The moon light filtered through the curtains of Yuuto's room, brushing against the basketball posters plastered across the walls. The faint hum of a fan mixed with the distant sounds of the city outside. Yuuto slumped onto his bed, still wearing the hoodie from the bus ride back from the tournament. His phone vibrated incessantly on the bedside table, notifications blinking like a strobe light in the quiet room.
"Finally home," he muttered, rubbing his face with one hand. The scent of lingering stadium sweat clung to his clothes, a tangible reminder of the battle they had fought earlier. It had been a victory Seiryō High had triumphed over Easton Technical by a single point, Shunjin's incredible fadeaway jumper sealing the deal. But Yuuto didn't feel victorious. Not really.
The door creaked open.
"Yuuto," his mother said, leaning against the frame with a smile that radiated warmth and relief. "How was the game?"
He tried to smile. "We… won," he said quietly, his voice flat.
