Cross-Court Connections【 Echizen Ryoma 】

04.0 Trial on Court Pt. 1

The gym buzzed with life as players filled the courts, the rhythmic thwack of shuttles blending with the squeak of sneakers on polished floors. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting long beams of light that highlighted the scuff marks on the polished wood. The air was filled with a mix of energy and anticipation—the kind of hum only a team in motion could create. For Asuka, this was her moment. 

Ryoma's words still echoed in her mind, igniting a fire in her chest that refused to go out. She marched to the registration board, marker in hand, her sneakers scuffing softly against the floor, and boldly wrote her name on the ranking matches list. 

The bold strokes of ink felt like a declaration of war against every doubt that had ever crossed her mind. Just as the ink dried, she heard a sharp voice behind her, slicing through the noise like a knife.

"You again?"

Asuka turned sharply, her shoulders tensing. 

Satou Homura stood a few feet away, her fiery red hair tied in a high ponytail that seemed to radiate her intense energy. The strands swayed slightly as she strode forward, her steps deliberate and sharp. Satou's sharp eyes narrowed, narrowing further when they landed on the board and Asuka's name. Her racket was slung over her shoulder like a sword, her fingers drumming rhythmically against its frame as if to channel her irritation.

"Good morning, Satou-senpai," Asuka greeted, bowing politely, her voice steady even as she felt the tension crackle in the air. The weight of Satou's stare felt like being pinned under a spotlight.

"Didn't I already tell you freshmen can't participate in ranking matches?" Satou barked, her voice sharp enough to cut through the gym's layered noise. The words came out like an accusation, like Asuka had personally offended her pride.

"I heard you," Asuka replied, her tone calm but resolute. Her back straightened, and her hands curled into loose fists at her sides. "But I still think it's unfair."

The surrounding players immediately fell silent, their curiosity piqued. One by one, heads turned toward the brewing confrontation. The sharp taps of shoes stopped. Someone somewhere coughed nervously.

Among them was Sakamoto Rei, the team's easygoing vice-captain. With her shoulder-length navy hair loosely tied back and a carefree smile plastered on her face, she leaned casually against the bleachers, though her eyes glimmered with intrigue. "This should be interesting," she murmured under her breath, her tone light and almost amused despite the tension.

"Define 'interesting,'" quipped Amaya Sakura, lounging nearby with a smirk. Her vibrant pink hair framed her face perfectly, bangs grazing her eyebrows. She propped her chin on her hand, her grin laced with mischief. "Are we watching Satou explode again? Because that's, like, the third time this week."

Next to her, Kobayashi Rina, the team's calm and collected manager, frowned slightly as she adjusted her glasses. The slight glare off the lenses made her expression harder to read, but her tone was crisp and no-nonsense. "Amaya, shouldn't you be warming up?" she asked, her voice as steady as ever.

"I am warming up. Emotionally," Amaya replied, grinning wider. Her tone was far too pleased with itself, her posture completely relaxed despite the tension surrounding the scene. She swung her legs lazily, tapping the heel of her sneaker against the edge of the bench.

"Shut it, Amaya," growled Satou, her piercing glare briefly flicking toward her teammate before snapping back to Asuka with renewed force. It was as though every ounce of her frustration was now concentrated into that single look.

The confrontation had drawn in others as well. Yamamoto Ayumi, the elegant second-year, stood with her arms crossed, a hand raised thoughtfully to her mouth as her eyebrows knit together in concern. Her usually calm, refined demeanor looked strained, as though she was holding herself back from intervening. Beside her, the timid Kikumaru Yuko clutched her racket like a lifeline, her wide eyes darting nervously between Asuka and Satou as though afraid one of them might suddenly combust.