By Zephyria The game had started, but Koi couldn’t concentrate. It was because Ariel had gone in with an unpleasant face. The vice-captain followed behind, waving his hand at the other kids to say it was okay. Thinking that it would be better not to add to the numbers, Koi also had no choice but to stay in the dugout with the other kids.
He really wanted to see Ashley playing the game, but his attention kept focusing on the direction where Ariel and the vice-captain Sarah had gone. It was the same with the other girls of the Cheerleading Team.
“Ash, I’m really disappointed.”
The girls whispered and talked.
“I know. I thought the two of them would go to the homecoming party together after the game today.”
“He was waiting in the hallway yesterday too.”
“He’s being clingy, what else. But what’s not going to work is not going to work.”
Koi’s heart became complicated at the girls’ firm reaction.
Ash is going to ask Al to go out with him again today…
He became anxious when he thought that Ariel might dump him again. How disappointed would Ash be?
Because of me.
Koi couldn’t raise his head even more in self-reproach. I can’t go on like this. I should go somewhere and hide without being noticed.
He was thinking that and turned his body. Suddenly, the cheers of the audience poured out from behind. He thought they had scored a goal, but he was completely wrong.
“Oh my, a fight broke out!”
Someone from the Cheerleading Team shouted. Koi reflexively turned his head and his eyes widened. Ashley was punching an opposing team player.
*The game had started, but Ashley couldn’t focus at all. The situation from just before was still vivid in his mind. He couldn’t concentrate with the image of Koi diligently lifting his legs and dancing right before his eyes. He knew he had made a terrible spectacle of himself. But how could he have remained calm in that situation?
Koi had revealed those dazzling legs in front of the entire school and danced.
It was a rather distorted memory, but he wasn’t in a position to consider reality. Ashley was truly experiencing what it meant to be blinded by rage. Because of that, he made several small mistakes, which soon led to significant point losses. As these blunders continued, the other guys gradually noticed. They exchanged uneasy glances while chasing the puck more frequently, and Ashley’s movements, completely different from the first period, began to unsettle the others as well. Unable to watch any longer, Bill quickly approached him and spoke.
“What’s wrong, Ash? Are you not feeling well?”
His voice was filled with anxiety and concern, but Ashley didn’t even look at him as he snapped.
“Nothing’s wrong. Just play the game.”
Bill couldn’t say anything more and stepped back.
Get a grip, Ashley Dominique Miller. You’re in the middle of a game.
He knew he had taken his anger out on Bill for no reason. But he couldn’t control his emotions at all. Ashley swung his stick at the puck in front of him, but he ended up leaving an opening. The opposing team didn’t miss the opportunity and quickly dashed forward, pushing the puck straight into the goal.
Cheers and jeers erupted from the stands simultaneously. Ashley gasped for breath and straightened his back. His mind was a mess. He cursed under his breath and turned around for the next attack, but the guy from the opposing team who had just scored fell into step beside him. He smirked and taunted Ashley.
“Hey, nice pass. Keep up the good work.”
“That son of a bitch…”
Bill, who was changing direction behind him, heard those words and was about to get angry, but suddenly, Ashley threw down his stick and punched the guy in the face. A roar of excitement erupted from the stands.
“I’ve been waiting for this! Finally!”
“Fight, fight! Beat him up more!”
“Go, Buffalo, go!”
“Don’t back down, aim for the jaw!”
The crowd was more excited than ever as punches flew and a brawl ensued. It was the first time such loud cheers had been heard, even though so many goals had been scored. This was part of the thrill of ice hockey, but watching the scene made Koi’s heart burn.
Oh no! This is going to be a disaster!
Fistfights during games were common in ice hockey. Of course, Ashley, Bill, and the others often threw themselves into fights with players from other teams.
But right now, all Koi cared about was Ashley. No matter how much the other guys brawled, he might be a little surprised, but he wouldn’t be this worried. Every time the other guy attacked Ashley, Koi felt like his heart was sinking. He wanted to run out and help immediately, but he knew all too well that he would only be a burden. So, all he could do was fidget in the dugout.
Of course, Koi wasn’t the only one reacting that way. Even the Cheerleading Team kids, who had been indifferent and critical of Ashley, were now waving their arms and enthusiastically cheering on the fight. Koi was watching with bated breath when the other guy reached out his arm.
Ash is going to get hit!
Unable to watch, he squeezed his eyes shut, and a cheer erupted all at once. Sensing a different atmosphere than before, he cautiously opened his eyes and saw the other guy clutching his nose and crouching down.
“That was a great hit!”
One of the Cheerleading Team kids giggled and gave a thumbs up. Only then did Koi breathe a sigh of relief. The referee separated them only after the other guy started bleeding from his nose. And Ashley was penalized, meaning he couldn’t play for five minutes.
“There are five minutes left in the second period.”
Jeers erupted from all directions, but there was nothing they could do. Ashley picked up the stick and gloves he had thrown on the ground and slowly returned to the dugout. The team’s atmosphere wasn’t bad, but Ashley’s expression was still not good. Everyone, including the Cheerleading Team kids, was just watching him, not saying a word. Leaving them like that, Ashley immediately left the dugout.
Koi hesitated for a moment, standing there. What should I do? Should I follow him?
At this rate, we’re definitely going to lose the game.
Then what will happen? Will Ash still confess to Al?
Koi didn’t know the answer. A dark temptation was slowly raising its head in a corner of his heart.
What if we lose the game?
Ash might not get back together with Al…
His heart was pounding terribly. Cold sweat gathered in his palms, and his vision spun. If, just if, that happened…
Just imagining Ashley and Ariel together made his heart ache. What would happen if he actually saw it? He became so scared.
If Ash doesn’t get back together with Al…
A cautious malice welled up inside him. His mouth was parched, making him even more sensitive. He couldn’t stand it and squeezed his eyes shut. Despite that, the image of the two of them laughing and chatting happily vividly resurfaced. If that became impossible…
Ash would be very disappointed.
Koi slowly opened his eyes. The cheers of the crowd felt like a hallucination. He felt his legs heavy, as if he were walking through water, and slowly turned around.
As Ashley walked towards Sarah, everything that remained in his head was erased. The sound of his heartbeat echoed dully in his ears.
Ashley was sitting alone on a bench in the hallway. He couldn’t hear the cheers of the crowd, not even his own breathing. In the silence, Koi slowly approached him. Ashley must have heard his footsteps, but he didn’t move, his upper body bent over, elbows resting on his knees, face buried in his hands.
Finally, Koi stopped a few steps away from him. He opened his mouth, but it took a little longer to make a sound.
“…Ash.”
He called his name in a voice full of cracks. Ashley’s shoulders seemed to flinch, and then, after a moment, he slowly raised his head.
Ashley’s expression looked more miserable than ever. Thinking about how frustrated he must be right now, Koi’s heart ached again.
“…What?”
Ashley spoke. Only then did Koi realize that he had just been staring blankly at Ashley.
“Um…”
He had come prepared, but the words didn’t come easily. He mustered his courage and barely made a sound.
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll win the game… definitely.”
His voice was trembling so much that it sounded pathetic even to himself. When Koi stopped talking, Ashley chuckled. Koi’s remaining courage completely disappeared at his self-deprecating laugh. An awkward silence fell between them again.
He had something to say, but he couldn’t get it out of his mouth. Hesitating and not knowing what to do, Koi eventually couldn’t open his mouth and instead lifted his skirt, took out the item he had put in his shorts pocket, and held it out.
“…What’s this?”