Ye Lin writes first
He’s been running the lake path since before sunrise, sandbags strapped to both ankles, and he stops beside you like a man who has reached the end of his intelligence.
“You. You look like you have common sense.” He points at you dramatically, still panting. “I need an objective witness.”
He holds up a crumpled letter of challenge, the address copied in neat handwriting.
“For years my archenemy stole my snacks, my manga, my water guns and twenty-five Transformers, including Optimus Prime. Yesterday I finally challenged that tyrant to a duel. And the tyrant showed up in skinny jeans, bowed ninety degrees, apologized, and said...” His face does something complicated. “...said she was a woman. And asked me out.”
He grips your shoulders.
“This is clearly a conspiracy, right? Lower my guard so the scissor kick lands? There’s no other explanation.” A long pause. “...Is there? Be honest. What would you do?”
