LOVE:ZERO

Dimitri quickly turned his head and glared at the umpire. Naturally, the umpire ruled it as “in,” making no signal. The scoreboard for Hunter ticked up by one point, making it 6:5.

Then, Dimitri suddenly approached the umpire, thrusting his index finger into the air and vehemently appealing for an “out.” After that, he turned his head as if seeking help, staring at his family in the stands.

His parents also stood up from the bleachers, loudly protesting. This, too, was a blatant breach of spectator etiquette.

Jiyu didn’t miss the flicker of anger crossing Hunter’s face.

Fortunately, he seemed to be controlling his emotions well, taking deep breaths. His jaw twitched, veins bulging in his neck, but he didn’t add to the argument just kept his eyes locked on Dimitri, watching the situation unfold.

The umpire, expressionless, glanced at the two players and stuck to his original call.

“The ball is IN!”

Dimitri turned away with a displeased expression, walking back to the baseline. His silent cursing was unmistakable. Rather than genuinely trying to overturn the umpire’s decision, it was clear he was trying to provoke Hunter, to disrupt his momentum after scoring a brilliant point.

Just one more point, and Hunter would be the tournament champion. It was his turn to serve. But if Dimitri managed to retaliate and score, they’d be back to square one.

Hunter wiped the sweat from his forehead with a deep breath.

Out of habit, he spun his racket handle in his palm a couple of times. But this time, just before bouncing the ball, he did something unexpected something Jiyu had never seen before.

He pressed two fingers to his lips, then brought them down to touch the edge of his racket strings. His expression was as earnest as someone in prayer.

Jiyu flinched, her own fingers brushing against her lips.

A pink dampener with red lips printed on it. The fact that he had just blown a kiss to his racket just like she had done for her winning jinx was something only she knew.

Even though he hadn’t kissed her lips, an inexplicable embarrassment made her ears burn.

Thud—

Hunter bounced the ball three times, then tossed it high into the air.

With a powerful leap, he arched his shoulders back, twisting his body before slamming the racket down with full force. The sound of the strings striking the ball echoed sharply.

Thwack!—

Dimitri barely managed to return the bullet-like serve to his backhand side. But just like at the start of the match, the ball sailed high, landing well outside the sideline.

7:5.

An ace serves match point.

Jiyu shot to her feet. Hunter won!

“Hah…”

Something hot welled up in her throat. She covered her mouth in surprise as her vision blurred. Then, suddenly, someone lifted her into the air.

“Ahh!”

She let out a startled scream. Hunter’s face was right in front of hers, his arms wrapped around her waist as he held her up. Breathing heavily, he grinned like an angel.

“I won! Jiyu, I’m the champion!”

“…”

Jiyu blinked wordlessly. The pounding of her heart echoed in her ears. Hunter’s smile faltered as he blinked in confusion.

“…Are you crying?”

“No, I’m just yawning because I’m tired.”

She quickly wiped her eyes and tapped his shoulder with her palm.

“Put me down, Hunter.”

Hunter’s eyes widened. It seemed he had only just realized that he had rushed over after the match and swept her up into a hug without thinking.

He immediately released her. As she stumbled upon landing, he quickly reached out to steady her by the shoulders. The moment she regained her balance, he jerked his hands away as if burned.

When their eyes met, they both looked away in opposite directions.

“C-congrats. Um, really, great match. You worked hard.”

“Uh… yeah. Thanks.”

Jake, who had been watching them with raised eyebrows from the side, pursed his lips to stifle a laugh.

ꕥ

The moment they got in the car, Hunter began dozing off, struggling to keep his heavy eyelids open. But as soon as they entered the Long Island Expressway, his head tilted sideways and he ended up resting it on Jiyu’s shoulder, fast asleep.

Jiyu froze stiff. Hunter’s steady breathing tickled her hair. She rolled her eyes sideways, stealing a glance at him.

Thick, long lashes. A straight nose. Slightly parted lips.

Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break through her ribs. The sensation was suffocating. A wave of panic washed over her she suddenly had the urge to jump out of the moving car and run away.

Today was the first time he had called her Jiyu. She pretended not to notice, but the moment his lips formed her real name instead of Ju Parker, her heart had lurched.

Before, she had wished he would say her name properly. But now that he had, it felt… too strange.

“Get a grip, Ju Parker. You’re in serious trouble. You absolutely, under no circumstances, can like Hunter Hamilton!”

Swallowing hard, she finally tore her gaze away, pressing her lips together in grim determination.

—

That night, Hunter dreamed of passionately kissing someone with soft, fluttering lips.

The next morning, he woke up to a strange sensation. When he lifted the sheets, shock and shame kept him rooted to the bed for a long time.

And so, a little later than most, his first wet dream arrived followed by the full-blown explosion of hormones.

Hunter Hamilton’s supernova of puberty had officially begun.

ꕥ

“You’re getting prettier by the day. Dressing you up is so satisfying. You must take after me your figure is just… perfection.”

Ae-jeong turned Jiyu around in front of the mirror, admiring her with satisfaction.

Over the past year, Jiyu had shot up in height. She wasn’t as tall as Ae-jeong, who had been a model, but she had grown to 5’6″.

She was still slender, but now she could no longer wear training bras her chest had filled out. Her once-flat waistline now curved inward, leading to soft hips and long, straight legs.

“Don’t you think this skirt is too short?”

Jiyu tugged at the hem of her dress, which rode up more than eight inches above her knees.

The shiny black Lycra dress clung to her like a glove, its thin straps resting on her shoulders.

“Girl! Why are you acting like a loser when even your mom is fine with it?”

“…What’s a ‘jetta’?”

“What do you think? It’s a nerd, like you and your dad!”

Ae-jeong huffed.

“Anyway, you should be glad your mom understands fashion. Other uptight moms would never buy their daughters a dress like this for a party.”

Jiyu had actually planned to wear a simple summer dress she bought in Paris, a modest cap-sleeve piece that flared slightly at the hem. It wasn’t too short and wouldn’t draw attention.

But Ae-jeong, after hearing who-knows-what, had insisted on a party dress and presented her with a club-worthy design. Though embarrassed, Jiyu couldn’t refuse.

Still, she had one condition.

“Ugh, why won’t you wear heels? Those shoes don’t match that dress!”

“This is non-negotiable. I wore the dress, so I get to choose the shoes.”

Jiyu stubbornly slipped on her Converse sneakers.

Who wears painful heels with a mini dress in this day and age?

“Fine. Now hold still for your makeup.”

Ae-jeong expertly applied light makeup to Jiyu’s pale face, then styled her straight hair into soft waves. Finally, she draped a diamond-quilted chain bag over her shoulder.

The interlocking silver *C* logo gleamed.

“At least this will keep you from looking like a loser among those rich kids.”

“What’s a ‘yako’?”

Jiyu knew from context, but she sometimes pretended not to a small act of defiance.

“What do you think? In English, it’s… wait, what’s ‘yako’ in English? Ugh, never mind!”

Ae-jeong waved her off impatiently.

Jiyu smiled wryly at her unfamiliar reflection in the mirror. Going to one party shouldn’t be this hard.

Then, a text buzzed on her phone.

“Mom, Chloe just texted she’s in the lobby. I really have to go now.”