"Greg!" Oliver hurriedly stepped in front of his friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I was on my way to work when I spotted this fellow pointing his gun at you," Gregory explained. "I thought he was attempting to assassinate you, so I rushed over to save you."

Oliver's face slowly flushed. "Wow..." he glanced down.

"Why? What's the matter?" Gregory asked. Suddenly, he gasped. "Your face is turning red! Are you angry? Oh no, I feel terrible for upsetting you..."

Oliver's flushed cheek deepened in colour as his gaze darted around. "What? No! Don't start worrying about me now," Oliver laughed.

"Really?" Gregory stepped forward and placed his palm against Oliver's forehead. "Goodness, you're hot..."

"I'm what!?" Oliver's face turned crimson.

"I am truly sorry if I upset you by interrupting your duel practice. Now, I fear my actions have caused you distress," Gregory bashfully apologised.

"Relax! I'm not upset! And don't worry about me—worry about being late for work instead!" Oliver reassured his friend.

"Oh, right. I'm running behind schedule," Gregory glanced at his back. "Well, I'll catch up with you later, Oli!" He waved his farewell and started to walk away.

The sluggish trainee stood behind Oliver and asked, "Sir? Was that man intimate with you?"

"Excuse me!?" Oliver exclaimed.

Gregory quickly turned around. "What?" he raised a brow.

"I've seen that man in a pamphlet. He was depicted beside you in bed," the sluggish trainee stated.

"No. No. No. Those are false accusations about me, okay?" Oliver explained as his sweat dripped from his forehead. "I repeat. False!"

"Oh, but is that the guy who was drawn sleeping with you, though?" the sluggish trainee questioned as he pointed at Gregory.

"That is an impudent and disrespectful question to ask the corporal, who serves as the Defender of Asbranne and the Remaining Podeshire, you inexperienced recruit!" Oliver's face reddened with annoyance as he reprimanded the trainee sharply. "I shall now dismiss you from this duel practice. But, your punishment shall continue by running two hundred laps around the training grounds. Now!!"

     The sluggish trainee's veins surged with adrenaline. Quickly, he flung his rifle aside. He hurried and sprinted as his feet kicked up a thick storm of swirling brown dust along the training ground.

Gregory approached Oliver. "Hehe. You never fail to amaze, Oli," Gregory chuckled softly.

"But, that question was crossing the line, don't you think?" Oliver responded, slightly giggling.

"It is. Anyways, I must go now," Gregory turned around once more, waving cheerfully as he headed toward the street. "Goodbye, Oli!"

"Take care!" Oliver called out, bidding his friend farewell with a tiny wave.

     Oliver's gaze remained fixed on Gregory's figure as he walked away on the empty sidewalk. Oliver's attention solely darted to his friend. Slowly, a warm smile crossed his lips as he crossed his arms.

     A strange thought whirls inside Oliver's mind, causing his smile to fade into a frown. He glances at the ground, and his brows arch with worry. He sighs and ponders to himself.

     Oliver takes a moment to reflect on their shared experiences. He reminisces about the laughter they've shared and the support they've given each other. He remembers when their gazes lock longer than necessary, and the memory sends rippling shivers down his spine.

     Shaking his head, Oliver redirected his attention to Gregory. He saw his friend make significant progress down the street. Gradually, Oliver's smile returned.

     The sight of Gregory, a tall and muscular man with dark hair, walking into the distance stirs a mix of emotions within Oliver. As he grins, Oliver's heart races, and his stomach flutters. A rush of exhilaration hastens through his skin, causing his cheeks to flush. Oliver senses joy like never before; it is something new and unfamiliar.

     Oliver has never tasted such a feeling before. It makes him curious, like a cat pursuing a mouse. The more Oliver thinks about his friend, the more he wants to know the answer to what Gregory feels about him.

     Yet, for now, all Oliver can do is watch his dearest friend walk away from afar. Despite the physical distance between them, Oliver still feels the warmth and comfort of Gregory's presence. Oliver feels like he is cuddling him.

     Nothing can distract Oliver from his affectionate gaze until he glances at the training ground and checks on the sluggish trainee. Frustrated, Oliver grunts and clenches his teeth. He then yells and calls out to the lazy man, pointing directly at him.

"Ugh! Hey, you! Rookie!" Oliver's frustration boiled over as he called out to the lazy trainee. "How many times should I tell you to run, not speedwalk!?"