Chapter Text
"Dearest,
Perhaps it makes me look foolish or entirely insane to find a quiet kind of contentment in loving you from afar. For so long, I told myself that the distance was my safe horizon where I could admire you without risking the peace of your world. I swore to honor your boundaries, to treat your space like sacred ground, to be the one who loves silently, asking for nothing in return.
I was prepared to be the quiet observer, holding this devotion tenderly in the dark.
But then you speak. You step into my orbit, and with a single word, a single glance, every boundary I carefully built begins to dissolve.
There is an invisible gravity to you, a pull so subtle yet undeniable that every time we interact, my resolve completely unravels. I tell myself to stay hidden, to remain at a safe distance, but you draw me in effortlessly. In those brief moments, the quiet contentment isn't enough anymore. The quiet turns into a storm of wanting. I find myself aching for more, more of your time, more of your thoughts, more of the unspoken electricity that seems to hang in the air whenever our paths cross.
It terrifies me, and yet it is the sweetest torment I have ever known.
If the world cannot know, then let the world remain blind. If we must keep our distance in the light of day, then let us build a sanctuary in the shadows. Maybe we can have our quiet secrets, stolen moments, lingering glances, and a love that belongs only to us, tucked safely away where no one else can touch it or tear it down. We don't need the world's permission or its audience. We only need the quiet understanding between our hearts.
Let me love you secretly. Let me carry this feeling like a hidden gem, burning softly in the dark. I will still respect your space, and I will still honor your peace but know that every time you draw near, my heart will quietly surrender to yours, over and over again.
Forever yours in the quiet,
Me"
Ada’s eyebrows furrowed as she listened to Ashley read. Claire had just asked her to read a line aloud from the romance novel she was holding, unable to ignore her constant giggling.
"I want a love like that!" Ashley squealed.
Claire laughed, shaking her head. "Your standards in men are sky-high. I doubt you're going to get a boyfriend before we graduate."
"Oh, please! Don't talk to me about high standards when Ada exists," Ashley countered, rolling her eyes. "If my standards are in the sky, hers are in another galaxy."
"Please leave me out of your discussion," Ada murmured, clutching her notes closer as she prepared for her psychology class.
She still didn't know how she had ended up friends with them. The three of them were complete opposites, yet she somehow let them disrupt her quiet life. Deep down, though she actually enjoyed the noise. For as long as she could remember, her life had always been far too silent.
"You can try to act distant all you want, Ada, but we know you love us," Claire said, leaning back against her chair with a smug grin. "Who else is going to keep you from turning into a complete textbook hermit?"
Ashley snapped her romance book shut, resting her chin on her hands as she looked at Ada. "She's right, you know. Besides, I’m being serious. What are your standards anyway? You’ve turned down half the campus, including that guy from the track team who literally brought you handwritten poetry."
Ada didn't look up, her yellow pen steadily tracing a line under a paragraph. "His poetry lacked proper rhythm," she said calmly. "And he used 'your' instead of 'you're' in the second stanza."
Ashley burst out laughing, slamming a hand on the desk. "See?! Galaxy-level standards! The guy was six-foot-two and wrote her a whole poem, and she failed him on basic grammar!"
"It shows a lack of attention to detail," Ada replied, finally capping her pen. A tiny smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she gathered her binders.
"By the way, I have gossip," Ashley said excitedly.
Claire rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help leaning in closer. "You always have gossip. What is it this time?"
Ashley looked straight at Ada, pointing a finger at her. "Oh, it's about you."
Ada didn't even flinch. At this point, being the topic of conversation was her second nature. In the beginning, it used to bother her, but after years of the same routine, she had mostly stopped caring. People dissecting every tiny detail of her life and holding full-blown discussions about her was just another average Tuesday.
She knew she was supposed to be used to it by now, but sometimes it felt overwhelming. She wasn't even a celebrity, yet the entire university treated her like one. In fact, the administration didn't even hide it anymore, they actively used her as the face of their recruitment campaigns, knowing full well that a single photo of her on a poster brought in hundreds of new enrollments. She just accepted the offer to use her face as a promotional because she needed money for her apartment.
All of this unwanted popularity had started during her freshman year, when a clip of her during volleyball tryouts was posted online. The video went viral overnight, but things turned truly chaotic when the internet began shipping her with Leon Kennedy.
Leon was a campus popular in his own right, a star basketball player who already had a massive following long before he ever set foot on college grounds.
Truth be told, Ada hated the whole thing. Shipping real, living people felt invasive and absurd, though she supposed most people would just call her a buzzkill for thinking so. She and Leon had interacted a few times like brief, polite, exchanges in passing but they weren't close. They weren't even friends. Ada genuinely couldn't fathom why lots of people was so obsessed with the idea of them.
"There's a rumor that Leon is courting you, and that the two of you were seen arguing on the rooftop—like a lovers quarrel," Ashley giggled, leaning back.
Claire rolled her eyes and straightened her posture. "That’s... nothing new. I got excited for absolutely no reason." She sighed, shaking her head at Ashley. "If only that were actually true, I’d throw a party. You know, Ada, you're emotionally numb."
Ada shot her a sharp glare, her brows knitting together in a heavy frown.
"I really don't understand why you don't like him," Ashley squealed, completely ignoring Ada's stern look. "He’s handsome, he’s smart, and have you seen those biceps and abs? Leon is the complete package!"
"Ugh, please. This is why you don't have a boyfriend," Claire deadpanned.
"Hey! You don't have one either!" Ashley shot back, pouting.
Ada slowly closed her binder, her eyes darkening just enough to quiet the room. "I hate hearing that name," she whispered, her voice low and sharp enough for both of them to hear every single word.
She stood up and quickly gathered her things. "I have class. See you later."
She felt like she was going to lose her mind if she stayed there much longer while Ashley and Claire squabbled. Though they squabbled almost every day, the two of them were actually closer to each other than they were to her, so Ada never worried about leaving them to resolve it on their own.
Besides, Ashley was an avid shipper of Ada and Leon, people had even come up with a joint couple name for them "AEON". Ada found it ridiculously corny, but there was little she could do to put a stop to it.
Releasing a weary sigh, Ada made her way down the hallway toward her psychology lecture but just as she reached the classroom, her steps faltered. Standing right in front of the door at that exact same moment was Leon.
He glanced down at her for a brief second, his face unreadable, but said nothing. Turning silently, he opened the door and walked inside.
The moment they entered the room together, every pair of eyes in the lecture hall snapped in their direction. Whispers instantly rippled through the rows, accompanied by muffled giggles and knowing nudges. Ada ignored them all, keeping her head held high as she walked down the aisle to her usual desk.
She felt Leon take a seat directly behind her. Even without looking back, she could feel his heavy presence and those piercing blue eyes that always seemed to lock onto her whenever they were in the same room.
The entire class loved to tease them, making every session feel like a trap. Ada had genuinely considered dropping the course just to escape it, but it was a core requirement. It was even worse, during paired activities, their classmates intentionally avoided pairing up with either of them leaving Ada and Leon with no other choice but to team up every single time.
The professor strolled into the lecture hall, tapping a stack of syllabi against the podium to draw the room to order. "Alright, settle down, everyone. Today we’re kicking off our unit on observational psychology and behavioral patterns."
A few chuckles rippled through the back rows, clearly directed at Ada and Leon. Ada squeezed her pen, keeping her eyes fixed firmly on the whiteboard ahead.
"For the next three months," Professor Lance continued, unbothered by the quiet chatter, "you will be working in pairs to conduct an observational case study on stress triggers and social behavior. And before anyone asks...... no, you cannot choose your own partners. I’ve already assigned them. The last time we did that I have so many concerns about it."
A collective groan echoed across the room. Ada’s heart lifted slightly. Assigned partners. Finally, she wouldn't be forced into an awkward default pairing with Leon.
"I’ll project the partner list on the board," Professor Lance said, clicking his remote.
Ada scanned the screen, her eyes moving down the alphabetical list of names. She found her name near the middle:
• Wong, Ada & Kennedy, Leon S.
Ada froze. Behind her, she heard the quiet rustle of a notebook opening, followed by a low, faint exhale.
"Professor," a girl in the second row called out, raising her hand with an exaggerated smile. "Did you pair them up on purpose, or is AEON just destiny?"
The classroom erupted into light laughter and whispers. Professor Lance adjusted his glasses, looking genuinely confused as he looked at his list. "I paired students based on their quiz score distribution to balance the teams. If Miss Wong and Mr. Kennedy happen to be... whatever AEON means, that is purely coincidental."
"Sure, Professor," someone teased from the back. "Coincidence!"
Ada felt her cheeks warm with frustration, though her expression remained completely stoic. She kept her posture rigid, refusing to give anyone in the room the satisfaction of a reaction.
"Are you okay with this, Mr. Kennedy?" Professor Lance asked, looking toward the back row.
Ada stop herself before her face could betray her irritation. She hated how the professor addressed him first—as if Leon were the one making the grand sacrifice by working with her.
"Whatever she decides, Prof," Leon said casually, leaning back in his seat.
Professor Lance turned his attention to her, waiting expectantly.
Unbelievable. Ada gritted her teeth internally. Now, if she refused or made a scene, she’d be framed as the uncooperative villain of the classroom fairy tale once again.
"I'm fine with it," she said, lying through her teeth with a flawless, composed smile.
The moment the lecture ended, Ada was already on her feet. Leon watched as she slipped past the rows of desks with quiet efficiency, her quick footsteps making her the very first person to leave the classroom.
It was always like this. Even though they were repeatedly forced into paired activities, they had never actually met up in person to work on one. Ada would simply text him a clear, structured list of what needed to be done, dividing the assignment down the middle. He would complete his share, send it over, and that would be the end of it.
Leon let out a soft sigh, watching the empty doorway long after she had disappeared down the hall.
No matter how hard he tried to make an effort to get closer to her, Ada always seemed to close the door before he could even open his mouth. He knew how much she loathed being associated with him, how exhausted she was by the endless rumors and forced ship names. So, despite how deeply he wished to break through her walls, he always stepped back to give her space.
Maybe this was just how it was meant to be, watching her from a distance, content to love her softly from afar where she felt safe.
He had to be insane for loving someone who clearly loathed the sight of him. He must have been a complete masochist in his past life.
Sighing, Leon stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder, leaving the empty classroom behind. He was halfway down the corridor when Grace came jogging toward him, slightly out of breath.
"Ah! I finally found you!" she gasped, stopping in front of him with a bright smile. "The volleyball tryouts are about to start! You promised you’d come watch me, remember?"
"I will," Leon said, the lie slipping effortlessly off his tongue.
He had completely forgotten. For the past few days, his mind had been so utterly consumed by Ada Wong that everything else had just faded into the background.
Including the roof incident.
The rumors circulating around campus about them having a heated argument on the rooftop weren't just gossip, they were entirely true. The only untrue about the rumor is—it is not a lovers quarrel since they are not even lovers.
He remembered the sharp, cool wind off the building’s edge and the quiet fury in her eyes as she stood across from him on the roof.
It hadn't been a romantic vibe, no matter what the rumors claimed. Ada had cornered him up there, her back straight and her arms crossed over her chest.
"Thanks, but don't ever do that again," she had said, her tone smooth and cold as ice. "I already told Professor Lance that the report is yours, not mine. Hopefully, this is the last time you try to help me."
Leon had just stood there, looking down at her, feeling a sharp twist in his chest. The second he’d heard that her original report was missing and that her scholarship was hanging on the line, he hadn't hesitated to step in, even if it meant sacrificing his own grades. He wasn't on a scholarship, a slight dip in his GPA wouldn't change anything for him but for her, it was everything.
"You hate me that much?" he had asked softly, watching her eyes widen just a fraction in shock before narrowing into pure disdain.
"No."
"Then why?"
"Because I don't understand why you're doing this," Ada countered, her glare hardening. "Are you still feeling guilty about the kiss?"
"What?" Leon exhaled, thrown off.
The kiss. Suddenly, the real origin of the rumors flashed through his mind. That was why the entire campus was obsessed with them. Someone had caught a picture of him kissing her at the freshman welcome party, a stupid, impulsive bet he had tried to keep quiet. Even though the photo was blurry and neither of them had ever confirmed who was in it, the campus forum had run wild with speculation ever since and it became even popular outside the campus.
"Then why?" Ada pressed, her voice cutting through his thoughts. "Do you like me?"
When Leon hesitated, his eyes instinctively darting away, Ada spoke up before he could answer.
"But that’s impossible, right?" she said bitterly, "How could you like me when you don't even know me? We aren't even friends."
His expression shifted the moment those words left her mouth.
If he confessed right here, if he told her that he do like her, that he had liked her for a long time, he knew exactly what would happen. She would dismiss him on the spot, call him delusional, and pull even further away. So he forced himself to swallow the truth.
"You hate me," he stated quietly.
"I already said no. I just hate people shipping us," Ada shot back, her tone sharp and unyielding. "Stop helping me, Leon. Stop giving people more reasons to talk. And stop treating me like I'm some weak woman who needs saving."
Leon frowned, taking a step back. "Treating you like what?"
"You're always jumping in to fix my problems," Ada said, her chest heaving slightly with restrained anger. "You think I can't handle things on my own? I can manage perfectly fine without your help."
"I never said you couldn't!"
"But that's how it feels!" Ada snapped, closing her eyes tightly for a brief second to control her rising frustration.
Leon froze. The words hung heavily in the space between them, sharp and cold.
A dry, bitter laugh escaped his throat. He shook his head, looking down at the concrete ground in pure disbelief. A wave of exhaustion and disappointment washed over him, disappointment at the realization that every silent effort, every quiet gesture of care he had extended to her had been twisted into an insult in her eyes.
He had so much to say. He wanted to defend himself, to tell her that he never doubted her strength for a second, that he just couldn't bear to see her suffer. But looking at the cold, unreadable wall she had built up against him, he knew it was pointless.
Without another word, Leon turned his back on her and walked away, the heavy sound of his footsteps echoing down the stairwell as he left her alone on the roof.
"Leon? Earth to Leon?" Grace’s voice snapped him back to the present, her hand waving in front of his face. "Are you even listening to me?"
"Yeah," Leon blinked, forcing a relaxed smile onto his face as he adjusted the strap of his duffel bag. "Sorry. Brain's a little fried from psychology. Go ahead to the gym, Grace. I'll be there in a minute."
Grace beamed, oblivious to where his thoughts had just been. "Okay! Don't be late! I want you in the front row of the bleachers! Mom said you have to take pictures of me!"
As she hurried off toward the athletic complex, Leon stood alone in the hallway for a long moment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, opening his chat history with Ada. Their last interaction was from two weeks ago, a short message from her containing a PDF drive link and a brief "I submitted the final draft."
His thumb hovered over the keyboard. He knew she hated him coming close. He knew she wanted nothing more than to keep him at arm's length.
I'll work on my part of Lance's project tonight, he typed out, his fingers pausing before he hit send. No need to meet up. I'll send it over when I'm done.
He hit send and locked his phone, slipping it back into his pocket with a bitter, faint smile.
When Leon walked into the gym, the bleachers were already packed. He spotted the basketball team sitting in the second row and headed up toward them, taking an empty seat beside Chris.
"What are you guys doing here?" Leon asked, setting his bag down.
"Just watching," Carlos replied, taking a sip of his energy drink.
Leon’s eyes wandered across the court, scanning the gym floor for a familiar face, but Ada was nowhere to be seen. The tryouts had already begun, yet she hadn't shown up.
A sudden wave from court level caught his attention. He looked down to see Grace waving enthusiastically at him, and he flashed her a reassuring smile. His younger sister was a freshman trying out for the team today. She had been raving about the university’s volleyball roster for months and was a huge fan of Ada in particular.
Across the court, Coach Mia stood near the sidelines evaluating the fresh talent, clipboard in hand, while the senior team members ran drills to test the newcomers' skills. Right in the middle of the court, he caught sight of Ashley, Jill, Rebecca, Helena, Sherry and Claire setting up a play. Helena is the one being a setter.
"Hey, isn't Ada usually here for tryouts?" Carlos asked, nudging Leon with his elbow. "Why is the their Captain not here?"
Leon kept his gaze fixed on the court, watching Grace perform a clean overhead pass. "Why are you asking me?" he said evenly, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
"You might know!"
"Ofcourse, I don't know."
"Maybe she's avoiding someone," Luis chimed in with a grin, leaning over Carlos shoulder while Chris is still silent, Leon always noticed that whenever the topic is Ada he is usually quiet. "Word on the forum is you two had a dramatic showdown on the roof."
Leon didn't turn his head. "Don't believe everything you read on the forum."
"Right, right," Luis chuckled. "Just saying, man. The whole school is waiting to see who’s gonna break first."
Down on the court, a whistle blew loudly, cutting through the gym's echoing chatter. Coach Mia stepped forward, clapping her hands to gather the players.
"Alright, take five, everyone! Grab some water!"
Claire immediately trotted over toward the bleachers, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel. When her eyes caught Leon sitting with the basketball crew, her gaze lingered on him for a second then to Chris before she turned back to Grace and Ashley.
Coach Mia blew the whistle again indicating that they will start again.
Just then, the double doors at the far end of the gym creaked open. The ambient noise in the room noticeably slowed as a few head-turns rippled across the bleachers.
Ada walked in, holding her bag and wearing her red signature dress, and her sounds of heels clicking on the wooden floor is loud. She didn't look at the bleachers, nor did she glance in people's staring at her. Her focus was entirely on Coach Mia as she walked straight down where she is.
Leon leaned back against the bleacher row, letting out a long, silent breath.
She was stubbornly beautiful, prideful, and utterly determined to handle the world on her own and as much as it drove him crazy, he couldn't stop looking at her.
After a brief exchange with Coach Mia, Ada headed straight to the locker room located just off the court. A few minutes later, she emerged wearing her numbered jersey.
The moment she stepped back onto the hardwood floor, the whole court seemed to shift. Her presence alone altered the room's energy, there was an effortless authority to her cold demeanor, a sharp, commanding aura that drawn people in instead of driving them away. The freshmen seemed more nervous.
Leon sat quietly on the bleachers, watching her work. He knew better than anyone just how vital Ada Wong was to this university.
For forty long years, the school’s athletic program for Volleyball had remained unremarkable, barely making a dent in national tournaments but everything had changed three years ago when Ada stepped onto the court as team captain in her freshman year. Single-handedly elevating the program, she had led them to a historic three-peat national championship, taking home the Finals MVP title three years in a row.
What made her achievement truly legendary was her position. In volleyball, the most valuable player award almost exclusively went to the main spikers—the ones delivering the high-flying, explosive kills that dominated the court but Ada was a setter. She didn't rely on brute power; she ruled the game through sheer intellect, flawless precision, and calculated strategy. She made the spikers look like stars, pulling the strings of every play with masterclass finesse.
She hadn't just won championships, she had completely rewritten the standard of the game.
And as Leon watched her call the fresh players to order, he knew that no matter how much she pushed him away, his admiration for her would never fade. Unlike Volleyball having three-peat on their belt the basketball team won last year's tournament but it was never simultaneously.
The whistle blew twice, signaling the main event of the tryout.
"Alright, gather around!" Coach Mia called out, waving her hand toward center court. "We’re wrapping up today's session with a scrimmage. Senior main roster on the left side, freshmen on the right side. Let's see how you handles real game pressure."
A wave of nervous excitement rippled through the freshmen. Grace adjusted her kneepads, taking a deep breath as she took her spot on the backline.
Across the net, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
Ada stepped onto the court, slipping into her position at the front-right as the starting setter. There was no casualness in Ada’s posture, the moment her feet touched the hardwood inside the boundary line, her eyes sharpened into pure, relentless focus.
The roster on the senior side of the net was nothing short of legendary.
It was the university's dream team, the very core that had brought home three consecutive national titles. Rebecca crouched low at the back in her contrasting libero jersey, her eyes darting across the court, ready to dig out anything that crossed the net. Up front, Sherry held down the block, while Jill and Claire stood poised on the wings as the primary offensive powerhouses. Ashley completed the backline defense, quick on her feet and always positioned right where she needed to be.
And at the heart of it all was Ada.
Up in the bleachers, the basketball team leaned forward.
"Oh, this isn't even fair," Carlos laughed, shaking his head. "They're putting the freshmen up against the three-time national champs?"
"Coach Mia wants to see who cracks under pressure," Luis said, resting his chin on his hands. "And facing Ada’s sets is the ultimate pressure test."
Leon remained silent, his gaze fixed entirely on number 1.
The game began.
"Serve's up!"
Ada stood on the end line, spinning the volleyball in her hands twice. She tossed it high, took three precise strides, and met the ball in the air with a loud crack. It was a jump float, it sailed flat across the net, suddenly dipping wildly at the last second.
The freshman passer lunged, but the ball clipped off her forearms and ricocheted toward the bleachers.
"Direct hit!" Carlos yelled from the second row, slapping Chris's shoulder. "That float serve is disgusting!"
"That main lineup is stacked," Chris agreed, shaking his head. "Jill, Rebecca, Sherry, Ada, Claire and Ashley locking down the entire floor as libero? The freshmen are getting an absolute trial by fire."
Down on the court, Grace managed to get a solid forearm pass off the next serve, sending a high ball toward the senior side.
Rebecca didn't even hesitate. She dove forward, sliding on her kneepads to make a flawless dig, popping the ball right up to the front-center.
Ada was already under it. She leaped into the air, holding her hands high. The freshmen blockers jumped early, anticipating a set to Jill on the outside but Ada held the ball on her fingertips for a split-second longer, freezing the defense mid-air, before flicking a soft, quiet dump shot right into the empty center of their court.
The ball bounced twice before anyone could react.
"Point, Seniors!"
Ada landed silently on the soles of her shoes, her posture composed and unbothered. She high-fived Sherry and Jill without missing a beat, calling out the next defensive formation.
For the next ten minutes, Ada ran a complete masterclass. She dismantled the freshmen's defense not with brute force, but with pure psychological warfare, disguising her passes until the very last millisecond, feinting a dump shot over the net when the block jumped too early, and placing sets so perfectly that her spikers barely had to adjust.
Yet, despite her ruthless play style, she wasn't cruel. Whenever Grace or other freshmen managed to dig one of her quick attacks or correctly read a set, Ada gave her a small, approving nod from across the net.
Up in the bleachers, Leon couldn't take his eyes off her. Watching her command players as strong as Jill, Sherry, Ashley, Rebecca, and Claire with just a glance or a slight movement of her wrist was breathtaking.
As the seniors rotated, Ada stepped back toward the serving mark once more. Before raising the ball, her eyes flicked upward toward the middle bleacher row, locking onto Leon's piercing blue eyes for just a heartbeat before she turned her attention back to the game. His heart skipped a beat.
Ada spun the ball in her hands, her expression unreadable. She tossed it high into the air, launched herself upward, and delivered another deadly jump float.
The ball crossed the net with terrifying speed, wobbling unpredictably before dropping like a stone right in front of the freshmen's front row. Grace dove frantically, her arms extended, but the ball scraped off her wrist and bounced out of bounds.
"Game set, Seniors!" Coach Mia blew the whistle, the shrill sound signaling the end of the scrimmage.
The gym erupted into cheers and polite applause from the spectators. The freshmen stood in a line, panting and flushed, but eyes wide with awe. Even after getting completely outplayed, getting to share a court with Ada, Jill, Claire, and the rest of the championship roster was a dream come true for them.
"Line up and shake hands!" Coach Mia instructed.
The two teams met at the net. Ashley slapped high-fives with Grace, grinning encouragingly. "Good hustle out there, rookie! Your digs are sharp."
"Thank you, Ashley!" Grace beamed, wiping sweat from her brow.
When Grace reached Ada, she bowed her head slightly in respect. "Thank you for the game, Captain Wong! I’ll work harder on my skills!"
Ada gave her a rare, faint nod of approval, her tone even. "You have good instincts, Ashcroft. Keep your focus on your footwork during lateral movement, and you'll make the main squad."
Grace’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning. "Yes, ma'am! Thank you!"
Up in the bleachers, Chris clapped Leon on the shoulder. "Your sister did great, man. Survived a full set against Ada’s offense without passing out."
"Yeah," Leon said softly, a small smile touching his lips as he watched Grace practically glowing from Ada's brief compliment.
The players began packing up their gear and grabbing water bottles. Ada unzipped her duffel bag on the bench, pulling out a white towel to dry her face.
"Hey, Leon!" Grace called out, waving as she bounded toward the bleachers. "Did you see that? Captain Wong told me I have good instincts!"
Leon chuckled, standing up and grabbing his duffel bag. "I saw, kiddo. You did great out there."
"Come down and say hi to the team!" Grace pulled on his arm, dragging him toward the court floor before he could object.
"Grace, wait—"
It was too late. Before Leon could pull back, Grace had already yanked him straight into the center of the bench area where the senior roster was gathering.
Ashley looked up first, a devious smirk instantly spreading across her face as her eyes darted from Leon to Ada, who was currently tying her shoelace.
"Well, well, well," Ashley sang out, crossing her arms. "Look who decided to grace us with his presence. Did you come to cheer for your little sister, Kennedy... or did you come for our setter?"
The gym suddenly went quiet enough to hear a pin drop, the surrounding chatter of packing backpacks evaporating into thin air.
Claire and Sherry quickly turned their head away to hide a snort, while Rebecca and Helena exchanged amused, knowing glances. Jill just leaned back against the referee stand, shaking her head with a faint smile at Ashley’s shameless shit-stirring.
Leon didn't flinch. He stayed completely calm, keeping his hands casually shoved into his hoodie pockets. "I came to watch my sister, Ashley. Some of us actually support our family."
"Ouch," Ashley chuckled, unbothered. "Defensive, aren't we?"
Ada didn't even stop zipping her bag. "Drop it, Ashley," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a straight razor. "We have a debriefing in five minutes."
"Just making conversation, Captain," Ashley replied smoothly, tossing her towel into her duffel with a playful wink at Leon.
Ada finally looked up, her eyes sliding past Ashley to settle directly on Leon. She was still slightly breathless from the play, a few stray dark strands framing her face, but her expression remained an impenetrable mask of composure.
"Good job today, Grace," Ada said, completely ignoring Leon's existence as if he were made of wind. "Make sure you stretch before you leave."
"Thank you, Captain Ada!" Grace beamed, completely oblivious to the thick, suffocating tension hanging between her brother and her idol.
Ada picked up her bag, threw it over her shoulder, and walked past them toward the exit without a second glance.
Leon watched her back as she pushed open the heavy double doors, the bright sunlight outside washing over her silhouette before the doors swung shut.
"Man," Carlos muttered, walking down from the bleachers and coming up beside Leon, whispering so the girls couldn't hear. "She's like an iceberg, Kennedy. You're gonna freeze to death if you keep standing that close."
Leon just stared at the closed doors for a second longer before pulling out his phone. He looked down at the empty chat screen, his thumb hovering over the display.
He knew she wanted distance. He knew she wanted him completely out of her orbit but as he looked at the boundary she kept drawing between them, his jaw tightened.
He locked his phone and put it away.
The cool night air bit through her thin pajamas as Ada walking down in the dimly lit pavement. She had no choice—the convenience store was five blocks away from her apartment, and her supplies were completely depleted. It was the first day of her cycle, and on top of the excruciating cramps, a feverish haze was beginning to settle behind her eyes.
Missing her classes tomorrow wasn't an option. She had quizzes to take, and a single slip in her attendance was a luxury her scholarship couldn't afford.
She let out a soft sigh, her warm breath blooming into the dark.
Between managing the team, running drills, and keeping up her pristine academic standing, her mind had been completely consumed for days she is so overwhelmed that basic necessities had slipped through the cracks but more than the stress of school, it was the memory of their rooftop argument that refused to leave her alone.
She hated how harsh she had been to him. He had sacrificed his own grades just to protect her scholarship, and in return, she had thrown his kindness right back in his face. She didn't want to justify her cruel words, but it terrified her how effortlessly her mask slipped off whenever Leon Kennedy was around. He unsettled her in a way no one else ever could.
He’s not the type of man I should be around, she thought bitterly.
Leon was too kind for her own good. She couldn't help but doubt herself constantly wondering if someone as guarded and distant as her could ever deserve a guy like him. He was just too good to be true, a stark contrast to the cold, self-reliant world she had built for herself.
Claire’s warning from yesterday suddenly echoed in her mind, sharp and haunting:
"At some point, you have to stop pushing people away who are obviously cares for you, Ada. You might regret it someday."
Ada gripped her arms tighter, trying to drown out the memory of Claire's voice but before she could take another step, a sudden, violent cramp shot through her lower stomach, combined with a sharp wave of fever-induced dizziness. Her vision blurred, and her knees buckled under her weight.
Ada gasped, her hands instinctively reaching out into the dark as she stumbled toward the pavement, one more block away from the store, alone in the middle of the night.
She braced herself for the impact with the hard concrete, but before she could hit the ground, a pair of strong hands caught her under her arms, hauling her back up effortlessly.
The sudden rush of warmth was jarring against the freezing night air.
"Woah, steady," a familiar, low voice cut through the dark.
Ada blinked through the feverish haze, her vision slowly focusing on a heavy black jacket, then up to a jawline she knew all too well, and finally meeting a pair of worried blue eyes.
Leon.
He was wearing a dark t-shirt under his jacket, his hair slightly messier than usual. He held her firmly by the waist and upper arm, keeping her weight entirely off her trembling legs.
"What are you doing out here in your pajamas?" he asked, his forehead creasing in deep concern as he took in her pale face and shivering frame before she could answer, his palm instinctively reached out, lightly touching her forehead.
His eyes widened slightly. "Ada, you're burning up."
"I'm fine," she rasped out automatically, her hand immediately rising to push his wrist away but her strength was completely drained, her hand barely brushed against his sleeve before dropping back down.
Leon didn't pull back. Instead, he looked at her frail posture, the way her hands were tightly clutched over her stomach, and then down at the direction she was walking. A soft look of realization washed over his face, mixed with frustration at her stubbornness.
"You're not fine," he said softly, his voice devoid of any anger from their argument on the roof.
Leon eased her down so her feet touched the ground, though he kept a firm hand on her shoulder to keep her steady against the lamppost.
Ada leaned heavily back against the cold metal, her breathing quick and shallow. The fever was making her lightheaded, and the sharp, unrelenting cramps in her lower abdomen made every breath feel like a chore.
She looked up at him, her dark eyes clouded with weakness, yet still burning with that stubborn pride. "It's... nothing you need to worry about, Kennedy."
"Ada," Leon sighed, stepping closer to block the chilly draft of wind. His gaze was steady, utterly patient. "You can barely stand up. Just tell me what you need from the store, I will buy it instead."
Ada bit her lower lip, turning her face away as a rare, faint flush of embarrassment crept onto her cheeks. She hated being vulnerable, hated having to explain herself, and hated even more that he was the one standing in front of her right now.
"Meds," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "Fever medication. And..."
"And?" Leon prompted gently, leaning in a fraction to hear her better.
"Pads," she snapped out, her gaze darting back to meet his with defensive defiance, waiting for him to get uncomfortable or laugh. "Sanitary pads. Satisfied?"
Leon didn't blink. Not a single trace of awkwardness crossed his face. Instead, his blue eyes softened, a look of pure understanding and concern replacing his previous worry.
"Got it," he said simply.
He unzipped his jacket and draped it over her shoulders before she could protest. The jacket was warm, holding his distinct scent, instantly shielding her from the biting night air.
His hands lingering on the jacket's collar for a second longer than necessary. "Give me five minutes. I'll buy everything."
Without waiting for her to argue because he knew she would try to, Leon turned around and jogged down the street toward the bright neon lights of the convenience store, leaving Ada standing under the lamppost and wrapped in his jacket.
Her pride screamed at her to head back to her apartment, lock the door, and manage on her own like she always did but her legs felt like jelly, and the sharp cramps made every step an ordeal. Sighing, she just waited.
True to his word, Leon came back to her less than five minutes later. He is carrying a plastic convenience store bag in one hand.
"Here," Leon said softly, He pulled out two packages of pads wing and not wings, he bought pain relievers and fever medicines, a cup noodles and a large bottle of water.
Ada looked down at the items inside the bag, then look up at him. She couldn't find her usual sharp retorts. "You bought both types?"
"I didn't know which ones you preferred," Leon admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a smile.
"Okay. Thank you," she said softly, her voice carrying a rare, quiet sincerity.
Instead of walking ahead, Leon turned his back to her and dropped down onto one knee. "Hop on."
"I can walk," Ada insisted, though her voice lacked its usual sharp edge.
"I know you can," Leon replied, glancing over his shoulder with patient eyes. "But please. Just hop on."
Ada stared at his broad back for a long second. The words Claire had spoken to her echoed in her mind once again: At some point, you have to stop pushing people away...
Slowly, carefully, Ada leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Leon slid his hands under her thighs, effortlessly lifting her up as he stood. His grip was firm, warm, and steady, taking her entire weight before she could even think to strain herself.
"Put the hood from my jacket over your head," he suggested, adjusting his hold as he began walking. "That way no one will see your face."
"It's fine... it's already two in the morning. The roads are empty," she murmured.
Exhaustion finally winning the battle against her pride, Ada rested her face in the crook of his neck and closed her eyes. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her, mixed with the soothing warmth of his jacket, made the heavy haze of her fever feel a little less suffocating.
Leon felt her body go soft against his back as she finally surrendered to the fatigue. He adjusted his stride, taking each step with careful, deliberate ease to keep from jostling her.
"I can take it from here," Ada said softly as they finally reached her apartment door.
Leon carefully dropped to one knee, lowering his center of gravity so she could slide down smoothly. Once her feet touched the floor, he released his hold on her, turning around to face her. He held out the plastic bag filled with her medicine and supplies.
"How much was all this?" she asked, reaching into her pocket as she took the bag.
"No, it's—"
"Leon!" She cut him off, her tone sharpening with a clear, warning edge despite her flushed, feverish cheeks.
Leon held up his hands in immediate surrender, letting out a defeated chuckle. "Fine. Fine. The receipt is in the bag."
Ada reached inside, pulled out the small slip of paper, and quickly scanned the total under the dim hallway light. Opening her wallet, she extracted the exact amount and held the cash out to him.
Leon looked down at the money in her hand, then back up at her tired face. Knowing better than to fight her on this and ruin the rare peace between them, he took the bills, letting his fingers lightly brush against hers.
"Thanks," Leon said, sliding the cash into his pocket. He gestured toward her door. "Now go inside, eat the noodles first before you take the meds."
Ada unlocked her door, the heavy frame clicking open. She paused at the threshold, holding the plastic bag close to her chest. She looked back at him, her eyes reflecting the quiet hallway light.
"Leon," she called out quietly before stepping inside.
He paused, turning his head. "Yeah?"
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft and entirely genuine. "And... I'm sorry about what happened in the rooftop."
A slow, genuine smile spread across Leon's face, "Apology not accepted, Ada."