LOVE:ZERO

“…What are you even saying? Make sense, Hunter.” Jiyu rolled her eyes and sighed.

Was it the calluses on his fingers making him useless, or just his impatience? Likely the latter. He had zero talent for careful observation and even less patience.

Thud—

She pushed his hand away and felt for her own wrist. Weak, but she quickly found the pulse.

Glancing sideways at Hunter, who stood cross-armed and indifferent, she pressed her finger to the spot and thrust her arm out.

“It’s right here.”

‘Idiot.’

She left the jab unspoken.

“Let me see.”

Hunter uncrossed his arms, grabbed her hand, and yanked it toward him. His bowed head brushed her forehead. Jiyu tilted her chin up and leaned back to avoid contact.

His familiar scent… cool pine mixed with sharp lavender… drifted over. The pricey detergent he used for his workout clothes. A single box of 60 capsules cost $120, she’d heard.

Hunter clamped her hand roughly, pressed three fingers to her pulse point, and snorted.

“Not dead yet.”

He tossed the remark like a joke, then eyed the wall clock and pursed his lips.

Jiyu squinted at his profile before dropping her gaze to her wrist.

‘When did his hands get so big? How much taller is he even planning to grow?’

Since childhood, his hands and feet had always outgrown his height first. Her own average-sized hand looked childish in his grip.

‘And since when did his veins bulge like that?’

Blue veins now roped his once-smooth knuckles. Since his “jinx” superstition began, she’d half-heartedly kissed his palm before big games—a 0.5-second ritual. She’d never bothered to look closely.

Jiyu’schest tightened inexplicably. Her palms grew damp.

‘Why is a minute suddenly so long?’

“81 beats. Weak. Regular.”

Hunter finally muttered, lifting his eyes from the clock. Jiyu jerked her head up.

“…Weak?”

“Barely there. Took the focus of a serve just to feel it. Don’t believe me? Check yourself.”

As Hunter scribbled numbers on the chart, Jiyu frowned and prodded her wrist. Now that he mentioned it, her pulse feels faint.

‘Is something wrong? My knees kept me awake lately… Mom said it’s just growing pains.’

She tilted her head, fixated on her pulse, when Hunter thrust his wrist out.

“Your turn.”

She moved her fingers from her wrist to his. Found his pulse in two tries. Her pale fingers pressed into his tanned skin. A strong, steady rhythm thudded beneath.

“83… 84 beats. Strong. Regular.”

She lifted her head after recording it. Hunter smirked, triumph blazing in his eyes.

‘Of course he’d gloat over something this petty, Hunter Hamilton.’

Jiyu pursed her lips and pushed her rolled-up sleeve higher.

“Brachial artery this time.”

She stretched her arm out. Hunter closed in until their knees nearly touched, gripping her forearm. His fingers prodded the inner flesh a few times before he frowned and looked up.

“Hey.”

Jiyu sighed, narrowing her eyes.

“What, now?”

His vivid blue eyes, gleaming with an odd light, stared at her before he blinked rapidly.

“Why… don’t you have any muscles in your arms?”

Jiyu flapped her lips, unsure how to respond. It wasn’t like she didn’t exercise, she did track three times a week and tennis twice at school. But no matter what, her arms remained stubbornly soft.

“Wh-what does that have to do with checking a pulse?!”

Jiyu retorted belatedly.

“It feels weird. Like jiggling pudding.”

Hunter muttered, scratching the back of his neck as if irritated.

“What the… Just hurry up and measure it.”

He swept the hair falling over his forehead aside haphazardly and reached out his arm again. But unlike before, he hesitated for a moment, glancing up furtively.

The instant their eyes met, both turned their gazes away in opposite directions.

Jiyu’s breath hitched for some reason.

Hunter pressed her forearm cautiously a few more times before finally locating the pulse point. The minute felt longer than before.

“91. Pulse strength… medium. Regular.”

After jotting it down, Hunter cleared his throat and thrust out his arm.

“Your turn. Hurry up.”

He stretched his arm out patiently, waiting for Jiyu’s sluggish movements. Finally, she pressed three fingers firmly against the center of his forearm.

It tickled strangely, as if feathers brushed his skin. A prickling sensation shot through his arm, making him bite the inside of his lip and clench his fist. As his forearm tensed, muscles tightened, veins bulging.

“Stop flexing, Hunter. I can’t press properly!”

Jiyu grumbled, tracing the inside of his arm with her fingers. Hunter couldn’t resist snatching her hand away.

“Ow! That hurts!”

He quickly released her, baring his teeth with a growl.

“It tickles! Just press harder. Can’t you even manage that?”

“…Fine.”

Jiyu gritted her teeth and placed her fingers back on his arm. This time, she pressed harder, jabbing at the inner side. It still felt unbearably ticklish.

“Oh, got it!”

Jiyu exhaled a small gasp and pressed down firmly. Her clean nails dug into his skin.

Hunter, who had turned his head away like someone getting a shot, held his breath, chest puffed out.

“Damn. Why’s it so hot in here?”

Jiyu glanced at the digital clock on the wall, counting for a full minute before tilting her head uncertainty.

“98. Pulse is strong, but… um, a bit irregular compared to before.”

Hunter yanked his arm back, eyeing her suspiciously.

“98? Did you measure right? It’s been minutes since you checked my wrist… the difference is too big.”

And ‘irregular’? He hadn’t even exercised. Why suddenly? He couldn’t trust a word she said.

Jiyu mumbled defensively,

“I just said what I felt! It’s slightly irregular now. Seriously, I’m not lying!”

“Cut the crap. What’s next? The neck? Hurry.”

Hunter resolved to end this ridiculous practice session quickly.

Jiyu pouted, pursing her lips before clamping them shut. She tilted her head slightly, exposing her pale nape. Her hair cascaded down, covering it again… a unique brunette shade, faded brown with streaks of honey-blonde highlights.

Indoors, it looked plain brown, but under sunlight, the highlights shimmered, shifting her hair color with every movement.

Absent-mindedly, Hunter reached out to brush her hair aside. Jiyu flinched, slapping a hand over her neck.

Startled, Hunter barked.

“What?!”

She glanced around, ducking her head. Her ears burned red.

“Quiet! Everyone’s staring!”

Hunter clicked his tongue and glared around the room.

“What are you looking at?”

His sharp glare sent curious onlookers scrambling to turn away.

Jiyu had always hated being stared at. Lauren said it was because she was shy and introverted.

He snorted, scowling down at her.

‘She’s got no problem ranting at me, though.’

Her skittishness grated on his nerves.

‘They’re not shooting lasers. Why she so scared? Coward.’

“Look up. No one’s watching now.”

She lifted her head slightly, rolling her eyes to scan the room. Then she sighed.

“Alright, we’ve only got five minutes left. Stop messing around and finish up!”

Miss Shapiro shouted over the chattering students.

“No time. Hurry up and check my neck.”

Hunter urged Jiyu impatiently.