Katie stood near the edge of the pool in her navy swimsuit, trying to gather her courage.
She wasn't afraid of water.
At least, that was what she kept telling herself.
Unfortunately, her confidence disappeared the moment she stepped onto the wet tiles.
Students moved around the pool, laughing and talking.
Katie carefully walked forward.
One step.
Then another.
Suddenly—
Her foot slipped.
"W-Wait!"
Katie's eyes widened.
Her balance vanished instantly.
She felt herself falling toward the water.
Before she could react, someone grabbed her wrist.
Splash!
The force pulled both of them forward.
Water sprayed everywhere.
Katie squeezed her eyes shut.
For a moment, she thought she had fallen in completely.
Then she realized she wasn't sinking.
Someone was holding her.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Tian was right in front of her.
His hand was still firmly wrapped around hers.
The distance between them was so small that Katie could hear her own heartbeat.
"T-Tian..."
He looked equally surprised.
For a second, neither moved.
Neither spoke.
The entire pool seemed to become silent.
Katie quickly looked away.
Her face turned bright red.
"I..."
She couldn't finish her sentence.
Tian cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Be careful."
Katie nodded immediately.
Too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
"R-Right."
But even after she answered, neither of them let go right away.
The realization hit them at the same time.
Katie's cheeks grew even hotter.
Tian released her hand and stepped back.
"...Sorry."
Katie shook her head.
"No... it's okay."
Around them, the other students continued their practice as if nothing had happened.
But for Katie...
Everything felt different.
As she watched Tian walk away, she touched her chest.
Her heart was still racing.
And for the first time...
She wondered if Tian had noticed it too.
Katie sat at the edge of the pool, her feet dangling in the cool water.
For once, everything felt peaceful.
"Come on, Katie!"
Xing fei splashed water toward her.
Nico laughed.
"Hey!"
She leaned backward to avoid another splash.
Unfortunately...
She leaned a little too far.
"Ah—!"
Before she could catch herself, her balance disappeared.
Splash!
Cold water surrounded her.
The students nearby burst into laughter.
"Katie!"
"Are you okay?"
Katie surfaced immediately, coughing once.
"I'm fine!"
At least...
She hoped she looked fine.
Her pride, however, had already drowned.
Trying to escape everyone's attention, Katie swam toward the poolside.
Just as she reached the edge, a shadow appeared above her.
She looked up.
And froze.
Tian was standing there.
Water glistened under the pool lights as he crouched slightly.
Without saying a word, he extended his hand toward her.
The entire world seemed to stop.
Katie stared at his outstretched hand.
Then at him.
Then back at his hand.
"Tian..."
His expression remained calm.
"Take it."
Simple.
Direct.
Exactly like him.
Katie's heart immediately betrayed her.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Slowly, she placed her hand in his.
The moment their fingers touched, a strange warmth spread through her chest.
Tian tightened his grip and pulled her upward.
Katie stepped out of the pool.
But because the tiles were slippery, she nearly lost her balance again.
Instinctively, she grabbed his arm.
For a brief second, they were standing much closer than either expected.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
The distance between them felt impossibly small.
Then Tian broke the silence.
"Are you okay?"
His voice was quiet.
Genuine.
Concerned.
Katie's face immediately turned red.
"W-What?"
"Are you hurt?"
The concern in his eyes only made things worse.
Because now her heart was racing so fast she couldn't think straight.
Several seconds passed.
"..."
Katie opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Finally—
"I'm okay."
She quickly looked away.
"Thanks."
A small wave of relief crossed Tian's face.
"Good."
That should have been the end of it.
Unfortunately...
The other students had witnessed everything.
The silence lasted exactly three seconds.
Then—
"OHHHHHHHH!"
The entire pool exploded with reactions.
"Did you see that?"
"That was so romantic!"
"He was worried about her!"
"They look like a couple!"
Katie nearly died from embarrassment.
"T-That's not what happened!"
The teasing only became louder.
Meanwhile, Tian looked completely confused.
"What are they talking about?"
Katie covered her face with both hands.
Please let the pool swallow me again.
But despite her embarrassment...
A small smile appeared on her lips.
Because when she looked through her fingers...
She saw Tian still standing beside her.
As if making sure she was really okay.
And somehow...
That made her happier than she wanted to admit.