The shouting swelled, voices overlapping, tension threatening to boil into something more than just a school match. Aaron was stepping forward again, fists clenched, and Rin's eyes were practically on fire.
But Damien, still on one knee, raised a hand calmly.
"Relax," he said, voice low but firm enough to cut through the noise.
Aaron blinked. "But he—"
"I said relax," Damien repeated, finally pushing himself to his feet. He winced slightly as he shifted weight off the bleeding knee, but otherwise moved with measured control. "It's not worth a suspension."
Rin looked at him sideways, still simmering, but he backed off a step. The others hesitated, murmuring their frustration, but began to follow suit. The ref kept gesturing and barking, but the moment had defused—for now.
Damien dusted his palms, then turned just slightly away from the group, just enough for no one to see the curve of the smile twitching at the corner of his lips.
DING.
