Chapter 188 Semi -Finals

Chapter 188 Semi -Finals

Ryan looked toward the ceiling."I shall become the godfather of their children."

Amelia almost sprayed orange juice across the table. Nathan coughed into his fist, trying not to laugh.

One teammate clapped Ryan on the shoulder. "You've already named yourself?"

"I am planning ahead."

Mira folded her arms. "You are planning godchildren at breakfast."

Ryan nodded confidently. "Vision is important."

Amelia covered her face with both hands. "I cannot believe I know any of you."

Nathan leaned closer to her. "I think they enjoy embarrassing us."

"Good for them."

The teasing continued until breakfast plates began disappearing one by one.

Eventually, conversation shifted.

One of the teammates checked his watch. "Captain."

Nathan looked over.

"We've got tactical training in an hour."

Another player nodded. "And tomorrow..."His expression became noticeably more serious. "The championship semifinal."

The laughter around the table faded.

Ryan rested his elbows on the table. "This is the biggest game we've played all season."

Nathan nodded slowly. "It decides everything."

Amelia looked toward him. "What do you mean?"

Nathan turned slightly in his chair. "If we win." He paused. "We qualify for the national university championship."

"And if we lose?" He smiled faintly. "Our season ends."

The table became quiet.

Nathan looked down at his untouched coffee. "I've worked toward this game since my first year."bHis voice remained calm, but Amelia could hear the weight behind every word. "If we qualify, professional scouts will be there for the championship."

Ryan nodded. "Several clubs already confirmed attendance."

Nathan exhaled slowly. "So tomorrow could decide whether hockey remains a university dream..." He smiled weakly. "Or becomes my career."

Amelia reached across the table without hesitation and took both of his hands.

Nathan looked up. She held his gaze steadily.

"I've watched how hard you've worked." Her voice was soft but certain. "I've seen the early morning practices." She smiled gently. “I've seen you come back exhausted and still make time for everyone around you."

She squeezed his hands. "You deserve this more than anyone."

Nathan's eyes never left hers.

"I don't know what tomorrow will bring," Amelia continued, "but one thing isn't changing."

He tilted his head slightly. "What?"

She smiled. "I'll be there."

Nathan's expression softened. "In the stands."

She nodded. "Cheering louder than everyone else."

A small laugh escaped him. "You'll probably embarrass me."

"I fully intend to." She leaned closer. "And if you forget for even one second how good you are..."

She gently touched the side of his face. "Look for me."

Nathan swallowed. "You'll remind me?"

"I'll remind you that I'm your biggest fan."

For a moment, the noise of the café seemed to disappear.

Nathan smiled, the kind of smile that came from somewhere deep inside. "I think..." He intertwined his fingers with hers beneath the table. "That might be exactly what I need.”

The following afternoon, the university sports arena looked nothing like it usually did. The stands were packed long before kickoff.

Students dressed in the university colors waved banners and flags. The school band occupied an entire corner of the arena, filling the air with music that only added to the excitement.

This was not just another hockey match. It was the championship semifinals.

A victory would send the university to the national championship for the first time in years.

Inside the Journalism building, Amelia stood outside the lecture hall with a camera hanging around her neck.

Her course lecturer, Professor Daniels, walked toward her carrying a stack of folders.

"You'll be covering the match this afternoon, won't you?"

Amelia looked down at the camera before gently lifting it off her neck. "I'm afraid not, sir."

The professor stopped. "No?"

She smiled apologetically. "I'd rather watch it."

He raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound like the Amelia I know."

She laughed softly. "Today, I'm not going as a journalism student."

Professor Daniels folded his arms. "So what are you going as?"

Amelia's smile grew wider. "As someone's biggest supporter."

The professor stared at her for a second before chuckling. "I suppose every journalist deserves a day off."

"Thank you, sir."

He pointed toward the stadium. "Go and cheer as loudly as you like."

"I intend to." She smiled.

By the time Amelia reached the arena with Mira, the atmosphere had become electric.

Ryan was already warming up with the rest of the team. Nathan stood near the center of the rink with the captain's armband fastened around his sleeve.

The announcer introduced both teams one after another. The roar that greeted Nathan nearly shook the building.

Amelia clapped until her palms stung.

Mira nudged her. "You haven't even started cheering properly."

"I am cheering."

"No." Mira grinned. "You've only just begun."

The referee blew the whistle. And the game started immediately.

The opposing university came out aggressively.

Within minutes, they forced Nathan's goalkeeper into two spectacular saves.

Ryan intercepted a dangerous pass near the boards and quickly sent the puck forward.

"Nathan!" Ryan shouted.

Nathan accelerated. His skates sliced effortlessly across the ice. Two defenders closed in from either side. He shifted left. Then right.

One defender lost his balance completely.

The crowd exploded.

Nathan fired a powerful shot.

The goalkeeper stretched..The puck struck the post. The entire stadium groaned.

"So close!" Mira shouted.

Amelia had both hands clasped together. "You've got this."

Nathan didn't hear her. But somehow, he played as though he had.

The first period ended without a goal.

The second period became even more intense.

Ryan threw himself into every challenge. One of his tackles sent both players crashing into the boards.

The crowd roared in approval.

Nathan helped Ryan back onto his feet. "You alright?"

Ryan grinned despite breathing heavily. "I've felt worse."

Nathan laughed. "Good."

"We're winning this."

"We are."

The whistle blew again and the game resumed.

This time Ryan stole possession cleanly near midfield. He glanced up.

Nathan was already sprinting forward.

Ryan smiled. "There you are." His pass traveled perfectly across the rink.

Nathan received it without slowing down. One defender. Then another. He slipped between both with unbelievable control.

The goalkeeper rushed forward. Nathan hesitated for the briefest moment. The keeper committed.

Nathan flicked the puck around him.

GOAL!

The arena erupted.

Students leaped from their seats. The band exploded into music.

Nathan's teammates surrounded him instantly.

Ryan tackled him into a hug. "I told you!"

Nathan laughed breathlessly. "We're not finished."

From somewhere high in the stands, a familiar voice cut through the deafening noise.

"That's My Man!”

Nathan froze. He looked toward the crowd.

Amelia was standing with both hands cupped around her mouth. She didn't care who was looking.

"Come on, Nathan!”

"I believe in you!"

"That's My Man!"

The students around her immediately joined in.

"Captain!”

"Captain!"

Nathan looked up again. Their eyes met and he pointed toward her. Then tapped the university crest over his heart.

Amelia laughed through happy tears.

Mira grabbed both of her shoulders. "You just screamed that in front of the whole university!"

"I don't care!"

"You absolutely don't!"

Ryan looked toward the stands and burst into laughter. "Our captain's fan club has become dangerous."

Nathan could not stop smiling.

The final period began. The opposing team refused to give up. They equalized with only eight minutes remaining.

The arena fell silent.

Nathan gathered everyone together during the timeout. He looked at every single teammate.

"We've worked too hard."

Nobody spoke.

Nathan continued. "Let's win this championship"

Ryan nodded first. "Let's win it."

Every player repeated it. "Let's win it."

The puck dropped again.

The next five minutes became the fastest hockey Amelia had ever seen. Ryan blocked one attack. Another teammate intercepted a dangerous shot.

Nathan chased every loose puck as though the season depended on it because it did.

With less than thirty seconds remaining, Ryan stole possession once again. Instead of shooting, he smiled.

The defenders all rushed toward him. Exactly as he expected. He flicked the puck sideways.

Nathan appeared from nowhere.

The crowd stood.

Nathan swung. The shot screamed past the goalkeeper before anyone could react.

GOAL!