Baby-Boom girls stood frozen at their bench, watching Nash get swarmed by Blacklist girls across the court, jumping, laughing, grinding against him like they couldn't wait to drag him off and feast.
Aiko's breaths came fast, her chest rising and falling hard under her soaked jersey.
She blinked fast, biting her lip to stop the frustrated tears burning behind her eyes.
They lost. They fought so hard, pushed themselves beyond limits, and still lost.
It hurt, but more than that... Nash's strength. His effortless control of the game, the way his team moved for him, trusted him, even his opponents… it stirred something deep inside her.
She wanted that. Needed it. More than revenge, more than pride.
Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides.
"I'll face you again," she muttered. "I won't lose next time."
But her voice wavered. Because right now? She couldn't think about anything except meeting him after.
