Love, Not War (Book 2)

Chapter 52

The teammates laughed, clapping Felix on the back, happy he didn't give in to Yeo-sang's provocation.

"Who are you calling a child!" Yeo-sang exploded, clutching the net. "Are you insane!"

Felix paid him no mind and continued to do some warm up exercises. Being ignored, Yeo-sang's rage grew further for it made him look like a complete fool. He had always been arrogant and proud, wanting people to fear him. And the only person he never succeeded in scaring was Felix. He wanted to bring Felix down to his knees.

"You just wait!" he hissed, seething with anger. "I'll make you regret what you just said!". Then he stormed back to his team.

Chan was quite surprised that someone had beef with Felix. "Who was that?" he asked.

Hyunjin sighed. "His name is Kang Yeo-sang. An insufferable brat if you ask me. He hates Felix"

"That's obvious" Chan looked at the blonde guy thoughtfully. "What was all that he said about beating Felix three years in a row?"

Hyunjin proceeded to explain. "Well even though he's really annoying, the kid is pretty good at volleyball but Felix beat him once in high school and it became a rivalry of some sorts. I heard it was an important game for him and Felix gave him a really hard time because he blocked most of his spikes causing him to lose. He has daddy issues and his dad went to watch him play for the first time. Unfortunately, he lost woefully. Then they got into college and Felix couldn't beat him again. It's been like that for three years now. No matter how many matches, official or not, Yeo-sang's team always beats Felix's"

"But why?" Chan asked, worried. "It bothers Felix. He's hiding it well but I can tell"

Hyunjin sighed and shrugged. "No idea. Maybe he doesn't practice enough?"

Chan watched Felix, feeling conflicted. He really wished he could help him.

"Before the match starts, why don't you go over and give him some encouragement? Maybe he'll be gingered to play well" Hyunjin suggested but Chan shook his head. "I'll add to his pressure. He's already scared. Besides, I'm just a stranger to him"

"And that's what you'll continue to be if you don't make a move" Hyunjin said. He looked at Felix and saw nothing but confidence. Then again, he could be feigning it just like Chan said. "Hey he invited you to watch this match for a reason and it's not for him to fail. He wants to impress you and now that his spirits are low, you're gonna let him play like that?"

Chan was at a loss. "Bu-"

"No buts" Hyunjin cut him off. "Felix needs you. Stop treading on eggshells around him. He doesn't remember the past so you don't have to be so careful with him. You both have a thing for each other so why not just come out and say it like it is? Be a man you idiot. Go there right now and encourage him"

But before Chan could rise from his seat, a whistle was blown, indicating the commencement of the game. Chan groaned. He was too late.

Hyunjin sighed, patting Chan on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll get to talk to him during their break or a timeout"

They both watched as Felix spiritlessly took his stance.

Felix's position was the wing spiker. Compared to Chan, Felix wasn't really tall but he was tall enough to spike a ball over the net and he did it successfully each time. Felix's team was on the lead and it was making Felix feel good.

Chan felt really proud of Felix. Every time he spiked the ball and it touched the opposite court, there was a kind of surging feeling he felt inside. It was vibrating through his entire body, as if he should just jump up and shout Felix's name but he didn't. He doubted Felix would even hear him over the screams of the females that came to watch.

A few minutes later, that feeling slowly receeded, replaced with a hot blazing anger.

It was Kang Yeo-sang's turn to serve and he directed every one of his serves at Felix. His serves were very powerful and fast. Felix couldn't receive them at all. The balls always hit Felix first then fall outside the court.

Kang Yeo-sang had served five times in a row already and Felix had bruises on five different places on his body. Chan now understood. Felix wasn't a bad receiver. It was just that he couldn't receive Kang Yeo-sang's balls because they were too fast and too strong. Even if he meant to hit the ball up, the pain of being hit will scatter his thoughts, causing him to lose concentration.

"Fuck!" Chan cursed, agitated. "What is wrong with their coach? Felix is getting hurt. He should call a timeout!"

Six. Seven. Eight more balls.

Chan couldn't take it anymore. He stalked over to the coach who was a 40 year old man with a pot belly and yanked him by the collar of his shirt. "Call a timeout! Can't you see that one of your players is getting hurt!"

The coach's chubby face went red with anger. "Who are you? How dare you touch me?"

Chan didn't have time for nonsense. Not while Felix was getting hurt. He tightened his hold on the collar, effectively strangling the coach. Then he lowered his head and spoke in a sinister tone. "I said, call, a timeout"

Unable to breath, the coach quickly did as he was told. He signalled the referee and the whistle was blown, indicating a timeout. Chan flung the coach away and rushed towards Felix who was rubbing his elbow but trying not to show his pain.

"Felix" Chan called, pulling him into his arms. "Are you okay?" He started to inspect Felix's body and sure enough, there were bruises all over his arms. Chan felt distressed. He wanted to beat up Kang Yeo-sang and he also wanted to stay and comfort Felix.

Felix pulled away with a shaky smile. "I'm fine. They don't hurt that much. I mean, this is normal in every game"

"He's targeting you" Chan said. "How is that normal?

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