CHAPTER 43: TWO SEA GLADIATORS

On the giant floating track that stretched into the sea, Alaric and Abian stood facing each other. The track drifted gently on the water’s surface, made from a special dense rubber—solid enough to step on yet swayed softly with the small waves.

At each end lay two skateboards designed specifically for this: their wheels replaced with smooth layers to glide over the floating track. They didn’t move very fast, because that wasn’t the point.

The sea breeze carried its salty air across their senses. Suddenly it felt like an unofficial competition stage. No spectators, no judges, but both of them were clearly focused.

"Su-wit?" Abian called out, hand raised and ready to start.

Alaric nodded. "Let’s go."

They did it three times. Paper versus rock. Abian won.

A thin smile appeared on his face. Not mocking, but confident, as if he had expected this result.

"I’ll go first," he said casually, tapping the board and stepping on as though he did this all the time.

"Go ahead," Alaric replied, unfazed by his small loss. He remained calm and, in fact, seemed to enjoy the strange thrill trembling in his chest. "This is just the warm‑up."

Abian placed his feet on the board and with a single push, launched himself forward. The board slid on the floating track. Wobbling slightly, but he adjusted his balance quickly.

His body tilted, arms spread silently to steady his posture, eyes locked ahead. His movement was agile, like a surfer dancing on waves.

Alaric observed, analyzing his technique. He read it like solving a puzzle. "Start slow, then medium speed... don’t push the track too hard or it’ll bounce back. Okay, got it."

When Abian reached the end of the track, he leapt on the board to turn around. Water sprays danced briefly. He returned to the starting point, landing smoothly in front of Alaric.

"I’d give that a 7.5," Alaric teased.

Abian smirked. "Now it’s your turn. Don’t just rate it."

Alaric took a short breath. "Let’s go."

He stepped onto the board, paused to find his stance, then climbed on. The board wobbled as he adjusted his feet, but he recovered quickly. With a light push, he slid forward.

His first steps were cautious, but as he went further, his confidence grew quickly. He learned the rhythm of the floating track, how to shift his weight, when to lean forward and when to crouch slightly.

His movements were smoother than Abian’s, though slower. Prioritizing balance over speed.

Abian watched from the end of the track. "This guy isn’t all style, but he’s tactical too," he muttered.

Alaric reached the end and attempted the same turn Abian had done. The board shifted under him, and he lost his balance for a moment. He lifted one foot and regained his stance solidly.

"You can do this," he whispered to himself, then slid back to the starting point.

At the end, he stepped off slowly, breathing heavily, his face glowing.

"I’ll give you a 7.2," Abian joked, gently tapping his shoulder.

Alaric laughed. "Then we’re tied."

"No way, my score was a 7.5 and yours is only a 7.2," Abian teased with a playful laugh.

The tension melted, turning into a mutual acknowledgement between two guys who’d just done something unexpected together.

-

Meanwhile, on another part of the beach...

Donny walked along the shoreline, chewing gum and wearing cheap sunglasses. He kicked small pebbles and seashells as he went. He was looking for peace, he said, "cooling off" after getting bored playing beach volleyball with his loud friends.

His lazy gaze suddenly widened when he saw two guys skateboarding on the floating track at sea. One of them looked familiar.

"Hey! That’s Alaric, right?"

Donny pointed reflexively at the middle of the sea.

What’s that guy doing! He’s brave!

His eyes lit up like a kid spotting a transformer on the street. He tapped the shoulders of his two girlfriends, Safira and Meira, who were enjoying ice cream behind him.

"Hey, look!"

"Come on!" Donny cheered excitedly.

Safira frowned. "What is it, Don?"

Meira leaned forward. "I think that is Alaric..."

Safira squinted at the two guys on the track. "Oh yeah... Who’s he with?"

Donny was still in full awe mode. "No idea, but it’s awesome. He’s actually going for it!"

"Alaric! Let’s go Ric, you’ll win!" Donny shouted nonstop, like a paid supporter, even though he wasn’t.

Safira crossed her arms and looked at Donny. "So you’re the loud one, not him."

Donny didn’t care, his eyes still fixed on the sea. "I don’t care. I’m watching real‑life male drama right now."

-

Back at the original seating spot...

Kayla returned from the stall with two glasses of chilled young coconut water. She walked slowly, balancing the glasses in her hand. When she arrived... the seats were empty.

Her eyebrows knitted. "Huh? Where are they?"

She looked around, scanning for the two guys. Then her eyes fixed on the floating track in the sea. There, the two figures were racing on their boards... and she recognized them.

"Abian...and Alaric?" she whispered in disbelief.

Kayla stood still, her eyes wide. The sea breeze played with her hair as her gaze stayed on the two guys performing above water.

"Oh my... what are you guys doing," she murmured with concern, then looked down at her glass. "You just left for a bit..."

She sighed softly, standing not far from the seats, still watching their movements. Worry began to twist inside her.

"I hope Alaric stays fine... That must be Abian’s crazy idea."

In her heart, Kayla felt like she was witnessing two worlds collide. One represented warmth, the other protective care taken to the extreme.

Now she could only stand at the edge of the beach as a spectator. She hoped they wouldn’t trip each other up. That they’d respect each other. Or maybe even become friends.

---

Alaric and Abian finished their impromptu match with laughter and heavy breathing. The long floating track behind them was abandoned with satisfaction, their feet slightly wet from the small splashes.

As they reached the shore and walked casually back toward their seats, they were met by Donny’s energetic cheering from across the beach, yelling like a sports commentator.

"Hey! Two sea gladiators! Come here, have a drink!" he called out, half running toward Kayla who still held the two glasses.

Kayla, who had been silent and worried, finally called out, "This is for you two! Here! Watch out, don’t spill!"

Alaric and Donny each reached for a glass from Kayla’s hand without hesitation. They gulped down the coconut water in long, relieved swallows. Donny’s slurping was loud, followed by Alaric’s deep exhale after his first sip.

"Ahh... so refreshing," Alaric sighed, looking up at the sky.

Donny nodded vigorously. "This is amazing, like an oasis in a desert!"

They looked at each other, and in the next moment, their hands rose instinctively. And they clinked glasses. The clatter echoed, followed by free laughter, like two boys who’d just completed a secret mission.

Kayla watched them with a puzzled expression. Her eyes followed Alaric to Donny, then behind them... where Abian came slowly closer, still drying his wet hands and face.

His face wasn’t as sharp as before—instead relaxed, though with his usual neutral expression.

But what really stopped Kayla in her tracks was seeing Alaric and Abian exchange slight nods. A quiet signal between two guys. Not just polite words. Recognition. Maybe even the start of a friendship.

Alaric then looked at Kayla, lifting his nearly empty glass with a smile. "Thanks for the coconut water. Perfect timing."

"Seriously, Kayla," Donny added, still excited. Somehow struck up a conversation and now acting like a pro. He only learned Kayla’s name ten seconds ago through a random question and casual greeting.

"I thought Alaric would fall in. But he was awesome. And they tied! That guy over there"—he pointed to Abian—"is fierce too. No wonder you call him your cousin—his aura is intense. You can feel it!"

Kayla blinked, her gaze shifting between Abian and Alaric. She gently bit her lower lip, holding back a comment she almost said.

In her mind, she began to piece things together.

Why do they seem so close all of a sudden?

Abian rarely opens up to anyone, let alone new people. He could sit next to someone for weeks without a single greeting even if they were there every day.

He would choose silence over small talk, and many of Kayla’s friends felt left out just because Abian never showed friendliness.

And now\... he’s laughing with Alaric. Clinking glasses. They raced together earlier. This isn’t the usual Abian I know.

Her thoughts spun. It takes months, even years, for Abian to soften around someone. Even distant family members need repeated meetings to converse with him. But this...

Alaric... he’s different, right?

Kayla looked again at the two young men. Alaric was speaking to Donny, pointing toward the floating track, apparently explaining how to maintain balance. Donny listened earnestly, like a student suddenly wanting to be an athlete.

Meanwhile, Abian stood a bit behind, but didn’t look like he was going to leave. He stayed. Listening. Observing quietly.

Kayla took a careful step forward and approached Abian. "Hey."

Abian turned toward her. "Hm?"

"It’s unusual for you to get that close with Alaric so fast."

He didn’t reply immediately. His eyes flicked to Alaric, then back to his cousin.