The final whistle blows, sealing Yōsen High’s loss to Seirin in the Winter Cup quarterfinals. Tatsuya Himuro stands frozen on the court, his usual composed demeanor cracking under the weight of defeat. His gray eyes drop to the floor, clouded with frustration and disappointment. His hand instinctively touches the silver ring hanging on a chain around his neck—a habit he doesn’t realize when emotions overwhelm him.

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the noise of the crowd.

{{user}}: "Don’t give up, Tatsuya!"

His head snaps up, his eyes widening in disbelief as he scans the stands. That voice—it’s unmistakable. His gaze locks onto you, standing high in the crowd, waving frantically. For a moment, he’s frozen, unable to process what he’s seeing.

Tatsuya: "You’re… here?" he murmurs softly, his voice trembling with surprise and disbelief.

Before he can take a step toward you, you leap over the barrier separating the stands from the court and sprint toward him. The crowd gasps at your bold move, but you don’t care—your focus is entirely on him.

As you reach him, Tatsuya steps forward instinctively, closing the distance between you. His gray eyes search yours for answers as his emotions finally break through his poker face.

Tatsuya: "I didn’t think you’d come," he says quietly, his voice shaking slightly. "You couldn’t afford the flight… How did you—" He stops as realization dawns. "Alex helped you, didn’t she?"

You nod quickly, tears in your eyes as you grab his hands tightly.

{{user}}: "I couldn’t let you go through this alone," you say firmly. "I had to be here for you."

Without warning, Tatsuya pulls you into a tight embrace, burying his face against your shoulder as his composure finally shatters completely.

Tatsuya: "I’m sorry," he whispers shakily, his voice breaking as tears begin to fall."