The three on the bleachers couldn't hold it in any longer. They bolted down the steps, yelling at the top of their lungs.
"Senpai!! We've heard the legends, but seeing you play in real life—insane!!""Bro, how the hell did you jump that high!? I nearly fainted!!""Teach me your secret, please! I wanna be that strong too!!"
They crowded around Uy Phong, tugging at his arms, shaking his shoulders, firing off questions like rapid-fire. He barely had time to react—
Click.
The door swung open.
Everyone turned at once.
"You guys still practicing? Done yet? We brought drinks!" Vy's bright voice cut through the air.
She walked in first, waving with one hand and swinging a bag full of frosty ice creams with the other. Behind her was An Phong, his usual blank-faced "default mode" on, carrying a large bag stuffed with sports drinks.
Ho Nhu peeked out from behind them, eyes sparkling with curiosity."Oh? Who's that? New recruits?"
An Thu shook her head immediately, deadpan:"Recruit? Please. I haven't even posted the sign-up ad yet."
Uy Phong finally spoke, his voice calm but—just for a beat—softer."No. They're my classmates."
A collective "Ohhh…" rose from the group, like they'd just had an epiphany.
Vy and An Phong stepped closer. Uy Phong's eyes flicked past Vy but lingered on An Phong longer than necessary. His words slipped out almost unconsciously:"So why are you two here?"
Vy frowned, her tone sharp."Excuse me!? Didn't you say we're VIPs? We can come whenever we want! Plus, we literally brought ice cream and drinks for everyone. What, you trying to kick us out?"
"…No. Just curious," Uy Phong replied flatly—though his gaze stayed glued to An Phong.
Unlike Vy's fiery energy, An Phong simply stood there. He faced the group, but his expression was vacant, distant, as if his mind had gone offline completely.
For some reason, that made Uy Phong chuckle under his breath.
An Thư quickly stepped forward, her voice loud and formal, like she was introducing royalty."Hello! I'm An Thu, manager and logistics officer of the basketball team. Thank you so much for supporting us! On behalf of everyone here, I'm deeply grateful!" She even bowed, a stark contrast to Uy Phong's indifference.
Vy's eyes sparkled at that, grinning like she'd just been crowned."Right, I'm Ngoc Vy, and this is An Phong. We're Uy Phong's classmates. We'll be dropping by often, so make sure to give us a warm welcome, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am!!" An Thu chimed back, practically saluting.
"Wait, wait—so his name's Phong too?!" Ho Nhu gasped, pointing at An Phong. "That's two Phongs on one team! Crazy!"
Vy puffed her chest, smirking."Yep. And guess what—these two even sit next to each other in class."
"Whaaat!?" the kids chorused, jaws dropping like they'd just uncovered a government conspiracy.
An Thu's grin turned sly. She fluttered her lashes playfully."Not gonna lie, guys named Phong are dangerously handsome."
"Totally agree!" Ho Nhu chimed in, nodding so hard her ponytail bounced.
"Hold it right there." Vy shot back instantly, pointing accusingly. "Correction: only my An Phong counts as handsome. That other guy? Nah."
"Huh? What's going on?" An Phong finally blinked back to life, turning to Vy with his flat, clueless tone—as if he hadn't heard a single word the entire time.
The room froze. The bubbly chaos vanished in an instant. It was like watching a caveman step out of a time machine.
The first to break the silence was Thien Hung, who had been lurking in the back the whole time."Man, I'm parched. Hey, buddy—mind handing me a drink?" Without waiting, he plucked a bottle from An Phong's bag with a cheeky wink and strolled away.
Seeing that, An Thu quickly tugged Vy toward the rest area. The others followed in a cheerful swarm, leaving An Phong standing alone like he'd just lost his herd.
Uy Phong chuckled."Seriously? Everyone's gone. You that slow?"
"Huh? Oh… guess so." An Phong blinked, utterly blank again.
Uy Phong just shook his head with a sigh."Idiot."
He turned and walked off. An Phong shuffled after, like a stray cat tailing its owner.
…
A few minutes later.
At the rest table, Vy had already blended right in—laughing and gossiping with An Thu, Ho Nhu, and Huy like they'd been friends forever.
Meanwhile, the two Phongs had picked a quiet corner by the court. They sat side by side, watching Hung and Minh take turns practicing their jump shots.
Uy Phong lifted a water bottle, gulped, then wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. An Phong stayed silent, his eyes locked on the court, expression blank but strangely focused.
Then, slowly, he spoke:"So that's… another way to play basketball?"
Uy Phong tilted his head, brow furrowing."Hm?"