The next day, Lucas, who had clearly noticed Maya's unease and her scattered thoughts about the sport, decided to focus entirely on practice and dancing, avoiding any inappropriate jokes. Every time Maya drifted slightly away from him, he made an effort to shield her from Lian Victor's view.
A week before the competition, Lucas asked Maya to meet him outside the Silver House, at the park by the lake. Maya arrived near sunset and stood waiting. A gentle breeze rippled the lake's surface, and the long shadows of the trees stretched across the ground.
Suddenly, a young man wearing a hat, mask, and sunglasses approached her and calmly said,
"Been waiting long?"
Maya flinched slightly and replied in a trembling voice,
"Excuse me…"
The man removed his sunglasses and smiled; his face was familiar to Maya.
"I said, you've been here for a while waiting…"
Maya looked at Lucas in surprise, taking in his unusual appearance.
"Lucas… is that you? Why are you dressed like that?"
Lucas smiled and gestured at his hat and mask.
"Because no one should recognize me."
"Why?"
"If I'm recognized, first of all, they won't leave me alone, and second, rumors will spread that I came to the lake with my girlfriend…"
Maya let out a small laugh.
"Do you think you're a celebrity that people make rumors about?"
Lucas's hand moved mischievously toward his hat.
"Want to try?"
Maya quickly grabbed his hand.
"No… no, it's not necessary. My mind's already busy enough. Just tell me why you wanted to meet me here."
Lucas took Maya's hand and gently led her to the edge of the lake.
"Look… everyone who trains here dreams of being noticed. But some people feel their position is lower because of one small incident."
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"And what does that have to do with me?"
Lucas continued calmly,
"I want you to know that you shouldn't see your place as low, even if an unexpected event made you feel that way."
Maya gave a bitter smile.
"Lucas… I think I'm about to hear your ridiculous jokes again. I better go…"
"Wait… this time I'm serious. If you keep going like this, I doubt you'll leave a mark at the Silver House. I know you're thinking this sport is full of opportunities for men to take advantage… but the truth is, this can happen in any professional sport. Yes, in this sport, we get close a lot, but not everyone is like that."
Maya took a deep breath.
"That's true… I didn't think Zimo was that kind of person. That day, he deliberately touched me… if others are like him, I'd rather dance alone and never enter pair skating."
Lucas said confidently,
"Most people in this sport aren't like Zimo… and the main reason I wanted to see you outside the Silver House is to tell you that Zimo did it intentionally."
Maya narrowed her eyes.
"I know that too…"
"No, not the way you think… I had my doubts for a few days, but yesterday I was sure."
Maya asked curiously,
"What made you sure?"
"That Zimo's main target was me, not you."
"What do you mean?"
"He did it to take me out of the competition. He knew it would affect you and make our pair performance suffer, which would make me fall behind."
Maya said angrily,
"So he used me for you…"
Lucas nodded.
"That's right. Yesterday, when you distanced yourself from me during the performance, I saw Zimo and realized he did it according to a plan."
"That bastard… what a disgusting person…"
"We still have a week, and we can make him regret it."
Maya stormed away, fuming.
"Do you realize all this happened because of you? And now you expect us to make Zimo regret it together? If I hadn't teamed up with you from the start, I wouldn't have had these troubles… all of you are disgusting!"
Lucas shouted in surprise,
"Well, what can I do? I have talent, and everyone wants to see me fail… Maya, wait… geez, she gets angry so fast…"
He followed Maya, trying to keep her calm.
The next day, Lucas sat on a bench in the rink, waiting for Maya. Zimo was seated at a distance, smirking at him. Maya entered without hesitation, went straight to Lucas, tightened her skates, and extended her hand toward him.
"Good. It's time to show ourselves. Until now, we've only been practicing with jokes."
Lucas asked, slightly surprised,
"What do you mean?"
Maya glanced at Zimo and said calmly,
"Let's show him who we really are…"
Lucas happily took Maya's hand, and they both moved to the center of the rink. Their performance was phenomenal; there were a few minor mistakes, but the changes and synchronized movements were so striking that Lian shouted excitedly from the corner,
"That's it! That's exactly what I wanted! You're showing the talent I expected!"
Maya smiled at Lucas. He winked and said,
"Look at Zimo… just try not to laugh, or the coach will get angry."
Maya looked at Zimo, who was chewing his nails in a ridiculous manner, and couldn't help smiling. Lucas covered his own smile.
"Don't laugh… Lian will see!"
After practice, as Maya and Lucas moved to the corner to catch their breath, Lian looked at them with a calm smile.
"Excellent! If you keep this up in the remaining week, we can really be hopeful."
Lucas nodded humbly.
"All thanks to Maya…"
Lian looked curiously at Lucas.
"I wanted to ask what made your performance change so much. Over the past few days, I noticed Maya's distance from you. But this time, Lucas, you didn't make any silly jokes…"
Lucas smiled, slightly embarrassed.
"No, coach… believe me, it wasn't my fault this time. But whatever it was, it's over now… right, Maya?"
Maya's piercing gaze responded.
"Of course not… it's just the beginning."
Lian tilted her head slightly.
"What are you talking about? What do you mean?"
Maya said with calm determination,
"I mean the competition… we're just getting started."
Lian smiled knowingly.
"Ah… okay… for now, go rest."
When Lian left the rink, Lucas looked at Maya curiously.
"I'm sure you didn't mean the competition."
Maya glanced at Zimo and said seriously,
"Right… I meant something else."
Lucas looked at Zimo, then at Maya, who was glaring at him angrily.
"I'm starting to get scared of you."
Maya didn't pause.
"Lucas, we have to be first… understand?"
Lucas nodded in astonishment.
"Okay… we'll try our best."
Maya continued firmly,
"Don't try… just do it. Come earlier for practice tomorrow… for now."
Maya turned and strode out of the rink. Lucas watched her leave, then smiled and murmured,
"What an interesting girl… seems like she wants to give Zimo a heart attack and send him out… I like it."
Finally, the day of the competition arrived. The rink was filled with students and coaches, and excitement pulsed in the air. Lucas and Maya, dressed in matching black outfits with fiery red flames, sat on the benches, waiting for their turn.
Lucy and Zimo performed and returned to the corner. At that moment, Lucas and Maya's names were announced. As Maya entered the rink, she had a brief collision with Zimo.
Zimo said nervously,
"Good luck, Maya."
Maya looked determined and replied,
"Don't worry… even if it's not for myself, I have to do my best so Lucas reaches his rightful place."
Zimo glared in surprise and anger. Lucas, standing ahead of Maya, grew slightly anxious. Maya placed her hand on his shoulder and said with a playful smile,
"Well, I got under his skin… I just said it was for you to make him suffer…"
Lucas took a deep breath and said,
"Because of you… let it go, he's not worth it."
Maya responded calmly and firmly,
"Not yet…"