The practice court was quiet after the shuffle match, except for Ren's ragged breathing. He leaned against the glass wall, sweat dripping from his chin.
Maria's rhythm... Shizuka's precision... I'm stuck between fire and ice. How am I supposed to keep up with either of them, let alone both?
"Oi."
Ren straightened as Shizuka strode in, racket bag slung neatly on her shoulder. She didn't look at him, eyes scanning the court like she owned it.
"You're training with me. Now."
"Eh—right after that match?" Ren croaked.
Her glare snapped to him. "What? Too tired? Then stop pretending you can stand on this stage."
Ren swallowed and lifted his racket. "...Fine. But don't blame me if I collapse."
They began drills. Shizuka's cues were sharp, efficient. "Mine. Yours. Stay back. Net now." Her voice was ice—precise, predictable. Ren's HUD blinked:
[Team Sync (Shizuka): 22 → 23]
Then Maria appeared, dropping her bag with a flourish. "¡Hola, chico! Don't hog him, tsundere-chan. My turn."
Shizuka stiffened. "This isn't your session."
"Of course it is." Maria winked at Ren. "We're partners now too, no? Or are you afraid I'll melt him faster than your ice drills?"
Ren nearly choked. D-don't drag me into this!
Maria's style was the opposite—loud, chaotic, full of claps and rhythm. Ren stumbled trying to follow. HUD blinked again:
[Team Sync (Maria): 19 → 20]
Then, something strange happened. As Ren switched between them—ice to fire, silence to rhythm—the HUD shimmered with new text:
[Skill Unlocked: Partner Sync (Lv.1)]
Translate cues between partners. Moderate stamina cost. Boost Team Sync when bridging different styles.
Ren froze mid-drill. Partner Sync...? I can link them?
The next rally proved it. Maria clapped twice, Ren adjusted, then called sharply: "Net—yours!" Shizuka cut in perfectly, volley winner.
For a brief moment, both Team Sync bars pulsed together. The rally felt smooth, impossible, like two different songs merging into one.
Shizuka's eyes widened faintly. Maria's grin spread slow and knowing.
On the sideline, Daigo scratched his stubble, watching intently. "Huh. So the brat's not just learning. He's... translating."
Ren collapsed to his knees, panting, HUD still glowing.
Fire and ice... maybe I don't have to choose. Maybe I can carry both.
Ren kneeling on the court, two shadows—Shizuka and Maria—looming over him from opposite sides, while his HUD pulses faint blue:
[Partner Sync Lv.1 — Active]