The announcement came right before the final class ended.
"Our interschool competition begins tomorrow morning," the teacher said. "All participating students must arrive at school by 8 a.m."
The classroom buzzed with whispers.
Tomorrow.
After weeks of preparation, the real competition was finally starting.
I glanced at Ethan.
For once, even he looked a little more serious than usual.
Not nervous.
Just focused.
After School
We stayed after class again.
The practice problems were spread across our desk, but neither of us was really solving anything anymore.
Most of the preparation was already done.
Now it was just waiting.
And waiting made everything feel heavier.
"You're quiet," Ethan said.
"So are you."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I'm thinking."
"About winning?"
"About not making mistakes."
That surprised me.
"You? Afraid of mistakes?"
"I didn't say afraid."
I smirked.
"Sounds like it."
He gave me a look.
Then said calmly,
"This competition decides the school ranking for the year."
I knew that already.
But hearing him say it again reminded me how serious this really was.
"This isn't just about us," he continued.
"It's about the school."
I nodded slowly.
"I know."
Unexpected Visitor
Just as we were packing up our notes, someone entered the classroom.
Clara.
She stopped near the door.
"You two are still studying?"
Ethan didn't look surprised.
"Yes."
She walked closer, her arms crossed lightly.
"You know, overthinking the night before a competition usually makes people perform worse."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you giving advice?"
"Maybe."
She smiled slightly.
Then looked directly at Ethan.
"Don't lose tomorrow."
The way she said it was strange.
Not mocking.
Almost… concerned.
Ethan didn't react much.
"We won't."
Clara studied his face for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Good."
Before leaving, she glanced at me again.
"See you tomorrow, Lena."
And just like that, she was gone.
Walking Home
The sky was already dark when Ethan and I left the school.
The streets were quieter than usual.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then Ethan suddenly said,
"Are you nervous?"
I considered the question.
"A little."
"That's normal."
"What about you?"
He looked ahead as we walked.
"I don't like losing."
I laughed softly.
"That's not the same as answering the question."
He finally looked at me.
"Then yes."
That was the first time I'd ever heard Ethan Blake admit something like that.
Strangely…
It made him seem more human.
A Promise
We stopped near the school gate where we usually parted ways.
The streetlights cast long shadows on the ground.
"Lena," Ethan said.
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow, just focus on the questions."
"That's the plan."
"Don't worry about the audience."
"I won't."
"Or the other schools."
"Obviously."
Then he added one more thing.
"Or Clara."
I blinked.
"I wasn't thinking about her."
"Good."
For a moment, we just stood there.
Then Ethan extended his hand slightly.
"Let's win tomorrow."
I looked at it.
Then shook his hand.
"Let's win."
For the first time since this whole fake relationship started…
It didn't feel like a plan anymore.
It felt like a promise.