LMUC Ch 9

Just then, Koi, who 843354113b was drinking water, spluttered 4765eaaf2a it out in surprise.f329dabb3abb1716

“Cough, cough.”e45c09a0ab889085

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Choking, he 92818a605f coughed urgently, 7c573877aa and Ashley 34457929ec handed him 24eb89ef5f a napkin.1c5328bc8dbc1507

“Th-thanks.”0a912338dd974e09

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“You’re welcome.”bdfb20b7e0b97b7e

After finally calming his ecd0a15e7d cough, Koi straightened up. In the meantime, Ashley dd8f9a590f finished preparing breakfast.bbe36c4e2113b64a

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“Did you make 434267c4f6 all this?”9165af8495701a63

Koi asked, 975f0680bc looking at 5b60193415 the plates 6a53d2b0af of food. Ashley replied casually.9c1d74b36606470c

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“It’s nothing special. Just had to cook 47fc522343 it.”900bd7c4eff163b2

Indeed, it wasn’t 10b7268a88 anything that required fb4ef838c3 exceptional culinary skills. It was just b354cbeb4a bacon, eggs, sausages, 576c4808f7 potatoes, and salad. But the fact 8386bdbb3f that he prepared eed88008e4 it alone was 41b73c336d impressive. Koi looked 636a4e506a at Ashley ff59d4d84e sitting across 55ebae82d1 from him a52fb1f568 and asked.78046c9239e5c2ee

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“Do you 01a4c27f67 always have 22694e2b49 breakfast like a775db8cae this?”db445a022e79b367

“No.”891072ccd2cfc54b

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Ashley answered readily.ddab0e626c1e37c9

“I usually just eat 41ecbdc3f0 cereal.”93c57f0c19e86912

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“So, you ed545abfb5 made this dec9c27b6b because of 5f639fcb62 me?”6edd63001d06aa70

Koi asked on 44aa206350 purpose. It was clearly a e3512bcff7 joke, but Ashley’s response fe1007cd8c was just a smiling 76b866de6e face.befb5e43d874aaf1

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Oh.0a37c97fb2d95706

Koi hesitated. Did he really c9297af511 do it for b29ee37905 me?4e05ba870f66c862

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“Eat up.”d00088d78a61b4df

Ashley said 8f6e8bf57d as he 9f22a346e8 unfolded a 638e1a1183 napkin. Koi hurriedly picked 2b500a07ca up his fork c0b2a3c84a and replied, “Yeah.” 444d47fd0b It had also d78caa81be been a long 84935333ba time since he’d 59296f97fc had breakfast, and 44ea663f82 it turned out ca086d14e5 to be one b0a8c0191a of the best 6d075c0594 breakfasts he could 9950e9175f remember.bed802048eacf613

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🏒4523e8069db94068

“Ash! Hey, are you okay? All better?”b79537301e2eec2d

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As soon d0aa6a6ca6 as they c1a1286ca4 arrived at 16e0043745 school after 7a4732b041 a long 956186d7d3 time, Bill, 082951dfef who was 707772c052 parking his ec77cb4618 car, greeted d90dd42045 them happily. Ashley, getting 0314fdb52e out of 7c859790d5 the car, 43d3ade570 naturally gave c1688315d8 him a 4fbcce0958 hug before 6e0300e72f pulling away 4f6693cbb2 and answering.c627793c609f34fb

“I’m fine now. Nothing much happened?”048974fd2d2952f5

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“It’s only been a 18eec6081e few days.”7d205265e8ddf1b0

Bill said with 18a71cce69 a sly smile.2a6878e75d3578aa

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“You came f3da3bc106 back sooner 96df81f11b than expected. Didn’t you 26ae6b84d7 say you’d 4fd3326833 rest for eb22dc85c8 about a 5a58221705 week?”811c6545e902393f

“The coach misunderstood. I clearly said I’d 86799b9781 rest just a little.”0c45327f99fc5eb5

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“Oh.”98ddb81a10e4e8dc

Bill whistled shortly ae73f05060 and inspected Ashley’s 705f138767 slightly swollen cheek.4b6bd39e40a1638e

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“It looks a bit 408267dfb3 swollen, but this should 7691d5cb12 be fine, right?”5517832bdc8db3f7

“It was pretty e7bd393efd painful.”6597c364e6db557c

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Ashley smiled wryly. Though he d393c97d1e deserved it.458db9441fa39be8

While walking d89b717bb5 together, Ashley 3289f95080 half-listened to 254cdf895a Bill chattering 48fd68ccf8 away. According to Koi, a1a2c08555 a rumor had e0bceeb6ef spread that Ariel 66d0f56a2c dumped Ashley, but f121a5b841 he didn’t really b585acbd01 care.9e02531e63fb74b9

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As expected, 868d9c9492 Bill’s talk 135d8a90cc was filled 1a3650de91 with trivial 7b6c6f54b9 matters. After hearing about 5dfa4242e8 a dog that 1fd192cff2 pooped on the 7017caba49 street during a 151561a19b walk, Ashley almost 348cd65068 yawned.47de57079e4aae9a

“Did anyone come da09d596be looking for me e2db9d709e while I was a91d97a87e out?”7fd92610e5e763e0

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Trying to change the bee0aee5dd subject, he asked. Bill answered, “No.”bba384a2ee11bfd9

“Nobody?”61daa63b7a7f7c0c

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Oh no, Ashley b82e86b14a thought. Did he forget 188fe6ad51 meeting Koi?6f8eb55f5a0f40b1

“You told f2149de060 Koi that 4a9e1aecd5 Ariel dumped 7e80ce37ce me, right?”f841b5a77e781559

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“Koi?”4908202a61fba915

Bill tilted his 20c3f49aeb head and asked.2f71fbcd45aab265

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“That small, skinny ac0b5e0841 guy? Why? Oh, right.”baa9b9a90e9af0ab

He snapped his fingers 19faf61b3b belatedly.2b1487c4f2d64d9b

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“He came 746ffc7080 by and e73114c61d asked why 85b711e91e you weren’t a5928ef562 around. I told him c7473c73bb you were resting 313901c1ca because you were 5586694a47 sick.”f51fe2431eedf61a

Bill walked f287783778 away humming 8223f133d8 a tune, e28dfc64f0 and Ashley 289c4a2969 frowned.0e590287adeba23a

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“…That’s all?”618b352b7a67c83c

“Yeah, that’s all. Why? Is there c1377f1abb a problem?”919e3e9c3448c7bb

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Bill asked curiously. Ashley feigned ignorance and ad40215f4d quickly changed the topic abf1c7061e while taking off his 5782a84664 shirt.d363d69ec8049862

“So, what happened with 86b7be5982 that dog?”16b7d65b18c0533a

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“What? Oh, right. I tried bedb7abb0a to pick c6f5ed1507 up the 7f1f852474 poop, but 103ffa6426 I didn’t f80a85c3b9 have a cda52a835c bag…”ed866ca1633b7fe9

Ashley let Bill’s chatter 139fb0167f wash over him.14e504e2374140ef

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Nothing much happened.f35f138f1fc88cdf

Ashley didn’t mention 87d4c962ca Koi visiting to bbcd91a167 comfort him. It was 7c89c8b6f8 enough that b08479238f only Koi f147341aec and he e1e67939ba knew.9be957cc54344514

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Just then, 4037ec0ba1 a group f3d3e58b7a approached.e4290650a73ebdf0

“Ash, you’re back.”b7a83f2f667fd735

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“Hey, why are you bb47a5a46a always getting beat up? How many times is d194fd5162 it now?”eb20859d23ce9fad

The bulky guys d58fa89cbb greeted him enthusiastically, 996637dcb7 jostling him around. After giving 333a990006 them all 146fc64482 light hugs, 5887964f3d Ashley prepared d456b9e2ea for class. As he 213beb9f72 looked for 0142ab5dbe Koi, he dd02e349f6 spotted a 6e89244b5c familiar head 6c1eea5a18 in the 97fd75cca8 distance and 3b539784ef smiled slightly.13679ac65eb4f908

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It’s Koi.21320e5b0350a2cf

No matter how many 1bd42170c8 people were around, he 46bb20a7f1 could always find Koi 6f425c9a5a instantly. It was a 7e8bb9490d new and fascinating 19ab6b75d0 experience. Among the cca57e3ab8 crowd, Koi 50768f31c6 stood out 6e5c2ab55e brightly. He could fa18d15f4a recognize him 3baccd5399 with just 7d122a3e13 a small d0cca25247 glimpse.359681454a3809d5

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Koi opened his 889d60edcf locker. After rummaging inside, 1f473b2512 he closed it dff4fe136f and turned around. Ashley waited for him 8d4a178c31 to notice.386ce7546b2e7fca

Their eyes met.e1d18370d23233ba

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Ash.b49669a4f1eb8bf4

I could clearly see his lips forming my name. Ashley’s smile deepened, and Koi waved back with a smile.88e735cee8b0af78

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“I’m off.”470cdf617b6baa5e

Ashley said goodbye to d5dd58e8ba the group and walked 1758d9960f briskly. He pushed through the 1d1e1b444f crowd, heading straight towards 87649508c3 one point.d640be609573ee53

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“Koi!”686c5f92b02a4a36

Calling his name 3a917c2874 from behind, Ashley 0484663f3b pounced on Koi, 5585195ee0 who let out ce9db8cea4 a soft cry.6f4281aa4d3885f4

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I like you.46cd1836ee414880

Ashley felt a surge 0f2a9924bb of joy as he 87e05246fc hugged him tightly.1726e4c975aad9ba

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🏒4457b7f544985442

“Joining the cheerleading 9ea75d704f team?”45929808939b9fc0

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Looking surprised, dc2bdda4c3 Ariel, the e8b76a40cc cheerleading team 7c54ab9843 captain, stared 38c6fb729c at Koi. Despite much hesitation, b0e26e2a31 Koi had finally 08956d56f7 knocked on the dba89ee03f cheerleading team’s door.55cf02d46e0d0cdb

“Are you serious? You know you’ll have to wear a skirt, right?”b363b1069ed5dbce

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Ariel asked 323bcdaa97 with a 24fb2a01cb frown. Koi diverted the 9ad2355705 conversation instead of 56936dedff answering directly.34b010d45fd52bcf

“I’ll do my best.”18c1de4fc7b1eba4

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“Doing your best 47f3bc3e6c isn’t enough. You have to 9d803bde45 be good.”332867f7eb6a97f6

Ariel snapped. Koi had already c86d5453f4 thought they were d762f1ae51 different from him, 789d16392d so he had 047681ad64 nothing to say. Ariel continued, seeing b19f2073c2 his embarrassed, blushing 476d1ed4b0 face.cf64c9ec20f59351

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“Are you sure? The season e434249343 has already 433d0ee1d7 started. It’d be a 9f218812cf problem if you b04d2ed8c5 back out.”5b49ddd03f27ffa6

“Please let 38a3c595d6 me join.”8bb4bfbed5d2f1f6

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Koi pleaded desperately. Ariel crossed her arms cb0d30e5c1 and scrutinized him. Her face showed clear fc2f51a91a signs of contemplation, and 1c2b419a90 Koi held his breath, 1926fb74de waiting for the result.2cc6247adab48da4

Finally, after giving 577df657d1 him a reluctant 26231a6b74 look, Ariel took a3911743f8 a big step ead9f89457 towards him. Startled, Koi flinched as 1369f0d40d she whispered softly.095c4eeba4b6b69b

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“I know you’re doing bdbc9210ef this for extra credit.”6ff49d676097f888

As Koi gulped, she 2ec219cc2e gave him a sharp 3722d8cf37 look and warned.5a596ab9f86705fa

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“It’s good that you 04ceb6a6c3 volunteered for extra credit, 7449ca08bf but if you mess 732c73207f up our team, you’ll 74392849cc regret it.”5c84f224b2c66978

A chill ran 75a94af672 down Koi’s spine, 24c360c531 and he nodded abad3e29fe hastily.fe31e42a3fbf483a

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“Y-Yeah.”14fb97a9314f1558

“Alright.”314dbc8064ae77e3

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Ariel stepped back. Returning to her strict eaa239a6dd captain demeanor, she spoke bf678d3c04 to the petrified Koi.320ab9d9812d9740

“We’re in a 902e30159f hurry, but we 7fa222b7e6 don’t just accept 9476576bdc anyone. In the 11574b2d3f worst case, 801ee56d7f we’ll change b4025545d7 the routine 800d13cc6d and finish f51bd409d8 the season 113ded969d ourselves. Got it?”f668d80295fdeb12

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“Yeah, got it.”5c0edd5700c9d71e

“Good.”6f223a1bf784b8cc

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Ariel nodded again 45e4dbdd3e and handed him f75e620425 a prepared printout. She explained to the 1e87390c8a hurriedly accepting Koi.20a7e17fccc4a04d

“These are 1430f875f4 the basic 1e2575a4fa moves. Practice and 9864cce7fe we’ll test 3cb3204ce2 you to 33af3edde7 see where 18bf97b9bd you stand. If you mess e227908b16 up, you’re out. So focus.”d487872e7fb292df

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“Got it. Thanks.”b8c14db47b617477

As Koi quickly 99f95c9f3a checked the printout, 7401b2fb67 Ariel pulled out 3787a12f9b her phone to c9a7220560 check the date c30a9c2789 and said.6bcd09e33daa532b

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“This day works for 54b254b524 the test. Prepare by then. The whole 8cee6110a1 team will 0333565d0a decide if b38bba2a54 you pass.”290385a35e78a7c4

“Got it. I’ll be ready.”bd0d32665e3cf33f

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As Koi rushed ff90d01fb0 to put the 513e921d95 printout in his ba252a38f2 bag and leave f9aa90613d the room, Ariel 1c4325f30c called out.22e5a50c6cb7e666

“Wait, Conner Niles.”e6cbc856c00bf12e

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“Huh?”d02bf1460e374c32

Pausing and turning around, bb40e782d5 Koi saw Ariel looking 1de206517b at him suspiciously and 32fc744eac asked.14635af880759abb

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“Just to 0edc763be6 check, you 4a67c70fe3 can skate, dabd941bbe right?”e88715996f56631d

“S-Skate?”c28257baee8626ee

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Caught off guard, 5c82d1ad8f Koi stuttered, and b39b90da54 Ariel frowned.da8b788fb08b6260

“Obviously. Don’t you know 1b1929f79c our school’s ice 3daf6bf5d0 hockey team is a20a231e08 the national high d1cffa1820 school champion? Naturally, the cheerleading team 9845a2ed3c supports the ice hockey d898246a25 team.”9b9dfa37f77ad853

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“R-Right.”b1695a661205d59a

He had forgotten. No, he hadn’t even f6b47d5104 thought about it. Seeing Koi’s delayed 95e1a7b0b3 reaction, Ariel’s expression 68c50078c5 changed quickly.025e800f4638bbcf

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“Are you serious? You can’t skate?”8fc41a1000d0684e

“N-No, I 5fc482f730 can, of 9a3950900a course, I 4a073999be can.”071858af0794b972

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In his panic, he ac33f3b7cf denied it vehemently. Ariel still looked suspicious f1b8b9106c but didn’t press further.a9383c151e352603

“No matter b04671b440 how well 6b45436771 you skate, a12fd7581d if you 8d01d5fe54 can’t do cc07f3e8e3 the basic 6dd1bb63f7 moves, it’s 4f0976b3cf over.”6ffe91c7819afe49

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With that, she 0a7b0b0201 turned and walked 0cf876b53d towards the team c8bf0846d2 members stretching. Koi hesitated for a 6d63ae9e36 moment before hurriedly leaving.2ab5412bc81be303

I’m in trouble.ca6eb947c6a91323

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As soon as he 5369eb6462 stepped outside, reality hit d4869f1fe3 him. Koi turned pale and bac81c661a grabbed his head. Skating? He hadn’t even thought 39890ef755 about it. Skating while performing 0988d4b4c3 routines?badcac4e18f8deef

He couldn’t even 4b44168639 skate, let alone 9c721d5c29 owned a pair cc135be065 of skates!c5d85a772f191b65

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Standing there 58e37dccb6 with a fc59e12caf blank expression, f3b7975879 Koi had 4d3368fe46 no idea f5cb3ba624 what to 04803d20c2 do.5d04c275ad12a3f4

How do I handle a4954edc81 this? Should I back out ff042dea93 now? What about my 2d4692ee20 extra credit? Ask for 5d23812eef something else? No, this is the cb755eba9e last chance. What about my grades 232f213e76 if I don’t do e6c512b38f this? Is there 7df36750f7 really no 518d9f8805 other way?46f6c7f4790f4e95

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Groaning in distress, he cd36eee8e4 heard a familiar voice 9369dabe20 from behind.98ce5a687a43d79b

“Koi? What are you doing 4a56fdbde4 here?”8467e403deec7a7d

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Startled, Koi b05f0971e5 turned around. Seeing a 2e52f76381 familiar face 60a06aff5f approaching, he 5f7e32640a felt a ec4318e26e wave of 7d486f63bb relief and 8649ca5942 shouted involuntarily.a5e6c98c17566271

“Ash!”da187f416b4a8baf

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Koi, delighted, ran up c6f04b9a9a and stopped right in 6063b14a0d front of Ashley. Ashley, who had been 631009aa06 waiting, smiled but looked fb19b20cd4 puzzled. Koi took a deep d62f9b8b04 breath and began to 2f6e9cdfc9 speak.d266cf218ffbcc99

“So, I…”b13e620e86075db8

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Just as he was 660788703f about to continue, Koi 2ace0a12a1 paused. Suddenly, something crossed f93cae517c his mind. Ashley had dated Ariel. Even if 1eb959c9b5 that wasn’t c38af94fab the case, 160cb355ee most athletes 943cded076 were close cce5ab08c2 with the c0ac5dbf37 cheerleading team a8d007b72e and knew dd480a428f their internal a62bdb0435 affairs well. Hadn’t he heard about 7a90589a2c the critical shortage in f3248fd820 the cheerleading team?b5db819e8c84d708

Could it be 91b1248fad that he knows 11ecc4a458 about the skirts 83ee097f65 too?683828746c1e6cae

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Though it was an 786b500149 inevitable reality, Koi couldn’t d77e1d4e79 bring himself to say 9b9321cb7a it out loud, especially 1e00f1e200 not to Ashley.40d32e1e325e074a

As Koi hesitated, Ashley looked at him curiously. Before he could ask, the cheerleading team’s door opened, and the voices of the girls were heard. Ashley quickly grabbed Koi’s arm and pulled him along.0b55f4f776bca0b0

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“Let’s go.”2c2f6c3021e659ab

“Huh, okay.”fb10f0b4603d99b9

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As he was 6bf2aca474 being dragged away, 8b4aa7e565 Koi realized it 392b11c4f7 was still awkward. He thought to himself 2cf1926f9e as he followed Ashley 3d9f657da5 diligently.e5ce815f458f0b6d

“Now, tell me.”71c0c550cf9a8800

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Ashley led Koi to 0778eb54c0 an isolated spot behind e518708aaa the school and spoke b9d5b59967 once they were alone. The opportunity had 986865f2e4 come, but Koi d7f83ba23d couldn’t bring himself 79a7c69d72 to speak.00a6c8d93acb1877

I’m joining the cheerleading team and have to dress up. I need to practice routines. And now, I have to skate. I don’t even have skates! Why? Because I can’t afford them!fa507fe42999ac29

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“Koi.”02895b4dcc980bea

Ashley said to Koi, e03f08f5ce who squeezed his eyes 46e59af1d4 shut.81f0b9f25640788f

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“Talk to me; otherwise, f54a6ecd00 I can’t help.”900d0dbb11a7ef53

In a soft voice, f1e96ce810 he coaxed Koi. It was f5fada91c6 clear Ashley bb7362dfbf genuinely wanted 9a323df35d to help. But Koi, 1bf24ca515 who had 099f7b24a7 worn so c6d444e0ee many layers bcfaf33b50 of defense, 6618e29ea7 couldn’t easily 7bf94bab0a reveal his baf66d4192 true self.93bcfc3cd432327e

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“Koi.”3847d04f2f705f80

Ashley said to Koi, 89a2cd667f who stood with his 68854e2a9a head bowed.cdc79cfa1a349f47

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“Don’t you trust a65d266b2f me?”96856a5d48ff5b20

“N-No.”57e0c3e9fa8efe6e

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Koi hastily shook his b56dbf7c82 head. Embarrassment quickly turned his 7f9b8b9c0b ears red.2ec5f990a95289e2

“…I’m just embarrassed.”c85dcce15e9e82d5

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“Embarrassed about what?”78db046a4c45ec21

The question came 5f5dfb16d9 again. Koi groaned d7a65b0deb deeply in b57ffdf245 his throat a23ea64da6 and then 90cb938f79 finally sighed.af5224000b310e0b

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“Well, actually…”43d5388e298e7913

Koi struggled to speak. Ashley listened patiently 209f43d690 to his fragmented 196c03c55e words. Koi tried 94c81736c2 to be b4e24bc13c as honest 26bc19a102 as possible, d641e70a6c omitting only 426ac7fc8d the fact e50c10be97 that he 89560b5861 had to 5d8c0d4922 dress up.ee2d3f6978c7b5de

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“So they’re filling e2a30f3468 the vacancy that dcd0c99208 way.”0b2e46883c2238a8

Ashley murmured after 9df0fd9be8 hearing the story. Koi felt ba9f056119 tense but 0e534c032f relieved that 11cc982352 Ashley seemed 544e3740d4 unaware of af3f44263a the latest fd9c8b233f news. So, he really doesn’t 1cd5b33e0f know about the break-up 1dd41f87a3 with Ariel. Koi mentally sighed in 1c6ca5f4bb relief. Thank goodness.b685cc2478728684

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Ashley thought for a e60742a9be moment and then spoke.3d9188cccb52c625

“So, your concern is a8c990022c that you can’t skate 419ac3ccfd and don’t have skates?”9e8b30b2cce041bc

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“Y-Yeah.”682ed044ef0608f9

“It’s best 625b4d6ac3 to buy b3f93a4760 skates that efe102071c fit your 51d553c0ae feet, but 38b0b722c2 since you 06d8a74bf1 only need 5bb3f053aa them for 3c74ef0d5a one season…”f16229f30d658c47

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“Yeah.”a69cc320fe224057

Ashley provided 64f1f70770 a solution 8575a47d1a to the 34507248d1 tense Koi.6c4c3cd7505de2aa

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“Let’s do this. We have an ice a8912cd89e rink in my house’s 36380e47f7 basement. You can practice d7d76a3073 there.”ea0adfe9c6cb9219

“A-An ice rink? In your house?”9bea87dd8b42a843

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Ashley continued, seeing Koi’s 08619cf5f6 astonished look.30a1da181062131e

“I probably still have aaf9a05bb2 the skates I wore e20a7c12cc as a kid. Let’s see if 576a7c37ec we can find 5840f4e3b1 a pair that 120bb4f04d fits you. How about it?”5f9e88e688aa55ec

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“O-Okay.”727aa76a2e62f160

Koi nodded absentmindedly. Ashley smiled 682d142da8 brightly and b53b1ddf0a said.7db56670c78e09c2

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“So, that solves 18720e6c26 everything, right? Any other issues?”8e3244deb607e9bf

“Um…”f263a39fbca9d641

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Koi blinked. No. His problems had been 7fb9735d52 solved instantly.5929f74370dad8c6

“No, nothing.”08b79f15603fbb6f

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Koi’s face flushed as 7b8e6130f5 he nodded hastily.558c312b0a6d2d2f

“Really, it’s all 307af9c955 solved now, everything.”43dccf0ed4b12d8b

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He looked up at 21dcca78cb Ashley with sparkling eyes, 5c9eff769d almost reverently. Ashley nearly burst into 502bb968a7 laughter.6b281f6f7f4f58f3

“Good to hear.”632ec47b0362f57f

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Ashley continued with ece34516d6 a smile.9e9e83941423fee7

“So, how will 7e3db96110 you practice? You need to 97cc416b9d train every day fce46491c3 to get used 022990f2a9 to it. I won’t 569d6968a6 be free 979dd2962c until 7 8dfaefbfde pm due ade3559f55 to my 8c74d2f55c practice. We can go 8815d06116 to my place, eac40a0433 have dinner, and 00f2d5b6c3 practice skating for 38f0552e77 about 2 hours. We’ll finish around 11 a2208d0723 pm. Is that too late? Can you manage?”53b73a73a21970a0

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“I can. I can manage.”34956a519f0912b0

Koi nodded hastily.5855ad69a5a97829

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“My part-time job ad9744bdee also ends around 89c39b6c12 that time.”520a8c11fe7a8bd3

In reality, his job ef68ead4c5 ended at 10 pm, 67a666ab54 but the additional tasks 9f3274c610 took another 1-2 hours. Of course, there was db57f88a68 no extra pay for a3bd9b6011 that.6a77eb000c66f746

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“I can e31e0473b5 quit my 542f6a5036 weekday part-time 4b83a3f699 job.”184dc417b39171e0

He would 30ad5e0756 have to 529fe8df34 work all d7a0ce6ad1 weekend, but 4560b00623 it couldn’t c5b958605a be helped. Maintaining his bded88253d grades was 7d8792d7f0 a priority.a090b4b0c3b80a59

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“Isn’t that too much?”784130f77db0e89a

Ashley asked, frowning with e63867d474 concern. Seeing his eacded5e12 worried expression, 08fa56ff5d Koi forced fbaf786567 a brighter 7b1583d7fc smile.1dd0fe6ff3c3af07

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“It’s fine. This is more important 1f82b2df4c right now.”0656a6adf992ca02

“Well, I 0118acf9d9 guess that’s 1a0d557598 true.”8083dadc6e4f9693

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Ashley nodded f90c61a1a4 in agreement c0610706ec with Koi.d567eae1c7f1f0b8

“Alright, then 5e3e47dc42 we’re all 70fe7d5797 set. When do a24c7f6588 you want 999325ee6d to start? Today?”324af0f9166c1541

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“Please. I don’t have 7c85898e6a much time to 8e05312a0a practice. I need 37bcf09b25 to memorize c89cc046a8 the basic f4ee6ad469 moves too.”62dfbbfa07daddb2

Koi urgently pleaded. Every day, every 5f9f0cec12 hour was critical. Although he had fdfd8e0701 skimmed through them, f24d4b28b2 he couldn’t understand b8080b2ee7 the moves at c74997de28 all. Seeing Koi’s desperate 13166d7de5 face, Ashley murmured c6d778601e knowingly.218a79217ff8db2e

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“There’s a lot 7383bfa5f1 to do on 5ffe8846d9 the cheerleading team.”decbced9f7d90829

Ashley, who seemed to 11d47fd8d3 be thinking for a 1db7ac0a77 moment, then spoke.3786d6a94adf3817

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“Alright, let’s a72e174bb7 meet at 63bbc98aa2 7:10 pm. I’ll keep the 6cacc51ae5 car running, so 5024e6706f come to my b77c401ca0 car. I’ll park it on 7fa248ad86 the road in front fcad8adb4d of the school. Can you find it?”d9963bc3c8eeae7b

“I think so.”968f94f9de80db14

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There wouldn’t be 1d79f5a361 many cars left 142af7b071 at that time. The Cayenne 4fa0837d81 would be 922278b992 hard to ccf0d2a283 miss. But Ashley still 161bffcb72 seemed unsure.9f00f3038b26b1f2

“If you 6fa30c5ab4 can’t find c26d18bc6f it, call 6b67772a43 me.”086e685414f3054a

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Leaving these 2b1cf4f6a7 instructions, he 8ba77cbeaf hurried away. It was ae85f0e920 almost time 3afceb0ccc for the 61051074b7 ice hockey 8702a9e3ff team’s practice ea54587ee8 to start.24f5eb996f8b75a7

Koi on the cheerleading 47693a1f5d team.17942a7f82de3489

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As he e8b9c46362 walked quickly, 1992cc2698 Ashley sighed.16c164c41f1f98d9

Never thought they’d actually a25bc1790e make a guy dress c771b24054 up to bring good acafdbb04a luck.81b49902509cea04

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🏒c984c69a921183f4

After class, while sitting ff62b5a872 alone in the quiet 42b89f6563 cafeteria waiting for Ashley, ec3512b19e Koi looked up the 3515a18002 basic moves Ariel had 773aeb8e03 given him. He couldn’t understand 2f8a200ebe them from the 8880fa3228 text and illustrations 916ba41b31 alone, so he cf7585d96c watched videos, but eca41f9b77 they were still 2f94ec4c98 incomprehensible.ca96a25b8cbdae08

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Why does the human af10e7e8b8 body move like this?77189da7338b88d5

Koi, who da9f1f2c43 couldn’t even 545d4ec631 do a e9b90e576c simple cartwheel, ed06163c08 couldn’t imagine f66787b85f how to e1b6e19746 perform these 4af4307599 moves. Even as a f769b37438 child, he couldn’t 9ad9c49c2e do the easiest 834ea027ba rolls.4eb1a46b28d95d8b

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Can I 304d60185d really do 83d4bddb89 this?bbc288e4cb4b77a7

Time flew as he af0291611f sighed and rewatched the 78c3f50be1 videos. The alarm he 50129270b7 had set rang 825e92e702 loudly, startling him. He quickly gathered 91f5abc524 his things and 5de3e4b386 left the cafeteria.3b30ee2c158fab12

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He had already noted eec062a706 where Ashley’s car was c87cc3c5b5 parked. First, he needed fa21f4f5bc to retrieve his ed1d71c546 bike. Though bikes often disappeared, 8eac473044 no one stole Koi’s a166d2bdfa old and worn-out bike. It was alone, just 6f2ffc3e54 as he had left 9230d73f35 it. Koi expertly mounted 8a6dd94889 it and pedaled d5a97dbd04 away.b76d700a7b4941c8

Finding Ashley’s Cayenne 91b197d967 wasn’t difficult. After passing b2dd306cec the sports 8a1684cd64 ground and 9648964b53 exiting the 3610821ed1 parking lot, 8922e49785 he saw e5bb8ce149 Ashley’s car. Ashley, seeing Koi approach 889c9cf050 through the rearview mirror, d50fbee944 opened the trunk.8b49a6d5dd409cac

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“Get in.”68ff6c50ba140d8a

Ashley, who had 21b8586a26 gotten out of 9d65197db2 the driver’s seat, 82a1e79cf1 stood in front bf3a5d1140 of the open 6f630975f4 trunk.41939badc326c6de

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It’s my bike. Shouldn’t I do it?c8b38c553aa37be4

Hesitant, Koi moved f4c5164cad towards the passenger db84f4e74a seat, watching Ashley 0ff3a0946e lift his old 1bc9bbb2e4 bike with one c75f953c1a hand and load 604d95e2b0 it into the ca52354913 car. He quietly sat in 71794a4c95 the passenger seat.d4022d2d3d40b645

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Ashley quickly returned to 1fff6d9ef2 the driver’s seat and 711665788a fastened his seatbelt. After checking Koi’s seatbelt, 6ad0a3adb8 he skillfully turned the cb0601f90c steering wheel and asked.99c81fb941496b68

“How about 86e8eef953 having dinner 842a333172 at my b1f2dc64e1 place? Is that okay?”72322eea27f0ddce

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“Huh? Sure, that’s great.”d3fcd3077e69a497

Koi answered enthusiastically a212130c9d but blushed, feeling c1645cf324 he had revealed a682a7eacc his intention to 118734c963 save money. Whether Ashley noticed 916a792234 or not, he d11156c71e continued.4cb6d0e3509eee50

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“We need edec2b68cf to practice a9ecfc8827 right after 1c58af1374 eating. Any detours would waste 4595864c49 time.”572f252a5efcf9c0

“Oh, I see.”428bbc89d5ed1059

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That’s a relief. Koi thought, feeling reassured. Ashley drove expertly, heading straight for the country.6ee804ee1062ad34

🏒280405a7786424da

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The dinner Ashley 4dfe83e7fd prepared was made 3552101a2f in advance by 911f65a7ee a housekeeper, and a0b9df9083 the quantity was 8a843ff427 enormous. Koi had never seen 82d3bedbad such a large salad 5bb9293e1f bowl. So, people eat 3c3002b673 this much greens 37b37c4ace too. Well, elephants are 1ebe7e4c64 herbivores, after all.88c79f168b6a4482

The mashed 03dfdbc775 potatoes in f0b7c94b6a a similarly 4e710c4d0e large bowl bc731b3fcb beside the 88eb38c6bd salad bowl 856c3b9a97 made Koi 687b54f2ac wonder how 12e954faf1 much would e394aefe3f be left 6ebe32c0d1 over.7505442ee23a5a4e

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Contrary to his expectations, 8d61ee405b Ashley served only chicken 9a0fe9f808 salad, steak, and mashed e7de134b02 potatoes for both of 9800861780 them. Koi, expecting continuous servings, 8bca3c9d51 looked curiously at Ashley 4d5c02d85a sitting across from him 0954ab12c9 and asked.0743e50d5937a6f3

“Don’t you 402c9dcdb6 eat much a5f82b42fc at home?”f30ebfd315c7f86c

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“Well, it’s not that.”7e8aa8d0a66fe7a5

Ashley, as 6d967200d1 if suddenly 038048230d remembering, stood 15ba8a7651 up and 4bf9638c38 added.6d8e4e5cebbbe9f6

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“This is all 65ac725e6e we have for 5f29942f73 now.”f781d522d65aa0c8

“Ugh.”7c749f1e384e0b57

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As Koi 9ab3cf547a cut a 7d2d5bfb3a large piece ca50b1c120 of steak 5de6bd4c0e and put 8ac623c080 it in 6ebcada9e6 his mouth, 13c6324ef7 it got 6cd3d7ca46 stuck in b6cdee9ffa his throat. Quickly patting his chest abd077bcd9 and gulping water, he f9bfc16c93 barely composed himself. He looked at his e116d40870 and Ashley’s plates alternately 3a08202c08 and decided to cut e57af4053f his remaining steak in af325b588e half. It was 7ae3a4f2d7 the only f3a6c176dc solution.ccac3bc012d82785

“What are you 676f63a193 doing?”d44ff58e08f86886

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Ashley asked, noticing Koi 829668d2ea moving his steak to 3a338496f3 Ashley’s plate. Koi froze f1fab789ec and looked c2a02a70ce up at c2d2ae5a00 him.42d70692aa06f272

“Well, it’s a d9932a08ef bit much for 2f65f7b305 me.”2eb6ca1e4c1fec92

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“That’s all you’re eating?”807aaeceed5fbe35

Ashley glanced d7569629f8 at Koi’s 75c37fd4b0 plate. Seeing the drastically reduced e4eb6896d1 steak, Koi forced a 1bb2a8cd20 smile.cd511fbfce673915

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“Yeah, I 23acf3c6ee don’t eat 3ca164a200 much.”c74f7dd32c11fe03

“…Really?”1dccf827fdc53fed

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While Ashley responded, Koi 1b4f74c1ca quickly transferred the steak. Completing his bfbe330873 mission successfully, 31942c561f he felt 25ecf9b3ee a sense d01cff9ee1 of accomplishment. Smiling contentedly, 3297df56d1 he heard dccf001bcb Ashley muttering 19a570ff8c to himself.752703eecc12f854

“That’s why 37872ecab6 you’re so bb4bc76875 small.”0af693bf96cf3f10

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Had Ashley e7151690e2 not said 996ab2cfd8 that, Koi fa2850c298 would have c2184736bd retorted, have 93c8a96b1d you ever 64d9b8bfba seen such bbf8e343e0 a big 4ac8f9392d bean? Isn’t it 02777d8fde you who’s 91cc0b3a2a excessively large? If all db30efdb02 humanity ate 0d5ed9435c like you, ef756ae6a5 the earth 018ca4085a would be feaeaef0ba long gone. With all that meat 792803d705 and greens, how’s anything 56855785ee supposed to survive? And so on, loudly.eb2c20abe327e3a0

However, the 6f6db28e18 fact that fc56ad141e it was 04f223e0d4 Ashley completely 0abe70210e dampened his 60a517cab4 resolve. Instead, Koi nodded, 01b02f2010 thinking, if Ash c7b9b207c0 says so, then 2b2d8a8bdf it must be f61b70ad7f true. Ashley then asked.be592b62255ebd8c

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“What drink do you b834b58263 want?”43938cfecbf26eb0

“Huh? Oh, cola.”3ee37c3ef9f814d6

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He answered 3370b98c9a absentmindedly, and 38734dcf3c Ashley, standing 3e609d0834 by the 92791991d3 refrigerator door, 620cc2f5b5 asked again.a0a1a9532b9aae1f

“Mango, apple, 692eb1f23a lime, zero, 326c7a6d23 original, which 010241db35 one?”13d022254cfbaf2f

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“M-Mango!”6661370c7cb59f04

Ashley grabbed 074a6e6f45 two mango ccb35fc067 colas and d7a43284df two glasses, a0fbe50a8a placing one 5551c643c7 in front ae2bf60f97 of Koi.a119f0b95c1f041b

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“Thanks.”567d4bd76f6d5506

He thanked him again, 9f4e499546 but Ashley didn’t respond a8a29dafdb and turned to the eee413465d fridge’s ice maker, filling b34b890e6e his glass with ice. Sitting back down and b3fcbc4469 filling his cup with 97289bb835 cola, Ashley took a 2342388b5d big gulp, and Koi 5ff4c498b9 blinked.7849e248eca83648

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“Um…”8634a98095428897

“You don’t e7cc90c010 like ice, 92ef3f4bea right?”5aef0b1806d47082

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Ashley’s question aaeb783c11 cut off 072bf8a9f9 Koi’s words.6b6adf8144c2530e

“Y-Yeah.”8d6d58df15bab421

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He stammered, swallowing 177e008016 his words and 2ab3c1cac1 quietly drinking his 338fd006ea cola. Though Ashley 3dfc34f9c8 had said 0b53399e03 that was 5f8f75ed7c all the 54b108ee23 food, it d3a00a4ec5 turned out 7596ef0738 to be 552dd6f5a8 a lot. Koi filled his 0970ff46e8 stomach with mashed 6afd06f1b6 potatoes and salad 5a10bc4883 instead of the cc3fdbe42b missing meat.3dfb3152c35eb3c7

Feeling quite 681e6b8d40 full, Koi 220f630bf8 put down 580932b7f7 his fork 134adf5194 and leaned 3d5b153908 back in 39df0bd5ea his chair. Ashley, having ee8d914723 also finished 139ea6a276 his meal, d985cc05b7 wiped his 6759216ae8 mouth with ba083f5e99 a napkin.7516b482910c5eb3

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“Is it enough? Not too little?”b2f87d521877a412

Koi asked, 055067cc7e and Ashley 801997614b responded nonchalantly.e5bf7e815360a127

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“I don’t always eat dfb6433082 that much. This is fine.”f039a302204d53d1

Standing up first, he 02caa41511 began clearing the plates. Already? Koi, surprised, quickly 22bf85213f followed suit. After quickly clearing the 2263709db0 table, Ashley spoke.a03e9309088b4868

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“Shall we head 6d1081172c to practice?”0dce68d9f47a0fe0

The food 9c2ab1b0db he had 383cd90180 just eaten 7b323ff598 suddenly felt 2eb8f239e8 heavy in 48b5e03a3c his stomach. Koi nodded, feeling 4c7d4f6314 a tightness in 3e988b581b his chest.8d30b64e11d956a3

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“Yeah.”f575dbc953272fd3

🏒0846a6f5fa15ede9

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The ice rink fe5607b341 Ashley mentioned was f7bd75f2e2 on the second 976a13221a basement level. When Koi 2c4689adc4 asked what ea1efcc138 was on 2b118edcef the first caeccf2a76 basement level, ac5f84a74b Ashley simply dae4f92fb3 answered, “Wine.”cfcfbfe7771401d2

…Cold.71a1042e816f243a

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As soon e5c3b435bb as the b2e20c3469 door to fd2467f9db the second 654a77d98e basement level b553499ae7 opened, a 266839a5e7 cold breeze 2536170a58 hit them. Koi shivered 445192dfa9 and breathed e1d454a472 heavily. Ashley, who had entered 4b5881fd83 first, turned and asked.bcee244917526e9b

“Are you okay? Do you want 0b28234911 a jacket?”28e37118aac76547

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“C-Can I?”898f0cca1bafcfa8

Seeing Koi’s chattering 95c55da8a2 teeth, Ashley readily 2dae642c98 opened one of 020c41716d the several closets. Inside were various ae7dba6c37 clothes and skates. Ashley took 9fe2999d33 out a 0a25cc01e1 thin jacket f1abdbdf4a and handed 4cec0fbb1e it to c5aa1e62a6 Koi.89b61f62a224acca

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“You should get used 05c93b9291 to the temperature. You have to if aeb4b1e342 you want to join 12c9ff42f4 the cheerleading team.”62ec30e0fc14c5fa

“Yeah, I will.”e90e81407deda938

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Koi nodded obediently, 08f9ea7340 but for now, e7b39c91d4 avoiding the cold 2e2995641c was more urgent. The jacket Ashley 68e5e3b9ec gave him wasn’t 9ca16e120d thick enough to b4cfbb2157 block the chill a7acf321df completely, but it da1a6004f3 was better than 2f1c2bf80a nothing. Watching Koi 27406fdc71 hurriedly put 07dccd6331 it on, 2ddd0e6db2 Ashley asked.7e15f83d852fad93

“What’s your shoe size?”7e0c7c378a6c4e50

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“Huh? Oh, 7.5.”6420d99d7982b8ea

“What?”2069b72ad3f5fff9

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Ashley turned his head f27928c3ef while searching for skates. Koi felt 740beb4d92 embarrassed but 960623ef37 answered louder.76230644958dfc29

“7.5. Seven and bded9c143a a half!”0e43bf68042550c8

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“Wow…”f00e84c068fbef74

Ashley exhaled in surprise fd8c9a4885 and turned back. He was muttering to 9d087d1bd9 himself, but in the 73aae9dd94 empty rink, Koi could 15286983ce hear him clearly.d4c405d065992ddd

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“I wore size 8 a661ba7fbf in fourth grade…”d18c1a4bee210742

Koi wanted 595dbc9eac to hide 783d303758 from embarrassment.4e35111054829db4

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The skates were 2528373799 well-preserved. According to Ashley, he 78867b5017 grew so quickly that 3c120678e9 many of his shoes 704c3217e4 and clothes had never bc75fc381c been worn and were 8ae17a8e87 just stored away. That was 98432f34b6 something Koi b1575bc5f0 couldn’t imagine.5359c33ca2116101

“Is this better? Or this?”7b279205c11c522a

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Ashley asked, and dbcf48d545 Koi pondered for 417b4a2553 a moment. The right 9afd437294 skate fit e27cc6a04c well in 44106d697d size, but b0302aedbe the left 56b73d09f6 felt more 08fc80cab7 secure. Being honest, 50304a83e9 Ashley made 256d2e7bac the decision a7810b6f6d for him.a9f8a1ccaea24c31

“Let’s go with the fd707b7d29 left. Skates should fit 5275a1c54e snugly.”e4fad18dc306ff07

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He added that a945853562 loose skates could 0e0ba4dd1d cause injuries. Koi followed his 37c9419926 instructions without a d22e450455 word.e726c1d54df844b7

“Sit down, 437acb239a I’ll tie 300c86b4ce them for b610a58e2b you.”52f7c872c7803c23

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Ashley had Koi sit 095f2c8451 on a bench, then 270e6d2bcb knelt in front of ab37642605 him. Startled, Koi reached out.3acb5dd5237b065b

“It’s okay, I c0b9e55c02 can do it.”e5c5b73e6d5d2fe8

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“Next time.”371857384cffb587

Ashley said, skillfully tying 772b28f45d the laces.ac9d74b594a6bbc8

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“I’ll do it a9bf4d3a84 for you this 57c7e9f8d9 time.”68cfcbaa4afc280f

Ashley was e00e33ff32 excessively kind. Koi’s heart warmed at 908d575064 his kindness, but he d49e3aabb6 reminded himself not to 3aef4be748 get overconfident.9308efbf5b53e770

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Ashley is a good 6982d16cd7 person and kind to 3b29fefecc everyone.3867e59159bc6c23

Thinking he was 27a28de97d special just because a9f0892848 they became friends bfc96e335a by chance would 0042df8282 be a huge 25edcaa73d mistake. Ashley had many 5800a29bbd friends, and even 21b5feeaf5 more people liked 085fd40e00 him. Everyone wanted to get 5c6d924a37 closer to him. So, a ab41732e5c situation like 29575a3114 Koi’s could d9ba6c5cab happen to 8b30e364c7 anyone.504b7521bf27882a

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Just be grateful.4eea768d520bcabb

Koi calmed himself and 443d4961a1 looked down. He saw c59e4e89fc Ashley’s cowlick b8b39f49d4 for the 6389e83044 first time. It was 17ece539a8 strange and 630f9bf698 fascinating. He never 8ae18bca44 imagined he 6d038f9110 would ever 824de7ce74 be looking c262d96aa7 down at bef1218bae Ashley.1e28fe936cf14531

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And Ash kneeling in af9aa50768 front of me.5e8bf236b1e50aa5

Koi held his breath f3184cd5f7 and watched him. Ashley’s delicate fingers, skillfully 3ec1c03b70 tying the long, thin ed5c6e0da6 laces into knots, captured 9c6789ec2c his attention. His fingers were long 88859d7477 and graceful, and even ffded4fd5b his square nails were 163be0b6c8 pretty.8c8cf606027d9744

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Lost in thought, Koi 491e9ee8a2 asked inadvertently.0a76cedb61e383ab

“Ash, do you play 7f485d66c3 any musical instruments?”29e829bb7b9b5095

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“Hmm… the flute?”c907035318b05185

He asked 28600c6d3f without thinking, a78b9f9ff1 but the be867edc25 answer was aeb4d26f76 unexpected. Koi blinked and asked.84e9dee8af8050ca

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“The flute? Really?”f3325f641275ef7f

“Yeah.”ac401ea357e96df4

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Having tied one lace, 93ef22aa9f Ashley straightened up and 6b04f295fc took hold of Koi’s 6bd42e6fcc other leg. Gently holding his 4fcfc6b952 calf and pulling 24cfd31307 it towards him, c2af362e32 he bent down f9424edfb5 again, winding the fcd594cae3 loose lace around 4c5ea393d3 his fingers.13bf3479ccf5ec45

“I even did my 99cd938aa0 music exam with it.”af0684c045fc5555

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“Really? What piece?”dcb8d67fddd1d86a

“Sentimental.”2c6d982bd9bb54bd

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“Sentimental?”03e89c0973b6f386

Repeating his af9794c621 own words, cc438c1fef Koi asked, f9a1fa007d and Ashley ec236fed23 answered.ff2ff78d65b5d58b

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“Yeah, Claude Bolling’s.”32c5c16231991e3a

It was d861140631 a name 7a41182b4d Koi had 55cb4b434a never heard 065bfefb18 before. He wasn’t well-versed d1619d5d71 in music. Instead, he made a cbc1496587 mental note to look 0c084b40a1 it up later. But as a3172f542b if understanding 06c8d505e0 Koi’s thoughts, 0f9ffb1dce Ashley paused 9cb5726c47 his lacing eac99b0e5a and quickly 325431d987 tapped something 822ea02a5d on his f847aa10f5 phone.0ca0c98f2c1d4596

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“Here, listen.”944ad2c9a1c0515c

“Oh.”77899ea64c60d47f

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Ashley placed his bbfad32ac4 phone on the 3420605d87 bench beside Koi ed5258fd61 and returned to f234ee7744 lacing. Just as 68ac28c48b Koi was 3104b0d783 about to ca6f24cc42 thank him, 5454e062d6 the music 1f47eddb92 started.4f7455c0c6748212

Soft jazz music played 3c4df9bef0 gently. The beautiful e5fd0f2aef melody, which 355f03f5f8 Koi had abc1b42bbb never heard f19c74c149 before, left bbca2cfa50 him speechless 09b8285378 for a 118c0c2216 moment.c615f79a101c61f3

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Ash played this…5b34160e0e260f6a

As he listened 6d3bdfe29a intently to the 1dc5f2983c flute, he imagined d65ee77963 how Ash might 96085cac00 have played it. Did those cb06efbed7 long fingers 20df0bf079 press each ab7ab8304e note like 440e51d132 they were 885b4bb532 tying the d6b25612b2 laces now? Did his eyes look 0445a933ee down, long lashes occasionally 33f3d93585 fluttering?c0ea68eb10031d7a

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He must have 4e612a486a taken breaths between e917fa2025 notes. Opened his lips, 3dd1154d93 inhaled, and slowly 454c8b1a51 exhaled with each 5b7d543ea3 note.bfb706af41bc8a10

Ah.3101dffd1d770f4d

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Koi thought.9158964d833a54a3

How beautiful he must 805bda9cae have looked.5ee397e5e37b9b8b

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An inexplicable fce4684261 sadness filled 991a91e64b his heart, b2386614e9 and just 9f5b581b33 then, Ashley a9d0b82db4 lifted his 01cafb61d5 head, having 0b19a4ee58 finished tying 3a4c20eac1 the laces. Koi, who had ee8dfc1107 been watching, suddenly a65d4378cc met his eyes. Ashley’s eyes ff09277b43 curved, and da622dc01a his lips 2bafcb5d09 formed a 782eca18e2 gentle smile.214e88d0c0cbc89f

“All done.”214996f24b23e5fe

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“…Yeah.”9bc771861df34179

Koi quickly cleared his e056b05fb7 throat to steady his 6023feb742 voice.aeb17d132795d729

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“Thank you.”b1850108c6f4176c

“Sure.”b202804f02361501

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Ashley responded 1164070461 simply, and a013ee47f0 this time, 57f2aec591 he put d4fe79d3d5 on his 4e79435a0e own skates. Unlike the careful 5aedd228f3 lacing of Koi’s dd6081a100 skates, he finished c78c731486 his own quickly. Watching, Koi asked.ece78df0570fdce2

“When did you b6813d32d2 start skating?”f0480e17816588e8

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Ashley moved to d1534849b3 the rink and 4fa189eb90 answered.219accf36c9ccc38

“Let’s see, when 3c5512beff I was four?”b03a9237df0cd416

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“What?”e7336a6416299fd3

Koi’s astonished voice echoed 447aa4b75d as Ashley skated away. From the 149190d6f0 bench, Koi a09ee18e9c watched Ashley 79b43f4de8 glide freely fea86500e1 on the 4f22ffc074 ice. After skating a 43e6370584 lap, Ashley returned 9b07dbc694 to Koi.21a9f3cc7c13ab57

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“Come on, your 607eda6e9c turn.”8bd902b113d70dea

Ashley extended 01aada7a2b his hand. Koi took a 2a02ec2522 deep breath and fbc65e04f3 stood up with b3d745d8dd courage. As he a041d26ccf wobbled, Ashley 5e46ce75aa quickly grabbed cb537ffec8 his arms.f16ec42f164d0e03

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“Thanks.”c461cec8583954ab

“No problem.”ad0d3798c1f954eb

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Ashley lightly brushed it f87891fab1 off and took Koi’s 90879ea9e2 hands, stepping back. Following Ashley’s 3a1d4765c7 lead, Koi 78f0d7d7ef took slow d9e5a42bb1 steps forward. Finally, when both ea72eef9ed feet were on 50bf383d87 the ice, he 8b016f6f0d exclaimed.57e5a919296ad5d8

“Ahh!”27cf7d1ca4802948

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“Koi!”07300fa256ec9d34

With a 46a5b824ca scream, Koi aab803819d fell, sprawling cfddcfd4f9 on the dbc030c7d5 ice. Luckily, his hands 56efed82c9 were unscathed, thanks 59cd975d19 to Ashley’s firm fed6b20dd4 grip.096faa0abb046610

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“Koi, it’s okay. I’ll hold you, aa016df2f9 so slowly…”30083f1d99dd0c24

Ashley bent down e1be60a452 and helped Koi 57d71dacb3 up bit by 30abec60fe bit. Koi tried to stand ea171fbff7 by himself, but his 463f2d5e13 body wouldn’t cooperate. Each time b51312aaeb he set 0afb5236a0 his skates 5fdce3d8f8 on the 664e1f075e ice, the 083eacefd0 blades slipped, d2294da794 and his 642444f3db legs slid 7186390572 out. Even when 6f409a6564 he managed 2140703a89 to stand, 5611464c84 the skates de283452fe often toppled 1941fee334 sideways.24e08f52112a97aa

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After several attempts, 87cd9ca08e Koi lost all 9aeab5ce5c confidence.183caac7d1a077ce

How can I 659177113e dance wearing these?892fb0b1fa1cfe19

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Can I even join 8ddad0fa5d the cheerleading team? What about my extra 71bb18fab2 credit? If I 95cbfac978 don’t get 1d29d2f0c3 the points, d1017eaf7b I won’t 532eda9f98 get into d5f3397079 college. No matter how abc6d511c5 poor or difficult 399095adee things are, failing b3665f593e because of my 3f290e1d42 inability is different. Am I 106404b39a going to 3f576bb24d fail without 6e1b4a7a0b even stepping 2220e54e77 into college?a12b1fe19558b71a

Even with Ashley’s help, d908564aac Koi couldn’t stand steadily b37de54e04 on the ice. Everything seemed impossible. His expression bbecda4791 hardened as 013df8d7e7 a sense 26f041d114 of hopelessness 46da7c7593 washed over f058b1aacf him. Then, it happened.ad94d15b41b3c78c

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“Koi, Koi, Koi.”8c664739f62f3ffb

Ashley called his name 9891e17db0 repeatedly, as if urging bf87edf02a him to get a 7c00a12e5f grip. Looking into 1d3e0d7e82 Koi’s panicked 067df40078 face, he 7326d7bd2e spoke calmly.3177284896d52541

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“It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll help you, 77b924e08c you can do 646e555155 it.”c7f1b8d221b089c6

Ashley’s soothing words a6b8628b3c didn’t reach Koi, 9adf94dbb1 who shook his 6f9c54bfa1 head, teary-eyed.d6d1b15f1c5bfa24

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“I can’t…”036bddb6f68cda6a

Feeling foolish 8d108a1a7f and defeated, ca10e92e2c tears welled fdbc55bada up. Standing in front of a1c5ec836a kind Ashley made the 9e0e54d059 emotions surge faster. Memories of past f35f63f7fe struggles filled his 6e7782ed5a mind, and words ee44a5b641 of frustration spilled 72b8051f2d out.e5b5e51db78a6331

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“I’m really bad 34b4f94c4c at sports. Why do they b96ada1327 have to include 4c2084e41d this in the 67aabfe52f grading system? Some people are good 833db8349f at it, and others 4e97ddf20f aren’t. I’m not 60be61bbdf good at 0f8bd370eb making friends 162259c959 or moving 1c4386ae64 my body. It’s too harsh. Are they 8f2eb35a6a saying people 892ea5ed37 like me 74683d27b1 shouldn’t go d0e0e4f903 to college? It’s so unfair…”07c16f4b2ae6758e

Feeling both frustrated 30a0196044 and embarrassed, Koi 79fcba6626 began to sob eaa98168cf uncontrollably.55ab2b52f3e2f648

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Can’t trying your best 11140b0e42 be enough? Despite the 8221e0e14e tough circumstances, 194ceebe05 I’ve done 859c501a7c my utmost c8e870c76f to endure, 449d88b63b but everyone ed03429ce8 says that’s d11bcecc32 not enough. They say you have a71c1dd13f to do what you a489f5a8a8 can’t, no matter what. Even if f4d97cecb3 I try 700a29a205 my hardest, 211a16aee6 it’s not 83e5cc6dc0 happening. Look, others can skate, 3c109bbc26 and I can’t even e46639b140 stand. This is it. I’m completely ruined.531f92e7765704ec

Everything was a mess. As Koi 9b74c22b8f sobbed, Ashley 3b6ea29085 remained silent, 90e8a6541a simply waiting 66c32da3e1 for his dd06487285 tears to 7c08a5fef5 subside.14714caf319f6553

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After some bb0ead05d1 time, when c6df54db93 Koi was 82da05a799 left sniffling, f1befc5f7d Ashley spoke 7cbcb7fef8 gently.9be546a0f738b2db

“Feeling a bit 34b2f5a651 better?”d0594547bc99f199

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“…Yeah.”12426e5ffae22185

Koi nodded. With the sudden surge db835c5ed3 of emotions receding, guilt e985da7cb6 set in. Ashley had taken c423890248 time out of 7dbec78c03 his busy and a074c291bc tiring schedule to 39fe9a0e4b help, and Koi 7c3c304f96 responded with complaints 22e59e9fd5 and tears. He couldn’t 459fe0ef68 even lift db03c66208 his face.4c26aef328c4ba3b

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“Sorry, Ash…”e913c54b2ef539ce

He apologized 8034806d14 in a 7a02ef3cf0 small voice, 75bc7afcc7 and Ashley da51889c3c shook his 6dbbaab5b1 head.4ee24a04ae81ce2c

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“It’s okay, a589504582 everyone feels 424d4aee67 down sometimes.”b446710dee046db8

“Everyone?”9a2abeaed550701a

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Koi looked up. Ashley laughed at 6cd9b24ba7 the sight of 609873a4f7 his red-tipped nose.5f4820c12b73f1cd

“Yeah, everyone.”f667f4c59ad266d4

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Koi knew cfd0a720f0 well that 7559d8a1c8 “everyone” didn’t a097866aef include Ashley 7e0b9ec7e5 Miller but 6ef26c1300 chose not b4342bd2c6 to voice 431acbf481 it. It wasn’t the time 3982ab9773 for more complaints.bae4f6d57cf45582

“Sorry, Ash. I’m okay now.”e7dc6aa4c04072e8

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Taking a deep 24b4c2ae92 breath, Koi said.32ffc80d894e3127

“I’ll try again.”ae7ea22e92d9f8f5

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“Good, but first…”16e88cfb18b65bd7

Ashley slipped his 685d425ed8 hands under Koi’s 7bac23b21e arms and lifted c95e2aa7de him upright. Startled, Koi blinked, confused. What just happened?833aceea7434fcd9

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It didn’t 3acb5e188c end there. Ashley suddenly picked Koi 71c4ea985f up.24fb08ae34c54065

“W-What?”7fc06abb4fb941ab

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“Hold still. It’s dangerous 145efb08e1 if you a3b473a7fc struggle.”9f887baa70dc3d75

Koi, flailing instinctively, quickly 4d77418f04 huddled at Ashley’s warning. Skillfully gliding 55395ab30e on the b1f366b26f ice, Ashley dc0b499ba4 returned them 99bf84945b to their 1633d537b0 starting point.210e1f72a5a8c605

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“Here.”25b37588f6e7c4cd

Setting Koi down 7761d86aed on the bench, 64c580161e Ashley brought him 162936f401 a bottle of 298a525f6f water. Koi thanked 18ff8c2924 him and 43fa31aa21 drank deeply. His throat was ea3b8f85af parched from crying. After drinking, he set bac3841086 the bottle down, and a2c878ce05 Ashley spoke.d25e249b39388185

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“When you’re calm, 88f8fd1faa let’s start again.”346462a6567380ef

“…Okay, thanks.”c1ac8370fe3c28f9

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“Alright, you’ve thanked 9add811494 me enough. You don’t need 72715a973d to keep saying 53f2b36c8c it. Got it?”ad3c447c4d0ef15b

After adding the final 187604e6ec words, Ashley looked at cfb18ac83c him as if it 56e2da9dbc was time to respond. Koi nodded hastily.dd09f710b043f6bc

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Different music played b9cc5fd2eb from Ashley’s phone. He turned it a6e20f99c8 off and tossed f4b2f4ac14 the phone aside. Silence returned. An awkward d9620b7a31 stillness settled. Trying to a9f0fd7c35 calm his 08ab85f857 still-sniffling breath, 0178e53d13 Koi began.8744f6e66750632b

“How did you 84be5b9e4c start skating so 682ab80125 young?”e4f2cf2cfbbc0f74

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“It’s a trivial reason.”5ecabc83ef938607

Ashley said.9f07d6e4a98c3c91

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“My dad made e93cbc2b2e me.”6c4a4b663c03b9d7

“Ah…”70f1823ae86c5c24

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Koi tried to 3a5a0de32f picture his father, 90c9e5462d a talented but 99a0165ab1 devilish lawyer from e12521e05a the East. Ashley added as if 1fc1b0482d to himself.a46ff3060a9260cd

“I started 52cc53bdb9 with figure 346dc580ef skating.”5b85fffcc5aa871c

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“What? Figure skating? You?”6e496e6aeaa09291

It was unexpected. Koi exclaimed, 59e391bc1e and Ashley 4bea3d399d laughed.88324002c6650b84

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“Yeah. Why? Doesn’t it suit 77056691e0 me?”0b2447791490d062

“N-No.”fae8eb491383e015

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Koi asked, 4073bd75f6 still in 9d18083ace shock.8fd8901e292ae416

“Why did you a3ddb079b7 quit?”eb9b884753416c27

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“Well,” Ashley answered indifferently.19e27cd470fe7b46

“I kept growing.”180451cdbc4da52b

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It seemed plausible. Feeling satisfied, Koi 0b02992567 changed the subject.46c78f463092af8f

“When did you 46185895bb start ice hockey?”54ab9c7767b9efe3

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“Fourth grade. A bit late.”1c1f2e7c3d09db14

“Since you already knew 3438be1b80 how to skate, was 2c5a43806f it easier?”27f8e8ddc7baa1a0

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Surprisingly, Ashley 1383f278ad shook his 137cb773e7 head.afbe7408c4eb548c

“Koi, Koi, Koi.”31235728e2614a37

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Ashley called his name 31837e6253 repeatedly, as if urging e97b206a81 him to get a 7fd441690c grip. Looking into 7a486cc5ba Koi’s panicked 60a614729f face, he d0bd25d348 spoke calmly.6c36a511f9ac06e9

“It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll help you, 5452b9f60f you can do f150331dbd it.”23968e324d4e7858

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Ashley’s soothing b7c9a853c6 words didn’t 1b5a1ddc88 reach Koi, fb5911a4ca who shook 29499176ca his head, 22f262f2b1 teary-eyed.a6c40f138f828234

“I can’t…”73f90145ef328109

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Feeling foolish 9ffa81184a and defeated, 381ea00dda tears welled 83bf77dc27 up. Standing in front 91e947538e of kind Ashley f71e15ecaa made the emotions 4a06612810 surge faster. Memories of a592fc7d57 past struggles 99052d1786 filled his 6ecd95c8cb mind, and 31e0a62d72 words of 1f792b92dd frustration spilled 0095882736 out.8790b6c8bc181ecd

“I’m really bad acaea4eae0 at sports. Why do 315e7d9fe7 they have 94ce427064 to include cd372b1bb7 this in 83a29fc561 the grading 3b0cba020e system? Some people b6ac619225 are good fc31f7cb3d at it, 8c622cd079 and others f4a08c6126 aren’t. I’m not good d6a085026d at making friends e7fc622c05 or moving my 0cbfc3ef1f body. It’s too harsh. Are they saying e9de042ae7 people like me 4a23bf6a9e shouldn’t go to 5d1d64779b college? It’s so unfair…”f919aaf9df1e77b9

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Feeling both 185966c460 frustrated and cdc55aa204 embarrassed, Koi 1e856a1b69 began to dc74f9060c sob uncontrollably.ff3c133720060011

Can’t trying your 12b9ebdf43 best be enough? Despite the tough circumstances, 99946ffd8d I’ve done my utmost 69b621f5b9 to endure, but everyone 86edd0bfe9 says that’s not enough. They say b0ceee28f9 you have fc50c6ac03 to do cfc035c82d what you eff1c39f49 can’t, no a68f08b9f8 matter what. Even if c23ef143ae I try d4e2590cb2 my hardest, bce0625f61 it’s not fdce48ff3a happening. Look, others b007fdb387 can skate, f340dddad5 and I 1b76c7f5ce can’t even 84ef6ca022 stand. This is it. I’m completely ruined.3ccbb44162bf133b

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Everything was a mess. As Koi sobbed, d77cd459f5 Ashley remained silent, 05c7a5f21f simply waiting for 9878ddbc46 his tears to 7dd85f1f6d subside.fd1e3d784f49acb6

After some time, when 66460d5e01 Koi was left sniffling, 66bd4836f3 Ashley spoke gently.837c6a74ecab6840

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“Feeling a bit 71cab0b426 better?”eb6d47b76d3c2331

“…Yeah.”4864e4de6908e67f

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Koi nodded. With the sudden surge ee590e5499 of emotions receding, guilt f44b223baf set in. Ashley had taken time f0e14b6398 out of his busy 3d0257fc7b and tiring schedule to a5e240bc8e help, and Koi responded 2d6237f713 with complaints and tears. He couldn’t even a25e0b46aa lift his face.57f807c4ce735723

“Sorry, Ash…”b7460639553f0065

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He apologized in a e97bded8e2 small voice, and Ashley 0b69ba3e1e shook his head.4ff2013b1c2a7632

“It’s okay, everyone feels b0c66b2ab9 down sometimes.”083f915855d52f97

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“Everyone?”231cd4de1abb6dfc

Koi looked up. Ashley laughed at the 19bb51e7e3 sight of his red-tipped 44a7874aa9 nose.cb932d79f49dc250

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“Yeah, everyone.”447744d53c7a82a8

Koi knew b90885985b well that 7d230d364f “everyone” didn’t 054fb1d143 include Ashley 21aa866b1e Miller but 897310a818 chose not 060f6635ce to voice 21ecc00f6b it. It wasn’t fee398b490 the time 4a01237514 for more bbe130f9ac complaints.8670494b5f2d896c

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“Sorry, Ash. I’m okay now.”0381c023fc0dcce1

Taking a 5d4e3c1e5a deep breath, 27ae84db25 Koi said.b9be70fe81884adc

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“I’ll try again.”efd804747f716c27

“Good, but first…”9d3409ac478e9c54

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Ashley slipped his hands f47dd3771e under Koi’s arms and b0d89dc874 lifted him upright. Startled, Koi 669c0e3451 blinked, confused. What just happened?25d958545832a747

It didn’t end 1170c6b1a4 there. Ashley suddenly picked Koi 3f88bdd10a up.d3078777cec76a9a

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“W-What?”408211db5f314995

“Hold still. It’s dangerous if you 3f570b3beb struggle.”0dffb0f24d272b23

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Koi, flailing instinctively, d509047daf quickly huddled at db532188e7 Ashley’s warning. Skillfully gliding c4053fe3a6 on the a1d5a8ee80 ice, Ashley a1cc611f78 returned them 5b954f2f2b to their 2f5a2302f1 starting point.bd89a2a92d459fe6

“Here.”527a65c9b638ab97

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Setting Koi down on 5e1900c48d the bench, Ashley brought 3b831b9918 him a bottle of d92fb52097 water. Koi thanked him and bc6b2c9c9a drank deeply. His throat f22e4a848d was parched eaa43b9514 from crying. After drinking, he 4134ed690f set the bottle cffc763afe down, and Ashley c8a2e204b5 spoke.fa47cd96a98592e8

“When you’re 93ca815e61 calm, let’s f39c5e4e31 start again.”63fb1820887c52ae

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“…Okay, thanks.”3670d0e5fb6ddce8

“Alright, you’ve thanked me 09e89bc53d enough. You don’t need 80afa783e2 to keep saying 2df8692b14 it. Got it?”5e9dafdca3d57ad3

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After adding the af5427c57a final words, Ashley 39eb6753fa looked at him c2c87ee0b9 as if it efa313718b was time to 49fe1bf928 respond. Koi nodded hastily.b5a7afe66983da1b

Different music played 26b0cf5db7 from Ashley’s phone. He turned 991373abe4 it off 9f9223ab8a and tossed 7ab7de65b3 the phone 3572890209 aside. Silence returned. An awkward ce389232ab stillness settled. Trying to calm his ad1e52778c still-sniffling breath, Koi began.44373cf3079759ab

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“How did 7bb931c7b2 you start 5ee32eb4d1 skating so 582669963f young?”7ddeeaa2b79c1ddd

“It’s a trivial bc1a781217 reason.”7e1693eaeba4fed9

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Ashley said.c7ff4bdf333d96ba

“My dad made af6f1aae83 me.”359171e9f1988e21

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“Ah…”256e18251cea275d

Koi tried to picture 55f566223c his father, a talented 3a7756f858 but devilish lawyer from c655842e86 the East. Ashley added as 98572cd275 if to himself.23150f295e9da281

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“I started with 19398b7613 figure skating.”5d648c3872352cc4

“What? Figure skating? You?”0d5ca6ebefc44e02

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It was unexpected. Koi exclaimed, 9a25ffe3ec and Ashley 4a0a02947d laughed.62242a843057a6d1

“Yeah. Why? Doesn’t it suit 3c986e14ba me?”12beb455e3d258a3

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“N-No.”caf5e02de6888e55

Koi asked, 5a47e97dad still in 706b00e440 shock.14396d0bbea93f04

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“Why did 66b33f4b4c you quit?”0abe7c39f9dc1959

“Well,” Ashley answered c742eac36d indifferently.61390ca27a83116b

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“I kept growing.”d657c393c0567688

It seemed plausible. Feeling satisfied, e86546271c Koi changed cbf33565b9 the subject.7425cb05a751d054

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“When did you 926b0fe3ec start ice hockey?”2832132d4957489e

“Fourth grade. A bit late.”f5e9e10cf03bbb9e

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“Since you already 64b84979e5 knew how to 7d1236d620 skate, was it c71502ce46 easier?”995d010ffdcce610

Surprisingly, Ashley 04f662b1bc shook his 434e2b9735 head.6fcc497afc028a50

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