Twice one-shots

Shooting for love (jeongmi)

The sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished gym floor and the rhythmic thump of a basketball echoed through the spacious gymnasium. Jeongyeon, the school's star basketball player, was in her element. She weaved through her teammates, executing flawless layups and perfect jump shots. The crowd in the bleachers cheered, but her focus was unshakable.

Meanwhile, in the quiet corners of the library, Mina was engrossed in her latest novel. The solitude of the library was her sanctuary, a place where she could escape the noise and chaos of high school life. Her love for books and her shy demeanor made her an outcast among her peers, but she didn't mind. She had her stories, and that was enough for her.

Their worlds couldn't have been more different, and under normal circumstances, they might never have crossed paths. But fate had other plans.

One evening, as Jeongyeon was practicing alone after everyone else had left, she heard a faint noise coming from the bleachers. Curious, she walked over to investigate and found Mina, huddled in a corner, frantically searching through her backpack.

"Hey, what are you doing here so late?" Jeongyeon asked, her voice echoing in the empty gym.

Mina looked up, startled. "Oh, um, I was just... I think I lost my notebook. It's really important. I need it for a project that's due tomorrow."

Jeongyeon raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the desperation in Mina's eyes. "Do you remember where you last had it?"

Mina shook her head, her eyes beginning to well up with tears. "No, I've looked everywhere. I don't know what to do."

Jeongyeon felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. Despite her tough exterior, she had a soft spot for people in need. "Hey, it's okay. I'll help you look for it. Where did you sit during practice?"

Mina pointed to a spot in the bleachers, and together they started their search. After a few minutes, Jeongyeon found the notebook wedged between two seats. She handed it to Mina, who accepted it with a relieved smile.

"Thank you so much," Mina said, clutching the notebook to her chest. "I don't know what I would have done without it."

Jeongyeon shrugged, trying to play it cool. "No problem. Just glad I could help."

As Mina turned to leave, Jeongyeon called out, "Hey, do you want to come to our game tomorrow? We could use some more supporters."

Mina hesitated, surprised by the invitation. "I... I don't know. I'm not really into sports."

Jeongyeon smiled. "That's okay. It's just nice to have people cheering us on. Think about it, okay?"

Mina nodded, and with a final smile, she left the gym. Jeongyeon watched her go, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.

The next day, as the basketball game was about to begin, Jeongyeon scanned the crowd. She was starting to lose hope when she finally spotted Mina, sitting nervously in the back row. 

Jeongyeon's heart lifted, and she gave her a quick wave. Mina smiled shyly and waved back.

Throughout the game, Jeongyeon found herself playing with extra vigor, knowing that Mina was watching. Every time she scored, she glanced up at the bleachers, feeling a sense of pride whenever she caught Mina's eye. The game ended with a resounding victory, and Jeongyeon was the star of the night.

After the game, Jeongyeon found Mina waiting by the locker rooms. "Hey, you made it," Jeongyeon said, her face lighting up.

Mina nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You were amazing out there. I've never seen anything like it."

Jeongyeon chuckled. "Thanks. I'm glad you came. Maybe we can hang out sometime, you know, outside of school?"

Mina blushed, surprised by the offer. "I'd like that."

Over the next few weeks, Jeongyeon and Mina started spending more time together. They discovered that despite their differences, they had a lot in common. Jeongyeon admired Mina's intelligence and her passion for books, while Mina was fascinated by Jeongyeon's dedication and talent on the court.

Their friendship soon blossomed into something more. Jeongyeon found herself opening up to Mina in ways she never had with anyone else, and Mina felt a sense of belonging she had never experienced before.

One evening, as they sat together on the bleachers, watching the sunset, Jeongyeon turned to Mina. "You know, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad I lost that game the other day."

Mina looked at her, puzzled. "Why?"

Jeongyeon smiled, her eyes filled with affection. "Because if I hadn't, I might never have met you."

Mina's heart swelled with emotion, and she leaned in, their lips meeting in a gentle, tender kiss. As they pulled away, they both knew that despite their differences, they were perfect for each other.