By Zephyria “Banned from competing?”
Ashley’s voice involuntarily rose at the sudden notice. The coach sighed with a serious face and continued.
“The regulations have changed in a few states. Alphas or Omegas who have Manifested cannot compete in games, whether they are juniors or professionals.”
“Why, all of a sudden?”
Someone’s face flashed through Ashley’s mind as he barely managed to speak. The coach took another deep breath and offered him words of comfort.
“Anyway, that’s how it is, and I’m sorry. I’ll miss you a lot, but…”
Ashley was silent for a moment before finally opening his mouth.
“So, from when?”
The coach paused before answering.
“From next year.”
Thanksgiving was coming up soon. Then there would be no games until the new year. And after that, there would be the season finals, but to be excluded from the games after coming this far.
“…Haa.”
Ashley took a deep breath to suppress the rising anger inside. He couldn’t take it out on the innocent coach. Buffalo wouldn’t be the only team in trouble because of this changed regulation.
“…I understand. Then the next game will be my last.”
“Well… about that.”
The coach scratched above his eyebrow and said.
“I’ve already found someone to replace you, and he needs time to adjust to the team, so… he’ll be playing from the next game. It would be too much to put him in the finals right away.”
Ashley was speechless and just stared at the coach’s face. To be kicked out so suddenly. High school ice hockey teams weren’t professional, they were just close to being a hobby. But he had been playing with all his heart until now. The routine that had continued naturally after school had vanished overnight.
The faces of his friends who had been playing together flickered before his eyes, and he covered his eyes with one hand. Countless emotions flooded in, but they were all meaningless. Ashley took a deep breath and slowly lowered his hand.
“…Well, there’s nothing I can do.”
“…I’m sorry.”
The coach lowered his head and apologized. It would be difficult for him too. The ace was leaving in the middle of the season. Ashley didn’t bother him any further and stepped back.
“Thank you for everything.”
As Ashley said goodbye, the coach stood up and extended one hand. Ashley shook hands with him briefly and left the office.
No wonder there was no practice today.
He felt bitter as he thought of his friends who had excitedly gone home first. When he was told to stay behind alone, he vaguely thought that the coach might have something to say about the game. But suddenly, he was kicked out. Had anyone else expected this?
The answer came soon. Ashley’s expression darkened as he checked the caller when his cell phone rang.
-Did you have a good talk with the coach?
Ashley paused before opening his mouth at the businesslike voice from the other side.
“…Father? Did you change the regulations?”
Father’s secretary replied nonchalantly.
-You were going to quit next year anyway, weren’t you?
But why go to the trouble of changing the regulations to ‘make him quit’?
He knew the answer. The man just wanted to mess with Ashley’s life as he pleased.
As if to show off that he was in his hands.
“Should I have sent flowers on Father’s Day?”
Ashley sneered, but she still replied calmly.
-If you find it more comforting to think that way, then let’s say that’s right.
Ashley resisted the urge to shout and clenched his fist instead. She was just doing Father’s work. The person to shout at and get angry at was Father. Of course, Ashley wouldn’t do that. Because there was nothing more unnecessary than meeting Father for that. Instead, he suppressed his emotions and opened his mouth as calmly as possible.
“Anyway, tell Father congratulations since he got his way. I know why he didn’t wait until the end of the season.”
-Understood. Is there anything else you need?
At the mechanical response, Ashley asked sarcastically.
“Put me back on the ice hockey team.”
-That’s not possible, as you know.
After refusing simply, she asked, “Is there anything else?” Ashley knew that she was just doing her job, even though it seemed like she was teasing him.
“No.”
-Understood. Then.
The call ended first, and Ashley stared at his cell phone for a moment before putting it back in his pants pocket. The sound of his footsteps echoing in the long hallway sounded somehow pathetic.
*
“Ash!”
As usual, after the Cheerleading Team’s practice ended, Koi came running, breathless. Ashley, who had been leaning against the car waiting for him, opened his arms wide, and Koi jumped into his arms as if it were natural. Like the opposite poles of a magnet attracting each other, the two stuck together tightly.
“I missed you.”
Ashley whispered. Koi hugged him with all his might and rubbed his cheek against his thick chest.
“Me too.”
Ashley smiled and rubbed his face against the top of his head. He wanted to stay like this forever. But if they didn’t leave soon, someone might find them.
“Did you wait long? You said there was no practice today. You could have gone first.”
Koi said, hurrying into the passenger seat and waiting for Ashley to sit in the driver’s seat. As he started to feel guilty and sorry for making him wait, Ashley started the engine and replied.
“I didn’t wait long. The coach said he had something to say.”
‘Is it about the game?’ he thought, but Ashley opened his mouth.
“I can’t play from the next game.”
“What? Why?”
Koi doubted his ears at the words that came out so casually. Koi knew how much Ashley loved ice hockey. He shone brighter and was filled with happiness every time he played a game. But now he wouldn’t be able to see that anymore.
“Why did such a regulation suddenly come about? It was okay until now.”
“Well…”
Ashley stalled as if checking the traffic light before answering.
“I don’t know either.”
“That’s too much, really.”
Koi muttered, genuinely upset. It was a really ridiculous regulation. How much does being an Alpha or Omega affect the game that they can’t play?
“This is discrimination.”
Koi unusually burst into anger. He usually let things go even when he was treated unfairly, but he couldn’t stand it when it came to Ashley. This was too unfair.
“Ash, can’t you sue? It’s ridiculous to not let someone play in a game just because they Manifested.”
Ashley laughed for the first time since hearing this terrible news from the coach.
“I can, but.”
He couldn’t help but smile at Koi, who was angry for him, and he continued in a soft voice.
“If I waited until the results came out, I’d be over forty when I graduated from high school.”
“Ah…”
Koi was dejected again at Ashley’s words. Ashley’s heart was somewhat relieved thanks to Koi, but he wanted to continue seeing him try, so he didn’t say anything. Then, Koi, who had been thinking, suddenly turned his head and asked.
“Do you want to touch my butt?”
“Puh-ha!”
He burst out laughing and almost stepped on the brakes. Koi, surprised, hurriedly asked.
“A-Are you okay?”
Ashley slowed down the car to avoid an accident, but the smile on his face didn’t fade at all.
“Will touching your butt make me feel better?”
Koi carefully watched his expression at the still smiling voice.
“Ah, can’t I?”
Of course it would make him feel better, Ashley thought, but there was an even better way.
“How about you touch my anaconda?”
Koi couldn’t say anything. Seeing him just widen his eyes as if they were about to tear, Ashley added in a light tone.
“I’m just kidding.”
Saying that, Ashley let go of Koi’s hand and instead put it on his waist. Koi slightly lifted one buttock so that he could touch it easily, and Ashley slowly massaged his butt, which fit perfectly in one hand.
“How do you, feel?””Okay,” Ashley replied to the cautious question. Truthfully, he’d wanted to pull the car over and kiss Koi, but it wouldn’t do to reject Koi’s suggestion, especially since he’d made it himself. He could kiss him another time.
Meanwhile, Koi was thinking something completely different. He’d gotten used to Ashley touching his butt and figured he could handle that much, but the sudden anaconda attack had momentarily thrown him for a loop. Why had he forgotten that? Ashley was just holding back.
Maybe that would be more comforting right now…
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Ashley spoke up.
“Koi.”
“Yeah?”
Koi answered quickly, and Ashley continued, still looking straight ahead.
“Want to come to my place for Thanksgiving?”