The sound of blades slicing through ice, cold and sharp, whispered across the rink. Maya and Lucas stepped onto the training ground in heavy silence. Their eyes met briefly—a glance that screamed tension and stubbornness louder than a thousand words.
From the coaches' platform, their head coach raised an eyebrow, exhaling with a hint of doubt.
"Looks like they've finally decided to work together… though I'd better keep my distance. Those two are fully capable of doing some real damage. Well… time to get down there."
Moments later, he stood in front of them, handing over the day's training sheet.
Maya glanced over the moves and murmured under her breath, "This is… kind of intense."
Lucas smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "If you think that's tough, God help me for having to dance with you. You'll probably still be out of sync with me next year."
Maya's head lifted, her brow furrowing as she locked eyes with him in a sharp glare.
Lucas quickly backed down. "Alright, alright… I'm just kidding."
The coach cut in before they could start another verbal sparring match. "Enough. Save the chatter for later. We're starting with this section: after the pair spin, Lucas, you lift Maya, make a full rotation, then give her a light toss. Ready?"
"No problem." Lucas shrugged casually.
At the coach's signal, music swelled through the rink. They picked up speed, blades cutting with measured precision. But right at the start, Lucas subtly stepped forward. Maya lost her balance and hit the ice with a muffled thud.
Lucas bent down, offering his hand with a taunting grin. "Looks like you've got a focus problem. Maybe try paying attention."
Maya's lips curved into a false smile, though her eyes burned. "Sure. And you be careful too."
They started again. This time, during the first spin, Maya "accidentally" shoved Lucas's hand. He crashed hard, pain shooting through his knee. His eyes blazed. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Maya shrugged with mock innocence. "Sorry… wasn't me. Must've been too close."
The coach skated over.
Lucas was quick to complain. "She pushed me. That's not professional."
Maya replied coolly, "I was doing my part. Maybe he was the one crowding in."
The coach sighed. "Stuff like this happens in pairs skating. Lucas, stop whining. This isn't your first fall, is it?"
Despite the warning, the atmosphere stayed toxic. The coach split them up, forcing each to train their moves alone—though every so often, they'd sneak glances at one another.
A week passed. The coach tried to resume pair training, but the result was the same—half-hearted lifts, subtle shoves, endless bickering. Ten days later, exasperated, the head coach stormed into Lian's office.
Lian was standing by the window, watching Maya and Lucas with quiet focus. Sometimes, a faint smile touched his lips.
"They're driving me insane," the coach said flatly.
Lian replied without looking away. "Interesting… Lucas used to complain every time he fell. Now he gets up right away. Maya wouldn't even take his hand before, but now… their coordination has oddly improved."
The coach scoffed. "That's not progress—it's just spite. I say give them a different coach."
Lian smiled. "Actually, I was thinking of coaching them myself."
The next day, Maya arrived earlier than everyone else, sitting beside Sofia to watch another pair—Lucy and Zimo—train. But during a poorly executed lift, Lucy slipped from Zimo's grasp and crashed hard onto the ice. The impact was so strong she couldn't even sit up.
The sound of her body hitting the ice froze the entire rink for a moment.
Maya and Sofia rushed to her side.
"I'm so sorry, Lucy… I don't know what happened," Zimo stammered.
Lucy's voice was faint. "It's my fault… I didn't hold tight enough."
Maya took her hand gently. "Easy… try to get up."
But Lucy cried out, "No… I can't… my back—"
Just then, Lian entered the rink and strode quickly over, kneeling beside her.
"Wait! Don't lift her by force."
"Slowly… move your leg a little," he said, his tone firm yet calming.
Lucy hesitantly moved her leg.
"Do you feel pain?" he asked.
"A bit… but it's manageable."
"Good. We'll lift you gently. If you feel even a twinge more, say so immediately. We need to get you off the ice."
The coach and Zimo helped Lian raise her carefully, every step slow and steady until they reached the rink's edge.
"Call the team doctor. Now," Lian instructed.
Minutes later, the doctor was there. After a thorough check, he said firmly, "It's not serious, but no training. At least a few days of complete rest."
Lucy looked at Lian anxiously. "But if I rest today, I'll be fine tomorrow. I can train."
"You heard the doctor," Lian said without hesitation. "No use arguing. You'll be back in a few days."
Lucy's gaze flicked to Zimo. "What about him? He'll fall behind because of me."
"I'll find someone to fill in for you temporarily," Lian reassured her. "Let's see who volunteers."
Maya, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke. "I can train with Zimo until Lucy recovers."
The coach looked doubtful. "Are you sure? Your own training is exhausting enough."
"The schedules are spaced out. I can rest in between. It's fine," Maya replied firmly.
Lian gave a small approving nod. "Alright, I'm fine with that."
Maya turned to Lucy with a soft smile. "Don't worry—it's temporary."
"Thank you," Lucy said quietly.
Maya joined Zimo on the ice, their movements cautious but in sync. Near the end of practice, Lucas entered the Silver House. Spotting Maya with Zimo, his eyebrows shot up. He hurried to Sofia's side.
"So Maya and Zimo are partners now?!" he asked eagerly.
Sofia inhaled to explain. "Yeah, but—"
Lucas cut her off, pressing a hand to his chest in dramatic relief. "Amazing! God, thank you for answering my prayers. Finally, I'm free of her!"
Sofia smirked. "It's not what you think."
"What do you mean?" Lucas frowned.
"Lucy got injured today. Lian needed someone to temporarily partner with Zimo. Maya volunteered."
Lucas stared. "What? Maya can barely keep up with her own training, and now she's helping Zimo too?"
Sofia simply arched an eyebrow and stepped away.
When Maya finished training with Zimo, she grabbed her water bottle and walked to the side of the rink—spotting Lucas.
"You're early today," she said.
"I've got something tonight, so I need to leave early. Let's start our practice now," Lucas replied.
"I'm tired. We'll stick to our scheduled time," Maya answered coolly.
Lucas held back a retort, forcing a smile. "Alright, Champion. Not only do you handle your own training, you're helping others too. Go rest."
Maya ignored him.
Three hours later, it was time for their official session. They stood by the rink, waiting for their coach—until Lian walked up.
"Why are you standing there? Get on the ice," he said.
"Our coach isn't here yet," Maya replied.
"Oh, he's here," Lian said with a knowing smile. "Right in front of you."
Lucas blinked. "You? You're going to coach us?"
"Unless either of you objects…" Lian replied calmly.
Lucas shot an uneasy glance at Maya, who stared back at him in surprise.
Their eyes met—an unspoken mix of shock and a touch of apprehension hanging between them.