Page 110 of Rookie Rules

"Afraid of hearing the same analysis twice."

"You watch our goals twelve times."

"Our goals improve with repetition."

The answer earned laughter. Finn smiled with everyone else.

Luca saw Rowan watching him from across the room.

Not Kaito. Finn.

Then Rowan stood and turned off the television entirely.

"Bus at three," he said. "Do not be late."

The room dispersed into travel preparation.

Luca waited until Rowan entered the captain's office, then followed.

The door remained open. Professional space.

Rowan looked up from his tablet. "What?"

"Mercer and Sato."

"What about them?"

"That was weird."

"They have played against each other for years."

"He used his first name."

Rowan's expression did not change. "Call the authorities."

"You noticed."

"I notice when my line is distracted."

"That's all?"

Rowan set down the tablet. "Finn will tell you anything you need to know for the game. The rest is his."

The boundary was fair. Luca respected it.

He also heard the philosophy beneath it. A person could seal away any history that did not affect performance. Teammates protected the seal by refusing curiosity. Privacy became collective courtesy.

Sometimes that was kindness.

Sometimes the person inside it sat alone on a bus with a sandwich no one knew how to offer.

"Did you know him before Northstar?" Luca asked.

Rowan's gaze sharpened. "This is not about Finn."

The accuracy stopped Luca.

"Maybe not."