beyond the net - RAN TAKAHASHI.

004. the event

₊˚ . 🌱 ₊˚ ⌗﹒ﾟ.

── .✦ PARIS HAD A WAY of making everything feel dreamlike, a perfect blend of old world romance and modern day excitement. even though the city was buzzing with olympic fervor, it still managed to maintain its timeless charm. the air was warm, the days were long, and the scent of fresh pastries wafted from every corner. for yn galassi, her days in paris had been a mix of sightseeing and reminiscing about her brief but unforgettable encounter with ran takahashi.

it had been three days since their first meeting, but yn found herself replaying that moment over and over in her mind. she wasn't sure what it was about him that had captivated her so much. maybe it was his quiet confidence, his kindness, or the way his eyes seemed to convey a depth that words couldn't. whatever it was, she knew she wasn't ready to forget him just yet.

meanwhile, in the bustling confines of the olympic village, ran was finding it hard to focus. his teammates noticed it too - the way his eyes would drift off during strategy discussions or how he would smile to himself when he thought no one was watching. but the captain, yuki ishikawa, always perceptive, had caught on quickly.

"so," yuki began one afternoon, leaning against the wall of their shared room, arms crossed over his chest. "are you going to do something about it, or just keep daydreaming?"
ran blinked, pulled out of his reverie. "do something about what?"
yuki rolled his eyes, amused. "about the girl. yn, right? you've been thinking about her ever since the brazil match."

ran hesitated. he hadn't talked much about yn after that initial conversation with yuki, but he knew his teammate was right. she was constantly on his mind, and the idea of letting that moment slip away without trying to see her again didn't sit well with him. but what could he do? she was a spectator, someone he'd met by chance, and with the olympics in full swing, his time was limited.

"i don't know," ran admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "it's not like i can just walk up to her and ask her out. i don't even know where she's staying."
yuki's grin widened. "you're in luck, my friend. you're an olympic athlete - use your resources. the volunteers here are great at connecting people. if you want to see her again, why not reach out? invite her to one of our team events or something."

ran considered it, the idea taking root in his mind. it was true - being an olympic athlete came with certain privileges, and he knew that the volunteers were skilled at making things happen. it wouldn't be too difficult to ask them to pass on a message. and if yn was still in paris, maybe she'd be interested in meeting up again.

a surge of determination coursed through him. he wasn't someone who let opportunities slip by, and this felt like a once in a lifetime chance. maybe fate had brought them together for a reason, and it was up to him to see where it led.