When they were finally excused, Sami pulled her by the hand as far from the main stage as possible. They hurried through the corridors on trembling legs and reached the dance practice rooms. Sami closed the door behind her and immediately began to release her frustration at the whole production.

“It's not fair that they didn't give us time to prepare. They know exactly what they're doing and I hate it!” She followed Chyou into the middle of the room. They were both still in full hair, make-up and costumes from the challenge. Both blood spattered. And she still looked so beautiful, even under the harsh studio lighting. “The rule changing and the surprises.” She groaned. “Trying to wear us down-”

“Sami, we both made it,” Chyou reminded her gently. “Let's not spend more energy being angry about it.” It was all unfair, being upset about it wouldn’t change it.

Sami’s eyes began to water again. She cradled Chyou’s face in her hands. “I was so scared.” A broken whisper that pricked at Chyou’s eyes, too.

“You're the strongest girl here-”

“Not for me.”

Chyou looked away. She thought she had proven herself today, finally, that she had just as much will to survive as anyone else now. “I'm weak, I know-”

“You're not weak,” Sami argued. She forced Chyou’s face up to lock their eyes again. Her expression was stern, despite the pain in her eyes. “You're soft and sweet and delicate.” She pressed her lips together for a moment, and a pair of tears raced one another down her cheeks. “There's something so special about that, and I hate that they're trying to crush you because of it.”

Despite her burning calves and swollen feet, Chyou launched herself up onto her tiptoes to kiss Sami’s pain away.