Please Don't Keep Your Crush at Arm's Length

(Complete)

On the first day of transferring schools in elementary school, Song Yutang sees a pretty cool girl in the teachers' office.

The girl's name is Yan Huan. She has dark skin and an unusual haircut, and she's been sent to the office for a talking-to after fighting with her deskmate. Her stubborn, defiant expression makes a strong impression.

Yan Huan gets poor grades and isn't popular. She keeps to herself in class and is a mischievous girl who gives her teachers endless headaches. Song Yutang, on the other hand, is a bright top student whom the teachers praise, with a gentle disposition.

From classmates to friends to deskmates, Song Yutang and Yan Huan's innocent friendship lasts nearly six years.

In middle school, they're in different classes, but they agree to walk home together after school.

When classmates look at them with envy, Song Yutang even cheerfully says, "Yan Huan and I are childhood sweethearts, you know."

Then one day in high school, Song Yutang realizes she's harboring feelings for Yan Huan. Yan Huan has secretly been in love with Song Yutang, too.

To avoid losing their friendship, and to avoid being treated as strange, they silently keep their girlish feelings buried in their hearts.

Confessing is out of the question. It's better to keep our distance and love each other in secret.

At university, they're separated by distance. Yan Huan is busy with competitions when she happens to hear from a mutual friend that Song Yutang is dating someone. Her world comes crashing down, and she rushes all the way to Song Yutang.

When she learns the relationship was a misunderstanding, her anxiety finally lifts.

On the night they reunite, the two of them are a little tipsy and gradually draw closer, sharing a kiss without needing to say a word.

Yan Huan can only think, "So this is what it feels like to kiss someone you like. It's amazing."

The next morning, Song Yutang winks at Yan Huan, regretting her impulsive behavior from the night before, and cautiously asks, "Huanhuan, we're still best friends, right?"

Yan Huan says fiercely, "We've already kissed. Either we go from friends to lovers, or from friends to enemies. You choose."

1. Bright top student x mischievous girl, dual perspectives, switch relationship.

2. A childhood-sweetheart story that runs from elementary school to adulthood, from school uniforms to wedding dresses.

3. Mutual pining / coming of age / slow-burn everyday life

Theme: Grow up well.