Shun watched as Rika continued her drills, her sharp movements fueled by a quiet intensity. Something felt… different.
It wasn't just that her hair was shorter—there was something in her eyes, a fire that wasn't there before.
Without thinking, he asked—
"Why'd you cut your hair?"
Rika paused, bouncing the ball under her foot. For a moment, she didn't answer. Then, with a small exhale, she looked at him.
"We lost a match."
Shun blinked.
"So you cut your hair?"
Rika's fingers brushed through the short strands, her expression unreadable.
"I was the captain. The team depended on me, and I… couldn't deliver."
Her voice was calm, but Shun caught the frustration behind it.
"Cutting my hair was a reminder. I have to be better."
Shun stayed silent, watching her.
He understood that feeling too well.
The frustration. The weight of responsibility. The obsession with getting stronger.
"You serious about that?"
Rika raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously."
Shun smirked slightly.
"Then… wanna train together?"
She blinked, caught off guard.
"You?"
"I was already planning to train. You might as well join me."
For a moment, Rika studied him, as if trying to figure out if he was joking. Then, she sighed, rolling her shoulders.
"Fine. But don't slow me down."
Shun chuckled.
"That's my line."
And just like that, they began training—two determined players, each chasing something.
Something they refused to lose again.