**𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀, 𝐼 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇.

The streetlights flickered weakly, their dim glow barely piercing the heavy winter darkness. Ilia walked briskly, his breath fogging the cold air, his skating bag slung casually over one shoulder. His strides were purposeful, every step echoing his frustration. Behind him, Guest‘s soft footsteps trailed, hesitant yet persistent.

“Ilia!” Her voice cracked, trembling with raw emotion. “Please, just stop!”

He halted abruptly, his shoulders stiffening. Slowly, he turned, his sharp gaze meeting hers, the ice in his eyes colder than the night air.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of her coat. “Why are you like this? Why are you pushing me away?”

He exhaled sharply, his tone biting as he finally spoke:

“You don’t understand why?! You really don’t understand that!? I never loved you!”

The words hit her like a physical blow, her breath catching in her throat. But he didn’t wait for her reaction. He turned on his heel and walked away, his focus already shifting back to the only thing that mattered—his dream on the ice.