Take Our Time | Bbangsaz

Chapter 7

Two hours later...

"Alright, Ladies!" Hanni immediately started awoke from her spot. "Here's what's going to happen. Right now, we are entering enemy lines."

"When the hell did she wake up?!" Minji was just as startled as she stared, bewildered. Hanni took notice of the predicament she put herself in. The older girl had her head resting on Hanni's shoulder. That wasn't the part that bothered her. No. Instead, it was Minji staring up at her. In her own groggy haze, she hadn't realised how close in proximity they were. Very close. Hanni can only manage a loud gulp before Minji collects herself and sits up. Minji opened her mouth to say something, but Hanni cleared her throat and quickly gave her attention to Taeyeon.

"After we WIN," Taeyeon empathised, "Because we can, and I know we will! After, we're coming back here and going to our hotel arrangements. As your glorious and gracious coach, I took it upon myself to get us an excellent play to stay at. Team members and co. To celebrate how far we've all come as a team. I know. I know. You can all cheer now." Scattered applause filled the bus. "Okay! I'll blame that on pre-game jitters. Anyway, it's time. Grab your gear, and let's go out there and kick some ass!" Silence. Taeyeon sighed. "We'll work on that on the way home."

The bus pulled into the parking lot of their ill-fated enemy today. Players and co. filed out one by one. The sounds of shoes walking on pavement filled the atmosphere. As they approached the entrance, the roar of the home crowd only grew louder, step by step. The doors swung open, revealing the lit hallway leading to their locker room.

"Hey," Minji grasps at Hanni's wrist to stop her from walking ahead. "I have to go take my seat now with Aeri. But before I go, I just wanted to tell you good luck. Not that you need it, of course!" Minji sheepishly said. "You're one of our best! Not that all of us aren't good, but you're wow, you know?"

"Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that."

"Oh! Also! I bought these!" Minji pulled a pair of sunglasses from her pocket. "I know you'll outshine everyone, so I brought these to protect my eyes."
Hanni snorted and lightly punched her shoulder.

"You're such a dork, Kim."

"Okay. Okay." Minji put up her hands in mock surrender. "I gotta go and find my seat. I'll see you after the game. Seriously, Hanni. Good luck out there."

Hanni nodded and turned around to head inside the locker room. Inside, the atmosphere had shifted into something charged. Players were already halfway into their uniforms, and the room had the clatter of equipment being thrown on and around. Soon, the sound of cleats clattered on the tiled floor as the team gathered for one more pep talk.

Taeyeon took her place in front. "Hanni!" Her head snapped up. "Say something for the team!"

"Uhhh..." Hanni went in front of Taeyeon. "Let's go out there and...make them remember who we are! We've come so far, and we've got each other. Now, let's go out there and kick their butts! Let's go, football!"

Half-hearted cheers filled the room, a mixture of embarrassment and cringe evident in their tone.

"And that is the last time I let you do pep talks!" Taeyeon patted her on the back. "But you heard her! Let's go out there and show them a night they'll remember for generations!"

Finally, joyous cheers filled the room instead. With determination in their eyes, the team filed out. Hanni felt her adrenaline rush through her body the more the cheers from the home crowd rose in volume. As Hanni stepped into the stadium's bright lights and heard the crowd explain their displeasure, Hanni smiled. The pursuit of victory never felt better.
———-

They won, of course.

The team bus rumbled into the hotel parking lot, cheers still echoing in the bus from a well-played game. Hanni was giddy about the whole thing. Even when entering the hotel lobby, she had a bounce in her step.