The rivalry between Akira's team and their opponents seemed sharper than ever in the second half, each side pushing harder and faster with every play. But every time Akira looked into the stands, her eyes found Nelson, watching her with that intense, possessive gaze that left her feeling both flattered and slightly unnerved. She was used to confidence, but Nelson's protectiveness was something else entirely.
With only a few minutes left in the game, she stole the ball, dribbled past a defender, and sank a perfect layup, bringing her team into the lead. The crowd erupted, and she felt a surge of pride as she glanced over at Nelson, who gave her a nod of approval, his smirk telling her he expected nothing less.
After the final whistle blew, sealing their victory, Akira's teammates swarmed her, cheering and celebrating. She high-fived her friends, but her eyes were already searching the crowd for Nelson. She found him waiting near the exit of the gym, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the wall, watching her. As she made her way over, she saw Mason approaching again, a friendly smile on his face.
"Great game, Akira," he said, offering her a congratulatory fist bump.
"Thanks, Mason. You guys played tough," she replied, bumping his fist with a smile.
Before they could continue, a figure appeared at her side. Nelson had stepped forward, slipping an arm around her shoulders in a possessive gesture. His eyes were locked on Mason, his expression hard. Akira could feel the tension building between them, and she quickly tried to diffuse it.
"Mason, this is Nelson," she said, attempting to keep her tone light. "He's on the boys' Rod Wave Elite team."
Mason raised his hands in mock surrender, clearly picking up on Nelson's protective stance. "Hey, man, just congratulating her. No harm meant."
Nelson's arm tightened around her. "Appreciate it. We've got it from here." His voice was polite, but the underlying edge was unmistakable.
Mason gave a nod, smirking slightly as he glanced at Akira. "Alright, Akira. See you around." He walked off, leaving the two of them standing in the suddenly quiet gym.
Akira turned to Nelson, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow. "Was that really necessary?"
Nelson shrugged, looking unapologetic. "What? The guy couldn't seem to stay away. I'm just making sure he knows you're not available."
She rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the flutter in her chest. "Nelson, I'm capable of talking to people without needing you to jump in."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. But watching him flirt with you drives me crazy, Akira. I don't like other guys getting close to you."
A small smile tugged at her lips, and she softened. "It's not a competition. Besides, I'm here with you, aren't I?"
He relaxed, his hand reaching to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah. Guess I just need to work on that."
She looked up at him, her heart racing at the closeness. "Maybe a little," she teased, her voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, everything else faded away as they stood together, the energy between them almost palpable. And in that moment, as the sounds of the crowd dimmed in the background, Akira realized there was no turning back from whatever was happening between them.
