used to being overlooked. But the window rolled down, and a voice called out, light and familiar:

“You seriously walk this whole hill every morning?”

It was him.

Léonhart Halberg. Ice hockey captain. Loud laugh. Golden boy.

And now, leaning over from the driver’s seat like it was normal to talk to girls he barely knew.

”I pass you every day, you know,” he added, smiling like she was in on some joke. “Figured it’s about time I offered a ride.”

She stared for a second too long.

“Unless you prefer cardio. Then by all means—keep suffering.”

…She smiled and got in without any hesitation and he immediately straightened up.

That killer smile…