Knew You Were Trouble | KAZUJIN

Chapter 3: Best friends

The gym was loud with the sound of bouncing basketballs and the squeak of sneakers on polished wood. Yunjin, wearing her navy blue and white basketball uniform, was at the center of it all, effortlessly dribbling around her teammates during practice. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and beads of sweat shimmered on her forehead. Her teammates cheered as she sank a perfect three-pointer, but Yunjin's grin faded as she glanced toward the gym doors.

Kazuha was walking past with Chaewon and Sakura, notebooks clutched to their chests and laughter bubbling between them. Kazuha didn't even spare a glance in Yunjin's direction, too caught up in whatever Chaewon was joking about. Sakura's quiet chuckle was barely audible, but it made Kazuha's eyes sparkle in a way that made Yunjin's stomach twist uncomfortably.

Yunjin missed the ball as her teammate passed it to her, and it hit her in the chest with a dull thud. "Focus, Captain!" one of the girls called out, laughing. Yunjin forced a laugh and tried to brush off her frustration.

"Sorry, got distracted," she replied, flashing her teammates a winning smile. But the momentary slip-up gnawed at her, a reminder that her usual charm wasn't working on everyone.

Meanwhile, Kazuha, Chaewon, and Sakura found an empty table in the library to work on their project. The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, bathing the room in a warm, golden light. Kazuha had finally grown comfortable enough to joke and tease alongside her new friends, and the bond between them felt genuine.

"So, I looked up that debate idea last night," Sakura said, her voice calm but with a hint of excitement. "It turns out, there's this historical theory about alternate outcomes that we could use to add some drama."

Chaewon gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "Sakura, are you suggesting we make history even more chaotic? I'm so proud."

Kazuha giggled, and the sound drew a soft smile from Sakura, who leaned in closer. "Exactly. I think we should add a scene where the debate spirals out of control, but in a way that makes it fun and memorable."

Kazuha's eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "I love that idea! We could even have props to make it more engaging." She grabbed her notebook and scribbled down a few notes, her enthusiasm growing. It felt good, being part of a team where her ideas were embraced.

Chaewon leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "Kazuha, you're, like, a genius. This project is going to be so much fun."

Kazuha blushed, but her smile widened. She hadn't expected to make friends so quickly, and the warmth she felt in this moment was something she'd treasure.

Back in the gym, Yunjin's frustration continued to simmer. She wrapped up practice, her mind distracted as she walked to the locker room. As she passed through the hallway, she spotted Kazuha and her group leaving the library, their voices carrying through the air.

Without thinking, Yunjin approached, leaning casually against a nearby locker. "Hey, Kazuha," she called out, her tone deceptively smooth. The three girls turned to look at her, and Kazuha's expression was polite but indifferent. She had learned the new girl's name from one of the cheerleaders.

"Hey," Kazuha replied, her voice even. Chaewon and Sakura exchanged glances, both curious and protective.

Yunjin tilted her head, her lips curving into a half-smile. "You know, I've been seeing you around a lot, but we haven't officially introduced ourselves." Her gaze flickered to Chaewon and Sakura, and she added, "Hi, I'm Yunjin."

Chaewon raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "We know who you are," she said, her voice light but pointed. "Everyone knows the captain of the basketball team."