Messages exchanged, words spoken. Even though both Ann and Robert were busy with deadlines, assignments, and meetings, neither of their phones had been silent for more than a day. Some days it was just a message saying "I'm in a meeting," other days it was a picture of a hurried bowl of noodles with the message "I'm still alive," or simply a sticker of a bear sleeping.
Yet, every time Ann received a message like that, he would blush, then pretend to bend down and tie his shoes or turn to flip through a book, hiding the smile he couldn't suppress.
The messages from Robert kept coming at their usual pace.
"What time are you working until this afternoon?" "Do you still remember that basketball game?" "Don't stay up too late, okay?"
Ann didn't usually respond immediately. He often stared at his phone screen for a while, and then, after a moment, would reply.
That afternoon, when the sunlight began to tilt, Ann entered the small room behind the café to get ready. The white T-shirt, freshly ironed the day before, brown khaki pants, and black belt, his hair neatly styled by Nina. His overall appearance was very scholarly.
"You look handsome!!!" Milena and Nina exclaimed.
Milena, while wiping the counter, said: "Remember to bring your medicine, you can even bring a big bottle if you want. Don't collapse when you're playing basketball with an Alpha."
Nina stepped over, adjusted Ann's collar, then shoved a bottle of spray into his hand. "Looks good now. Nervous, huh?"
Ann just smiled, not saying anything. His hand grasped the strap of the bag where the gift for Robert was hidden. His gaze left the mirror, then he walked towards the door.
At that exact moment, a hand stopped him. It was Kai.
"Ann..." – Kai called. His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to make Ann stop.
Ann turned around. He looked at Kai, not avoiding his gaze, waiting for Kai to speak. Kai's face grew serious, his lips pressed together, and he said:
"Can we slow down with the dating? It feels... too fast."
His words dropped into the silence, touching the rhythm of Ann's heart, which was pounding in his chest.
Ann didn't respond immediately. He tilted his head slightly, reaching up to gently pat Kai's brown hair, and said softly:
"I'm fine. Like Milena said, I need to open up to a new relationship."
He gave a small smile and then gently pulled his sleeve out of Kai's grip. He continued:
"Dating is about two people getting to know each other, right? Don't worry, if it doesn't work out, we'll break up. I'll be fine."
After saying that, Ann quickly turned and walked away, not looking back.
"But… it's not that simple…"
Kai turned and went back to the counter, making himself a cup of tea, then sat in front of the freshly brewed tea, staring blankly at it. Nina watched him from afar, and Milena, putting down the order book, asked:
"Don't trust Robert?"
Kai didn't answer immediately. After a while, he said:
"I don't trust him at all."
Milena leaned her head against the wall. "Why? Because he's an Alpha, or because Ann is an Omega?"
Kai looked out the window. The evening light stretched long across the street, sparkling with dust.
He sighed quietly.
Kai spoke:
"I know I shouldn't stop Ann from opening up to a new relationship. He's kept his heart closed for too long. But... he's a male Omega, and I can't easily trust that someone will love him for real."
He looked at Milena and Nina, his gaze filled with concern.
"I'm really scared... what if he gets hurt again?"
Milena and Nina went quiet. Now, they could understand why Kai was so worried about Ann.
Ann was a male Omega. It wasn't easy to find someone who truly valued a male Omega like him.
A sigh escaped Milena as she placed her hands on her hips, rubbing the wrinkle on her forehead caused by her frown. She said:
"But we can't keep protecting him like this forever. Isn't that just harming Ann?"
"But..."
"I know what you're worried about. But Ann is grown up now, he's even two years older than you. Can you trust your brother just a little?"
Seeing Kai still silent, Milena turned and walked to the café door. She flipped the sign from "Open" to "Close." Both Kai and Nina were surprised by her actions.
But Milena only said:
"Close the shop. You two go home and rest. I'll go watch over Ann and Robert."
The basketball court where Ann and Robert were meeting was only 500 meters from the café. Robert had gone ahead so that Ann didn't need to drive, so Ann could just walk there.
He walked quickly.
The street wasn't crowded, with only a few people walking by, the pace slow. But this didn't slow down Ann's steps, and there was no reason for him to slow down.
Ann was really nervous now. His mind was swirling with all the possibilities of what could happen today. The more tangled his thoughts became, the tighter he grasped the bag strap, and the faster his steps got, almost as if he were running to his destination. So, in just 5 minutes of walking, Ann arrived.
The basketball court in Zone C wasn't as crowded as usual. The sky had turned orange, and the wind blew through the trees outside the fence. The basketball kept bouncing on the court, the sound of sneakers hitting the ground rhythmically.
Ann stood behind the fence, his eyes following every move on the court.
Robert was playing with Lucien Cross. Today, he wasn't wearing glasses. His black hair was swept back, a few strands falling over his forehead. He wore a black tank top and long sports shorts. Every step he took, every pivot, radiated strength.
Robert caught the ball from Lucien, jumped high, and dunked with impressive precision.
The sound of the ball slamming into the rim echoed, and the white net flared slightly. The audience outside clapped loudly.
A group of female students on the side whistled softly. One of them said:
"That Alpha guy looks so cool..."
"It's been a while since I saw such a perfect dunk!"
Ann couldn't take his eyes off. Not because of the dunk, but because... of Robert at that moment.
The game ended. Robert walked off, wiping the sweat with a towel. His eyes scanned the area, then stopped when he spotted Ann. That gaze made Ann freeze for a beat.
The scent of pine pheromones mixed with pomegranate lingered faintly, making Ann feel a little enchanted.
Robert walked closer, smiling slowly, his voice soft:
"Did you come? I didn't think you'd actually show up."
Ann smiled back: "I didn't think I'd come either."
A comfortable silence stretched out. Robert tilted his head slightly:
"You're blushing."
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are." – He smiled. "So cute."
Ann turned away. The wind rustled through the trees, brushing against his cheek, leaving a cool trace. But his heart still felt warm.
"Let's sit over there," Robert pointed to a wooden bench under the shade of a tree.
Ann nodded, gripping the strap of his bag. He didn't know whether to look into Robert's eyes or look away. Facing each other like this... felt so complicated.
---
Bonus:
Kai: Noooooo....
Me: Poor guy... Ahahahahaha~