By Zephyria Ashley asked with a frown. Koi silently held it out and waited. Ashley looked at it with a dubious expression, then reluctantly took it.
When he unfolded what was in his hand, it was a small, folded two-dollar bill. It was something Koi always carried with him. The crumpled bill was clearly worn and tattered, showing how old it was.
Ashley looked down at it for a moment, then gave it back to Koi.
“I have two dollars too.”
Koi thought it was absurd that he was handing over a lucky bill that he had clearly cherished for years just to win the Homecoming game. But instead of taking it back, Koi hid his hands behind his back and said.
“You don’t have this two dollars, though?”
The corners of his mouth were pulled up with real difficulty. Ashley noticed that Koi was trying to lighten the mood somehow. That effort made his terrible mood a little better, and Ashley chuckled as well. When Koi, relieved, let out a sigh of relief, Ashley handed the bill back and said.
“It’s okay, this is precious to you.”
Koi felt like he was going to cry at his kind words, but he forced himself to smile and pushed his hand away with one hand.
“I’ve already made my wish.”
“Wish?”
“Yeah,” Koi nodded.
“I met you.”
Ashley looked up at him without saying anything. Koi did his best not to lose his smile and added in a trembling voice.
“It’s right to give it to you, because you’re the one who made my wish come true.”
Ashley was speechless again. This time, he had a dazed expression as if he had been hit by something, but Koi had no idea why and didn’t care. As long as Ashley was happy.
“I hope you win and achieve what you want.”
Koi smiled brightly. Ashley just looked at him silently. For a moment, they looked at each other. There were so many things to say, but no words came to mind. Both of them were overwhelmed for different reasons and couldn’t speak.
“Then.”
Koi spoke first.
“I’ll go first.”
And he turned around and headed for the dugout. The second period would end soon. And his role was now over.
As expected, everyone, including Ariel, was gathered in the dugout. The vice-captain, who found him first, spoke to him.
“Welcome, Koi. You came just in time? I was wondering if I should go look for you.”
Koi smiled awkwardly and answered, “Yeah.” Ariel turned to him and smiled brightly. Koi smiled back at her. For some reason, his heart felt relieved. The horn sounded, signaling the end of the second period, and they went out onto the ice in time.
*
“Oh, Ash.”
“Ash, how are you? Are you okay?”
The ice hockey team guys, who had been watching the Cheerleading Team’s choreography in the dugout, greeted Ashley, who appeared late, with delight. They were as chaotic as ever, but on the other hand, they also looked anxious. Ashley scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.
“I’m okay now, sorry.”
“Oh, that’s a relief.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
“There’s still the third period left!”
The team guys took turns speaking and patted Ashley’s back and arms. Ashley moved around, hugging their shoulders and patting their backs one by one.
The Cheerleading Team’s cheering performance was still going on on the ice. Of course, Ashley immediately found Koi. The hand holding the hockey stick involuntarily tightened.
〈I hope you win and achieve what you want.〉
Of course, Koi.
He almost ruined everything by being blinded by silly jealousy. Get a grip, Ashley Dominique Miller. He slapped himself hard on the cheek, put on his gloves, and began to prepare for the next game. His eyes were burning with a stronger fighting spirit than ever before.
*
Finally, after the cheering performance ended, Koi rushed back to the dugout as before. He was out of breath, but he felt much better than before. He was able to move somewhat calmly, unlike the first performance, partly because this was his second time, but also because he had sorted out his feelings to some extent. He sincerely wanted Ashley to win the game. That’s why he gave him his most precious treasure, and he didn’t regret it or feel sorry at all.
Ash and Al are both my precious friends, so it’s okay.
Koi thought and prepared himself. After the game, Ash would run to Al first.
As expected, when the third period started, Ashley’s movements changed completely from the previous game. People immediately got excited and cheered at his more agile and fierce performance than in the first period. The Cheerleading Team also got excited and shouted, waving their fists in the air and yelling “Buffalo.”Koi, heart pounding, watched the game from within the crowd. Just then, Ashley found himself cornered between two defenders from the opposing team, the puck trapped between them.
Get out of there, Ash!
He mentally screamed, tense with anxiety. Ash seemed to turn, to break free, but then suddenly shoved one of the players hard. The guy, caught off guard, stumbled back, and Ash, seizing the opportunity, fired the puck. Bill, who was waiting, caught it and passed it again, and the crowd began to roar.
The net billowed dramatically as the puck slammed into the goal, adding another point to their score. After three consecutive goals, the atmosphere was electric.
“We’re gonna win, aren’t we? We’re gonna win!”
A girl from the Cheerleading Team shrieked with excitement, and the others joined in, yelling.
“Of course, we’ll win! Look how hard we’ve been cheering!”
“Yeah, our team is invincible!”
“Buffalo, Buffalo!”
“Wooo!”
Even Ariel was screaming and waving her arms wildly. There wasn’t much time left. The opposing team had caught up quite a bit in the second period, so the score was close. Of course, they knew that too, and they weren’t giving up until the very end.
“Ugh!”
The guy who had gotten into a fistfight with Ashley earlier roared and chased after the puck. Ashley immediately went after him, and it became a one-on-one situation. The guy deliberately weaved back and forth, taunting Ashley.
“Cotton candy hitter. Is that what you call a punch?”
Compared to before, it was a pathetic attempt at provocation. Ashley smirked.
“Who was it that got a nosebleed from that cotton candy punch?”
“You just got lucky.”
“Yeah, lucky I got to go up against a weakling like you, right?”
“What? You little…”
Before he could finish the curse, Ashley swiftly intercepted the puck right in front of him. Leaving the guy momentarily stunned, Ashley took off, yelling as he went.
“And stupid, too!”
“You son of a bitch!”
Furious, the guy immediately gave chase. A defender blocked his path, but Ash quickly changed direction and slipped to the side.
“Bill!”
“Got it!”
Bill caught the puck and kept going. There wasn’t much time left. This was their last chance. If they didn’t score this goal, they’d go into overtime. And if that happened, the first team to score would win.
Ashley didn’t dislike the idea of overtime because he was worried about the risk; he simply couldn’t stand the thought of the game dragging on.
This had to be the end. He ran with all his might.
“Eeeh…!”
A player from the other team threw himself at Ashley, trying to stop him, but he couldn’t keep up with Ashley’s speed and crashed into the boards.
The goalie was in sight. He had been praised as the best goalie last season. He had blocked quite a few of Buffalo’s goals today, too.
Ashley tensed his entire body and followed the puck with his eyes. The goal the goalie was guarding seemed impenetrable. Even Bill seemed intimidated and hesitated.
Just then, another player from the opposing team blocked his path. As he tried to steal the puck, Ashley intervened.
“Ah!”
“Ugh!”
Screams erupted from everywhere. The puck skidded across the ice, and everyone’s eyes were glued to it. Then, the goalie dove and blocked the puck. A mix of disappointment and relief filled the air, but Ashley immediately swung his stick.
Thwack! It sounded like a loud noise. The goalie looked surprised and reached out his arm. The sight of the black, flat object floating through the air was burned into everyone’s minds. Three seconds. Two seconds.
“Whoaaaa!”
The horn blared and the game ended the moment the net rippled. The crowd erupted, everyone standing, and ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ began to play.
“Yeah! Ash!”
“We won, we won!”
The ice hockey team cheered and hugged each other, while the Cheerleading Team watched, clapping. Koi saw Ariel’s back among them, then shifted his gaze back to Ashley.
Goodbye, Ash.
I really liked you.
Just as his nose started to sting and he sniffled quietly, he lowered his head and then looked up to see Ashley skating towards them across the ice.
He’s going to confess to Ariel.
Koi, and probably everyone else, thought so. Feeling a pang of bitterness at the sight of Ashley’s unusually bright smile, Koi braced himself. Soon, Ashley would confess to Ariel and ask her to get back together. Maybe they’d even kiss.
Then I’ll have to congratulate them.
He waited, steeling himself. Ashley was skating towards them at an incredible speed. And then, ignoring the dugout where the others were gathered, he planted a hand on the fence and vaulted over it.
Huh?
The direction he was heading was strange. Ariel was over there, wasn’t she? Confused, Koi turned his head, but in an instant, Ashley was right in front of him, suddenly grabbing him in a tight hug.
Huh? Huh?
Surprised, Koi’s eyes widened. Ashley released him from the hug, cupped his cheeks, and then, before Koi could even gather his wits, pressed his lips against Koi’s.
Koi wasn’t the only one who was flustered. Everyone was watching, unsure of what to do, as Ashley pulled away from the kiss and looked down at Koi. His face flushed red, he said,
“I like you, Koi. Go out with me.”
Koi was so shocked that he froze. No one could say a word. But Ashley didn’t care about anything else. Only Koi’s answer mattered.
The noise and music from the stands, oblivious to the situation in the dugout, continued to echo around them.
“What the hell is going on?”
Koi jumped at Ariel’s voice and turned his head. She was looking back and forth between Koi and Ashley with a scowl. Behind her, Koi saw the Cheerleading Team and the ice hockey players standing blankly, and the color drained from his face. Ariel, noticing Koi’s expression, turned around. Seeing the countless eyes watching them, she said,
“Everyone, go change. We’re going to the after-party.”
At Ariel’s command, the vice-captain blinked, then quickly looked around, saying, “Alright, let’s go, everyone. The after-party is at Green Bell, right?”
“How about Red Bell today?”
“There’s a Red Bell?”
“I’m just saying, idiot. Just go along with it.”
“How about Rainbow Bell? Hahaha.”
“Oh, that’s so funny. Rainbow Bell. Hahaha.”
“Hahaha.”
“Hahaha.”
They laughed and chattered exaggeratedly as they headed to the locker room. Even so, they couldn’t hide the way they glanced back and whispered to each other. After confirming that the Cheerleading Team was hurrying away, Ariel turned back to Koi.
“You and I need to talk.”
“Uh, uh?”
“Wait a second.”
Ashley stopped Ariel as she grabbed Koi’s arm and tried to pull him away. Ariel frowned and looked up at him. Koi, with each of them holding one of his arms, was at a loss, looking back and forth between them. Ashley looked down at Ariel and said,
“Where are you taking Koi? Do it here.”
“Why? Do you think I’m going to hit Koi or something?”
Instead of answering Ariel’s sarcasm, Ashley narrowed his eyes. At the reaction, which was more telling than words, Ariel didn’t hide her displeasure and snapped,
“Ashley Dominique Miller, it would be better if I talked to Koi first, don’t you think? Or I’ll give you 30 minutes to finish talking. Then I get Koi for unlimited time.”
Ashley stared at her for a moment, then turned his gaze to Koi, as if asking if it was okay. Koi hesitated, then nodded.
“I, I want to talk to Al.”
Ashley stared at Koi without saying anything, then slowly loosened his grip. As soon as Ashley completely let go, Ariel pulled Koi out of the dugout as if she had been waiting for it. Watching them go, Ashley shouted from behind,
“I’ll be waiting here, Koi!”
Koi couldn’t help but turn back to Ashley. But he rounded the corner following Ariel, so he couldn’t see Ashley’s expression properly.