Dear Reke, Hello, I know it's really out of the blue, but I decided to try writing you a letter. I've had trouble speaking about things face-to-face, so I thought maybe writing my thoughts and feelings would be at least a little bit easier. I'm sorry. I know you didn't deserve to be ghosted when you didn't do anything wrong. And you definitely didn't deserve to get snapped at like that. I was overreacting. Anyway, I really hope you have a nice day after reading this. Good luck with your soccer tournament! I'll try coming by to watch! P.S. If you write a response, just do the same and slip it into my locker. Zhang Ming
–
After finally going home, Reke was buzzing with energy before he finally opened it to read.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
He completely blanked out for a day or so afterward (good thing it was the weekend), his brain not being able to process anything else except the contents of the letter.
(A/N: These two just “No Thoughts, Head Empty” for each other fr)
Ccv rbbc fcbeut, Zbcvjs kjr olcjiis gluta jgbecv atf mbgcfg. Tfa ralii, tf mbeiv yjgfis kjla j rlcuif rfmbcv wbgf.
Ofaalcu bea j rtjxs ygfjat, Efxf qea vbkc atf ifaafg bc tlr vfrx.
Ktlr tjr yffc atf oloat alwf tf’r gfgfjv la. Ktf qjqfg jigfjvs tjr j mbeqif bo mgfjrfr ogbw tlw gfqfjafvis tbivlcu la lc tlr tjcvr.
But what can he do? It’s still the weekend and he can’t even go and try finding Zhang Ming until tomorrow.
(His family was very concerned but well, they chalked it up to ‘Ahh, teenagers’ mostly.)
He loved it. It was finally a way to look directly through Zhang Ming’s eyes and see a glimpse of his soul underneath the plain looks and the neutral deadpan he always seemed to wear.
He held on to it so much that it seemed to be seared right into his brain, his mind. He could almost see it when he closed his eyes, almost feel it as he rubbed his fingers.
Who was he kidding, what even is this poetic nonsense he’s thinking of? It’s not like him at all. But well, he’s never quite himself when it’s about Zhang Ming.
–
The weekend finally ends and he greets the start of Monday with something other than distaste for once.
It’s officially Sports Week in their school. Each Year Level is divided into different factions that compete with each other in the different sports categories available.
Each school year’s Sports Week Factions have different themes. This time it was apparently mythological creatures. He has no clue who brought up this idea and he was never interested in knowing until a soccer jersey for “Soaring Phoenix” was shoved into his arms by their coach.
Aside from soccer, there were also a lot more sports available. Like track and field for example. Speaking of track and field, Reke glances to the side at the small clusters of people loitering around.
Surprisingly, Elizabeth had steadily grown more and more well-known and popular. Well, it helps that she was nice enough with physically attractive qualities, Reke guesses. But, so are most people he would think. She doesn’t quite come across as that remarkable for him. She’s still the same exact awkward girl who would sit with him during lunchtime because she didn’t know anyone else.
Now though, she’s constantly surrounded. Sometimes he doesn’t know if she even knew most of the people around her. He would bet she didn’t.
There’s quite a mix of colors from all around the place. Each faction fell into their own color schemes to theme practically every inch of their being and items. From uniforms, jerseys, ribbons, pompoms, flags, balloons, decor, booths.
It was like a burst of rainbow all around the school.
While everyone was grouping up with friends and classmates, he was huddled around his own team as well.
“Remember! On three, we say— ‘Soaring Phoenix! CA-CAW!!!”
Reke turns to Mike, their team leader with narrowed eyes, “That is not what a phoenix would sound like.”
Mike sighed, you could practically see him holding back a roll of his eyes, “Then what, exactly, would a phoenix sound like Reke?”
Well, he doesn’t actually know but— “Anything other than ‘ca-caw’, clearly.” He says making quotation marks in the air with his fingers.
“If no one has any other actual ideas, we’ll stick with this, alright? Alright.” Mike says.
He deadpans when all their teammates just shrug and nod.
Eventually, they move through the school towards their playing area. They pass by the main hall to see the itinerary for the Sports Week.
That’s when one of the flyers pinned to the board catches his eye.
Wait, what. Nobody told him Zhang Ming tried out for the chess tournaments!
His name, right there on the list of players scheduled this afternoon. Damn it, it’s run time would be in the middle of his own soccer tournament.
He would’ve loved to see Zhang Ming play. He didn’t know Zhang Ming played chess, but when he thinks about it some more, it kind of makes sense to him in a way.
Still, he hopes he gets to see the honey-blonde today, even if just for a second.
Once they get to the playing field, he looks around and tries to find Zhang Ming from the crowd.
And when he catches sight of him, his breath catches in his throat.
The sun started setting, and where the boy was sitting made the light hit him just right.
The orange glow shines on the boy’s honey-blonde hair, and Reke can’t help but think it looks like his hair was made of flames.
“SOARING PHOENIX! CA-CAW!!!” His team cheers behind him.
And it clicks.
Oh, Zhang Ming kind of reminds him of a phoenix.
This author has something to say:
Hey peeps! I’ve recently also just published a new novel!
If you’re anyway interested, click here for the link: “Ready to Take, Ready to Break”
It hasn’t been officially announced on Discord since it’s still in que, but I already have the Prologue up, to be followed soon after with the first chapter right after this chapter of BCD goes up!
(Edit: There was a few details I seemed to have forgotten to change based off my last revision, I edited it accordingly hehe)
Yup, that letter waa useless lol
Thx for the ch ٩(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )و
was*
Well at least he has not yet caused problems
Thank you so much for the chapter!!
Thanks for the chapter 💜
He down bad 😔