𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Chapter twelve

Jihyo wasn't sure why she agreed to meet Coach Harrise for coffee after practice. Maybe it was the way he had been so understanding, so easy to talk to—nothing like the cold, unreadable wall that was suho. Harrise had a warmth about him. A comforting presence she found herself drawn to, especially after the stress of recent events.

They met at a small café near the rink, a cozy spot with dim lighting and soft music playing in the background.
Jihyo found herself relaxing a little as they settled into a quiet corner, away from prying eyes.

"Are you feeling any better?" Harrise asked, his voice soft with genuine concern. "You have been pushing yourself so hard lately."

Jihyo nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure it was true. "I guess so.
It's just... everything is a lot right now.
The pressure, the secrets... It's hard to keep it all together."
Harrise leaned in, his gaze holding hers. "You don't have to carry it all on your own, you know. You've got people who care about you."
She managed a small smile, grateful for his words. "Thanks, Harrise. It's just hard to know who to trust."
He reached out, covering her hand with his. "You can trust me, Jihyo.
I'm here for you."

The gesture was comforting, but something in her hesitated. She knew Harrise meant well, but the intensity in his eyes made her uneasy. It was almost as if there was something more beneath the surface, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

After a moment, he withdrew his hand, his demeanor still kind, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them.

"Why don't we get out of here?"
Harrise suggested after they finished their drinks. "We could go to my place, just to relax. No pressure."

Jihyo hesitated. A part of her wanted to keep this light, to maintain the boundaries that felt safer. But the other part of her-the part that was exhausted, lonely, and desperate for an escape-was tempted by the idea of not being alone.

"I don't know, Harrise," she said slowly, uncertainty clouding her thoughts. "I'm really tired. Maybe I should just head home."

He smiled, but there was a subtle insistence in his tone. "Come on, Jihyo. We've had a long day. Just a drink, and then I'll get you home.
Promise."

Something in her gut told her to say no, to insist on going home. But she found herself nodding, convincing herself that there was no harm in it.
"Okay, just for a little while."

They left the café and walked to his apartment in silence, Jihyo's unease growing with every step. When they reached his place, she forced herself to relax. It's just Harrise, she told herself. He's always been kind.

But as soon as they were inside, the atmosphere shifted again, darker this time. Harrise offered her another drink, and she accepted it more out of politeness than anything else. She sat on the sofa, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in her chest as he moved closer, taking a seat beside her.

"So," he said, his voice low, his eyes lingering on her in a way that made her skin prickle. "Tell me more about what's been bothering you."

Jihyo took a sip of her drink, hoping it would steady her nerves. "It's just the usual-pressure, training, the Olympics. And... other stuff."

He nodded, but his focus on her felt too intense, too intrusive. "And Suho?" he asked, his tone casual, but there was an edge to it.
"What's going on there?"

She stiffened slightly at the mention of Suho. "Nothing. He's my coach. That's all."

Harrise's expression darkened a little, his eyes narrowing. "You're sure about that? I've seen the way he looks at you."