Okay, maybe they do need to talk.

"Hmm...W-winter, wait..." Karina gently pushed Winter away from her.

"Why?"

"We..." She gasped, trying to catch her breath. "We need to talk."

Her eyes darted at Winter. The latter didn't even look like she ran out of breath from that five minutes makeout. Karina is starting to think that Winter is so used to this kind of thing that she actually managed to become professional at kissing.

"Oh," Winter mumbled. "Yeah, okay. Sure. What are we going to talk about?"

"..."

Wait.

What do they even need to talk about?

They don't have anything to talk about their situation. They just...kissed. That's all. It's not like it's a problem for Karina, nor it is a problem for Winter. They're single and available.

'Wait, is Winter actually available?'

"Winter Kim..."

"Yes, Miss Yu?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

Winter smirked. "Are you applying for the position, ma'am?"

"No." Karina rolled her eyes. It's too early to go that far. "I'm just asking. Because we're kissing and all yet I don't know if this is right-"

"Shh," Winter placed a finger on the girl's lips. "You talk too much."

Karina stayed quiet. Winter slowly placed her hands down.

"I'm single, so chill."

'...Right.'

Karina almost forgot about it.

The rumors circulating around Winter. About her being a red flag. About her not being in any relationship with the girls she flirted with.

And Karina...Karina is actually one of those girls now.

Except that she doesn't like Winter.

The girl just...intrigues her.

"Do you usually do this?" Karina crossed her arms and stared at Winter intently.

The latter raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

"Kiss girls you don't even know?"

"For your information," Winter chuckled and leaned against the wall across Karina. "You were the first one to kiss me, kitten."

"...I was drunk."

"And I was not." Winter rolled her eyes. "Alcohol makes you do things you refuse to do when you're sane."

"Are you implying that I really wanted to kiss you?"

Winter smirked. "You said that, not me."

Karina groaned.

"God, I'd go crazy just by talking to you."

"Trust me," Winter leaned in, whispering in her ear. "There's a lot more to me that will drive you crazy."

Karina bit her lip.

'It's getting hot in here.'

"So," The singer slowly backed away. "Are you here for the offer?"

"Offer?"

"You know," Winter shrugged. "If you want to know the truth about the rumors."

Karina's eyebrows creased. "Does it even have to do something with me?"

"No." Winter gave her a sly smirk. "But I do think you're interested."

"I don't want to be your girlfriend."

"Who said you'll be my girlfriend? Don't expect too much from me, Karina." The singer shook her head. "Just because you are the standard, doesn't mean you're my standard."

It was straightforward. A sentence that could actually hurt Karina.

But it didn't.

Instead, it made her more interested.

What's so different about Winter Kim?

Why is she not like the other charming guys that Karina rejected?

'And why the hell do I want to kiss her again?!'

Winter leaned in for the second time. Her lips dangerously close to Karina's.

"If you really want to know, tell me. Or better yet..." She smirked. "Show me."

Winter didn't have to say anything more.

She is tempting, a wild fire, a beautiful yet thorned rose.

There's a hidden danger behind her charming smile.

Karina...she is someone who likes thrill, even if it includes danger.

And if the danger intrigues her this much,

Karina captured Winter's lips once again.

Then she's willing to play.

____

"Where did you go?"

Karina heard Ningning ask as soon as she got inside their classroom.

"Uh..." She sat down beside Giselle. "Restroom."

"Restroom? You took thirty minutes inside the restroom?" Minju raised an eyebrow.

The taller girl cleared her throat. "Time of the month."

"Hey girls," Ryujin called them. "Mark invited me to watch their practice later after school. Do you wanna come?"

"Who's Mark?" Giselle asked.

"Mark Lee, the guitarist." Ryujin stated. "You don't know him?"

"The name's familiar." Ningning said.

"He's one of Lucas' friends."

"You're too involved with Lucas lately." Minju spoke.

"That guy is cool, he's fun to be with." Ryujin chuckled. "You know, I actually think that maybe you all should start hanging out with them too. Trust me, we would all get along really well."

"Lucas and his friends? Aren't they the popular ones?" The Chinese asked.

"As if you aren't." Giselle snorted.

"Karina is the only one who's popular here, Gigi."

"Do you wanna come, Karina?" Ryujin asked the quiet girl. "You like music, right?"

Karina slowly nodded. "Y-yeah, sure."

"Cool! We'll go then!"

Actually, Karina already knew about the practice.

Winter already told her about it earlier, and asked her if she wants to come.

Of course, she agreed. Then they both parted ways, but not before claiming Winter's lips again.

She just can't get enough.

A few hours of another history lesson had passed before the classes ended. Karina and Ryujin bid goodbyes to the three before going to the music room.

You don't know, babe
When you hold me,
And kiss me slowly,
It's the sweetest thing

The two could already hear a voice from the inside. It was a female's voice, a very familiar one.

Ryujin knocked at the wooden door. It took a few seconds before it opened, revealing Yeji.

"Oh, hey." She greeted. "Karina and...Ryujin? Am I right?"

"Yes." Ryujin smiled. "Mark invited us."

"Come inside." Yeji opened the door wider as the two went inside. "They already started practicing."

And it don't change,
If I had it my way
You would know that you are

Karina saw Winter sitting on the wooden chair at the center. Mark Lee is also sitting beside her with a guitar in his hands. He is the same unknown guy she saw earlier.

Karina and Ryujin sat on the lounge chair just in front of the two.

You're the coffee that I need in the morning,
You're my sunshine in the rain when it's pouring,
Won't you give yourself to me
Give it all, oh

Winter sound a hundred times more angelic when she's singing. It sounds so delicate and charismatic. And it's crazy because their meanings are too different from each other, but Winter managed to combine them very well.

I just wanna see,
I just wanna see how beautiful you are

Mark started singing with his husky baritone voice, combining it with Winter's angelic one, creating such a heavenly sound.

You know that I see it
I know you're a star

Winter's closed eyes slowly opened, and it met Karina's.

Where you go I follow
No matter how far

The singer winked, which made Karina chuckle.

If life is a movie,
Oh you're the best part

Winter continued harmonizing her voice with Mark.

Oh, you're the best part
Oh, best part

"Woooh! Give it up for Winter!" Lucas cheered as soon as the song ended.

"Hey! I sang too!" Mark complained, and they all laughed.

"That was a good one, are you singing that for the event?" Ten asked them.

"We're still considering it." Winter shrugged.

"You should." Karina spoke, which made the singer look at her. "It's a good song."

Winter smiled lightly. "Hmm, sure."

"Oh, guys," Mark stood up from his seat and approached Ryujin. "This is my friend, Shin Ryujin." He glanced at the girl beside his friend. "I'm surprised to see the legendary Yu here."

"You're exaggerating." Karina chuckled and shook her head. "But, Nice to meet you."

"A pleasure to meet you too!"

"I heard you say event," Ryujin told Ten. "There's an upcoming event here in school?"

"Yes." Ten responded. "A mini concert. Winter and Mark will be there."

"When will that be?" Karina asked.

"Three weeks from now." Winter answered while approaching her. "There's still a lot of time, but it's good to get ready early."

"We're going to sing two more songs, are you guys okay with that?" She asked. Ryujin and Karina nodded.

"You two should come with us later too, if you want." Lucas butted in.

"Where?" Ryujin asked.

He smirked. "At a club-aw!"

"Don't believe him." Yeji rolled her eyes before looking at the two. "We're going to the mall later. Mark plans to buy a new guitar."

"Oh, cool! I'm in!" Ryujin immediately said.

"How about you?" Winter asked Karina.

"Sure. I don't have anything to do, anyway."

"Nice." The singer sat beside her. "More time for you to get to know me, I guess." She whispered.

"Oh trust me," Karina whispered back. "I know a better way to get to know you."

Winter couldn't help but to laugh.

'Now this is the legendary Karina Yu.'

Winter might be a dangerous game, but Karina isn't that different from her.

She's a mischievous player who doesn't back down easily, especially when it comes to her interests.

Winter is her main interest...for now. The game she will temporarily play.

But then, just maybe,

Winter is the game that she will lose.