Codename: Operation "Make Kuya Dane Marry Alona"
Location: School canteen + badminton court
Time: Too early for this level of unholy energy
"Don't you think they'd make cute babies?"
That was the first thing Nina said that morning.
Yumi, eating champorado straight from the takeout cup, didn't even blink. "Already named their first three. One of them has Dane's hair and Alona's murder glare."
Nina's eyes sparkled. "Okay but hear me out—twins."
"Girl and boy?"
"Yup. The girl's a future badminton prodigy. The boy thinks gravity is optional."
Both girls burst into unholy laughter that made passing students take the long route to class.
They were chaos, distilled.
One was tall, sarcastic, and dramatic.
The other was small, deadpan, and surgical with her mischief.
Together, they were a teacher's worst nightmare and a coach's secret weapon.
That Afternoon – Court Lessons
"Why is your grip like you're holding a fish sandwich?" Alona asked, her brows furrowed.
Yumi stared at her racket. "...I've never held a fish sandwich."
Alona sighed and adjusted the girl's fingers gently. "Here. Thumb higher. Relax the rest. Racket's not your enemy."
"Unless it is," Yumi muttered. "I've seen yours hit walls."
"Only when they deserve it."
They laughed.
Yumi looked up at her, genuinely this time. "You're really good, you know?"
Alona arched an eyebrow. "Complimenting me now?"
Yumi shrugged, stepping back into stance. "Just facts. You're intense, focused, smart. You look like you belong here. With us."
A pause.
"With him."
Alona almost missed the last line, but it echoed louder in her heart than it should have.
"You don't know what you're talking about," she said, voice lighter than her heartbeat.
Yumi grinned. "Sure. And I'm not plotting your wedding."
"Yumi."
"I already drew dress designs in my notebook. Yours has feathers."
"Yumi."
The girl sprinted to grab the shuttlecock. "Gotta train if I wanna be maid of honor someday!"
Later: Back to Chaos
"Okay," Nina said, hands on her hips as they sat on the gym floor after practice. "Top three signs that Alona is definitely the One for Kuya Dane."
Yumi raised three fingers. "One: She never swoons when he talks about pick-and-rolls. She counters."
"Power move. Two?"
"She smashed a birdie so hard, a cockroach died."
"Iconic. Three?"
"She doesn't treat him like he's special... but she sees him like he is."
Nina stopped.
"Wait… that was poetic. Did you eat emotions for lunch?"
"Just the champorado."
Nina stared. "Girl… you're in deep."
Yumi nodded solemnly. "I'd die for her."
"And if your Kuya messes it up?"
"I'll break both his kneecaps."
They high-fived.
A pinky swear of chaos, sealed under the buzzing gym lights and the growing certainty in Yumi's sharp little heart.