Rhea suddenly lifted a hand.
"Stop," she said, breathless. "I need some air."
Ling halted instantly but masked it.
He tilted his 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, his traitorous mind betrayed him immediately.
Perfect, he thought.
Every curve. Exactly where it should be.
Rhea shot him 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 he turned and walked toward Dadi, lowering his voice until it was barely audible.
"Please," Ling said quietly. "Go. Now."
Dadi raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
Ling folded his hands actually folded them in a move he hadn't used since childhood.
"Please, Dadoo," he whispered.
Dadi looked at him, 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 his 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," he 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, "He's already gone."
Ling watched them leave, relief flooding his chest.
He turned back toward the field...
Toward Rhea.
Now alone.
Breathing slowed.
Barriers lowered.
Ling rolled his shoulders, masking his anticipation.
"Break's over," he said evenly.
Rhea looked up at him, 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 his 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, he changed his style.
No speed bursts.
No flashy cuts.
He slowed down.
Deliberately.
He 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 his presence.
Too close.
On purpose.
"You're guarding space wrong," Ling murmured as he 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 his foot and the ground, stopping dead. Rhea rushed in, irritated now.
Ling leaned forward, forearm braced against the wall of Rhea's focus, his face inches away.
"You're angry," Ling said softly. "That's good."
Rhea shoved past him. "You're doing this on purpose."
Ling let the ball roll free and followed her slowly. "Of course I am."
He 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 his head, gaze unwavering. "I think it already is."
Rhea growled under her breath and lunged for the ball.
Ling laughed low, satisfied as he 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 he whispered a correction, every time he 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, his knee blocking Rhea's step. Rhea reacted sharply, pushing forward...
Their feet tangled.
They fell.
Ling's body hit first, Rhea collapsing over him, 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 his chest was rising too fast.
"I didn't..."
Rhea cut him off. "You did."
She turned away sharply, not looking back.
Rina cleared her throat awkwardly. "So… tea."
Ling pushed himself to his feet, running a hand through his hair, eyes following Rhea's retreating back.
His teasing grin was gone.
Replaced by something dangerous.
Something shaken.
He muttered under his 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.