"Can we continue this some other time? I really need to be somewhere."

I know he does, at least that's what he explained before we started. He apologies and he wouldn't be doing this unless it was important, and from all the dedication he put in it and interest he has, this coming from all the questions he had asked me over the phone. I'm pretty confident he's being sincere, but-

"We just got started, literally, like fifteen minutes ago." It's still a crazy load of work.

"I just have this thing."

"Yoosung, you agreed to work together. Four days ago, if you would have pulled out then I could have arranged something, but now there's just no way. I can't do it myself."

"I'm so sorry," He starts collecting his things off the table. "How about we complete the assignment back at my place?" He suggests, setting his chair back under the table.

Does he not understand the whole reason for coming to the library?

Eyeing all the work scattered in front of me.

I can't afford to take up all this load.

"Fine." I sigh in defeat as I collect my things.

We take the bus, the best and most convenient way to travel. No, not really, but I have a budget and I'm completely depleting it with all the junk food I've been buying. What can I say? When you're on a strict no sugar, unsaturated fat diet, with mild proteins supplements and weekly actual good, then getting a taste of the good stuff, it makes you desperate for more. If Eun ever finds out, my tush is toast.

In the midst of the drive, I decide to message Celest.

Going to complete the assignment at his place.

I'll be at the rink by 7.

K, but you

know you don't have to inform me

of every single place you go

Just in case.

In case what?

You know.

Paranoid much?

When you've read the

kind of cases I have

in excruciating detail

and seen the most graphic images

you can imagine,

you'll be as 'cautious' as I am.

◇ Celest's Pov ◇

Someone really needs to take her dad's old case files from her. It's bad enough that she has the annoying habit of reading the symptoms of different illnesses online. It's good to know, but she tends to get overly worked up and thinks she has some rare exotic disease when it's just a migraine.

I'll track your location

I send her a smile, trying to comfort her. She's a good friend and if that's what it takes for her to chill out, I really don't mind.

Ever since her first competition, she's been a bit of a standout. For the obvious reasons, but that's not how we became friends. We actually met at this Comic-Con, believe it or not, she was dressed up as Black Widow and I went as Wonder Woman. She pulled it off really well, but there was one distinct thing about her that she carries to this day. She has this menacing aura that repels the creeps. And it's that aura and attitude that got rid of a stalker for me.

Needless to say, we've been friends since.

Please and thank you!

I'll also do a

background check if it helps

If you have the time,

that would be awesome!

Whenever you can that is.

Don't worry too much about it.

I place my phone down with a chuckle and get back to work.

Code 78529-936, coordinates x628, y527 at 2779-43-3221

Opening firewall code 6382-2816-2

Passkey #378-2728

Binary code 282974-716-1129

[Security system breached]

"And-" One last variable. "-done" Enter.

I stretch out my muscles before taking a quick glance at the time. "Two forty already! The coach will have a cow if I don't make it on time today!" I grab my bag, hurry out and drive to the rink.

When I arrive Coach Bridget is waiting for me with a clear look of disapproval on her face. "You're late." She says calmly, both hands locked together behind her back with her brown hair tied up in a bun.

"Sorry, I got held up with work." I say between breaths since I rushed to get my uniform on and ran to the rink.

"That's fine, but remember every minute counts, if you want to retain your title." She turns, picks up a blue folder and reads through it. "Go, start stretching." She says in her stentorian voice.

"Yes Ma'am!" After that it was spin after spin, jumps and gliding all over the place.

Before long, I recall the favor Mc asked from me.

I still need to get home.

"No. That won't do." I hear the coach shout. "Start over." Now? I can't.

"Coach, can we just call it a day?" I skid over to her, stopping right in front.

"You know what I've heard?"

"Um..." I shrug, shaking my head.

"Your friend has hired a very prominent coach in the field. One that I, personally, look up to."

"That's great!"

"For her, maybe, but do you know what this means?"

"Coach Bridget, Net is very capable and whatever the results will be at the end of this, it's going to be because of our individual hard work."

"The woman has been paid out of retirement and this is how you respond? If you don't start taking your competition much more seriously, I can't say that I see you ranking even the top five this year."

Whoever the coach may be, it's going to be her hard work that gets her to where she will be. The same goes for my ranking. "If someone deserves the title, I can only attempt to retain it, I can't stop them from trying." I state before walking off to change back. I still have a lot of work to do at home.

"Where are you going? You still have to redo the first segment of your routine."

"I'm sorry coach. Just not today." I say, practically storming out the rink. Why can't she get it?

Once I'm home and enter the front door, there's Net getting her things, about to head out .

"Hey, how's the assignment going?" I ask, relieving my bag on one of the couches and heading to the kitchen for a cool glass of water.

As she turns to face me, sandwich in mouth- mind you, chomping off a piece and then swallowing quickly. She's gonna end up choking. I shake my head at the sight as I drink.

"Oh. They're going good." she beams, taking another bite, adjusting her own bag diagonally across herself. "What about practice, should I be worried?"

Walking over, "You should be extremely nervous." I take up a place on the couch, grinning to my remark.

"Ooh, I'm shaking." she jokes back and joins me on the couch adjacent to mine.

"But seriously, today the coach was acting strange."

"Coach Bridget? That wonderful woman who always appreciates and has complete trust in humanity. Doesn't suspect anyone even if they've just seen a millisecond of your routine." she rolls her eyes, "That Coach Bridget? No. Not her." her smile widens before letting out a soft chuckle.

"Let's not forget that it's part her hard work that got me the title to begin with."

"Okay, she's overly suspicious, but good at what she does. So, what brought you to this wondrous revelation again?"

"She tried to motivate me today, telling me I wouldn't make it to the top five if I don't start getting serious."

"Oh please, not even the top five? That's is a long stretch, and were you being serious?"

"Yeah, but that's not even the point, then she mentions your new coach."

"Listen, everyone is going to try and take the title from you, myself included. It comes with the territory. So chill." she reclines back in her seat. "Give your hundred and fifty percent and you'll have nothing to regret or worry about." she shrugs getting up.

"I know but-"

"Oh and that reminds me. I already asked my mom and if you have time, you can join me. The new coach is just coming to give me a few pointers on my technique. Maybe she has some tips to bestow on the Amazing Celestial."

I don't know what came over me, but that name made me laugh. "That name sounds like some low grade magician."

"Sad, " she adjusts her bag, with a smile. "Can't even compliment these days."

My glance trails to the clock on the wall, "Aren't you getting late?"

"Oh gosh!" she runs to the front door, but just as it's about to close, "Hey, think about my offer and let me know, because mom wants to know so she can tell the lady and so she knows for-"

"I get it. Now go."

"Okay. By the way, I'm bringing dinner." she says rushing out.

I sigh, before heading back to my work station.

Pulling out a lollipop from the drawer, a small habit of mine, helps me concentrate better. "Now." my attention drawn on the screen. "What are you hiding?"

◇ End of Celest's Pov ◇

°°°

"That about wraps it up." Says the coach. I use the border of the skating rink as support to catch my breath. "You did well, today." He adds with a thumbs up.

"Thanks!" I manage to say in between breaths. "I'm gonna go get changed before they lock us in here like that one time."

"Oh, don't worry, I heard someone's coming here to inspect the place so you've got plenty time to change and all that, I'll wait for you in the lobby when you're done." He gives me a small wave and walks away. Meanwhile, I can feel a smirk start to form on my face.

Skating a bit longer won't do any harm, right?

I crouch down and tighten my skate laces before going for another spin. It's nice to be able to skate without being told what to do, believe me I love practicing, but I also really love being free on the Ice and doing as I please.

I pick up the pace and feel the wind on my face as I gain speed. I turn letting myself go backwards and ready myself.

1... 2... 3!

I crouch down and impulse myself into the air attempting the triple Salchow, I turn my body making me spin and land somewhat wobbly on my right foot.

Dang, I was so close!

I came to a stop, letting my blades scrape the ice and compose myself. After a moment, I start to push myself forward again, ignoring the voices of the people that were walking in.

Again, I turn making myself skate backwards.

1... 2... 3!

I jump into the air harder than before and twirl, eventually landing on the ice on my right foot but this time, it's perfect!

I slowly come to a stop in shock.

"I did it..." I barely whisper. "I did it! Please tell me someone saw that!" I yell, ecstatically.

"I did." I whip my head around towards the voice.

Oh god I forgot there were actually people here...

"You were amazing." He adds. With no way to avoid it, I skate towards the man, immediately recognizing him.

There's no mistaking it.

That dark hair and eyes to match. His tall polished built. What I didn't see last time was his smile and dang he's hot.

Pursing my lips, I turn my head away in hopes he doesn't remember me.

"This is Mr. Han, the one I told you would check out the place."

Just no avoiding him now. I face both of them with a smile on my face. "Oh." one hand keeping me balanced on the ice, I stretch out the other. "Nice to meet you, Mr Han."

He takes my hand in his, "Please, call me Jumin." he says that with a smile- smirk? Right now, I really just, uh, well, he's looking at me way too intensively, I mean, attentively, not to figure out who I am. 

I mean, I know it was years ago and we didn't even talk to each other. The only reason I remember him is probably because I gawked at him the entire time. Okay, maybe not the entire time, that would be rude and unladylike, but, nope- it was the entire time, until my dad pulled me away that is. Luckily, I was very subtle.

"Okay." wait are we still- I pull my hand away- fingers- I guess instinctively they were trying to slide away anyway. 'Subtle'

"I have to get changed now. Nice meeting you." I wave.

Stepping off the ice, I trudge to the changing room, keeping a firm grip on whatever I can on the way.

Gah, I love me a man in a suit.

°°°

The Coach and Jumin were discussing, what I guess is business, but really what business could Coach Hunter have with someone like Mr. Han is beyond me.

The bus should be here soon I grope around my bag for my phone, and as I click the power button to check the time- I missed it!

The next and last bus isn't till three more hours. But all in all, it's not like I have no way home.

I begin my trek back with a quick pace. It isn't a big deal. I've done it tons of times back home, the only thing I'm scared of is getting completely and hopelessly lost in these dark and dangerously, abandoned, lonely streets...

A few miles out and my pace slows, I keep my keys between my ring and middle finger, you know, just in case.

Suddenly a car pulls up next to me, at the side of the road, but I keep moving.

Maybe they stopped to get something from the convenient store.

I clench onto my bag and keys tighter.

Keep looking forward, don't make eye contact.

"Excuse me, Miss." I stop to the foreign voice. Is he talking to me? I turn and see a man standing at the driver's side.

Dang it, I said don't make eye contact!

"Me?" I question.

"My employer would like to give you a ride." He said straightforwardly.

Yeah, that's gonna happen. "Oh, is that all?" My brows furrow and with a fake smile, I turn on my heels. "Tell your employer he's crazy, if he thinks I'm gonna get in his car." I call as I briskly walk away.

I didn't get far as the car pulls up next to me again, but this time, "Miss."

I stop abruptly, turning slowly. "I still think you're crazy if you think I'll get into a stranger's car."

"Very well, then at least allow me to walk with you."

I half- shrug, "I don't own the sidewalk."

"Mr. Han, but-"

"Drive behind us, would you."

"Yes, sir."

For a while we walk in silence. The cool night breeze brushes against my skin, which indicates one thing to me, winter is coming. Which means! Allergies...

"You looked beautiful out on the ice. Though I don't recall ever seeing you in any of the previous competitions."

"You watch the annual International Skating League championships?"

"You sound skeptical."

"Well, I didn't think a man of your stature would even have the time to watch an event that lasted so long."

"You know of me then?"

"It's not too hard to guess. The driver, the big car, suit, coming over to see the rink. High profiled here, I'm guessing." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I was more interested when I heard that one of the competitors rented the place out."

"Yeah, sorry to disappoint you. You just missed her, if-"

"That's fine. I got the chance to see something more endearing."

Did he just refer to me as a thing? "Thanks, I'm pretty proud of that jump." I ignore his reference.

"That feat was marvelous," He looks down at me, trust me when I say this man is tall, with those eyes and a smirk creating this allure. I'm dead. Don't do this to me! "-but that's not what I'm referring to." cue internal screaming. Face, you better not dare react.

Wait,

Now I'm a 'that' ? And I was so about to respond, I promise, but all of sudden a ping came from my phone and I just have to check it.

A picture attachment.

"Excuse me, I have to check this."

Hey, beautiful. It's been days, just thought you needed something to brighten up your night.

(Art credits to Sakimichan. )

Zen, I think you got the wrong number.

No. I don't think so.

Dude, do you actually have a bike!?

Yeah.

Typing...

THOSE THINGS ARE DANGEROUS!

Haha

The pictures isn't recent and I remember doing it for a shoot.

I haven't taken the old girl out in a while. I should go out for a ride.

One- You need to get checked.

I'm ninety nine percent convinced

you're not human.

Modelling, really!?!?

Two- Hyun Ryu,

you will do no such thing.

Don't worry, beautiful,

I'm a professional.

Why is the word 'professional' in italics?

Hyun, I don't care

how long we've known each other.

I WILL COME OVER

AND DESTROY THAT THING!

...

What?

Oh, nothing. 🙂😜

😒

Are you free to talk?

I mean does this count as

'Unholy hour' time.

Not right now. I'm out.

On my way home.

Typing...

Typing...

Typing...

K.

...

Call me when you get home.

Why?

Because I have something to tell you.

Be careful okay.

I will

"Sorry." I place my phone away.

We walk in calm, peaceful silence all the way to the signal light. The green light gave us the A-ok to cross and-

"I knew I've seen you before."

◇