Basketball — the only thing I truly enjoy. A great game. Yes, the team has its share of arrogant, self-absorbed idiots, but they play clean.
— Leon, thanks! Great game — a couple of guys from the team nodded and headed for the showers.
I had a whole hour to spare. I packed my things slowly. The sense of freedom was gradually dissolving along with my breathlessness. The ball, the court — they gave me at least some sort of reprieve. Freedom. Two years left. If I could — I'd go pro. I think I could pull it off. Ha… Leon, get back to earth. Two years — and that's it. Pathetic.
— You're not in the shower yet? — Riki, as always, appeared suddenly.
— I'm going. Wait at the exit. — The brat was already here — which meant I'd lingered.
Can't miss it. Not today.
Blue eyes, like ice. Cold enough to make you shiver. Brr. And what the hell am I even doing in the shower thinking about that? Though… damn, they really are frightening. Or… maybe they draw you in. What nonsense.
The shower refreshed my body, but not my mind. My thoughts kept jumping. I needed a distraction. A party? The guys had said something. Perfect.
Riki was standing at the exit, staring off somewhere.
— You okay? — not just for politeness. He's like a younger brother to me. But babysitting isn't my style.
— Yeah — he answered calmly. — I just don't get why I have to go with you.
— You're my puppy. And I get bored alone.
— Why the hell would I watch girls in swimsuits with a pervert like you? All normal guys watch volleyball or gymnastics. You — swimming. That's already a diagnosis.
I gave him a light smack on the head.
— Riki, they're normal girls, not bodybuilders. With my height — one eighty-six — I'll have no problem. — Talking nonsense was easier than explaining the real reason.
— Your seat's reserved as usual.
VIP box — comfortable chairs, snacks, drinks. On San Eros grounds — the competitions. The atmosphere was powerful: posters, shouts, excitement. Back when only the elite studied here, there was nothing like it. Just studying, cramming, and preparing for the parents' seats. The merger changed a lot. In a good way.
I settled in more comfortably. But I wasn't waiting for the competitions. I was waiting for her.
— Riki, which heat is she in? — he started flipping through the program.
— Last one. Fourth lane. One hundred meters, freestyle.
A hundred? Seriously? That short…
I'm drinking today.
I didn't watch the other heats. My eyes were fixed on the locker room exit. Waiting.
Why am I waiting? For what? Just to see her — even for a second…
— Riki, bring me some wine!
— It's four in the afternoon! Go order it yourself! I don't have your privileges!
He tossed a card onto the table.
— Tell them Mister Leon wants it in VIP room four.
— Fine — he muttered and left.
One glass. Second. The bottle. The wine didn't get me drunk, but it relaxed me.
And then — she appeared.
I noticed her instantly. Slim. Calm. It seemed she was gliding, even just walking. I stepped closer to the glass. Far away, but I could see everything.
She took off her warm-up — and even that looked elegant. She wore a long competition swimsuit. Closed. Only her arms bare.
As always in that. I'd hoped today she'd wear something shorter. I really am a pervert. Ha.
Start. Stroke.
I could watch forever. She swam — light, clean. Her movements — like music.
The turn. Moments, and the finish.
The buzzer. On the scoreboard — Soup Anderson. Of course. Always first.
She got out. Took her towel. Left. That was all.
Thank you, Soup. That was… enough.
— Oh, look at him! Drunk and hugging the glass — Riki sneered from his chair.
— You looking to start something, kid? — I gave him a glare and finished my glass.
He came to the glass.
— Do you know what her tattoo means?
— Yeah, I know. — She had a tattoo of a tree with a snake. Everyone knew it. She's the heir of the Western clan. The future queen of the criminal world. That's why she doesn't study with us — just trains. — And that's exactly why my family and I are forbidden from having any ties to her clan.
— Leon…
— Relax. I haven't even properly seen her face. Just the body and the grace. I'm just your usual pervert. Nothing more. — He smirked. He knew. He knew more than I was saying.
She has her own future. I have mine. I just watch. Nothing more is allowed.
The Western and Eastern clans are uniting. The heirs' wedding. Old business.
I can't get involved. Any link to the mafia — and it's the end of everything my family built.
So — just watching.
I get why she swims. In the water — freedom. Same as me, on the court.
But who cares?
She… is beautiful.
— Riki, let's go. Find out where the team party will be. I'll show up.
— You're an alcoholic! You've already downed a bottle! Trying to kill yourself?
— Listen, brat. In two years, when I hit twenty-three — that's it. The fun ends. I want to squeeze the most out of it.
— I'm not going. And don't call me if you get drunk. I won't pick you up.
The kid left.
I have a driver and security. I don't need you.
If I fall — let it be girls who catch me. Not you.
Crowds of students were leaving the sports complex. Everyone was talking about the competitions, their captains, the champions.
Four years ago — this would have been impossible. Now — it was real.
The wine was starting to hit me. My head spun. I'll sit… Where the hell is that Riki?
I just sat. Watched the stream of students.
Black hair… like a nightmare. Where…? I was sure I'd seen…
I jumped up. Started scanning.
Where is she?
A few seconds later — I found her.
Heading for the exit. Two steps.
I grabbed her wrist.
Pulled her along. She didn't resist. Didn't pull away.
The staff room — in another part of the building. I led her there.
Locked the door from the inside.
Well then, let's play, little lamb…