LOGINHis heart begged him to go on and kiss him. His mind screamed that he shouldn't due to team rules. He looked down avoiding Leon’s eyes. Caught between love and the life he had decided to protect, he didn’t move to kiss him, yet he wasn't willing to end the moment. Leon slowly lifted both hands to Noa's face, his fingertips trembling as they gently caressed his cheeks. Then, as though seeking reassurance, he rested his head against Noa's chest and wrapped his arms around his waist. A faint, broken smile touched his lips. "I can hear your heart," he whispered. "It's beating for me... right?" He tilted his head up, searching Noa's face. Noa immediately looked away. The smile on Leon’s face disappeared. "Please..." Leon pleaded softly. "Stop doing this. Stop looking away." His voice cracked. "Why are you avoiding the eyes you used to love so much?" He put two fingers beneath Noa's chin and gently lifted it, forcing him to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked
You don't get to play the victim." His voice rose with every word. “Right from the first day you stepped into Hillary. You insulted me. You humiliated me. You treated me like I was responsible for your ancestors death. Yet, I tried to keep it cool believing we have something going. Holding on to my silly feelings, not knowing that you're playing me.” “No Noa, it wasn't like… “It wasn't like what? I don't care anymore, just save it.” Then Noa chuckled. “You're upset because another guy asked for my attention?" Leon flinched. "I know I was wrong." "No. You know you were lied to, and that's different." “No, Noa,” Leon's expression crumbled. “I didn't know Max lied about you. I was wrong with my judgement. I should've asked you what happened. It was a big mistake. I know that now. I should've trusted you when you said it wasn't your fault.” Leon went on and on apologizing to Noa, hoping to calm his anger. He laughed bitterly. "You've got some nerve asking
Noa stood in the doorway. His hockey bag hung from one shoulder.His expression was as cold as the mountain air outside. For a brief second, neither of them moved. Leon instinctively stepped aside."Come on, Noa..." He sighed. "Let's not do…" "Let me make something clear."The sharpness of Noa's voice cut him off. Leon fell silent. Their eyes locked. Noa took one slow step into the room. "I don't care if Coach forced us into the same room." His voice was filled with irritation. "You stay in your corner." He pointed toward the bed by the window. "I stay in mine.” His finger dropped."Don't stare at me." A pause."Don't smile at me." Another pause followed. "And don't even look for an excuse to start a conversation. Do you get that? It means don't fucking talk to me, no matter what." The room seemed to shrink around them. "Do you understand?" Leon simply looked at him. No response. No movement. Noa's patience snapped."I said…" His voice
Having Noa leaned on him seemed to shift something within him. For a moment, all the hurt faded. The jealousy, the guilt, and the heartbreak, none of it seemed as important as the sight before him. Very carefully, Leon shifted his own posture. He relaxed his shoulder, giving Noa a more comfortable place to rest without waking him. A few seats ahead, Jerry glanced back. He raised an eyebrow. Leon simply shook his head once. Jerry smirked knowingly before turning around again. Minutes stretched into an hour.Noa remained asleep, leaning against Leon the entire time. Eventually, Leon's own heavy eyelids betrayed him. The warmth on his shoulder, and the steady rhythm of the moving bus. The emotional exhaustion of the past few days, one by one, his thoughts drifted away. His head fell back against the seat. Before you knew it, he fell asleep too. Then, a sudden bump in the road stirred Noa awake. He blinked groggily. For a second, he didn't understand why somethin
Without another word, he walked down the aisle. Every pair of eyes followed him. Leon shifted slightly, giving him room. Noa dropped into the seat beside him without so much as a glance. The atmosphere between them turned icy. Leon kept his eyes forward, but inside him a tiny spark of hope flickered. For the next several hours, Noa couldn't run away from him. Maybe…Just maybe...He'd finally get a chance to make things right. The driver closed the doors. With a low rumble, the bus pulled away from the parking lot, carrying the team toward Mountain Bay. Noa, who had no choice but to sit beside Leon, told himself that he would never be late again. Despite sitting shoulder to shoulder, Leon decided not to say a word to him for the meantime. However he couldn't stay quiet so he texted him. “I’m glad you made it.” Noa checked the message that just entered his phone and it was from Leon. Then he checked the first one he wasn't aware of. His heart twitched but he
The final whistle echoed through the rink. "That's it for today!" Coach Finn called out. "Good work. Everybody to center ice." The players skated in, breathing hard after nearly two hours of practice. Some leaned on their sticks while others pulled off their helmets, grateful for the break. Coach Finn stood before them with his arms folded. His expression was serious. The chatter gradually died down. "I've got an important announcement." Every player straightened instinctively. "There has been a change of plans." He paused. "We will not be leaving for Mountain Bay tomorrow morning." "What?" A wave of whispers spread through the team. "No way..." "I already packed for tomorrow." "Did the match get canceled?" Coach Finn raised a hand, silencing the murmurs. "I know this is short notice, and I'm sorry about the late information." He looked around at every face."But if you intend to become professional athletes someday, you'd better get used to adaptin
“Yeah, that’s why I’m inviting you. We can talk more there.” Leon studied him for a second. There was nothing wrong with him. His smile was open. His voice was easy, but something about how confidently he stood there…as if he had already expected Leon to agree, felt unusual. Still, it was just
Leon continued until only a few inches separated their shoulders. “You like giving speeches, hmm?” Leon asked quietly. “Only when someone needs to hear them.” He responded calmly. “Then maybe you should listen for once.” A few lockers down, someone cleared his throat awkwardly. No one dare
Leon clicked his tongue and skated off. The next drill started almost immediately. Players rotated through center ice, passing and repositioning. And again, somehow, Leon found himself facing him. He lunged forward for the puck, but Noa pivoted smoothly. In one effortless motion, he stole the
Right. It's her school, of course. Leon glanced past her at the building again. “Well, just transferred," he said simply. “Just like that?” she pressed, brows lifting. “No warning, no ‘hey Jenny, I’m showing up to shake your entire morning’?” “Something like that,” Leon smirked at her sens







