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The barracks were, for once, quiet. Mulan sat on the edge of her sleeping platform, pulling on her boots. The smallest of efforts made her muscles scream in agony and she longed to go let the hot water of the showers wash over her body. But she had volunteered for night duty again. She had no choice.

She was lacing up her boot when she heard the front flap of the barracks swish open. Looking up, she saw Honghui enter. Spotting her, he smiled broadly. Mulan forgot her sore muscles as her heart began to beat a little faster. There was something decidedly charming about Honghui, which made her uncomfortable. She was unsure why he was here now. Was she supposed to thank him for earlier? When he had come to her aid? She wasn’t sure what a “man” would do in such a situation.

Luckily, she was saved from making that decision as Honghui walked over and threw himself down on the sleeping platform beside her. “Don’t let them bother you,” he said, putting his arms behind his head. “Especially that donkey Yao.”

Mulan allowed herself a small smile. Somehow, and she wasn’t quite sure how, she and Honghui had gone from being enemies to being�6�2.�6�2.�6�2. allies. Well, almost. Her thoughts drifted back to Yao’s ridiculous comments in the dining hall. She still couldn’t believe that he could view women as such objects, to be valued only for their physical appearance and not for their strength of character. A thought occurred to her. Honghui had never given his idea of what a “perfect” woman was. She wondered why he had been so quiet.

“Are you matched?” Honghui asked, breaking into her thoughts. “Can I ask?”

The question startled Mulan. “No,” she said reflexively. But then she realized that being matched in Honghui’s mind would make her seem more “manly.” So she corrected herself. “I mean, yes. I was. Almost. It didn’t work out.”

“Lucky you,” Honghui said, his voice quiet.

They sat there for a moment, his answer hanging in the air. Mulan wasn’t sure what to say. Did Honghui mean she was lucky for having been matched, or for getting out of the match?

“I’m matched,” Honghui said, answering her unasked question. “And I’m hoping she’s courageous. And funny, and smart.” He paused and his eyes grew distant. Mulan wondered, as she looked at him, what he was picturing. Then he added, “Because she looks like a man.”

Honghui’s admission surprised Mulan. Why would he admit this to her? What did he expect her to say? And she couldn’t help wondering what he would think of her—if he could truly see her. Luckily, Honghui was too caught up in his own thoughts to notice her expression.

“I mean,” he went on, “how do you even begin to know how to talk to a woman, let alone be married to one?” For the first time since they had met, Honghui seemed unsure of himself. Mulan’s heart, which had already begun to thaw toward the handsome conscript, grew warmer still.

Taking a chance, Mulan answered, “Just talk to her like you’re talking to me now.”

“I wish it was that easy,” Honghui said. He paused, and his expression grew more uncertain. “What�6�2.�6�2.�6�2. what if she doesn’t like me?”

Once again, his response surprised Mulan. She turned and, for the first time, really took the time to look at him. His eyes were focused on the barrack ceiling, his chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. But Mulan could see that he was genuinely worried. In being honest, he was allowing himself to be vulnerable.

“She will,” Mulan said, the words softer than she had intended.

Slowly, Honghui looked over. Their eyes met and for a hushed moment, neither said anything, the air growing heavy with unspoken emotion.

Shaking it off, Mulan cleared her throat. She had no idea what had just happened, but she knew she needed to lighten things up. “I mean, I think she will,” she said, this time making sure to keep any emotion out of her voice. “You never know with women�6�2.�6�2.�6�2.” she added with a shrug and a conspiratorial look.

Honghui didn’t say anything, though he did sit up. Swinging his legs over the side of the sleeping platform, he inched closer. Mulan instinctively backed up. What was he doing? Why was he getting closer? Was he�6�2.�6�2.�6�2. could he be? He came closer still. He breathed in, and for a moment, Mulan was convinced he was going to kiss her.