𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Chapter Four

(Song recommended: Hall of fame by the script)

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the rink's waiting area, casting long shadows on the floor as
Jihyo limped in, her ankle still tender but improving. Despite her injury, the excitement for the upcoming Olympics was palpable, and the atmosphere in the rink had shifted with the arrival of new faces.

As Jihyo approached the rink, she noticed a group of people huddled near the coaches' office, their animated conversation and laughter a stark contrast to the usual quiet of the rink. Her curiosity piqued, she slowly made her way over, trying not to wince with each step.

"Hey, Jihyo!" called out Clara Donovan, a fellow skater and longtime rival, as she spotted Jihyo approaching. Clara was known for her grace on the ice and her friendly demeanor off it, but there was a competitive edge to her smile.

"Clara," Jihyo greeted, forcing a smile despite her lingering discomfort. "What's going on?"

Clara's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's the Olympic team introductions! We've got new coaches and a few new skaters joining us for the final preparations."

Jihyo glanced at the group, spotting a tall, athletic man with striking features and a warm smile, who was talking animatedly with a petite woman beside him. The man was introducing himself to a small crowd, his demeanor friendly and confident. The woman, standing quietly, was scribbling notes on a clipboard.

Clara followed Jihyo's gaze. "That's Coach Ethan Harris. He's one of the new trainers brought in for the Olympic team, and that's his assistant, Lily Carter. They've been working with the team for a few days now."

As if on cue, Coach Harris turned and extended a hand to Jihyo. "You must be Jihyo Choi. I've heard a lot about you."

Jihyo shook his hand, noting the firm grip and the genuine warmth in his eyes. "Nice to meet you, Coach Harris. I'm looking forward to working with you."

"Likewise," Coach Harris replied, his smile widening. "And this is Lily. She'll be handling your off-ice training and recovery."

Lily looked up from her clipboard and offered a friendly smile. "Hi, Jihyo. I've read your profile and I'm excited to help you with your preparations."

Jihyo nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. New faces meant new expectations, and the pressure of the Olympics loomed large. As she glanced around, she noticed another figure standing slightly apart from the group— a man in his mid-thirties, dressed in a tailored suit and carrying a leather briefcase. He was observing the interactions with a keen interest, his expression serious but thoughtful.

Clara leaned in and whispered, "That's Jonathan West, the new Olympic team manager. He's here to make sure everything runs smoothly and that all the logistics are in place."

Jihyo nodded, her curiosity about Jonathan mingling with her nervous anticipation. "Does everyone on the team have to work with these new coaches?"

Clara's smile faltered slightly. "Not everyone. Some skaters are sticking with their current coaches, but the new additions are supposed to bring fresh perspectives and strategies. It's a bit of a shake-up, but hopefully, it'll help us all perform at our best."

Before jihyo could respond, Suho appeared at the edge of the group, his gaze fixed on Jihyo with an unreadable expression. The sight of him—so familiar yet so distant—reminded her of their earlier confrontation.

"Everyone," Suho's voice cut through the chatter, "gather around. I need to talk to you about the upcoming training schedule and the changes."

The group fell silent as they turned their attention to him, their previous excitement replaced by a collective focus. Suho's presence was commanding, and even Coach Harris and Lily seemed to defer to him, though they exchanged glances that hinted at their own thoughts about the changes.