LOVE:ZERO

Jiyu slipped out of the house, weighed down by guilt, and headed to the lobby.

On Friday evening, she had lied to Aejeong, claiming she would visit a classmate’s house early Sunday morning for a team project and might return late. It wasn’t entirely untrue, she did plan to work on her U.S. history project and English homework during the tournament.

Lately, Hunter had been attending tournaments with his coach, Jake Langdon, instead of his parents. Occasionally, his parents still accompanied him. But this weekend, Aejeong had already heard that Lauren, Hunter’s plastic surgeon mother, was at a conference in Pittsburgh, while Jared, his father, was in Singapore for a major real estate deal.

If Jiyu suddenly announced she was tagging along to the tournament, Aejeong would undoubtedly bombard her with uncomfortable questions: How did you get invited? Why only you? I thought you and Hunter didn’t get along… since when did you become so close?

Nothing was more irritating than Aejeong’s relentless interrogations. Worse, the meddlesome woman might even insist on joining them. Above all, Jiyu could never explain Hunter’s championship jinx. Anyone who heard it would think it’s… absurd, she thought.

Hunter, dead serious about pre-game superstitions, and Jiyu, who had humored his rituals for years, she couldn’t even rationalize it to herself, let alone others. The self-loathing crept in; she knew how ridiculous it was, yet couldn’t break free.

As Jiyu entered the lobby, Hunter stepped out of the private elevator, a long tennis bag slung over his shoulder. His wrist, as always, bore a dark blue band, the same shade he’d worn during his first victory. He stored hundreds in his closet, using a fresh one for each tournament.

They exchanged silent nods, then left the apartment separately at staggered intervals, feigning coincidence. Hunter, who’d exited first, was loading his bag into the trunk of a black SUV parked at the corner of Fifth Avenue.

Jiyu felt like she was committing a crime. Head bowed, she hurried toward the car, clutching the heavy canvas bag digging into her shoulder. Noticing her hesitation, Hunter shut the trunk, glanced sideways, then opened the backseat door with a tilt of his head.

“Get in.”

“Huh? Oh… Thanks.”

The moment Jiyu climbed in, Hunter slammed the door, circled the car, and slid into the opposite seat. She clicked her tongue inwardly, startled by his briskness.

‘The power of education…’

Hunter Hamilton, once akin to a wolf-raised child, now seemed undeniably human. Though she’d witnessed his transformation, it still felt foreign.

“Good morning, Olivia!”

Diego Ramirez, the Hamiltons’ driver, turned with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Diego.”

Jiyu forced a faint smile in return.

“Let’s go.”

At Hunter’s signal, Diego steered the car onto the quiet Sunday morning streets of Fifth Avenue. For a while, the two sitting side by side in the backseat silently watched the scenery pass by.

As Central Park’s stone walls faded and Midtown came into view, Jiyu hesitated before speaking.

“Where are we going now?”

Hunter turned his head slowly, answering in a detached tone.

“Glen Cove.”

‘Did he think everyone just knew where that was?’

Jiyu had never even heard of Glen Cove.

“Uh… Where’s that?”

His eyebrows lifted slightly.

“Long Island.”

“Near your summer cottage?”

The Hamiltons referred to their colossal Colonial-style estate… perched on 30 acres of oceanfront land in Southampton… as the “Summer Cottage.” The name dated back to the 1920s, when an ancestor had bought the beachfront property and built a small house, humorously calling it a “cottage.”

“No. The cottage is in Southampton. Glen Cove is north of Manhasset.”

“Oh… How long will it take?”

Hunter shrugged.

“About an hour if there’s no traffic.”

Jiyu nodded, surprised they could hold such a normal conversation without sarcasm. Yet the awkwardness lingered.

“So… where’s your coach?”

“Meeting us at the venue.”

‘So it’s just the two of us the whole ride.’

Jiyu quietly pulled a book from her canvas bag, now resting on her lap. Reading was her escape when words failed.

“Why’d you bring so much stuff?”

“Books, homework, my laptop… and snacks?

Hunter frowned.

“What homework?”

“Um… An essay draft on Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ for English, and finishing my part of the U.S. history team project analyzing 19th-century North American immigrant groups.”

After a pause, Hunter sighed and abruptly began explaining the day’s matches.

“I’ve already won all the qualifiers. Today’s just the semifinal and final. The semifinal was easy… I’ve beaten them before. But the final’s different. The guy’s a Blue Chip, top 3 in the U17 nationals, with a higher UTR than me. But—”

He paused, tilting his chin confidently.

‘I’ll win this time.’

In Hunter-ese, this meant he’d lost to them previously.

“Oh… Good luck.”

He scowled.

“You’re my lucky charm. Why wish me luck?”

Flustered, Jiyu stammered,

“R-right. Anyway, go win that championship.”

“Obviously.”

He brushed her off, tapping her book with his index finger.

“Finish all your homework by the semifinal.”

“Huh?”

“No burying your head in books during matches anymore. I’ll give you time to work, but by the final, put it all away and focus only on me. Watch me win—eyes on me the whole time. Got it?”

“…”

When Jiyu blinked wordlessly, he pressed,

“Answer me, Ju Parker.”

“Okay! I got it…”

Only then did Hunter let a faint smirk slip as he leaned back.

By the time they neared Glen Cove, fine raindrops dotted the windows. The capricious spring rain had returned, but thankfully, the tournament was indoors. Diego parked near the entrance to avoid the downpour. As Jiyu hurriedly packed her books, Hunter grabbed his tennis bag and a small icebox from the trunk.

A gruff voice greeted them as they stepped out:

“Good morning, Hunter!”

It was Jake Langdon, Hunter’s coach and Jiyu’s former instructor for two years. Spotting her, Jake grinned in surprise.

“Look who’s here! Olivia, how long’s it been?”

“Hello, Mr. Langdon.”

Jake, an NCAA champion and former Ivy League coach vetted by the Hamiltons, ushered them to the lounge.

“Here to cheer for Hunter, Olivia?”

“Uh… Yeah…”

Jake smirked, glancing between them with a “I’m cool, I won’t pry… yet” look.

‘Ugh, it’s not like that.’

Jiyu wished he’d just ask so she could deny it outright.