“Takahashi might be the most unstoppable basketball player in the country!”

  “That Takahashi kid—that kid can ball.”

  “He’s insane! He can score on all levels, he can play defense, he makes the plays! Hell, he doesn’t even need to make the plays, HE IS THE PLAY!”

  Riku was a country-wide sensation on the news. Every news outlet knew about him, talked about him, and tried to interview him. After the injury, those outlets switched instantaneously.

  “Is the young prodigy's career over?”

  “Once again, another disappointing prospect as yet another injury ruins a promising career.”

  “Even if the kid comes back, he’ll never be the same player he once was. Mark my words!”

  Riku sat on the pavement, stretching his injured leg out in front of him, his expression unreadable. His knee ached, but it wasn’t unbearable. What was unbearable was the way Sana Fujimura looked at him. Not with pity. Not with disappointment. But with expectation. He hated it.

  He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “You saw what just happened.”

  Sana raised an eyebrow. “Yeah.”

  Riku gestured at his knee. “If you couldn’t tell, I’m not fit for this anymore.”

  Sana didn’t say anything at first. She just stared at him, spinning the basketball in her hands. Then—

  She laughed.

  Riku narrowed his eyes. “What?”

  She smirked. “You’re serious?”

  “Obviously.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  Riku scoffed, but Sana leaned in slightly, eyes sharp. “You destroyed me just now. You weren’t even trying, and you still scored four times in a row. You read my movements like a book. You knew exactly how to fix my shot without even thinking about it.” She tilted her head. “You still have it. It’s all just a matter of how badly you want it.”

  Riku blinked. That… wasn’t something he had ever considered. Wanting it. The injury had made that decision for him. At least, that’s what he had convinced himself. That his career was over and there was nothing he could do about it. But—

  What if that wasn’t true?

  He shook his head. No. This was stupid. Basketball wasn’t his life anymore. He had already moved on.

  …Hadn’t he?

  Before he could say anything, Sana pulled out her phone. “Here.” She held it out to him.

  Riku stared at it. “…What?”

  “Put your number in.”

  “…Why?”

  Sana grinned. “I need a coach.”

  Riku blinked. “What?”

  She flipped the ball up, catching it smoothly. “There’s an all-gender tournament coming up. And I want to be ready.”

  Riku exhaled. “And that has to do with me… how?”

  “Because you’re good.” Sana smirked. “And you’re bored.”

  Riku narrowed his eyes. “You don’t even know me.”

  “I don’t have to. I can tell.”

  He hesitated. Sana waved her phone in front of his face. “Come on, Takahashi. Worst case? You just tell me to leave you alone after a week.” Riku sighed. This girl was relentless. After a brief moment, he grabbed the phone and typed in his number. Sana smiled as she took it back. “There. Now you have no excuses.”

  Riku leaned back on his hands. “I didn’t agree to anything.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Sana pocketed her phone. “Just think about it.”

  With that, she grabbed her bag and stuffed her ball inside. She turns her head to the side, looking back at Riku, grinning. “See ya, Takahashi.” And just like that—she was gone.

  Riku sat there for a long moment, staring at the court, his mind a mess. He was still staring when—

  “OH MY GOD.”

  Riku sighed. Here we go.

  Daiki and Haruto rushed over, grinning like idiots. Daiki giggled like a little girl around her crush. Haruto smirked. “So.” Daiki elbowed Riku. “A phone number, huh?”

  Riku groaned, standing up. “It’s not what you think.”

  “Oh, sure,” Daiki snickered. “Just a casual exchange of numbers after a flirty game of one-on-one under the setting sun.”

  Haruto nodded. “Very romantic.”

  “Shut up.”

  Daiki gasped dramatically. “You are blushing!”

  “I’m literally not.”

  Haruto chuckled. “He kinda is.”

  “OH MY GOD,” Daiki clutched his chest and started jumping around. “This is amazing.”

  Riku sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets and walking past them. His friends immediately followed, still grinning.

  “Come on, Riku. Admit it,” Daiki teased. “You like her.”

  Riku kept walking. “I don’t even know her.”

  Haruto smirked. “You will soon.”

  Riku scoffed, shaking his head. He had no idea what he had just gotten himself into. But one thing was certain, Sana Fujimura wasn’t going to leave him alone. And for some reason…

  He didn’t really mind.

  ***

  The ceiling fan spun in slow, lazy circles. Riku Takahashi lay on his bed, one arm tucked behind his head, his eyes locked on the phone resting on his chest. The glow from the screen dimly lit his otherwise dark apartment. His room was quiet. Too quiet. Just the faint hum of the city beyond his window, the occasional sound of cars passing below.

  Riku lived alone. Had been for a while now. His parents worked overseas, and he had convinced them he could handle himself. It was easier that way. No one breathing down his neck. No one waiting at home. Just him.

  And right now, he was zoned out. He kept replaying it in his head. Sana. The way she had smiled after making her first shot. The way she challenged him without hesitation. The way she saw through him like she already understood everything about him. Her words echoed in his mind. "It’s all a matter of how badly you want it." Riku exhaled, shutting his eyes. What did that even mean?

  His phone vibrated. He blinked, glancing down.

  Incoming Call: Unknown ID

  He stared at it.

  …Who could be calling him? Riku hesitated for a moment, then pressed answer. He brought the phone to his ear. “...Hello?”

  A small breath on the other end. “Hey.”

  The voice was familiar, he couldn’t mistake it. It was Sana. Her voice was softer than before, almost hesitant.

  “Sorry for calling so late,” she said.

  Riku sat up slightly. “...Then why are you calling?”

  A short pause. Then—

  “I want to see you after school tomorrow.”

  Riku furrowed his brows. “...What?”

  “At the same court,” Sana clarified. “Where we met.”

  Riku ran a hand through his hair. “Sana—”

  “I know, I know.” He could practically hear her rolling her eyes. She mocked his voice. “You ‘don’t play anymore.’ You ‘don’t know about this.’ It’s a ‘bad idea.’”

  Riku paused. She nailed every excuse he was about to use. He sighed. “You’re persistent.”

  “And you’re running away,” she shot back.

  Riku froze. She continued before he could react. “I saw you, Riku.” Her voice was calm, certain. “I saw the way you moved, the way you understood the game without even trying. I saw a boy who has the passion, talent, and love for basketball but is too haunted by the past to actually do something with that love.”

  Riku clenched his jaw. She wasn’t wrong. And that pissed him off.

  Sana’s voice softened. “I want to see you.”

  Riku exhaled, running a hand down his face. “I don’t know, Sana. I really don’t.”

  “You don’t have to know,” she said simply. “Just show up.”

  Before he could argue, she added—

  “I’ll be expecting you.” And then she hung up. Riku blinked, staring at his phone. She didn’t even give him a chance to say no. He fell back onto his bed, groaning.

  Sana Fujimura was dangerous because she saw right through him and for the first time in a long time… He didn’t know what to do.

  ***

  The court was empty except for one person. Riku spotted Sana Fujimura sitting on the ground near the free-throw line, resting against the fence. Her bag was beside her, her basketball resting between her legs.

  Riku furrowed his brows. He approached without a word, reaching into his bag and pulling out a bottle of water. “Here.”

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  Sana looked up, blinking. She still looked tired, but her lips curled into a small smile as she took it. “Oh. Thanks.” She twisted the cap off and took a few sips, her breathing slowing. Riku sat down on the bench nearby, watching her. “You shouldn’t push yourself so hard.”

  Sana wiped her mouth. “I’m fine.”

  “You sure about that?”

  She glanced at him, smirking, inching closer to Riku. “You worried about me, Takahashi?”

  Riku clicked his tongue. “No. Just saying, if you collapse mid-game, I’m not carrying you.”

  Sana laughed, standing up. “Noted.”

  Riku rolled his eyes but stood up as well. Sana stretched her arms over her head, then grabbed the ball. “Alright, coach. Ready?” Riku sighed. “I didn’t agree to be your coach.”

  Sana grinned. “You’re here, aren’t you?”

  He didn’t respond. Instead, he picked up the ball and tossed it lightly toward her. She caught it effortlessly and took a shot.

  Clank.

  The ball bounced off the rim. Riku sighed, jogging after the rebound. He grabbed it, passed it back. Sana reset, squared up, and shot again.

  Clank.

  Riku caught the ball. “You’re stiff on the release,” he said, tossing it back. “Relax your shoulders.” Sana nodded, adjusting. She shot again.

  Clank.

  Riku rebounded. “You’re still forcing it.”

  Another pass.

  Another shot.

  Another miss.

  Again.

  Again.

  And again.

  Every time, Riku told her exactly what she was doing wrong. Small things. Her wrist angle. Her elbow placement. Her follow-through. And every time, she listened. Eventually—

  Swish.

  The ball snapped through the net cleanly. Riku nodded. “Better.”

  Sana exhaled, shaking out her arms. “Damn. This is harder than I thought.”

  “You’re improving.”

  She took another shot.

  Swish.

  Again.

  Swish.

  Again.

  Swish.

  Riku smirked. She was getting it. Fast. And he was helping. A small, strange feeling spread in his chest. It felt… good. Sana turned to him, wiping sweat from her forehead. Her gaze lingered on his face, and suddenly, she grinned.

  “What?” Riku asked, confused.

  Sana smirked. “You have a nice smile, you know.”

  Riku froze. His smirk disappeared immediately. “I wasn’t smiling,” he muttered, turning away.

  Sana giggled. “You totally were.”

  “No, I wasn’t.”

  “You were, and it was cute.”

  Riku’s ears turned red. “Shut up.”

  Sana laughed. “See? If you weren’t flustered, you wouldn’t care.”

  “I’m not flustered,” Riku muttered, his face slowly becoming more red.

  She grinned, inching closer cartoonishly. “You should do that more.”

  Riku narrowed his eyes. “Do what?”

  “Smile.”

  He looked away, feeling way too warm. Sana just laughed again, shooting another perfect shot.

  Swish.

  Riku sighed, shaking his head. What had he just gotten himself into? Sana dribbled the ball with a confident smirk. “Alright, Takahashi. One more game.”

  Riku sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know…”

  “Come on,” she pouted. “You won last time. I want a rematch.”

  Riku exhaled sharply. “Fine.”

  She beamed. “First to five again?”

  He nodded, stepping onto the court. Sana checked the ball to him, and the game began. Riku moved lazily at first, his stance relaxed. He took a single crossover, shifting effortlessly into a mid-range jumper.

  Swish. 1-0.

  Sana narrowed her eyes. “Show-off.”

  Next play, Riku posted up, taking a smooth fadeaway jumper.

  2-0. He wasn’t even trying.

  Sana gritted her teeth. “Alright. My turn.” As soon as Riku dribbled on the next possession, she poked the ball loose. She grabbed it, moving quickly toward the basket. Riku recovered fast, expecting her to shoot.

  She faked it.

  Riku jumped.

  She blew past him. Eyes widening, he turned to chase—But his knee throbbed. Pain shot up his leg, forcing him to stop mid-step. Sana laid it in.

  2-1.

  Riku clenched his jaw. Damn it. Sana stepped back beyond the arc. Contested three-pointer.

  Swish. 2-2.

  Riku exhaled. She’s fast. Her handles were sharp, clean, controlled—as if the ball was attached to a string. She attacked again, weaving through him, finishing smoothly.

  2-3.

  Again.

  2-4.

  Sana stopped for a second, catching her breath. She gives Riku a lazy smile. “You’re not even trying, huh?” She stepped back. Pulled up. Shot.

  Swish.

  Sana grinned, hands on her hips. “That’s game.”

  Riku shook his head. “You got lucky.”

  Sana smirked. “Or maybe, I’m just better.”

  Riku scoffed. Sana pointed at him. “Face it, Takahashi. I won.”

  Riku exhaled, watching her closely. Her breathing was slightly heavier than before, but she still looked proud. For some reason, he didn’t mind losing to her.

  The sky had darkened while they played, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the empty court. The cool pavement felt nice against their sweat-covered skin as they lay side by side, staring up at the stars. Neither of them spoke at first. Their breathing was still heavy from the last game, their arms and legs sore. Riku exhaled, feeling strangely at peace.Sana turned her head toward him, her voice softer than before.

  “Hey, Riku.”

  He hummed in response.

  “…What’s your dream?”

  Riku blinked. He hadn’t been asked that in a long time. His gaze remained on the sky as he answered. “I used to want to go pro.” His voice was quiet, almost distant. “I wanted to play professionally. Make it to the big leagues.”

  Sana listened carefully, not interrupting.

  “I worked my ass off for it,” Riku continued. “Trained every day. Practiced harder than anyone. It was… everything to me.” His fingers lightly tapped against the pavement. “And then I lost it.”

  Sana didn’t say anything for a moment. Then—

  “…It’s not too late, you know.”

  Riku scoffed. “Yeah, it is.”

  “No, it’s not,” she said simply. “You’re still talented. I can see it. The way you move, the way you think about the game—it’s all still there.”

  Riku stayed silent. Because deep down, he knew she was right. But the fear—the doubt—was louder.Sana shifted beside him. Before he could react, she rested her head against his chest.

  Riku froze.

  His mind raced. His body locked up instantly. Sana let out a soft laugh. “You’re so tense.”

  Riku didn’t move. She smirked, sensing his panic. “Riku, you don’t have to freeze up whenever someone shows you a little affection.”

  “I’m not frozen,” he muttered, staring straight up. He was as stiff as a pencil, sweating bullets.

  “You’re literally stiff as a board right now.”

  “…Shut up.”

  Sana giggled, her breath warm against his shirt. Without thinking, Riku let his arm drape over her. Sana stilled for a second. Then she grinned. “Oh?” she teased. “Now you’re making a dangerous move.”

  Riku immediately tried to pull away, but—Sana grabbed his arm and put it back. “Nuh-uh,” she smirked. “You started it. Now commit.” Riku’s face burned. “…You’re impossible.”

  Sana just laughed, settling closer against him. And for some reason—Riku didn’t mind.

  The night air was cool and crisp as Riku pushed himself off the pavement, stretching his arms behind his head. His muscles ached from their endless games, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

  Sana sat up as well, shaking out her ponytail, strands of hair falling loose around her face. She let out a content sigh before turning to him. “So,” she said, dusting off her skirt, “I guess that’s it for tonight.”

  Riku nodded, grabbing his bag. “Yeah. I’m heading home.”

  Sana blinked. Then—

  “…You’re not gonna walk me home?”

  Riku froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned his head, staring at her. “What?”

  Sana crossed her arms. “You heard me.”

  “…I mean… you’re fine, right?”

  Sana scoffed, placing a hand on her chest, dramatically acting like a damsel in distress. “Wow. Wow. My own coach, leaving me to walk home all alone? At night? What if something happens to me?”

  Riku sighed. “You literally just played basketball for three hours straight. I think you can handle yourself.”

  “That’s not the point.” She smirked. “Gentlemen walk girls home.”

  Riku pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh my god.”

  Sana grinned, victorious. “Come on, Takahashi,” she teased. “Be a gentleman.”

  Riku stared at her for a long moment. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “…Fine.”

  Sana beamed. “That’s the spirit!”

  And just like that, she linked her arm with his and pulled him along. Riku stiffened immediately. Sana laughed. “Relax, dude. You look like I just asked you to propose.”

  Riku muttered, “Might as well have.”

  She smirked. “Would you say yes?”

  “Hell no.”

  She pouted. “Rude.”

  Riku shook his head, wondering how he got himself into this.

  The walk home was… chaotic. Sana talked nonstop, her words tumbling over each other at lightning speed. She ranted about everything. From how the vending machine at school ripped her off to how she once got in trouble for sneaking snacks into class. From how she thought orange juice with pulp was a crime against humanity to how she swore she saw a ghost in the school’s music room once. Riku didn’t even try to keep up. Instead, he just listened, nodding occasionally as Sana jumped from topic to topic with endless energy.

  At some point, she interlocked their arms again, pulling him toward the sidewalk. “Wait, wait—look!” Riku glanced up, confused. And then he saw it.

  A cat. Perched on a fence, its tail flicking lazily as it stared down at them. Sana’s eyes sparkled. “It’s so cute.”

  Riku sighed. “It’s just a cat.”

  She smacks his arm playfully. “It’s not just a cat, Riku.” She reached up, stretching onto her toes. “Here, kitty, kitty…”

  The cat blinked at her but didn’t move. Sana tried again, reaching even higher. Riku watched, unimpressed. “…You’re not gonna reach.”

  Sana ignored him. She stretched even further—until she was practically on her tiptoes, barely keeping her balance. Riku rolled his eyes.

  “Alright, alright.”

  Before she could protest, he turned around and crouched down slightly. Sana blinked. “Huh?”

  Riku sighed. “Get on.”

  “…What?”

  “You wanna pet the cat, right? Just get on my back.”

  Sana’s lips curved into a smirk. “Oh? My coach is offering me a piggyback ride?”

  Riku glared at her. “Take it or leave it.”

  Sana grinned. And the next thing he knew—she hopped onto his back. Her arms loosely wrapped around his shoulders, her legs hooked over his sides. Riku staggered slightly from the sudden weight but adjusted quickly.

  Sana laughed. “Didn’t think this through, huh?”

  “Shut up.” He stood up properly, moving closer to the fence.

  Sana reached up again. “Almost… there!”

  The cat blinked, staring at her with mild interest. And then—it nuzzled into her hand. Sana gasped. “Oh my god, it’s letting me pet it!”

  Riku shook his head. “Great. You can die happy now.”

  Sana giggled, scratching the cat’s head. “This is the best day ever.”

  Riku muttered, “You really have low standards.”

  She ignored him, continuing to play with the cat for a moment before sighing. “Alright, mission complete.”

  Riku lowered himself slightly. “Get off.”

  Sana rested her chin on his shoulder. “…What if I don’t want to?” Riku froze. She was way too close. “…Sana.”

  She grinned. “Riku.”

  “…Get off.”

  “Big dumb stupid party pooper!” She sticks out her tongue, but then laughs and finally hops down.

  Riku exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. “I swear, you’re a menace.”

  Sana smiled, swaying slightly on her feet. “Yeah,” she said, tilting her head. “But you like me anyway.”

  Riku blinked. His heart skipped a beat. Sana watched his reaction closely, her smirk growing. But before he could respond, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him forward again. “Come on, let’s go before you chicken out of walking me home.”

  Riku let himself be pulled along, his mind a mess. This girl was dangerous. And for some reason—he didn’t hate it.

  They finally reached Sana’s house. A small, cozy place tucked between taller buildings. The porch light cast a warm glow, illuminating the front steps where a few potted plants lined the railing. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it felt… lived in. Comfortable. Sana stopped at the gate, turning to Riku with a soft smile.

  “Well,” she said, resting her hands behind her back, “guess this is me.”

  Riku nodded, shifting his bag over his shoulder. “Yeah.”

  She tilted her head slightly. “Thanks for walking me home.”

  “…You didn’t really give me a choice.”

  Sana smirked. “True.”

  For a moment, there was just silence. Then—

  “You know,” she murmured, looking up at him, “I’m kind of surprised you haven’t bailed on me yet.”

  Riku raised an eyebrow. “Why would I?”

  Sana chuckled softly, but there was something… different in her expression. “…Most people do.”

  Riku frowned. “What?”

  Sana exhaled, rolling a small pebble under her foot. “People usually distance themselves from me when they can.” She looked up, forcing a lighthearted smile. “They think I’m annoying.”

  Riku’s eyes narrowed. “Who said that?”

  Sana shrugged. “It’s not like they say it to my face. But I hear them.” She sighed, tilting her head back. “I talk too much. I don’t think things through. I act reckless, childish.” She kicked the pebble away. “It’s probably exhausting, right?”

  Riku stared at her. For the first time since meeting her, Sana didn’t seem so invincible. Her energy, her teasing, her constant smirking—it wasn’t just for fun. It was defensive. Like she was always waiting for people to get tired of her.

  “…That’s stupid,” Riku muttered.

  Sana blinked, looking at him. “Huh?”

  Riku sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I mean, yeah, you’re talkative. And reckless. And kind of a pain in the ass.”

  Sana pouted. “Wow, thanks.”

  “But,” Riku continued, “I don’t hate it.”

  She stared at him. Riku exhaled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Honestly, I don’t think you’re as annoying as you think you are.”

  Sana froze. For a second, she didn’t say anything. Then, a slow, genuine smile spread across her lips. “…Thanks, Takahashi.” Her voice was quieter this time. Almost shy.

  Riku looked away. “Whatever.”

  Sana giggled. She stepped back toward the gate, her fingers gripping the handle lightly. “Well,” she said, flashing him her usual playful grin, “I’ll see you tomorrow then, Coach?”

  Riku sighed. “I never agreed to that.”

  She smirked. “You will.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Go inside already.”

  Sana chuckled. Then, with one last glance at him, she murmured—

  “Goodnight, Riku.”

  Riku hesitated. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he replied—

  “…Night.”

  She disappeared inside. Riku stood there for a moment, staring at the door. Then he turned and started walking. His apartment was still a few blocks away, but his mind wasn’t on the walk home. It was on her. Sana Fujimura. Loud. Reckless. Impossible. And somehow, he hadn’t run away. And for the first time in a long time—

  He didn’t feel like he wanted to.

  ***

  Days had passed. And somehow, Riku hadn’t bailed. Every afternoon, he met Sana at the court, coaching her, correcting her form, rebounding her shots. She listened, adjusted, improved. She was fast. Really fast. Her dribbling was already sharp, but now her footwork was cleaner, her shots more consistent. She never stopped talking, though. She filled every moment with stories, thoughts, nonsense. And Riku… didn’t mind.

  Now, he sat at their usual booth in a ramen shop with Daiki and Haruto, barely listening as Daiki ranted about something ridiculous. “…and I’m just saying, if I were in a zombie apocalypse, I’d last at least a year.”

  Haruto stirred his broth. “You’d die in the first week.”

  Daiki scoffed. “Excuse me?”

  “You panic over claw machines, videogames, and pimples,” Haruto said flatly. “How are you gonna survive zombies?”

  “That’s different! Those machines are rigged, those videogames suck and pimples hurt and look super DUPER ugly!”

  Haruto sighed.

  Riku barely heard any of it. He was zoned out. His mind was elsewhere. On Sana. The way she smiled after every made shot. The way she laughed whenever she teased him. The way she’d lightly bump his shoulder when he got too serious. Riku shook his head. It’s nothing. She was just… his friend. Right?

  “Yo, Riku.” Daiki’s voice snapped him back.

  He blinked. “Huh?”

  Haruto smirked. “You were gone just now.”

  Daiki grinned, inching closer . “Lemme guess. You were thinking about Sana.”

  Riku scoffed. “No.”

  Haruto raised an eyebrow, inching as well, closing in on Riku.. “You sure?”

  “I was thinking about basketball,” Riku lied.

  Daiki snorted. “Uh-huh. Sure, man.”

  Haruto leaned in slightly. “Alright then. Let’s say you weren’t thinking about her.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “But how do you feel when you’re around her?” Haruto pressed.

  Riku hesitated.

  Daiki rested his chin on his hand. “Genuinely.”

  Riku exhaled. “…I don’t know.”

  Haruto tilted his head. “Come on.”

  Riku leaned back, staring at the ceiling. How did he feel? After a moment, he muttered, “Comfortable.” Daiki raised an eyebrow. Riku continued. “Like… I don’t have to think so much. I can just say whatever’s on my mind, and I won’t be judged for it.”

  Haruto smirked. “Sounds nice.”

  Daiki grinned and giggled. “Sounds like a love story in the making.”

  Riku immediately sat up. “No.”

  Haruto chuckled. “You’re really fighting it, huh?”

  “There’s nothing to fight,” Riku muttered. “She’s just—”

  His phone buzzed. He glanced at it.

  Sana: Busy tomorrow?

  Riku frowned, typing a quick response.

  Riku: You wanna train?

  Sana: Nope.

  Riku blinked.

  Sana: I wanna go out.

  Riku stared at the screen.

  Haruto noticed his reaction. “Who’s that?”

  Riku put his phone down. “…No one.”

  Daiki grinned. “It’s Sana, isn’t it?”

  Riku sighed, rubbing his temples. Haruto looked over his shoulder and read the message.

  Haruto smirked. “You gonna say yes?”

  Riku didn’t answer. But his heart was beating a little faster.