The Veteran Ice Rink was quite lively, with many people of all ages present, except for toddlers. Some teenagers could be seen carrying their skating shoe bags, while others were buying snacks and drinks at the small cafeteria or browsing shoes in the store. The hall was warm and comfortable, despite the bustling atmosphere.

Despite being in the cozy confines of the hall, Wilson's mood was anything but warm. "What do you mean, Renata? Please don't tell me you have never ice skated before," a hint of dread creeping into his voice.

"I have never tried ice skating before." Renata grinned mischievously at him.

Wilson couldn't believe it. She asked to be here, but she had never.... Oh, he had never wanted to shout at her this badly.

"Why? Can't I? I like to try new things, and ice skating seems fun." The nerves she had, Wilson thought as she shrugged nonchalantly at him.

"Trying a new weird flavor of ice cream is trying a new thing, but trying to ice skate when you have never learned how to do it? Do you know how dangerous that is?"

"Oh, don't be such a worrywart, Wil. How bad could it really be? Besides, I have you, don't I? Where is your spirit of adventure?"

Buried in Antarctica, if he had ever been born with it before. Sighing, he sat beside her on the sofa and tried to reason with her. He told her horror stories of his friends who had suffered injuries while ice skatings, such as skinned knees, lost teeth, and broken arms. But she was undeterred. She simply ignored him and put on the shoes, which she laced up incorrectly.

"'I have no exposed skin, and I could get plastic surgery if I ever got severely injured and ended up looking ugly. Oh, come on, Wil. Lutz do this!!!"

"Plas-.... Don't you have any fear in you?"

"Your fear is enough for both of us." She stood and fell back onto the sofa.

Wilson covered his eyes with his palm, feeling a headache coming on. What was he going to do? He turned to face her and grabbed her upper arms. "Listen to me carefully, Renata. I don't want you to get hurt. But that would be almost impossible, so we need to lower the severity of any potential injuries as much as we can. How are you going to do that? The first thing is learning how to fall in the right position...." Wilson helped her tie the shoes before he taught her the very basic things a beginner should know as best as he could. Renata observed him intently and mimicked his every movement.

Minutes passed by, and Renata couldn't hold back her excitement any longer. So Wilson took her hand and led her to the ice rink entrance. "Watch me. Do not step on this white sill, but step over it." He stepped onto the ice surface while holding her hand.

Renata followed, grabbing onto the rail for dear life. She was shaking like a leaf, her face turning pale. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Her voice had a slight tremble.

"You're fine, Renata. Just keep your knees bent so you're closer to the ground and try to keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Keep your arms extended slightly out to the side for balance, and remember not to hold them close to your body. Now walk to me, please. Remember, don't use your toe picks." Wilson stood about four feet away from Renata, waiting with his arms open.

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Although she was reluctant to leave the wall, she tentatively let go of the rail. Renata stretched her arms forward and positioned her feet apart like a penguin. After a few deep breaths, she tentatively walked little by little towards Wilson. Soon, she was moving forward by gently pushing off with her feet and bending her knees slightly.

He caught her hands as she almost reached him. 'That's great, Renata!' She grinned brightly at his compliment, though she clutched his hands too tightly. "Now, are you ready to march?"

With his patient coaching, she was able to glide a few feet without constant help or hanging onto the handrail. "Look, Wil. I can glide now!!!" As her happy grin returned to her face, Wilson couldn't help feeling warm.

"You are getting better but don't go too fast; it's not safe. Renata, are you listening?"

"Woohooo!!! This is soooo much fun!!!" She was having too much of a good time to pay attention to his warning. However, her excitement was cut short when she stumbled over her toe pick.

Wilson immediately kneeled at her side. "Renata, are you hurt?"

Renata giggled and shook her head as she tried to stand up. "Whew~ That wasn't so bad.... I just need to practice how not to face plant."

"Would you like to take a break?" Renata nodded at his suggestion, and Wilson escorted her to one of the benches behind the transparent wall. "Can I get you anything? A drink or some snacks?"

Again, she shook her head. "I don't need to be babysat, Wil. Why don't you go skating on your own? I'll either stay here or go back to practicing around here."

Why was she pushing him away? Was she embarrassed, or was it something he had done? It was probably best to give her some space for a while. "Call me when you're ready to go, OK?" Renata nodded and raised her thumbs up as she said, "Got it."

He began to glide away on the ice rink. It had been a long time since he last skated, but his body still remembered how to do it. Wilson would have loved to try some jumps, but his rental skates weren't sturdy enough to support him. If Renata wanted to continue practicing ice skating in the future, Wilson might consider buying a new pair of skates.

Another new fact: Renata loved trying new things. She was a brave little one. Compared to Naoki, she was braver. The kid was afraid of his own shadow. Wilson remembered when he was learning ice skating for the first time. It was his mom who persuaded him to accompany Naoki. She knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't say no if it involved Naoki. How Naoki had cried when he fell and busted his knee the first time they practiced. Wilson had had to carry him on his back many times afterward. He missed him dearly.

Out of the corner of his eye, Wilson caught Renata preparing to try again. Should he approach her? For a moment, she looked at him and shooed him away. If that's what she wa- Oof. She fell hard on her arse. His first instinct was to rush to her aid, but the determined expression in her eyes stopped him. At least she knew how to get back on her feet.

Not even five minutes later, she fell hard again. And again. Every time she fell, his body was also aching. As if echoing her pain. He finally couldn't stand it, and kneeled next to her fallen body. "I think that's enough for today, Renata. We can practice again next time."

"But I'm this close to march forward 8 steps, I'm on 6 steps."

"Your knees are shaking, you can't do it anymore or you will fall again."

"It's not like the ice will crack if I fall again."

"That's debatable. Ou~ch" Wilson exaggeratedly rubbed his chest when Renata smacked him with her little fist. "Let's go before you crack your bones or worse, the ice ring." She pouted at him playfully and stood up.

What Wilson said was true, Renata's legs were shaking, which caused her to slip and almost kiss the icy floor if not for him hauling her into his arms. "Are you al..." Her face was too close. Just a little more and he could have kissed her succulent lips. He gulped as his nostrils flared when he inhaled her sweet, heady scent.

Did she notice? Why was she staring at him like that? Why she said nothing? He begged her to stop him in his head.

Or was she afraid of him? Scared that her friend turned out to be a beast?

That was the last thing he wanted her to think about him.