CHAPTER 18: CONFRONTATION

What happened to you, Semiel? You weren't like this.

Saval couldn't stop thinking about the call he had just had with his best friend.That tone of voice… he was definitely hiding something. The real question was—what?

I have to figure it out, but first, I need to understand what's going on. This is the first time I've felt anxious about meeting him.

—Has it been five minutes already? He should be here by now. Where is he?

—I'm here, Saval.

A voice came from behind him.

Semiel stepped out from behind a bush, his face unreadable. No tension, no frustration—nothing that could give Saval a clue about what was running through his mind.

—Semiel, tell me the truth. What's going on?

—I already told you, Saval, it's personal. Calm down, it's nothing important.

—SEMIEL, TELL ME WHAT IT IS.

The frustration boiled over. Saval couldn't hold it in anymore.

—Saval, don't shout. I'm not deaf.

—B-but… what's wrong with you?

—Nothing. Nothing's wrong.

—Semiel, I've known you for years. Don't give me that. Something is going on, and you can tell me.

—I don't understand why this is such a big deal to you. I already told you—it was just a conversation.

—Don't lie to me.

Saval cut him off, feeling his patience slipping away.

—It wasn't just any conversation if she called you "puppy." It wasn't just any conversation if you both decided to keep it from me.

Semiel frowned, as if carefully choosing his words.

—We didn't hide anything from you. I just didn't see a reason to bring it up. And the nickname… are you seriously making a scene over that?

—It's not just about the nickname, Semiel.

Saval took a step forward, forcing him to meet his gaze.

—It's about you hiding something from me. I can feel it. I always do.

Semiel didn't answer immediately. He stared at him for a few seconds before shaking his head with a disbelieving smile.

—You're an idiot.

—And you're a liar.

—I'M NOT LYING!

Semiel raised his voice—something he almost never did. But instead of stopping, he pressed on.

—You've already decided what you want to believe, haven't you? No matter what I say, you'll only listen if it fits what's already in your head.

—I don't want lies. I want the truth.

Saval's voice was sharp, unwavering.

—If there's nothing to hide, then tell me what you and Antonella talked about.

Semiel looked away for a moment, as if searching for an escape from this conversation. But there wasn't one. Eventually, he sighed and met Saval's gaze again.

—We were talking about you.

Saval felt his chest tighten.

—About me?

—About what you feel for her. About what she feels for you. And about what she really wants.

A cold shiver ran down Saval's spine. Every word from Semiel hit him like ice water.

—And what does she really want?

Semiel stayed silent for a moment before answering. And when he finally did, his voice was lower, more serious.

—She doesn't know. Or at least, that's what she told me. But... it seemed like she was waiting for someone to make the decision for her.

—And did you want to be that someone?

Saval's gaze locked onto Semiel's. And for the first time in this entire conversation, he saw something in his friend's eyes that unsettled him.

Doubt. Guilt.

—Saval…

—Answer me, Semiel. Did you want to be the one?

The silence that followed was louder than any response. Because in that silence was Semiel's answer.

Saval felt a weight in his chest, making it hard to breathe. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. But there it was.

Semiel didn't need to say anything else. Saval already understood everything.

He took a step back, as if putting distance between them would help him process it. But it didn't. All he felt in that moment was rage, betrayal, and a deep sting of sadness he wasn't ready to face.

Semiel kept looking at him, as if waiting for him to say something. But Saval couldn't find the words. Not now. Not after what he had just realized.

So he simply turned around and started walking away.

—I don't know why you did this, but I see now that I was wrong about you. I trusted you.

—Saval… I—

—Goodbye, Semiel. Tomorrow is the tournament. I'll see you there. And after that… don't ever show your face to me again.

His voice was filled with anger.

And then he left.

Quickly, without hesitation, leaving Semiel standing there, alone.

He didn't want to hear him anymore.

At least, not for the rest of the day.