Chapter 18 - In Session: The Heart's Cross-Examination

Orm stood there, frozen as if the universe had hit pause. Lingling had just confessed—plain and simple, with no teasing or hidden meanings:

"I like you."

The words echoed in Orm's mind, a broken record on endless loop. She knew she needed to respond, to say something intelligent, witty—anything.

Instead, all that came out was a stuttering, "You—you like me? Like, actually like me? Like... romantically?"

Lingling blinked once, slowly, as if savoring the moment, unimpressed. "That's what I just said."

"Right. Right. You did. That was... okay. Wow. Cool. Nice," Orm mumbled, her voice trailing off into awkward silence.

From a safe distance, Becky had buried her face in her hands, while May shook her head in disbelief, "She had ONE job."

Lingling sighed and crossed her arms, the picture of controlled composure. "Do you want to know when it started?" she asked softly.

Orm nodded frantically, desperate for clarity. "Yes, yes, please."

Lingling's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as if sifting through memories. "The kiss."

Orm's breath hitched. "W-What?"

Lingling, as calm as ever, clarified, "The first time—when we accidentally kissed."

Orm's face burned. "Wait—WAIT—THAT?!"

Lingling tilted her head. "You were the one spiraling after it. I was... thinking."

Orm, still reeling, stammered, "Thinking? Thinking about WHAT?!"

Without changing her expression, Lingling's fingers curled at her sides. "I felt something."

Orm echoed, "Felt... something?"

Lingling exhaled softly, as though releasing a secret long held. "Something that defied logic."

Orm's chest tightened. Lingling, the epitome of structure and composure, had admitted, "I felt butterflies. And I hated it."

Lingling's voice remained even and steady, though underneath it simmered something like frustration—or maybe even vulnerability. "I tried to talk to you about it," she confessed.

"Several times."

Orm's mind flashed back to all those random encounters: Lingling appearing out of nowhere, those moments when she seemed on the verge of saying something important, then falling silent. Orm's stomach dropped as she realized she'd misinterpreted those moments as mere games.

"Why didn't you just say it?" Orm asked softly, her voice tinged with regret.

Lingling tilted her head, studying Orm. "Because I didn't know how."

That hit Orm like a punch to the gut. Lingling Kwong—the most composed, rational, articulate person on campus—didn't know how to say she liked her. And now, Orm's perception of her was shifting completely.

Orm knew she should say something meaningful, something mature—a line worthy of this life-altering moment. Instead, in a burst of panic, she blurted, "So you got jealous and interrogated me like I was on trial?"

Lingling raised an eyebrow. "You weren't exactly innocent," she replied coolly.

Orm almost shouted, "I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!"

"Then what? You let everyone think you are single!" Lingling countered.

"I AM TECHNICALLY SINGLE!" Orm insisted, desperation lacing her words.

Lingling's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you still?" she asked in a clipped tone.

Silence fell—a suffocating, brain-breaking silence.

From her hiding spot, Becky whispered, "Oh my GOD."

May added, "She's TRAPPED. She has NO WAY OUT."

Orm felt her pulse racing as she struggled, "I—I mean—"

Lingling leaned in just a fraction, "Yes or no, Orm."

And in that moment, Orm's brain seemed to shut down completely.

Orm was still spiraling, malfunctioning like a glitchy computer.

Lingling, realizing Orm wasn't catching on, decided enough was enough. If Orm wasn't getting it, then Lingling would make it glaringly obvious. She stepped even closer, lowering her voice to a dangerous whisper that made Orm's breath hitch.

"You said it wasn't obvious that I like you," Lingling said softly.

Orm blinked rapidly, "Uh. Y-Yeah?"

Lingling nodded. "Alright then."

Orm's heart sank. "Alright then... what?"

Lingling's lips curled into a smirk—infuriatingly knowing. "If it wasn't obvious, I'll just have to make it obvious."

Without waiting for a response or allowing Orm a chance to argue, Lingling turned on her heel, exuding a calm, collected, and deadly aura.

"See you tomorrow, Orm," she said coolly before walking away.

Orm stood paralyzed as the world around her crashed in slow motion.

Becky and May rushed to her side, shaking her shoulders.

"ORM. WHAT DID YOU DO?" Becky demanded.

Orm, still staring blankly, murmured, "I—I think I just made things worse."

May, half-laughing and half-sobbing with excitement, declared, "What does she MEAN by 'let me win'?!"

Becky, grinning like a kid in a candy store, added, "I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'M SO READY TO WATCH."

And there, amid the chaos of emotions and the weight of Lingling's parting words, Orm realized that she was now at the precipice of a new, turbulent chapter—one where she had no idea what to say, but knew that every moment was charged with the possibility of something life-changing.

Namtan had seen her fair share of oddities on campus—a guy proposing in the cafeteria over a milkshake? Totally normal.

Students camping outside the econ faculty just to catch a glimpse of Orm? Happens every semester.

And Becky and May reenacting movie scenes in broad daylight? Sadly, that was everyday drama.

But what Namtan saw today was completely unprecedented.

As she strolled into the law faculty, mid-step, she stopped dead in her tracks. Right before her eyes, Lingling stood in front of a massive bulletin board. But this wasn't just any bulletin board—it was a strategy board, meticulously arranged with a dazzling array of pinned papers, colorful diagrams, and an extremely well-organized flowchart. In neat, bold red ink at the top, a header read:

"CASE: ORM – OBJECTIVE: MAKE IT OBVIOUS."

Namtan squinted at the details. There were bullet points such as:

• "Unexpected but casual physical contact – increases flustering effect."

• "Reinforce past romantic gestures (e.g., umbrella incident, shared drinks)."

• "Deploy legal jargon to trigger mental short-circuits."

• "Consistency is key – repeated exposure will break defenses."

For a moment, Namtan wondered if this was a full-on psychological warfare plan. Lingling, standing there as if she were simply updating her to-do list, even underlined one final note:

"Opponent likely to panic under pressure. Advantage: HIGH."

Namtan's mind buzzed with questions, but after a solid ten seconds of staring at Lingling's completely focused expression, she shrugged and muttered, "Not my problem," before continuing on her way.

Orm woke up feeling unexpectedly optimistic. Yes, she had panicked the previous night—Lingling's heart-stopping confession, the endless cycle of failed grand gestures, and the excruciating "Call me" text that haunted her dreams—but today, she convinced herself, she could finally breathe. With a determined sigh, she strode onto campus feeling calm and collected.

There were no Lingling glances, no cryptic messages, no sudden bursts of tension.

Or so she thought.

"Okay. I can do this," she whispered to herself as she walked, head held high. But deep down, Orm didn't know that the calm was only a fragile facade waiting to be shattered.

Orm was midway through a laugh-filled lunch with Becky and May when the air in the cafeteria shifted. Out of nowhere, Lingling slid into the seat beside her—not across the table, but right next to her, invading Orm's personal space with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

Instantly, Orm tensed. Becky and May exchanged a look that could have been mistaken for a predator's hungry gaze. Before Orm could process what was happening, Lingling nonchalantly reached for Orm's drink, took a slow, deliberate sip as if sampling a fine wine, then set it down again as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Orm choked on her food. "W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" she sputtered, her voice a mix of shock and indignation.

Lingling's expression remained as neutral as ever. "Tasting it," she replied coolly, almost matter-of-factly.

"That was MINE!" Orm exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Lingling shrugged, completely unbothered, "And?" she added with a dismissive tilt of her head.

May, unable to contain her excitement, whispered to Becky, "OH MY GOD, SHE'S PULLING THE COUPLE MOVE."

Becky, barely holding back laughter, leaned in conspiratorially, "I CAN'T WATCH THIS—THIS IS PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE."

Orm could only gape at Lingling, who resumed eating her lunch with the same calm indifference, as if the entire scene were nothing more than a quirky habit.

Desperate for solitude and a moment to collect her scattered thoughts, Orm escaped to the library—her sanctuary of silence and order. For a brief, blissful moment, she believed she might finally find peace among the rows of dusty books. But as fate would have it, Lingling was never far behind.

Within five minutes, as Orm was engrossed in a textbook, Lingling appeared and sat down directly next to her—again, uninvited and too close. Orm tried her best to focus on her reading, but then, out of nowhere, Lingling reached over and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Orm's ear.

Orm froze. Her mind short-circuited, and her breath caught in her throat.

"W-WHAT WAS THAT?!" she stammered.

Lingling's reply was as neutral as a weather report, "Your hair was in the way."

Orm clutched her book as though it were a lifeline. "I CAN HANDLE MY OWN HAIR," she snapped, more to herself than to Lingling.

Lingling merely tilted her head slightly. "Then why didn't you?"

At that, Orm's internal system crashed completely. Behind a nearby bookshelf, Becky collapsed against May in barely concealed giggles. "SHE'S SO SMOOTH, I CAN'T HANDLE THIS," Becky whispered, eyes shining with mischief.

"I'm learning so much right now," May added, scribbling notes as if documenting a groundbreaking experiment.

After a long day of dodging Lingling's advances, Orm was determined to escape the campus drama. Clutching her books, she made a break for it—only to find that Lingling had other plans. In a flash, Lingling reappeared beside her, and without warning, draped an arm casually over Orm's shoulders.

Orm's heart nearly stopped. "You're doing this on purpose," she accused, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief.

Lingling met her gaze, deadpan, "I told you I'd make it obvious."

Then, as if delivering a final, emphatic coup de grace, Lingling leaned in slightly and said, "See you later, sweetheart."

And just like that, she turned and walked away as if it were a perfectly normal part of her day. In the distance, Becky and May screamed in gleeful horror, and a random student gasped, "DID SHE JUST CALL ORM 'SWEETHEART'??"

Orm felt herself spiraling out of control.

Unable to contain the mounting pressure any longer, Orm grabbed Becky and May by their arms. "I CAN'T DO THIS!" she cried, her voice cracking with desperation.

Becky laughed, "You asked for this."

May, fanning herself dramatically, added, "Babe, I don't know how to tell you this, but you're SCREWED."

Orm, now in full meltdown mode, sobbed, "WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!"

Becky and May exchanged an evil, knowing glance.

"Oh, we have ideas," Becky smirked, as if the chaos was the best show on campus.

As the day drew to a close, Orm realized with a sinking heart that she had thought she could handle Lingling's relentless confession and maneuvers. She was so very wrong.

Orm woke up with a single, desperate thought: "Survive the day."

After yesterday's relentless barrage of whispers, teasing touches, and pet names that made Lingling's seduction seem like a full-time job, Orm hoped for a reprieve today.

Surely Lingling would cool down... right? WRONG.

The moment Orm stepped onto campus, Lingling struck again. In the hallway, Lingling brushed past her with fingers barely grazing her wrist, murmuring, "Morning, sweetheart," as if nothing had set Orm's nerves on fire.

At lunch, Lingling slotted herself so close that their knees touched under the table, and when Lingling stealthily stole food off Orm's plate without even asking, Orm spluttered, "That was mine!".

Lingling replied as calmly as if reciting a legal statute, "You're taking too long."

Becky and May watched the unfolding drama like it was the season finale of a hit TV show.

"She's really committed to this," May whispered, while Becky added with a grin, "I've never respected her more."

Orm had finally had enough. This wasn't just playful banter anymore—it was war.

If Lingling wanted to play, then Orm was going ALL IN.

No more teasing; it was time to DOMINATE.

Attack 1: Direct Eye Contact (Orm's Version)

Instead of panicking, Orm locked eyes with Lingling.

When Lingling whispered teasingly, Orm leaned in even closer.

When Lingling smirked across the table, Orm bit her lip and smirked back.

Lingling blinked, clearly unprepared for the counter, and that was just the beginning.

Attack 2: Physical Closeness (Orm's Version)

Determined not to be outplayed, Orm began to lean into Lingling's casual touches.

If Lingling sat too close, Orm shifted even closer until their shoulders were pressed together. When Lingling stole food from her plate, Orm picked up a piece from Lingling's and fed it right back, purring, "You steal from me, I steal from you."

Lingling even hesitated before eating it. "OH MY GOD. SHE FED HER."

May whispered, grabbing Becky's arm. "She's taking back control" Becky gasped.

Attack 3: The Neck Touch (Orm's Version – Game Over Move)

The real game-changer unfolded in the library.

Orm sat beside Lingling, projecting calm, focused, untouchable energy.

Lingling, as per usual, leaned in to whisper something teasing—but that was a BIG MISTAKE.

Instead of getting flustered, Orm casually reached up and ran her fingers along the back of Lingling's neck.

In an instant, Lingling froze—absolute, total stillness.

Orm's voice dropped to a dangerously low murmur: "What's wrong, counselor?"

Becky dropped her book in shock.

May's jaw hit the floor. A random student gasped, "DID SHE JUST CALL HER COUNSELOR??"

Lingling blinked once. Twice. And then... she smiled. A REAL smile.

Becky exclaimed, "HOLY—SHE LIKES THIS!"

May whispered, "Orm just created a monster."

Lingling leaned into Orm's touch without pulling away or getting flustered. Instead, she laughed softly, amused.

"Orm," she said simply.

Orm, trying to play it cool, replied, "Yes?"

Lingling continued, "Are you trying to seduce me?"

Orm shot back with a playful glint, "Depends. Is it working?"

Becky and May nearly exploded in the background: "OH. MY. GOD."

Lingling tilted her head thoughtfully and then leaned in with her lips hovering near Orm's ear.

"If this is your version of a counterattack, you're going to have to do better than that."

Orm practically died on the spot.

By the end of the day, Orm thought she could win this game.

She didn't realize that Lingling never minded losing—in fact, Lingling got exactly what she wanted either way. And now? Orm was in more trouble than ever. The campus drama was only just beginning and Orm was caught in a whirlwind of unexpected passion, public spectacle, and a battle of wits that had turned everything upside down.

Orm thought she was prepared. She had mentally rehearsed every possible scenario, but nothing—NOTHING—could have readied her for Lingling's full-blown PDA mode.

She'd expected some teasing, maybe another casual whisper in her ear.

Instead, she was about to be publicly claimed.

Attack 1: The Hand-Holding Power Move

Orm was walking to class, feeling relaxed and even a little triumphant—until she felt a warm hand slip into hers. Lingling had taken it, casually and effortlessly, as if holding hands were the most natural thing in the world. Orm's entire body froze.

"W-What are you doing?" she stammered.

Lingling, with her signature deadpan, replied, "Holding your hand."

"WHY?"

Lingling simply shrugged. "Because I feel like it."

As they walked, Orm could feel the stares of everyone around them.

Behind them, Becky and May whispered furiously:

Becky: "This is it. This is the moment."

May: "ORM IS IN DANGER."

Orm tried to pull away, but Lingling tightened her grip ever so slightly, her thumb grazing Orm's palm—a light touch that sent shockwaves through her body.

Attack 2: The Public Claiming Move

The final straw came when Orm was in the middle of the quad, discussing an assignment with a professor. Out of nowhere, Lingling strolled by, slowed down, and—without a word—wrapped an arm around Orm's waist.

Orm stiffened instantly.

The professor glanced at them, blinked, and wisely said nothing.

Becky screamed; May gasped; a random student blurted, "IS THIS ALLOWED??"

Lingling, completely unphased, said coolly, "Don't mind me. Just passing through," and then walked away as if nothing had happened. Yet, Orm could still feel the phantom warmth of Lingling's arm clinging to her—a reminder that the invasion of her personal space was as real as it was infuriating.

It was completely, ridiculously unfair.

Orm had reached her breaking point. This wasn't just playful teasing anymore; it was a full-fledged attack. If Lingling thought she could get away with it, then Orm was about to show her exactly what she was made of.

Counterattack 1: Orm Corners Lingling (But Even Closer This Time)

Lingling was quietly reading her law notes in the library when Orm marched right up and planted her hands on the table, leaning in so close that Lingling was forced to tilt her head up.

"You've been having fun, haven't you?" Orm murmured.

Lingling looked up, calm as ever. "Extremely."

Orm's lips curled into a slow smirk. "Good." Then, leaning even closer until their noses almost touched, she whispered, "Because it's my turn now."

Lingling paused—a fraction of hesitation that Orm caught like a lifeline.

Becky whispered excitedly, "SHE'S DOING IT AGAIN."

May added, "THIS TIME SHE'S GONE TOO FAR—"

Counterattack 2: The Public Challenge

Orm wasn't going to let Lingling control the narrative in public.

When Lingling reached for Orm's drink, Orm snatched it first, took a dramatic sip, and smirked, "You're going to have to try harder than that."

Later in class, when Lingling casually sat beside her, Orm stretched languidly and whispered, "Missed me?"

And when Lingling dared to touch her waist in the quad, Orm grabbed Lingling by the wrist and pulled her even closer. "If you're going to do it, do it properly," she challenged.

Lingling paused for a full second—and then grinned.

Becky lost her mind.

May covered her face in shock, exclaiming, "I CAN'T WATCH!"

Orm thought she was winning. She believed she had everything under control—until a random upperclassman, charming and confident, struck up a conversation with her.

To Lingling, however, it looked like someone else was trying to steal Orm's attention.

Lingling's calm expression didn't change, but her eyes darkened.

She stared at the guy for exactly three seconds before, without hesitation, walking straight up to Orm and seizing her wrist.

"We're late," Lingling said smoothly, as if that explained everything, ignoring the stunned upperclassman completely.

Orm blinked in shock. "What?"

Lingling simply tightened her grip, pulling Orm away.

May choked on her drink.

Becky's jaw dropped as a random student exclaimed, "SHE JUST TOOK HER—SHE DIDN'T EVEN GIVE THE GUY A CHANCE!"

Orm was left utterly speechless.

Lingling dragged Orm into an empty hallway, then abruptly let go, crossed her arms, and fixed Orm with a piercing stare. After a heavy silence, Lingling asked, "...Are you jealous?"

Lingling didn't answer, so Orm took a daring step closer and declared, "You are."

Lingling remained motionless, not denying it.

Orm smirked, "You're really cute when you're jealous, counselor."

Lingling's eye twitched—an almost imperceptible reaction that sent Orm's heart racing.

Then, in a move that left everyone breathless, Orm leaned in quickly, confidently, and boldly, placing a soft, fleeting kiss on Lingling's lips.

It wasn't teasing or hesitant—it was decisive, and it broke Lingling's composure completely.

Orm stepped back, grinning, and whispered, "Calm down, okay?" before turning and walking away.

For the first time, Lingling was left standing there, genuinely stunned.

Orm thought she could win this flirt-off, but she soon realized that Lingling never minded losing—as long as she got what she wanted.

Now, the campus drama had escalated and Orm was in deeper trouble than ever.

Becky and May erupted with delight from the sidelines.

"OH MY GOD—" Becky shrieked.

"I'M GOING TO DIE—" May added breathlessly.

The chaos was palpable and Orm's heart pounded in her ears as she wondered what Lingling's next move would be.

In this high-stakes game of public affection and psychological warfare, one thing was clear: Orm was caught in a battle she might not win, and the consequences were only just beginning.

Orm woke up feeling like a winner. For once, she thought she had the upper hand.

She had kissed Lingling—first—and walked away with a confident, victorious strut, leaving Lingling seemingly speechless. Or so she believed.

Because Lingling was about to make her regret everything.

The very next morning, Orm strutted onto campus feeling untouchable. She was riding high on the memory of her bold move—kissing Lingling and then walking away like a boss. But then, as if scripted by fate itself, Lingling appeared. Not with a frown or an unreadable smirk, but with a look of cool determination. Without a word, Lingling grabbed Orm by the wrist and pulled her in so close that within seconds, Orm found herself mere inches from Lingling's face.

Lingling's voice was smooth, calm, and almost dangerously controlled as she said, "That was a bold move."

Orm's throat constricted, and she managed a stuttering, "I—I don't know what you're talking about."

Lingling smirked and replied, "Oh? So you don't remember kissing me, walking away and then acting like it meant nothing?"

At that moment, Orm's internal system practically crashed.

Behind them, Becky whispered in awe, "OH MY GOD, SHE'S FIGHTING BACK," and May added, "THIS IS IT. ORM IS GOING TO CRACK."

Orm tried to escape the magnetic pull of Lingling's advances—she really did—but Lingling wasn't about to let her go. Instead of releasing her wrist, Lingling intertwined their fingers, pulling Orm even closer right in the middle of campus.

Orm's entire body tensed, and she stammered, "L-Lingling," as her voice cracked with both defiance and dread.

Lingling, clearly relishing the moment, teased, "What? I thought you were bold now."

Orm's eyes flashed in anger as she attempted to speak, "I—" but Lingling tilted her head and added coolly, "You don't look so confident anymore."

Orm inhaled sharply, almost as if her very pride were on the line. "THAT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE—" she began, but Lingling cut her off with a playful smirk, "I'm a future lawyer, sweetheart. Fairness was never my strategy."

Behind them, Becky and May's hushed whispers grew louder: "OMG, she's really taking this to a whole new level," they murmured, as Orm's heart pounded in her chest.

Orm was beginning to feel like she was losing control of the narrative. She had thought she was in command of the flirt-off, but then Lingling did the unthinkable.

Out loud.

In public.

With a series of legal-style declarations. Lingling's gaze was steady as she fixed Orm with her intensity.

"I need you to listen to me carefully," Lingling announced, her voice firm and measured.

Orm blinked, suddenly nervous, "O-Okay?"

Lingling took a deep breath, then declared, "I am presenting my case."

Becky, unable to contain her excitement, gasped, "SHE'S DOING IT IN COURTROOM FORMAT!" while May grabbed Becky's arm, whispering, "WE ARE NOT READY FOR THIS."

Unfazed by the growing spectacle, Lingling continued with clinical precision:

"Exhibit A: I like you."

"Exhibit B: I have liked you for a while now."

"Exhibit C: You have consistently provided evidence that you like me back."

"Conclusion: You and I should be together."

For a moment, Orm felt as if her heart might explode. "W-WAIT—" she began, but Lingling, with a mischievous smirk, interrupted, "Objection?"

Orm sputtered, "I—I—NO, BUT—"

Lingling stepped even closer, her tone razor-sharp: "Then your silence is an admission of guilt."

Orm wheezed, "THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS—"

Lingling crossed her arms and declared, "Oh? Then let me add one last argument."

And then—without warning—she kissed Orm.

Not a tentative peck, but a kiss in front of everyone.

Every. Single. Person. On. Campus.

Becky screamed, May collapsed in dramatic disbelief, and a random student shouted, "OH MY GOD, IT'S HAPPENING!"

And Orm? Orm melted. She had lost completely, fully, and absolutely.

After Lingling pulled back, she stood there, watching Orm with an almost clinical detachment.

Orm, still frozen and processing what had just transpired, felt her heart pounding in her ears.

She had thought she controlled the game, but now she realized something terrifying: she was in too deep.

This wasn't just a flirtation or a game—it was real. Orm's feelings, which she had tried so desperately to keep as part of the playful challenge, had grown into something profound. She actually, seriously, ridiculously liked Lingling. And Lingling had just proved that she felt the same way. In that moment, Orm realized she was doomed.

Orm later sat in their usual café, still reeling from the confrontation. Becky and May were practically screaming with excitement.

"LINGLING KWONG JUST DECLARED HER LOVE IN COURTROOM FORMAT," Becky gasped, eyes shining with disbelief.

May, clutching her chest, added, "AND THEN KISSED YOU. IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!"

Orm groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I KNOW," she murmured.

Becky pointed dramatically, "AND YOU KISSED HER FIRST LAST NIGHT. YOU STARTED THIS!"

May shook her head, "NO. ORM FELL FIRST. BUT LINGLING FELL HARDER."

Orm sighed deeply, her voice barely audible, "I think... I think I actually like her. Like... a lot."

For a long, heavy moment, silence enveloped them—only to be broken by Becky and May screaming in unison once again.

And in that cacophony of cheers and gasps, Orm realized with a sinking heart that she had crossed a line from which there was no turning back.

Here's a little fun fact: I was inspired by these two GIFs for this story 😂