Fang Tong had to admit that the only best friend she’d ever had was indeed a strange person.

Their connection wasn’t some storybook Cinderella-and-prince tale. Lin Youyou even joined in bullying Fang Tong at first.

Gradually though she found it boring.

Yes, it was such a ridiculous reason.

Kindness or sympathy? Children that age wouldn’t hold such ideas.

Because she was bored, Lin Youyou began stopping others from picking on her.

This naturally caused conflict within Lin Youyou’s group, and somehow she ended up leaving it entirely.

She abandoned her royal-like status and played alone in the dirt.

But her actions weren’t useless, by fifth grade, whether from fear or not, Fang Tong became invisible and others moved on.

Then there was the strange sight of two children apart from everyone, playing in different corners.

Until Fang Tong approached her.

Yes, she initiated it.

Even now recalling it embarrassed her.

Seeking friendship with someone who bullied you?

Children’s worlds are simple, violence when craving dominance, cliques when fearing loneliness.

Though she approached Lin Youyou, she simply stood there watching her poke the ground with a branch.

Lin Youyou spoke first.

“Look, these green round leaves jump.”

“Probably bugs, only seen them here.”

“But when pierced they don’t bleed, maybe wind, maybe they are leaves.”

“How could leaves jump?”

“Catch one?”

“No! Let’s do something else.”

“What?”

“That backyard pile place isn’t locked, want to check?”

“Oh, you’re bold Fang Tong.”

“What’s there to fear?”

“Then let’s go.”

Their first conversation, which was completely illogical, like children’s should be.

Had it ended the memories wouldn’t have been very vast.

Afterward they grew closer. Fang Tong found Lin Youyou suited her perfectly, like puzzle pieces interconnecting.

It was the first time she felt resonance beyond family, separations painful nightly.

Especially when attending the same middle school, inseparable despite different classes.

Looking back she was sentimental.

Then memories diverged.

In original memories classmates teased them as betrothed since she was a boy following Lin Youyou.

She felt pride and expectation, grew awkward and cared about opinions.

Perhaps because of that Lin Youyou drifted away and transferred away second year.

She left without saying goodbye. The day before she left Fang Tong borrowed fifty yuan.

Fifty yuan, the first time anyone lent her money. Lin Youyou handed over everything without care, moving Fang Tong deeply.

The next day she learned she’d transferred.

‘No goodbye? Why leave that way?’

It made Fang Tong doubt their bond.

Yet she lent money, a severance fee?

Perhaps she was just bored.

That thorn remained.

But this body’s memories differed.

Up to second year identical, yet being female meant fewer rumors and intimacy deepened.

But that deepening became strange.

It began with hand-holding.

Then hugs, face touching, playful gestures crossing boundaries.

Each time framed as strengthening friendship.

The naïve Fang Tong accepted.

Gradually she depended on the excitement.

‘No, this was manipulation.’

Observing now she realized, it was emotional coercion.

Confusing desire and friendship, isolating others, gaining obedience.

From clothes to habits to behavior, like completing a master’s tasks.

Embarrassing memories unspeakable culminated before departure.

Near semester’s end Lin Youyou still transferred but said farewell properly.

Except the farewell was…

It was…

It was pinning her down and overwhelming her completely!?