Both of them sat down on the wooden bench under the tree near the court, chatting while taking in the surroundings.
Ann said:
"You looked so handsome earlier, that dunk was super cool."
"Really? Thanks for the compliment," Robert replied.
"Watching you play makes me want to play too. I used to play basketball a lot."
Robert was surprised and exclaimed,
"You know how to play basketball? …Really?"
Hearing Robert's surprise, Ann raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong? Is it hard to believe I can play basketball?"
Realizing his mistake, Robert fumbled, scratching his head as he tried to explain.
"No, no, I didn't mean that. It's just… You don't seem like the type who's into intense physical activities."
Ann laughed and replied,
"Well, I don't play anymore, but back in middle school, I used to play a lot. Even though I wasn't that good, I played with Kai and his friends."
Robert paused for a second. The smile on his face faded, and his eyes became distant, looking far away. Ann unclearly noticed the shift in his gaze, but before he could ask anything,—
"Yo~ not inviting me and going alone like this?" — The familiar laughing voice came from behind.
Ann turned his head. It was Lucien Cross.
He walked up, holding two cold bottles of water, placing one in front of Ann, and handed the other to Robert.
The mixed scent of pheromones from all four Alphas last time had made it hard for Ann to distinguish which scent was which, but now, he could tell.
Cross had a scent of velvet rose pheromones mixed with a light hint of wine. It suited his personality well. For Ann, he felt a bit repulsed.
"I'm treating the new member of the court," Cross said, smirking. "Robert, you always monopolize this beautiful boy, don't other people feel left out?"
As Cross spoke, it seemed like he forgot that he had once subtly belittled Ann, being very fake.
Robert glanced at Cross but didn't respond.
Ann rolled his eyes at him, clearly showing a bit of disdain. Cross, seemingly unaware, kept talking cheerfully.
"Anyway, since I'm a friend of Robert, how about you and I go hang out sometime? What do you think? Is that okay?"
Without waiting for an answer, he continued.
"Next time, let me take you out, leave Robert behind. He doesn't know how to have fun, but with me, you'll know—"
Boong!!
Before he could finish, a basketball hit Cross right in the head. The sound of the impact was loud and painful, making Cross yell out in anger.
"WHO DID THAT?! WHO THREW THE BALL AT MY HEAD?!"
At that moment—
"Hey! We booked the court, why is there still someone here?"
A male voice rang out from the gate. Everyone in the court turned around.
A group of students walked in. Leading them was a small, wiry guy with dreadlocks that reached his shoulders, tanned skin, dressed in street gangsta style: black tank top, saggy pants, and headphones around his neck. As a Vietnamese himself, he looked very… odd.
Cross angrily ran up and yelled at the guy,
"Hey, kid! Did you throw that ball at me?!"
The small guy stood there, listening to the insults but looking completely unconcerned as he said,
"Oops, I threw it by accident. What's the problem? Not happy? Well, I'm not happy either. Once your group is done playing, get off the court. We booked it for this time."
"@#%&%##!?!"
Cross was stunned by the guy's unreasonable response. He was so mad that he started cursing in his native tongue.
The small guy just stood there, letting the insults flow past him. Then suddenly, his eyes met Ann's.
He exclaimed,
"Ann?"
Hearing his name being called, Ann turned around in surprise.
Someone familiar?
Before Ann could say anything, the small guy rushed straight toward him, ignoring Robert and Cross standing in front. He pushed Cross aside and lunged at Ann, hugging him tightly, causing Ann to stumble backward.
"Wh— What is this?!" Ann exclaimed, confused, as he was hugged so tightly he could barely breathe.
Robert immediately darkened. He stood up, swatting the guy's hand away and pulling Ann towards him.
The small guy stepped back, frowning,
"Hey! Who are you? Why are you being so rude?"
"Who are you to be so rude? You don't even know him, yet you're hugging my person." Robert answered, keeping his eyes fixed on the guy.
"Your person my ass!" The guy snapped back. "That's my person! Ann and I have known each other way longer than you've even known him. Don't act so clueless, you Alpha male!"
Ann was still stunned, but as he listened, he started to remember what Kai had once said to him.
"... Felix also said he wanted to show off his new look to you. So scary, he uses it to scare off anyone who tries to make a move on you!"
The small guy's familiar voice, his change in style, it was Felix.
Ann shouted out,
"Felix?!"
Felix, full name Felix Ho, 18 years old, the same age as Kai. He was about 5'3" tall, male, but his second identity was something no one knew, and no one knew how he managed to keep it hidden from the public. He usually identified as Beta with outsiders.
This guy had a straightforward, hot-headed, and dominant personality, but he was also very sensitive and deeply cared about those he loved.
Regarding his relationship with Ann, Felix wasn't any different from Milena and the other close friends. He had known Ann even before he was born, and when Ann was still too young to be aware of things. Having known each other for so long, Felix felt very "comfortable" and often treated Ann like a younger sibling rather than someone he should consider his older brother.
Felix raised an eyebrow, noticing that Ann had recognized him. His face looked proud as if he had just been awarded the title of "Coolest Person on Earth."
"So, what do you think? I've revamped my style. Pretty cool, right?"
He scratched his head, then ran his hand along the dreadlocks, as if posing in front of a mirror. His dreamy eyes looked up as if imagining a different world.
"From now on… no one will dare bully you. And… all the girls surrounding me, asking for my number. Some even slipped love letters into my bag, probably love notes… And Kai was standing next to me, patting my shoulder, saying, 'Hey, you're so cool!' Haha!"
After finishing, Felix grinned widely, his eyes sparkling as if he had just finished a starring role in a K-drama.
The entire scene fell silent. People were freezing from Felix's shamelessness.
Felix turned around, hands in his pockets, glancing around before locking eyes with Ann.
"Ann, long time no see. Are you coming to hang out with us?" He extended his hand with the palm up, full of expectation. "It's just me and my friends, playing basketball. If you want, we can call Kai over, we'll play till late. As for your friend… I've heard about him. Robert, didn't ya? You probably don't need to go with him, right?"
After saying that, Felix glanced at Robert, challenging him.
Robert heard it but didn't respond. He simply walked over to the other side, slowly and surely reaching out his hand. His gaze wasn't as playful as usual; it was calm, with a hint of something… challenging back.
"Today is the day that you said we would hang out, Ann. You have to come with me, right?"
Ann hesitated. He looked at Felix's hand, then glanced at Robert, who had taken a few steps forward from the wooden bench.
The atmosphere around them slowed.
One hand from Robert—steady and resolute.
One hand from Felix—confident, bold, and proud.
In the dimly lit basketball court, two opposing forces, reaching out for the small Omega standing between them, created a dramatic scene, making everyone hold their breath.
Ann looked between them.
One beat.
Then, he raised his hand and took Felix's hand.
Felix's eyes widened, and a victorious grin spread across his face. He thought to himself,
"I've known Ann for almost two decades. If he didn't choose me, who else would? Haha~"
But before he could bask in his triumph for three seconds, Ann gently tapped his hand, pulling it back and smiling softly,
"Next time. Next time, I'll hang out with you. But today, I promised to go with a friend. So we'll go out another day, okay?"
Saying that, Ann turned and walked toward Robert, gently taking his hand.
Robert didn't say anything. But his gaze softened, and his hand tightened around Ann's, as if he had just secured something very important.
And Felix?
He stood still, eyes wide. Then, he gritted his teeth, "Damn it, are you kidding me?"
"Pfft!"
Cross laughed from the side, mocking, as if retaliating against Felix's previous arrogance.
"Thought it would be something big. Turns out, you're just a poor kid who got dumped."
After saying that, Cross walked off in victory, as if he had won.
Felix stood still, eyes wide, again. Then, he yelled out, "What the heck! You want a piece of me?!?"
He lunged forward, but immediately, a long arm reached from behind and pulled him back.
"Huh... Evan?"
The man who had pulled Felix back was Evan, Felix's older cousin. He had a mixed Western appearance, a tall and lean build, and long hair tied in a half ponytail. His gender—whether Alpha, Beta, or Omega—was unclear.
"Calm down, little Felix. Just met a friend and you want to punch someone?"
Felix blinked a few times, then suddenly spun around, burying his face in his cousin's chest, wrapping his arms around his waist, his lips pouting like a sulking kitten.
"Ann dumped me... Look at that, I got dumped in front of everyone..."
Evan chuckled softly, rubbing Felix's head without saying anything.
Felix's friends stood quietly, watching as Felix acted like a child.
Bonus:
At the far end of the court, in the thick bushes, Milena was holding binoculars, observing with intense eyes.
She muttered to herself:
"Huh… where are they? Why… why am I only seeing the bike rack? Oh my god! Did I face the wrong way?!"