The football field had never felt so intense.
Gojo Namena sprinted down the sideline, sweat clinging to his brow, lungs burning in the late afternoon sun. Every pass, every shot, every drill — he pushed himself like never before.
Coach Nakamura noticed.
"You're moving like someone lit a fire under your cleats, Namena!" he barked from the sidelines.
Gojo gave a breathless nod. "Just... motivated, sir!"
"Good. Because Hoshikawa's defense won't go easy on you. They're bigger, faster, and—"
"They haven't seen what I've got yet," Gojo said, voice calm but eyes fierce.
Rei jogged up beside him during a break. "You're on something, man. You've never been this dialed in. Not even during the finals last year."
Gojo sipped from his water bottle. "This time it's personal."
Rei smirked. "So... Operation Impress Hinata Aoki is officially underway?"
Gojo nodded. "If I want her answer, I have to earn it. She didn't say it, but I think she wants to see how far I'm willing to go."
Rei shook his head. "Man, you're insane. But I respect it."
*****
Meanwhile, across campus, Hinata Aoki sat alone in the music room, her fingers resting on the piano keys. A simple melody trickled out — delicate and uncertain.
She paused, letting silence settle.
In her notebook were scattered phrases, unfinished lyrics, and one page she kept staring at:
"Gojo Namena likes me."
The words looked surreal written in her own handwriting. Like something from a dream she hadn't meant to wake up from.
She didn't expect his confession — not from the school's football star, the guy always surrounded by teammates and laughter. But the way he looked at her, the way his voice softened around her name — it wasn't a joke.
She pressed her fingers lightly on the keys again, but didn't play.
Instead, a heat crept up her neck, and she blushed, suddenly remembering how close he'd been when he said it — how the sakura petals had fallen just behind him, how nervous he looked but still said it anyway.
She covered her face with both hands, letting out a small, muffled groan.
"Why does it keep replaying in my head like that...?"
The door creaked open. Her best friend, Rika, peeked in.
"There you are," Rika said, stepping inside with a mischievous grin. "You've been avoiding me since lunch. What gives?"
Hinata sighed. "It's nothing."
"Oh please." Rika slid into the seat next to her. "You've got that 'I'm hiding a crush' face. Spill."
Hinata hesitated, glancing at the notebook again.
Then, softly: "Gojo... confessed to me."
Rika's eyes widened. "Wait — Gojo Namena? Football Gojo?"
Hinata nodded slowly, her cheeks warming again. "Under the cherry blossom tree."
Rika practically squealed. "Shut up. No way!"
Hinata gave a small smile. "He was really sincere. Said he liked me... ever since he first heard me play."
Rika was stunned silent for once.
"But I didn't give him an answer," Hinata continued. "I told him to prove it. To win the match next week."
Rika raised an eyebrow. "Ooooh. A challenge. That's kinda romantic."
"Maybe," Hinata said, her voice softening. "I just... I wanted to see if he really meant it."
Rika nudged her playfully. "Sounds like you want him to win."
Hinata looked down, smile returning. "Yeah... I do."
******
Back on the field, practice stretched into the evening. Gojo stayed after most of the team had left, shooting goal after goal at an empty net. His legs ached. His shoulders burned.
But he didn't stop.
Because every time he closed his eyes, he saw her — Hinata under the cherry blossoms, her voice light and teasing, her eyes hiding something warm and fragile.
He had five days to prove he was serious.
Five days to show her that love wasn't just a feeling.
It was effort. And he was ready to give it everything he had.