Rock Sugar And Pear Stew | L.K Adaptation

Chapter 42

"What are all of you doing?" Coach Park asked, "Who allowed you to stop?"

A girl piped up, "Coach Park, are you really going to let that snail sign up for the 'Ascendance Cup?' When the time comes, it'll be our RCU speed skating team that she is embarrassing!"

Everyone guffawed with laughter.

Coach Park felt her head hurt. "Carry out another 20 sets".

The rowdy laughter turned into anguished wails.

____

After leaving the speed skating practice venue, she ran into the ice hockey practice venue and nearly bumped into someone.

Manager Song was on the phone and was startled by Lisa. He covered the receiver and looked at her with a questioning look in his eyes.

"I'm looking for Jungkook" Lisa said.

"He is in the changing room. You can wait for him outside", Manger Song pointed in a direction as he replied, "Walk straight and turn right. It's the second door" He then continued his call.

....

Ice hockey stick in hand, Jungkook strode out of the changing room after changing into his gears. He immediately spotted Lisa standing outside the door. She leaned against the wall, her body slightly slumped. Her head was lowered and lost in thoughts, presenting Jungkook with a clear view of her jet-black hair.

Jungkook did not see her face. However, he could recognize her from the top of her head alone.

"Lisa"

"Ah?"

Lisa raised her head and found her vision filled with a figure.

Fully decked in protective ice hockey gears and wearing his skates, Jungkook appeared especially tall and sturdy like a small mountain. As he stood in front of her at a close distance, Lisa had difficulty looking at him in the face. She struggled to stretch her head as high as she could. Only when he upper body and the back of her head was pressed tightly against the wall could she barely manage to see his face.

Jungkook lowered his head to look at her. The way she stretched her head with enthusiasm felt like she was seeking a kiss. Through the visor, Jungkook's eyes flitted across her adorable and her plump lips. His pupils dilated subconsciously.

Lisa's gaze was a little unfocused as her thoughts seemed to wander.

Jungkook teased her on purpose. "Lisa, you actually peek at me while I was changing".

"I didn't".

Her temper did not flare nor did she characteristically jump down his throat. This Lisa seemed like a fake. Jungkook was somewhat caught off guard and stared at her curiously. "What's wrong with you?"

"Jungkook, why did you fork out money for my speed skating?" Lisa asked.

"I just feel that it's a bit of a pity if you don't skate anymore" Jungkook answered. Then, memory struck him and he grinned. "Do you remember when we were in primary 3, you said that you were going to join the Winter Olympics and make our country proud?"

Back then, she had just won a prize in a competition. She would hold her darned trophy and flaunt it to him every day while boasting excessively. All of her prize money was splurged on Kinder Joys, resulting in so many Kinder Joys that it took her more than a week to finish them.

Back then, he kept looking forward to the day when he could enter ice hockey competitions and win an even better prize that could shut her up.

Back then, day after day, she stole his Hot-kid milk. Back then, his biggest wish was to become taller than Lisa. Back then....

Back then....

....

Lisa was a bit embarrassed after hearing Jungkook's words. "Let's not mention something that happened in primary 3".

"Too bad for you, then. I have a naturally great memory". Jungkook pointed his head. He lowered his voice. "What should be remembered it's all in my head now".

Lisa suddenly recalled something and asked, "Is it that you don't even have enough money left to top up your meal card? Jungkook, are you stupid? Forking out such a large sum of money like this without even mentioning it to me".

"It's nothing. I'll wait for you to return me the money after you win it back in competitions. It's not like I would have made a loss".

To be honest, Jungkook could simply ask his parents for money but he did not wish to do so. He had planned to take up a part-time job for a few days while waiting for the following month's allowance. As the ice hockey team's core player, the allowance he received was much higher than the rest.

Lisa asked, "How are you so sure that I can definitely win it back in competitions? I haven't skated for so long".

"I believe in you".

"Why?"

"Probably because...." Jungkook thought for a while before he grinned and quoted her, "You have an unbreakable spirit".

Lisa raised her head to look at him. Without saying anything, she merely gazed at him for a while. The next moment, her lively eyes reddened and were slowly coated with a watery sheen. Under the bright light from the ceiling, the welling tears glistened.

This was a side of Lisa that Jungkook rarely saw. He felt a light ache in his heart though feather-light, this ache felt so painful that it seemed to want his life. He stared her doe eyes, at a loss what to do. "You...."

Lisa was a little embarrassed. She ducked her head and avoided looking at him.

"Jungkook, I'm actually not as strong as I look". She sad in a small voice.

In fact, she had not been doing so well these few days. She was way behind on her school assignments and had to meet the intensive training requirements. This was making her feel anxious, upset, and unable to fall asleep at night. She would experience bouts of crankiness and sometimes be overwhelmed with self-doubt. Yet she still had to put on a front and pretend that she was fine. With all the negative feelings buried in her heart, she was driving herself nuts.

At a time like this, having someone who believed in her unconditionally was way beyond significant to her.

"Thank you" Lisa said at last. Without raising her head, she turned and left.

Jungkook lowered his head and looked at the spot that Lisa was standing at. On the light grey floor were a few dark spots stained by water droplets.

He watched her leaving figure. Only when she was a distance away did he murmur, "Then why not pledge yourself to me Lili...."