Ciara stared until her eyes ached upon hearing the price Scott was asking for his offer to buy clothes.

“Then, no,” she blurted. “I don’t mind wearing your clothes.”

“No, no, no! That’s not what I mean!” Scott stood up and put his hands on his hips, then ran his hand through his hair while sighing. “Ah... how should I put it?” he muttered, more to himself.

After looking confused for a moment, he stared at her. His eyes melancholic. “You have to make it through,” he said. “I mean... use your body, your abilities, as best as you can to win the competition.”

It was a request that made...