Chapter 7: The Lone Princess
Mina stepped out of the gym in silence, her steps slow, her thoughts loud. The echoes of fists colliding still rang in her ears—the aftermath of the intense boxing match she'd just witnessed. She didn't know the names of the two boxers who fought—Rukio and Oharu—but their battle had shaken her deeply.
She wasn't even supposed to be there. Volleyball practice ended early, and curiosity dragged her into the gym when she heard the heavy thuds and the roars of students. What she saw wasn't just a fight. It was war. It was two souls colliding with their beliefs, anger, and grief compressed into punches. Rukio's intensity and Oharu's presence were unlike anything she'd ever seen.
It terrified her. But it also filled her with awe.
Mina had faced strong opponents before. In volleyball, she stood against national-level players. She'd seen determination in the eye countless times across the court. But this... this was something else. The rawness of it all made her think about Joji. The Joji she'd been silently watching. The Joji who, little by little, began carving out a path into this brutal world.
She clutched her bag tighter.
"I wonder if... if Joji's really ready for this," she whispered. "Or if he'll just get lost in it."
But deep inside, she respected it. Because to chase something so ruthless—so consuming—it must mean the world to him. It reminded her of how she used to be. Or maybe still is. And that scared her more than anything.
She remembered the first time she really noticed him.
It wasn't some grand moment. No slow-motion glances or sparks flying. Just a rainy day. An ordinary walk home. She'd forgotten her umbrella, standing beneath the school entrance way with others huddled in corners trying to take their umbrellas out.
Joji walked past. Then paused.
Without a word, he lifted his umbrella slightly toward her direction, not fully offering it, but shielding her enough from the rain as they walked side by side in silence. He never said anything, didn't even glance her way. But it was enough for her to remember him.
That day, she felt something stir. A small warmth. He wasn't friendly. He wasn't charming. But he cared, in his own muted way. Like someone who didn't want recognition, but still did the right thing. It made her wonder how someone like that could grow.
Maybe, she thought, maybe I can teach him to be more.
Weeks passed. She started jogging on weekends—part of her training. One day, to her surprise, she saw Joji running the opposite way on the same path. Focused. Steady. He didn't notice her.
But she smiled anyway.
He's changing.
Then, as a month went by, Mina saw a message from Joji. Inviting her to jog.
She never get to reply. She had seen the message only after she returned home. Her headphones had broken that morning, and without music, jogging didn't feel the same. So she left her phone at home. It wasn't anyone's fault. Just bad timing.
And for three weekends after that, she couldn't even make time. Volleyball training intensified. The nationals were approaching.
Still, she regretted it. That one jog felt like a small door. A door that might've led somewhere special.
Now, walking home from the gym, she pulled out her phone, thumb hovering over Joji's name. She wanted to message him. Ask something. Say something.
But nothing came.
She sighed, slipping it back into her pocket.
Before heading home, she ducked into a tech store. Her eyes drifted over rows of earphones and Bluetooth headsets. She picked a simple pair, staring at it blankly.
"If I had these before... maybe I wouldn't have missed it," she mumbled. "That one jog could've changed everything."
The next day at school, the usual noise of admiration followed her wherever she went.
"Captain Mina! Can I get your autograph?"
"Teach me that spike, please!"
"You're so cool, senpai!"
She smiled. Laughed. Gave her signature finger-gun and wink. It was all part of the routine. Ace of the team. Friendly to everyone. Loud. Confident. Energetic.
But inside, it felt... hollow lately.
Today was her birthday.
Her parents got her cake and candles. They sang. She smiled. She didn't even tell her teammates. Didn't want the fuss. But a part of her hoped—just hoped—that maybe Joji would remember.
He didn't. Not a message. Not a hint.
She didn't cry. She wasn't the crying type. But she did sit alone on her bed longer than usual, hugging a pillow and staring at the ceiling.
It shouldn't matter. But it did.
She tried brushing it off. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he had things going on.
Then tthe next day, it got worse.
She was walking past the river side, the place Mina first introduced herself. And then she saw him.
Joji.
With a girl.
Cute. Elegant. With striking blonde hair and a calm aura that didn't quite match the chaos around her. Mina slowed down, instinctively hiding behind a tree.
She heard them laugh. Saw the girl lean in close, her eyes locked on Joji.
"You're so funny, you know?" the girl giggled with a slight accent.
Her name was Alisa Fujiwara. Daughter of Coach Haruto. And cousin to Imaizumi. Mina didn't know much, only that she was on vacation in Japan and seemed oddly close to Joji.
What Mina didn't know was this: Coach Haruto had arranged for Joji and Imaizumi to help Alisa adjust during her stay. Because Imaizumi and Alisa's personalities clashed too much, and Joji was... neutral. Calm. A buffer. Coach asked Joji to help her get used to being in Japan.
But to Mina, all she saw was the boy she liked, the boy who forgot her birthday, now spending time with a stunning foreigner who clearly liked him.
Her fingers curled into fists.
The goddess of the school turned around slowly and walked the other way. No words. No tears. Just silence.
She was everyone's favorite.
But at that moment, she never felt lonelier.
The lone princess—admired by many, loved by few.
And forgotten by the one she cared for most.
But for a split second, Joji caught a glimpse of Mina walking away.
"Oh, hey Mina. I forgot to give you these yesterday, so happy late bir-" before Joji could even finish greeting her, Mina ran.
Tears fall on every step she take, she couldn't take it anymore and just want to go back home. She didn't know what Joji's about to tell her, all she thought was she accidentally ruined their moment.
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[End of Chapter 7]