Chapter 25

Perhaps because the season opener was fast approaching, Alex’s training days had increased compared to before. With vacation right around the corner and the fact that aspiring professional athletes often skipped university anyway, it wasn’t particularly unusual, even though Alex was participating diligently in his Sixth Form College courses.

From a fleeting memory, Nathan recalled that Alex hadn’t originally intended to become a professional player. If he was being scouted despite starting late, he was undeniably talented.

As a result, Alex was frequently absent from the cafeteria during lunch. Despite knowing him for quite some time, Nathan realized he had no memory of ever seeing Alex play soccer.

Listening to the bell ring, he newly pondered the things he didn’t know about Alex. Surprisingly, there was a lot.

Since their final classes had all ended at different times, he had arranged to meet Tina and Jude at the main gate. He shoved his notebooks and pencil case into his brown leather bag, a rustling sound echoing from the depths of the open satchel. Nathan stared silently into its dark interior, where a white wristband wrapped in clear plastic lay nestled.

Buying it had been an impulsive choice.

It was two days ago, when he had briefly stopped by Foyles to buy a new book to read. Walking straight down that road, he had halted at Oxford Circus, his eyes drawn to a massive sports store standing right next to the station. He didn’t have much interest in the brand, but for some reason, he had felt compelled that day.

Staring at the elegant building that spanned over four floors entirely dedicated to sports equipment, Nathan eventually stepped inside. The store overflowed with soccer equipment as well. He had examined windrunners, cleats, soccer balls, and various other items. He had someone in mind, but suddenly buying something in that price range felt awkward.

It wasn’t even a special occasion like a birthday, so exchanging gifts seemed…

About to turn his footsteps back toward the exit, Nathan had frozen in front of a display of wristbands. His eyes, staring at the simple boomerang-shaped logo, crinkled in a slight frown. Blinking his long eyelashes, he soon made a decision, his neat, pale fingers plucking a white wristband from the rack. After paying for it, he shoved it into his bag, where it had remained quietly buried until today.

Will he like it?

Stepping out of the chilly hallway where cool air swirled around his ankles, Nathan pondered. He probably would. Alex sometimes acted ridiculously naive, like the way his eyes would curve into thin, happy crescents over a mere carton of juice.

It wasn’t meant in a bad way. It just kept bothering him. The image of the boy crying like a lost child the day they first met had probably forged that impression, an impression that made Nathan feel inexplicably compelled to take care of him.

Yet, Nathan White could definitively state he was not the type to take care of people. He wasn’t someone who attached meaning to gifts, nor did he find immense joy in providing for others. To put it more accurately, if he spent money or received something he needed, he just accepted it as is; he didn’t particularly enjoy the act of gifting itself. The gifts he had given his past girlfriends amounted to nothing more than buying them things they explicitly asked for.

A gentle breeze flowed in through the open hallway window, the curtains softly billowing outward before settling back down in a quiet rhythm. Someone’s voice echoed faintly from across the playing field, carrying the scent of fresh, pale green leaves. Without knowing why, his footsteps grew a little faster.

However, an uninvited guest stopped Nathan as he hurried down the stairs.

“Nathan, we need to talk!”

It was Jessica Bundy. Nathan quietly looked at Jessica, who was glaring at him with a furiously indignant expression.

“I’m listening.”

“I still don’t understand. Why did you break up with me?”

Judging by her reaction, Jessica clearly hadn’t accepted the conversation they’d had a few days ago. Nathan lowered his eyelashes languidly.

“Because I don’t like you.”

“But… that’s how it’s always been.” Jessica glared at Nathan with red, tearful eyes, her freckled cheeks flushed. She had a pretty face.

“Yeah. I told you.”

“We were doing perfectly fine, weren’t we? Why are you suddenly acting like this? I’m fine with how things were.”

With those words, Jessica grabbed the fabric of Nathan’s school shirt. Staring down at her grip silently, Nathan slowly raised his hand. His fingers, which looked slender and delicate against his pale skin, were actually long and firm enough to easily envelop Jessica’s hand entirely.

She neither flinched at the contact nor blushed. Nathan smiled, a languid curve of his lips.

“You don’t like me either.”

“No, I do.”

“You just like having me by your side.”

“What’s the difference?”

That was a difficult question even for Nathan to answer. However, there was a clear distinction between those two sentences.

“Jessie.”

“I already told everyone I was going to the next party with you. What am I supposed to do if you just break up with me out of nowhere?” The injustice rippled through her trembling voice. Her tear-filled eyes were pitiful, but he felt absolutely no desire to comfort her.

“Go to the next party with someone who actually likes you.”

That was the absolute limit of the consideration Nathan could offer her tears. Having finished his piece, Nathan turned around without waiting for an answer. Jessica didn’t try to stop him.

☂