The locker room smelled of sweat and antiseptic spray. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as Ren slumped on the bench, his shirt clinging damp to his skin. His hands trembled when he peeled off the grip tape—palms raw, red welts forming.
Lost again. But... the applause is still ringing. It wasn't pity, was it? No... they saw me.
The door banged open. Maria strolled in, racket bag over her shoulder, hair still damp from a quick rinse. She leaned against the wall with a grin.
"Chico, that was... spectacular."
Ren blinked. "I lost."
Maria waved dismissively. "Sí, but who cares? Everyone loses. Not everyone makes the crowd roar while doing it." She tilted her head, green eyes glinting. "Besides... you looked good out there."
Ren nearly choked on his own breath. Wha—she says that so casually?!
Before he could reply, Shizuka's voice cut sharp from the corner. She stood with arms crossed, expression frosty.
"Don't let her fill your head with nonsense. You were sloppy. Footwork a mess. If Chen had been serious the entire set, you'd have been 0–6 again."
Ren flinched. "...Ouch."
Maria chuckled. "So cold, tsundere-chan. Don't worry, chico. I like sloppy sometimes—it's honest."
Shizuka's ears twitched pink. "D-Don't call me that! And don't twist my words!"
The tension crackled, making Ren sweat for reasons unrelated to his match. Oh no. They're going to kill me before the league does.
Daigo finally entered, carrying a towel slung over his shoulder, cigarette stubbed out on the way. He looked Ren up and down, then grunted.
"You didn't disgrace me. Barely."
Ren straightened, startled. "Th-Thank you?"
Daigo smirked faintly. "Don't thank me. Block was real. But one trick doesn't win matches. Tomorrow we make it a weapon. Until then—ice your damn hands."
He tossed a cold pack onto Ren's lap. Ren hissed at the sting but pressed it on anyway.
The old coach leaned on the doorframe, his voice dropping. "Enjoy the applause while it lasts, brat. Next round won't give you mercy."
Before Ren could ask what he meant, the PA system chimed through the speakers:
"Attention: Partner Shuffle Round announced. Selected players will be assigned new partners for evaluation."
Ren's HUD blinked at the same time:
[Mandatory Event: Partner Shuffle — Maria Luz Assigned.]
He froze. Wait... partner... with Maria?!
Maria clapped her hands, laughing. "¡Fantástico! Looks like we're dancing again, chico."
Shizuka's jaw tightened, eyes narrowing dangerously. "...Ridiculous."
Maria leaning close with a playful smirk, Ren frozen with panic, Shizuka glaring from the shadows—the spark of rivalry starting to blaze.