The transparent sunlight glittered in the woman’s blue eyes. Before this enthusiastic audience, Russell Junior felt strangely parched.

After taking a sip of whiskey with ice, he heightened the atmosphere and began to speak about the play of Princess Annblin, the all-time record holder.

A short while later, a whiskey-filled pumpkin-colored glass and a long glass of soda were placed on the table.

“Edgar was on the verge of falling out already.”

Of course, it was a lie.

Surely, Edgar wouldn’t have done that. But well, in a tiger-free den, a fox is king.

Russell Junior rolled up his sleeves, flexed the muscles in his strong arms, and lowered his voice while stroking his chin.

“His breathing got erratic. His eyes widened. It was over.”

“So?”

“I could have cornered him and finished it in one blow. But of all things.”

“Of all things?”

Olivia widened her eyes.

“My shoelace came undone. Ahaha!”

“Really?”

“Life is a joke of the gods. Edgar, that guy, probably wanted to match his lips with my untied shoelace. Ahaha!”

Russell Junior laughed cheerfully. Olivia couldn’t help but burst into laughter as well.

Behind, a snickering laugh, almost mocking, was heard at that moment.

As Russell Junior’s face above Olivia’s head slowly lost its laughter, it suddenly stiffened.

“…….”

Why is he suddenly like this?

Puzzled, Olivia slowly turned her head.

A man in a sky-blue top, white pants, and a boater on his head was walking towards them. One hand in his pocket, the man’s lively footsteps approaching them were pleasant to hear.

“Edgar?”

Surprised, Olivia called his name. At the same time, Russell Junior turned bluish.

Pathetic guy.

Edgar’s gaze looking down at Russell Junior was like that.

The fox who had been thriving in a tiger-free den suddenly averted his gaze like a tail between his legs.

“Long time no see, Russell Junior.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Where did the previous humor go? As if forgetting that he was in front of a lady, Russell Junior stammered in response. Edgar chuckled at the sight.

Since the truth of that day couldn’t be confirmed immediately, it was a suitable topic for teasing the woman in front of them. Especially if she was deeply into tennis.

Edgar placed his hand on the backrest of the chair where Russell Junior sat. With the other hand holding the table, he slowly bent his upper body. Russell Junior, surprised, shrank away as Edgar forced himself closer.

“Why were your shoelaces untied?”

Edgar whispered in his ear.

“Go on, Russell Junior.”

The low voice seeped into the midday sunlight. The fierce battle cries of the practicing players gradually faded away.

“Why so quiet?”

Smiling, Edgar squeezed Russell Junior’s shoulders with the hand that held the backrest.

“Suddenly lost your memory?”

“Oh, no.”

As he tried to get up, Russell Junior’s buttocks jerked. Edgar tightened his grip on Russell Junior’s shoulder with force. Ugh, Russell Junior let out a groan.
“Then tell me. It seems a bit different from what I remember.”

Edgar tilted his head, looking at Olivia. Meeting his sharp gaze, Edgar let out a sigh. Russell Junior suddenly stood up.

“My father was looking for me. I forgot.”

Russell Junior quickly picked up his belongings. Perplexed, Olivia glanced at Edgar and asked Russell Junior.

“What about the meal? Coach.”

Coach.

At Olivia’s firm words, Edgar’s lips curved slightly.

Choosing that kind of arrogance over a perfectly fine spine.

“Oh, sorry. I have to go first. See you, Edgar.”

Hastily putting on his hat, Russell Junior quickly exited the deck, carrying his racket bag.

“That was too much.”

Olivia said firmly.

Edgar, sitting down, took off his boater and placed it on the chair while smiling.

“Why are you listening to such nonsense?”

“It’s fun.”

“I didn’t send you for a date.”

“I was managing my stamina.”

“With whiskey?”

Laughter sparkled in Edgar’s eyes.

“Oh, that’s Coach’s.”

The conversation paused for a moment as footsteps echoed on the deck. A staff member brought a large dish to the table.

Olivia cut the small pieces of white fish and put them in her mouth. Edgar, holding a glass of white wine in one hand, rested his chin casually.

“So, how’s the practice with Coach going?”

“Of course. Better than when hitting against the wall.”

Edgar’s low laughter scattered in the breeze. The curls of the woman facing him lightly swayed as she smiled back.

Olivia tucked her hair, brushed away by a white hand, behind her ear. The exposed nape under the ear looked unusually pale.

Because of that, the transparent veins were visible, pulsating distinctly. Edgar’s gaze, strangely stimulated, lingered on the blue veins.

When Olivia’s eyes met Edgar’s again, a moment of silence passed.

A brief silence flowed.

In the deep blue-green world, as if only the two of them existed, Olivia felt breathless.

The skin, moderately tanned by the sun, seemed robust. Beneath the graceful and firm jawline. Above the white shirt with a subtle blue tint.