7MoH 2.8

『Today is the day of the charity game. The game against Danbury High School will be held at Prescott Family Stadium at 6 PM. Tickets are on sale on the school website. Come watch the game and help rebuild the Hope Harbor Children’s Ward, which was destroyed by fire. Those who can’t come can also make a donation. Check out on the school website for more details.』

During morning arrival time, school announcements flowing from the broadcast speakers filled the hallways. The corridor lined with lockers was as busy as usual. Some were preparing for class, gathering textbooks and handouts, while others were busy fixing their hair or makeup in the mirrors attached to their lockers.

[7 days until Prom. Have you decided on your date?]

Before he knew it, the number on the banner hanging in the hallway had been reduced to a single digit.

Jeong-in took out the necessary handouts from his locker and organized them neatly. His movements were no different from usual, but there was something mechanical and vacant about them.

Just then, the entire hallway suddenly became noisy.

It was the sound of someone coming in. No, saying it was the sound of someone ‘making an entrance’ would be more accurate.

Chase Prescott and his entourage, the most popular group in school entered the hallway. Max Schneider, Brian Cole, Alex Martinez, and all.

Chase, who was in the middle of the group, suddenly looked in Jeong-in’s direction. Those eyes, which Jeong-in had thought were like the Mediterranean Sea, were as cold as glaciers today.

Chase gave Jeong-in a brief glance, then turned away casually as if seeing a stranger. And walked right past.

Considering the argument they’d had during the last class, it wasn’t hard to understand why he was treating Jeong-in like a ghost. What was strange was Jeong-in himself feeling unfamiliar with that indifference that used to be so familiar.

Jeong-in realized it belatedly. That Chase had always been the one to approach first. That the moment he turned away, they would go back to being perfect strangers, just as before. Whatever relationship they had, if it could even be called that, had been sustained solely by Chase’s goodwill.

They had been talking and spending time together whenever they ran into each other lately. People’s curious gazes gathered at the cold atmosphere between the two, then quickly dispersed.

As always, Chase was flanked by his fellow athletes, but since Chase didn’t acknowledge Jeong-in, they didn’t bother to greet him either. However, Alex Martinez did turn his head slightly to glance at Jeong-in.

Catching the scent of Chase’s cologne as he passed by, Jeong-in tried hard to compose himself.

This is for the best. We’re just going back to how things were before.

But his feet wouldn’t move. Jeong-in stood blankly in front of his locker, just letting time pass. The music flowing from the speakers and the chatter of students passing through the hallway sounded like distant, buzzing noise.

The hallway became noisy again right after the varsity team players disappeared.

This time it was Vivian Sinclair.

Gazes close to astonishment were fixed on her as she entered the hallway. This was because today was the first time Vivian had come to school wearing her cheerleader uniform.

Normally, she always looked as if she had stepped straight out of a luxury brand catalog. She never wore the same outfit twice and always dressed in clothes from the newest season. On top of that, her makeup perfectly matched her outfits, and she had flawless confidence. Today, however, she appeared with her hair pulled back tight, wearing a cheerleader uniform and sneakers.

Her presence cut through the hallway like a cold wind. Some students unconsciously stepped aside, and a few cheerleaders walked toward her like devotees meeting their spiritual leader.

Not far away, Jeong-in could hear her talking to her group.

“Everyone should know we have special training starting today. Especially tell Hayley, that cheapskate. We’re doing the Liberty routine today, and if her legs don’t split properly, I’ll split them myself.”

It sounded terrifying just to hear it. Vivian’s intensity was remarkable today. Even the cheerleaders kept their mouths shut tight, looking extremely disciplined.

Vivian scanned her surroundings once, then asked one of her cheer teammates.

“Chase? Have you seen him?”

“Yeah, just a little while ago. But why ‘Chase’ instead of ‘Chay’? Did you two have a fight?”

“I don’t know. He’s been weird lately. A few days ago, he suddenly told me never to call him that again. He was so adamant about it.”

Vivian shook her head as if bewildered.

Jeong-in’s hand, which had been gathering his notes, paused.

***

“Prescott! Are you serious?”

The atmosphere in the locker room was heavy. Chase, already fully dressed in his uniform, seemed to have no intention of going out to the field. After trying to persuade him for a while, the coach finally gave up, kicking a locker before storming out of the room, breathing heavily. Left behind, Chase sat on the bench with his head down.

This time Alex approached. With a desperate and anxious expression, he asked his quarterback,

“Press, what’s going on with you? Are you not feeling well? No, why are you just sitting there after getting completely changed?”

Chase replied without moving, almost mumbling,

“I’m not in the mood to play.”

“Mood? Since when did you start talking about your mood? Why are you suddenly acting like a middle schooler going through puberty?”

“Must be puberty, I guess.”

Alex ran his hand roughly through his hair, frustrated.

He had a pretty good idea about the reason for his friend’s sudden adolescent behavior. For days, Chase had been in a cold war with Jay. According to a friend who took English Composition with him, yesterday Chase had gotten into a heated argument with Jay and even stormed out in the middle of class.

No matter how he looked at it, there was only one person who could fix this situation.

Alex firmly gripped Chase’s shoulders with both hands and said in a serious voice, as if soothing a child,

“Press. Wait, stay right here. Got it? Don’t go anywhere.”

“…Do I look like I have somewhere to go?”

“Good. That’s it.”

Alex didn’t waste any more time and opened the locker room door.

He headed straight for the academic building. People around cast glances at the sight of a player in full uniform with protective gear running at full speed through the hallway.

He quickly scanned the students in the corridor, picking out the most nerdy-looking ones and asking if they knew where Jay Lim was. Sure enough, on his third attempt, he found someone who knew Jay’s whereabouts.

“Jay? If you mean Jay Lim, he should be in the math club room.”

“Where’s that?”

“Math and Science Building, 4th floor, at the very end…”

Alex’s sneakers made a squeaking sound as he turned and slid across the hallway.

When he arrived, fortunately the faculty advisor hadn’t come yet, and the members of the Math Elite Society were freely walking around the classroom, chatting.

Children who normally would never have interacted with him all stared at Alex at once. A varsity football player appearing in the math club room was like a wolf suddenly barging into a zone of herbivores.

As Alex quickly scanned the classroom, he spotted Jeong-in. Jeong-in was looking at him with a startled expression.

Without hesitation, Alex strode toward Jeong-in.

“Jay! Come with me to the locker room. Chase is…”

Jeong-in jumped up from his seat before Alex could finish.

“What’s wrong with Prescott? Is he hurt?”

Jeong-in’s eyes trembled anxiously.

In this situation, with someone coming looking for him out of breath like that, he couldn’t imagine any other kind of news.

A subtle expression crossed Alex’s face as he saw Jeong-in’s reaction.

“He’s not injured, but…”

“Then? Is he sick?”

Alex, who was catching his breath, hesitated for a moment. It seemed like something was wrong with Chase’s heart, but he wasn’t sure if he should answer so directly.

But his hesitation was brief. Whatever happened afterward, the priority was to bring Jeong-in along.

“Yeah, just come with me. I think you need to see him.”

Jeong-in left his seat in a hurry without asking any more questions.

His rational thinking evaporated instantly. There was no time to wonder things like ‘If he’s sick, why call me instead of going to the hospital?’

Jeong-in bounded down the stairs, taking two or three steps at a time. His urgent footsteps led him from the Engineering building, past the outdoor swimming pool, to the Athletics building. The football team’s locker room was on the first floor of that building.

As they entered the building, Alex spoke breathlessly, almost pleadingly,

“Chase has to be there. Scouts are coming to today’s game. Even if not for Chase, this is a crucial game for guys like Thompson and me who have staked everything on football. We can’t send out a backup quarterback for a game like this!”

There was desperation in Alex’s voice. But Jeong-in barely listened, focused only on rushing forward.

When he flung open the door and entered the locker room, there were still a few players who hadn’t gone out to the field, awkwardly holding their positions. Their gazes instantly turned to Jeong-in.

Beyond them, Jeong-in could see Chase sitting on a bench with his head hanging low. He was perfectly dressed in his shoulder pads and uniform, but he looked as listless as if he had just finished the game.

Alex ushered out the players who were glancing nervously at Chase.

“What are you still doing here? Let’s go! Get out there!”

After Alex and all the other players had hurried out, the locker room left with just Chase and Jeong-in was as quiet as a vacuum. Chase remained motionless with his head down.

Jeong-in slowly approached him.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Chase answered without moving, his head still lowered. His voice still carried resentment.

“…Why did you come? To someone like me, just an empty shell with a name.”

“…”

In truth, Jeong-in had also been regretting whether his words had been too harsh. He stepped closer and stood just in front of Chase.

“Tell me. Where does it hurt?”

“Here.”

Chase thumped his fist against the area near his stomach, then clutched and released the fabric of his jersey over his chest.

“It feels tight right here. I can’t breathe. It’s so suffocating I might go crazy.”

Jeong-in had some idea what it might be.

“Where I’m from, there’s a condition called ‘che-han.’ It’s like a feeling of tightness and congestion in your stomach. There isn’t an exact term for it here, but… it’s similar to heartburn.”

Heartburn in English refers to a burning sensation in the chest area caused by stomach acid.

Chase was lost in thought for a moment. Though it wasn’t due to stomach acid, the expression strangely seemed to fit how he felt right now. It felt like his heart was thrown into fire and burning up.

Jeong-in moved a bit closer to Chase, who was still looking down, and reached out his hand.

“Wait, let me see your hand.”

Before Chase could answer, Jeong-in took his hand. Then he pressed firmly on the Hegu acupressure point with his thumb. The spot between the thumb and index finger, slightly away from where the bones meet. It was the spot his mother used to press when Jeong-in had indigestion.

Chase’s face, revealed under his golden hair, was remarkably handsome even while in pain. Jeong-in felt his eyes drawn to it momentarily and quickly fixed his gaze on Chase’s hand instead. His fingers, the back of his hand, his palm, everything was intimidatingly large.

Chase spoke in a low voice.

“You acted like you never wanted to see me again… so why are you touching me?”

The way he said ‘touching me,’ perhaps because of his low, deep voice, sounded somewhat suggestive.

“Just… because you said you were in pain…”

“It’s not my body that hurts.”

“But Alex Martinez…”

Chase figured it out immediately. Alex must have noticed his feelings for Jeong-in. That’s why he brought Jeong-in here.

Even that obtuse guy knows what only the person right in front of him doesn’t.

“It hurts because of you.”

Jeong-in’s movements, as he was kneading and applying pressure to Chase’s large hand, froze for a moment. Chase grasped Jeong-in’s hand and brought it to his solar plexus.

“I don’t know why I’m like this either. When I think of you… it gets tight here. I feel like I’m going crazy. My stomach burns and feels constricted. It’s hot here. Like it’s burning up.”

“…”

Jeong-in’s expression, unable to avoid Chase’s eyes, showed a mixture of bewilderment and confusion.

“I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

The waves in those sea-colored irises seemed to swirl around him. Like being gently pulled into the deep ocean.

Chase made a pitiful expression, as if blaming Jeong-in. Then he bumped his forehead against Jeong-in’s chest repeatedly.

“You won’t even listen to what I have to say. You won’t believe me.”

Chase looked like a child throwing a tantrum. But his demeanor went beyond simple sulking, he looked genuinely anguished and in pain.

How could anyone turn away from this? From such a lovable creature.

Jeong-in’s hand moved as if entranced.

Thump. Thump. As Chase kept bumping his head against his chest, Jeong-in gently placed his hand on Chase’s head. Chase’s protesting movements stopped instantly.

Jeong-in slowly stroked the golden hair that softly wrapped around his fingers.

“They say it’s an important game. Scouts are coming to watch.”

“…Why should I care.”

Chase’s voice had softened considerably. The knot in his solar plexus seemed to slowly unravel under Jeong-in’s touch.

“Be responsible, Prescott. This isn’t just about you.”

Jeong-in’s voice was calm, but carried subtle persuasion. Chase hung his head for a moment, then mumbled,

“…If I go to the game?”

Jeong-in gazed quietly at Chase’s golden hair that rippled like a wheat field, and the deep, clear Mediterranean-like eyes underneath. How could someone be born with such features? All he could say was that Chase was beautiful. And perhaps Jeong-in had a weakness for beautiful things.

“Will you come watch?”

“…Yeah.”

“Really?”

Chase gently rubbed his forehead against the back of Jeong-in’s hand. He was like a puppy showing affection to its owner.

“So hurry to the field. You said it’s an important game. The quarterback can’t be missing.”

With a soft smack, Chase kissed the back of Jeong-in’s hand. His lowered golden eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks. It was just a kiss on the hand, but it felt so intimate that Jeong-in’s heartbeat became irregular.

Chase spoke softly, his lips still pressed against Jeong-in’s hand.

“You have to come. I’m your golden retriever, remember?”

Jeong-in remembered how Chase had shaken his wet hair, spraying water droplets at the beach. Without realizing it, a small smile formed at the corners of his lips.

“I said I would.”

When Jeong-in smiled, Chase’s face finally showed signs of relief.

Jeong-in had always thought Chase seemed mature. He even admired his composure. But right now, Chase looked somewhat childlike.

Strangely, even this side of him came across as unexpectedly charming. The vulnerable aspect of a man wrapped in armor-like muscles.

“Go quickly.”

Chase wouldn’t let go of Jeong-in’s hand and lingered for a long time before finally getting up.

Their eye levels were reversed. Chase, who had seemed more childlike when looking up, was now looking down at Jeong-in from high above.

“I’ll be watching to see if you really come. Don’t underestimate a golden retriever’s sense of smell.”

“…Just play well, Prescott.”

“Just once… call me Chay.”

Suddenly, Jeong-in recalled what Vivian had said in front of the hallway lockers. Chase had told her not to call him that anymore. What did that mean?

After hesitating briefly, Jeong-in whispered softly.

“…Chay.”

In that moment, as if he couldn’t hold back anymore, Chase abruptly pulled Jeong-in into a hug. His strong arms wrapped around Jeong-in along with his warm body heat. Jeong-in felt like his heart might explode.

It was right then that the locker room door burst open. Alex Martinez, who had rushed in, spotted the two of them and quickly averted his gaze.

“Not finished talking yet… Oh! Excuse me!”

Extremely embarrassed, Jeong-in forcefully pushed Chase away and fled straight into the hallway. Chase could only step back with a bewildered expression and watch Jeong-in go.

Toward Jeong-in’s retreating figure hurriedly disappearing down the hallway, Chase shouted loudly,

“You have to come watch! You promised, Jay Lim!”

“Ugh…”

Completely flustered and disoriented, Jeong-in couldn’t even look back and raised his middle finger in protest. He heard Chase’s cheerful laughter behind him.

* * *

When Jeong-in returned to the club room, it was so quiet inside that only the scratching sound of pencils on paper could be heard. Everyone was concentrating on their problem sheets, moving their hands diligently.

As Jeong-in carefully took his seat, Justin, sitting next to him, smoothly handed over a problem sheet he had collected on Jeong-in’s behalf.

“Thanks.”

Jeong-in whispered quietly. As he took out his pencil, Jeong-in hesitated for a moment. He felt he should tell Justin about his change of heart about going to the game.

“Hey… Justin.”

Just as Jeong-in was about to carefully break the silence, Justin slid his phone toward him.

The lit screen displayed a mobile ticket. The Wincrest High School eagle mascot and Danbury High School dolphin mascot were engraved on either edge, with a large, clear QR code in the center.

Jeong-in’s gaze fell to the text written below.

[2 Student Admission]

Justin had already bought tickets to the game.

Jeong-in’s eyes trembled with emotion. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Justin was quicker.

“I’ve been thinking about why I disliked Chase Prescott so much.”

Justin stared quietly into space, as if recalling the past.

“That guy had everything I wanted, so easily. Just by virtue of being born.”

From a massive conglomerate family ranked 7th in the American financial industry, blonde hair and blue eyes with a handsome face and strong physique, natural athletic ability, and even the outstanding intelligence to maintain top grades without having to spend much time studying. Chase Prescott seemed to have it all.

“But he didn’t seem to care about any of it. Like he was some cynical protagonist from a superhero comic… That really annoyed me.”

Justin was revealing thoughts he had kept deeply hidden, things he had never verbally acknowledged. Jeong-in quietly listened to his confession.

“But even a guy like that has things he desperately wants, and things he wants but can’t have. So now… maybe I find him less annoying? He feels a bit more like a person from the real world.”

Jeong-in looked down at the game ticket Justin had offered. Somehow, his heart was racing.

“We were the ‘Chase Haters Club’ but…”

Justin continued with a somewhat bitter expression.

“Maybe we were actually the ‘Chase Admirers Club.'”

Jeong-in was overcome with complex emotions as he listened. One thing was clear: no story of their teenage years could be complete without the existence of “Chase Prescott.”

He was the protagonist of the shame book they had co-authored and the center of their most intense memories.

“I’m going to help you two get together, and then you need to ask him to invite us to that famous Prescott mansion pool party.”

“Justin!”

***

Jeong-in hit Justin’s forearm as if telling him not to talk nonsense. His face was slightly flushed with anticipation, but still mixed with confusion.

Prescott Family Stadium was filled with Friday evening excitement. The sky had already begun to turn navy blue, but the stadium lights shone as bright as daylight, illuminating the stands.

With students, parents, and local residents all gathered together, the entire stadium felt like a small festival. The Friday night football game, which had the meaningful purpose of rebuilding a children’s hospital wing lost to fire, was an event that united the school and the local community.

People lined up at the ticket booth trying to get the last available tickets, and cars with flashing lights kept streaming into the parking lot. Vendors selling hot dogs and nachos were busy taking orders behind their displays, and the sweet scent of popcorn filled the cool evening air.

“They must have raised a lot of donation money.”

Justin said, looking around the stands. As he said, it was packed with people everywhere he looked.

At the very top, elderly couples, regular spectators at these games had settled in with blankets over their knees, sharing tea they’d brought in thermoses.

Below them, current students occupied their spaces. They wore matching t-shirts with the school mascot printed on them and had painted their faces with the school’s burgundy red color, laughing and chattering with excited voices. Some students were already busy taking photos with their phones and posting them on social media before the game even started.

“Oh, sorry.”

Jeong-in apologized to a child he had accidentally bumped into while finding his seat. The child, with face paint of the team mascot, seemed so excited that they didn’t mind at all.

On one side of the field, the school band was preparing. White-gloved hands moved skillfully over gleaming instruments. The brass and saxophone sections were tuning their instruments, while the drum line tapped out a light rhythm.

“Ready! One, two, three!”

The cheerleaders, led by their senior captain, could be seen warming up. The future captain Vivian Sinclair was there, along with Madison Wilkes and Hayley Simons.

The marching band’s performance began with an intense drum beat. The eagle and dolphin mascot characters ran out waving to the crowd. As the two mascots showed off in a playful rivalry, dancing ridiculously in front of the stands, children cheered loudly.

Just then, the stadium’s main lights dimmed briefly, directing all attention to the central tunnel. A deep, majestic voice flowed from the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Now, please welcome our Wincrest team!”

As the lights came back on, the players made a spectacular entrance, bursting through a banner. The players, their bodies bulked up by large pads, bumped each other’s headgear and exchanged encouragement as they stepped onto the field.

Chase Prescott was at the front. His number 7 reflected distinctly in the lights. When he waved toward the stands, an explosive cheer erupted.

Part of the crowd chanted his name, while others busily took out their phones to capture his image.

Chase’s gaze, scanning the stands, fixed on one spot. Though his face was partially hidden by his headgear, he was clearly looking in their direction.

Justin repeatedly elbowed Jeong-in.

“He sees you! He’s looking at you! Here! Over here!”

Justin frantically waved his arms. He even pointed at Jeong-in amidst all his commotion.

Jeong-in’s face grew hot. He could tell just by feeling that his eyes had met Chase’s. As if to confirm this, Chase waved in their direction.

“One team, one dream! Wincrest!”

The atmosphere intensified as the cheerleader team stepped forward. They waved shimmering golden pom-poms, covering the field with quick, precise movements. Backflips and difficult stunts followed, drawing cheers from everywhere.

Now Jeong-in could see what move Vivian had emphasized earlier. Hayley Simons climbed to the top of a human pyramid and performed a near-acrobatic move, doing a full split in the air.

The band played vibrant marching music. The brass section led the melody with explosively intense sound, while the drum line added lightness with their perfect rhythm. With music and cheerleader chants mixing, the stadium instantly became charged with energy.

The players started a brief meeting in the center. Chase shouted something while bumping helmets with his teammates, and the other players nodded with determined expressions. They seemed to be exchanging tactical instructions. Behind them, trainers checked the players’ equipment one last time, helping them release tension.

Wheeeeeet!

The whistle sound sliced through the stadium. As the ball soared high with the kickoff, players began sprinting at full speed. The stands erupted in unified cheers, and red flags waved like waves.

The entire stadium seemed to move like a massive living organism. With everyone heated with excitement, Justin shook his head wistfully.

“This is why you can’t help but love high school.”

The youthful passion and energy characteristic of young age, the sense of belonging and bond of being united under the school’s name, free romance and youth.

“I know.”

Jeong-in couldn’t help but nod in agreement. But there wasn’t much time to dwell on such sentiments.

“Prescott!”

At the shouts of people around them, Jeong-in’s gaze naturally sought out Chase.

Positioned right behind the center, Chase was watching the field with one hand on his knee, his body lowered. His eyes, visible through his helmet, flashed sharply.

“Blue 42! Blue 42! Set! Hut!”

As soon as Chase’s voice rang across the field, the center snapped the ball back. Chase received the ball and nimbly stepped back, surveying his surroundings. Right in front of him, Darius Thompson stood firmly.

Darius pushed back the opponent’s strong defenders, firmly maintaining Chase’s protective wall. When an opposing defensive lineman lunged to break through the wall, Darius stopped them with overwhelming strength, protecting his quarterback.

Chase shifted his feet to the right, seeking a new passage. It showed incredible agility and judgment.

“Block!”

Chase’s voice was resolute as he directed the play. Linebacker Brian Cole quickly blocked an opposing defender, opening a path. The opposing player slid to the ground after a fast and accurate tackle, and Chase used the opportunity to scan the opposite side of the field.

Running back Max Schneider was sprinting quickly along his route on the right side. Chase’s gaze fixed precisely on Max.

Max skillfully penetrated between the defenders, exploiting the opponent’s weak spots. Chase made a quick decision and threw the ball. The ball left his fingertips, spinning sharply as it cut through the air.

The ball traced a perfect arc and landed directly in Max’s arms. The stands collectively held their breath, then erupted in explosive cheers.

Max crossed the field with nimble movements. It was thanks to Chase effectively dispersing the opposing team’s defenders and creating space for Max.

“Go, Max! All the way!”

Players and spectators behind the field shouted. “That’s our son!” seemed to come from Max’s parents.

Max raced toward the touchdown zone, summoning his final burst of speed. The opposing defenders chased closely behind him, but he maintained his focus until the end, holding the ball as he crossed into the touchdown zone.

“Touchdown! Wincrest!”

The announcer’s voice shook the stadium.

The stands transformed into a cauldron of excitement. Cheerleaders jumped high while waving their pom-poms, and the band played a short, powerful celebratory tune.

Chase raised his hand toward Max. Though visibly tired, Max ran to Chase with a bright smile and gave him an energetic high-five.

Until the final whistle blew, Chase and his team dominated the game with overwhelming play.

The stadium was filled with ecstatic cheers, and that night the Wincrest team achieved an unforgettable victory. The final score was 35:21. It was an incredibly exciting game that they had perfectly controlled without losing any tension.

After the game, the coach gathered the players for a brief feedback session. The players nodded or listened quietly to the coach’s points, mentally preparing for the next game.

With the coach’s shout of “Dismissed!” the players dispersed. They met with family members who had gathered near the stands or the field, taking commemorative photos or discussing the game. Some ran straight to their girlfriends for embraces.

Chase, holding his headgear in his hand, walked toward the stands, pushing through the crowd without hesitation. Many people patted his shoulders and back, congratulating him on a job well done.

Finally, Chase stopped in front of Jeong-in. His golden hair was soaked with sweat, and his body was covered with bits of grass. Yet he seemed to shine just by his presence.

“Jay.”

Jeong-in felt his breath catch at the low voice calling his name. His heart pounded as if it were beating right next to his ear.

Chase looked at Jeong-in with a deep, intense gaze as if he were the only person in the world. For a moment, it felt as if time had stopped around them.

“Ahem.”

As if to announce his presence, Justin cleared his throat, and only then did Chase shift his gaze from Jeong-in to look at Justin.

“You’re here too, Jonathan.”

“Jonathan?”

Jeong-in tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

Justin stepped forward with newfound courage. It was embarrassing, but it was time to speak up.

“Chase Prescott. Since it seems I’ll be seeing you often from now on, let’s introduce ourselves properly.”

Justin extended his hand confidently and said with a grin,

“My name isn’t Jonathan, Jacob, or Jasper. I’m Justin. Justin Wong.”

Various expressions flashed across Chase’s face, surprise, confusion, and finally, relief.

With a look of disbelief, Chase accepted the handshake.

“Justin. At last.”

“Aargh!”

Was it the typical grip strength of an athlete? Or did Chase intentionally squeeze harder?