Let's Pretend to Be Cowards Together

No. 1 High School's Boya Arts Exam Class. Wu Qiyue and Pei Li were famous around school for being mortal enemies. One was tall and slender, with black hair and eyes, and the elegant bones of a beauty. The other was lean and handsome, with dark hair falling over his eyes, and an air that was equal parts lazy and proud. The two of them turned the school upside down. They competed over everything, each unable to stand the sight of the other, and each ruling their own little territory. They were both dance students, and everyone else was afraid to dance with them, so their teacher had no choice but to pair them up. The two of them couldn't work together at all. They couldn't even keep the beat, and their movements were hideous. Their dance instructor was nearly driven mad. Pei Li scoffed. "She keeps stepping on my feet." Wu Qiyue sneered. "He keeps groping me." "..." "She's too heavy. I can't lift her." "He's too skinny. I'm afraid he'll fall." Their teacher was about to cry. "You're the worst students I've ever taught! The worst!" The two said in unison, each disparaging the other: "Hear that? You're the one holding us back." * One day, at the annual awards gala for a famous dance competition. The host said, "It's a rare occasion to present awards for both the Taoli Cup and the Lotus Cup at the same time. These two gave such incredible performances that they stole the show. Let's welcome our most dazzling Gold Award winners, two rising stars..." Wu Qiyue looked radiant in a gauzy dress, while Pei Li had an air of cool pride and natural poise. They should have walked onstage like the bright moon and a gentle breeze, but the moment they met onstage... Wu Qiyue nearly twisted her ankle. Pei Li nearly took a tumble. "You?!" "You?!" Of course, the host had no idea that a volcano was erupting inside them. Smiling, with a dagger hidden in every word, the host drove it home: "And I also have some good news to announce. These two are about to become principal dancers with the SA Sa Dance Troupe. They'll join forces and fight side by side, invincible!" #I have to be your dance partner too?! Just kill me!# * [Bonus Scene] P.S.: - From senior year of high school through college - A story about the arts exam. Some parts are adapted from real life. - Most of the dance pieces in this story are original. If any are based on real-world works, I'll note it in the author's comments. ****Coming next: Better Than Wine and Lust**** Outside, a snowstorm raged. Inside the inn, it was warm and cozy. The tall man wiped the gleaming blade. His sleeves were rolled up, and his jeans hung loose around his waist. When he bent over, his narrow waist was on full display. Yan Fengling had been eyeing him for days. She licked her lips, resorted to every means at her disposal, then left after sleeping with him, patting herself on the backside in satisfaction. He Zhuo was furious. * After being away from the northwest for a long time, Yan Fengling had a drunken one-night stand in a city in the south. The man kissing her passionately looked so much like He Zhuo, and his eyes seemed to burn as they stirred her up. She laughed dizzily and mocked herself: "He gave you a taste you can't forget, and now you see him in everyone." But the next morning... "He Zhuo?!" she cried in alarm. The man had just showered. Water dripped from him, and he wore nothing but a towel. He gazed at her, his eyes dark and dangerous. "Did you enjoy last night?" A dangerous smile tugged at his lips. "If you did, then it's time to settle the score." Theme: Recording the fresh, youthful days of their senior-year arts exam