The gym was louder than before.
Miwa stood at the baseline, her eyes scanning the net ahead. Her team was up by two points in the final set. Sweat trickled down her back, but her grip on the ball was firm.
"Miwa, you're serving next!" Yui shouted from behind.
She nodded, took a deep breath, and tossed the ball high.
Her jump serve cut through the air like a blade, spinning into the backline. The other team barely saved it, sending back a shaky return. Sora set it perfectly—and Miwa leapt.
As she soared toward the ball, she saw him.
Farhan.
He was standing at the far side of the bleachers, just behind the spectators—again.
His jacket was slung over his shoulder this time, and he was watching the match with the same quiet intensity as before.
Miwa's heart skipped.
For half a second, she almost mistimed her jump. But her instinct kicked in and her spike crashed down onto the opponent's court, untouched.
The crowd erupted.
But Miwa barely noticed.
She landed lightly, her breath caught in her throat—not from the spike, but from the fact that he was still looking in her direction.
After the Game – Quiet Hallway
Miwa slipped away from the team area and walked quietly toward the vending machines, the same ones from earlier. Her steps were slow, unsure.
This time, she had her wallet.
She inserted the coins, pressed the same button—oolong tea again—and waited for the clink of the bottle.
As she bent down to grab it, a voice in the distance caught her ear.
She turned her head slightly.
Farhan.
He wasn't alone.
He was standing with three of his teammates—laughing. One of them gave him a hard pat on the back. Farhan grinned and said something Miwa couldn't hear. His expression was relaxed, brighter than how he looked during matches.
Miwa stood frozen beside the vending machine, bottle in hand.
She didn't know why she felt her chest tighten a little.
She turned back quickly, walking away before anyone could notice she had stopped.
Farhan hadn't seen her.
And yet, even when he wasn't looking—Miwa couldn't help but keep her eyes on him.