The gym smelled like sweat, rubber, and something faintly like victory—a scent that clung to the walls long after the last game of the season.
Monday afternoon. Basketball practice. The squeak of sneakers echoed off the polished floor as the team ran drills, their breath fogging in the cool air.
Ohyul
dribbling lazily, grinning at a teammate Yo, pass it again. I wanna try that behind-the-back thing from last week.
He moved like he owned the court—because he did. Captain. MVP. The guy everyone wanted to be or be with.
A few girls lingered by the gym doors, phones out, pretending to scroll but really angling for a glimpse. One of them giggled when he glanced over.
Practice paused for a water break. Ohyul jogged to the sideline, running a hand through his damp hair, when the gym doors swung open.
Not with a bang. With purpose.
Ohyul
looking up, grin faltering slightly …Lina?
She stood there, arms crossed, her ponytail sharp and her eyes sharper. The cheer captain didn't come to the gym after school. Ever.
Teammate 1
muttering Uh oh. That's the girlfriend voice.
Teammate 2
quietly Dude, shut up.
Ohyul
forcing a smile, setting the ball down Babe, what're you doing here? Practice is kinda—
Lina
cutting in, voice flat We need to talk.
Ohyul
glancing around at the team, laughing nervously Can this wait? We're kind of in the middle of—
Lina
No.
The gym went quiet. Even the echo of the last bouncing ball seemed to fade.
Ohyul
sighing, scratching the back of his neck Okay, uh… guys, give us a minute.
The team shuffled awkwardly toward the far end of the court, pretending to stretch and not listen. It wasn't working.
Ohyul
lowering his voice, stepping closer What's this about?
Lina
pulling out her phone, holding it up This.
On the screen—a photo. Ohyul, sitting at a café, laughing at something. And across from him, a girl with long hair and a smile too easy to call friendly.
Ohyul
staring at the screen, jaw tightening …Where'd you get that?
Lina
Does it matter?
Ohyul
looking away, voice defensive It's just a friend. We were studying.
Lina
short, dry laugh Studying. At a café. On a Saturday. You didn't even mention her.
Ohyul
I don't need to tell you about every person I talk to, Lina. That's insane.
Lina
eyes narrowing Insane? Or observant?
Ohyul
running a hand through his hair, frustrated You're always jealous. Every time I talk to a girl, you act like I'm cheating.
Lina
voice dropping And every time I act like that, you make me feel like the problem.
The team was definitely not stretching anymore. One guy had his water bottle frozen halfway to his mouth.
Ohyul
lowering his voice, stepping closer Can we not do this here? You're making a scene.
Lina
holding his gaze I'm not the one who made it one.
A long, tense second passed. Ohyul's jaw worked, like he had something to say but knew better than to say it.
Lina
finally, quieter You know what? Forget it.
She turned, ponytail swinging, and walked out of the gym without looking back. The doors swung shut behind her with a soft, final click.
Ohyul
standing there, watching her go, expression unreadable
Teammate 1
after a beat, carefully …You good, Cap?
Ohyul
snapping out of it, forcing a grin Yeah. She's just… emotional. You know how girls get.
He picked up the ball and tossed it back to the drill, but the glint in his eye wasn't amusement.