This afternoon, the Angkasa High School basketball team practiced with the Nusantara High School team. Angkasa High School's indoor basketball stadium was already packed with spectators from both schools. Kai didn't want to miss the opportunity. As a "good boyfriend," he arrived early so he could get a front-row seat in the bleachers. He wanted to show Ray that he would always support Ray when he played basketball. This was all an act, but Kai was going to give it his all and play the perfect boyfriend.
Ray looked confident in his red number 21 jersey. His hair, usually neatly styled, was now damp with sweat, and several strands fell over his eyes as he dribbled the ball low. Shouts calling his name echoed through every corner of the stadium. Ray had been famous for a long time. Lots of girls idolized him.
A player from Nusantara High School tried to guard him tightly, double-teaming him, but Ray only flashed a faint grin. With a deadly crossover, he blew past his opponent. When he jumped for a layup, his body seemed to float in the air for a moment before the ball sailed smoothly into the hoop without touching the rim at all. Perfect...
Kai clapped and rose from his seat. Without hesitation, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Raynald Argantara... Come on, babe! I love you!"
A bunch of spectators immediately turned to look at him, including the Angkasa High School players and the Nusantara High School players. Ray went still, his hands clenching into fists. His expression showed how much he disliked it. He had already warned Kai to keep their relationship a secret. But that guy seemed determined to embarrass him.
"Wow, our captain has a hardcore fanboy," Angga teased with a huge grin.
Marvel didn't miss his chance, either. He patted Ray on the shoulder with a knowing smile. "Kai's totally obsessed with you, Ray."
Ray stared at Kai from the middle of the court. His lips pursed and his eyes widened as if he were ready to swallow Kai whole. What made him even more annoyed was that it wasn't just his teammates teasing him—the players from Nusantara High School joined in, laughing in a way that sounded like mockery.
After practice ended and the locker room had emptied out, Ray didn't waste the chance to talk to Kai alone. That cute guy had been waiting for Ray ever since Ray first entered the locker room.
Ray, who had been bottling up his anger since practice, shoved his secret boyfriend until his body was pressed against the locker wall.
Kai stared in startled fear at the flash of anger in Ray's eyes. His face turned bright red. Ray slammed his fist into the locker wall beside Kai's head, making Kai's heart pound even harder. He was afraid Ray wouldn't be able to control his anger.
"Why did you yell from the bleachers?" Ray raised his voice. He glared at Kai, who stared back at him with an innocent look.
"Did you do that on purpose to embarrass me?" Ray's voice was still sharp. Both his hands were clenched into fists. His eyes never left his secret boyfriend.
Kai sighed. He had expected Ray to get angry. His fear had come true. Kai looked at Ray with all the innocence he could muster. His eyes grew glassy.
"Was I wrong for supporting my own boyfriend?"
Ray fell silent. The anger that had just been boiling over evaporated. Kai's innocent expression and tear-filled eyes made Ray unable to bring himself to stay angry.
"You don't know what it feels like to be treated like you don't matter." Tears gathered in the corners of Kai's glistening eyes. "It hurts, Ray," he finished.
Ray swallowed. He couldn't stand seeing Kai cry.
"Sorry... It's not that I don't consider you important. But we agreed to keep this relationship secret." Ray lowered his voice. He looked at Kai more gently.
The two of them stared at each other in silence, with only the sound of their breathing between them. Ray's gaze focused on Kai's lips, which were still red and slightly swollen. Guilt slowly began to grow inside him.
Ray worked up the courage to carefully brush his fingers over Kai's lips, afraid his touch would hurt him even more.
"Do your lips still hurt?" Ray asked softly.
Kai nodded slowly. "A little." Kai looked even cuter with his pouty attitude and soft, quiet voice.
Ray sank into Kai's sad-looking eyes. Kai's innocent expression stripped away all his defenses. He felt even guiltier.
"Tomorrow night, let's go see a movie, okay?" Ray said, still studying every detail of Kai's pale face as Kai looked at him.
"But don't pull anything like you did earlier." Ray emphasized every word.
He moved his face closer to Kai's, making the cute guy grow even more flustered and breathless. Ray whispered into Kai's ear, "If you pull anything, your lips are going to get even more swollen from my kisses."
Kai gave him a faint smile, looking at Ray with feelings he couldn't define. Even after he finally left the locker room, those feelings continued to hold him captive.
'I can't fall in love with Ray. I was only acting just now. I'm straight. Remember the mission... I have to pretend that I really love Ray.'
Meanwhile, Ray stood lost in thought in the locker room. He hated how the scent of Kai's cologne and the memory of Kai's sad gaze lingered, throwing his thoughts into chaos. He hated that he kept remembering that kiss, and throughout his conversation with Kai, he couldn't stop looking at those flushed lips.
Ray rubbed his face. 'Isn't he my boyfriend? So it's okay for me to think about him. I just can't fully trust him yet. And I won't fall until his feelings are absolutely clear and truly meant for me. Kai will be the one to fall first.'