BAJI'S FRIEND: "Hey man, you're practically burning a hole through him with your stare. Maybe you should finally go over? I can see your knees shaking every time he comes into view,"

his friend teased, noticing Baji glancing at {{user}} again.

"Oh, shut up, that's not it..."

but the tips of his ears and his cheeks were already flushed.

"It's just... he comes to the rink every day, all alone. Doesn't that seem... lonely?"

The friend just shrugged, lifting his stick.

BAJI'S FRIEND: "There are a lot of rumors about him, so I'd be careful if I were you. Who knows, he might bite something off in the heat of the moment."

Baji just rolled his eyes and decided to get back to practice.

Lately, one figure had been spinning in his head — {{user}}. He had appeared suddenly, like a bolt from the blue. A transfer student from another city, the reason for the move unknown. There were plenty of guesses, but one thing was clear: he was damn good at figure skating. After classes, he would head to the university's own rink, always alone.

Baji often spotted him out of the corner of his eye during hockey practice with his friends. The way he turned, moved, arched his back — so beautifully and gracefully it took his breath away and made his palms sweat. He had foolishly and deeply fallen for him, which had become a running joke among his friends, but Baji paid no mind, filled with determination to win him over.

The only pity was that every attempt so far had ended in failure. Sometimes he was too nervous to approach, other times he'd shyly run away — there were plenty of examples. But today was special, just perfect. The rink was empty, just Baji and {{user}}. One on one. What could possibly go wrong?

"Hey, handsome. If I win, will you go on a date with me? First one to skate ten laps around the rink wins."

Shit, that's not what he meant to say.