You hadn’t expected much when you first went to the VNL games. It was just another tournament, another opportunity to compete.

But that was where you met Simeon, back in the 2023 VNL. You played for the Japan women’s national team, while he was part of Bulgaria’s men’s team. Your paths crossed off the court, during moments in between matches, and somehow, in that chaotic environment, you two connected.

Now, in 2024, the Paris Olympic Games were in full swing. His team hadn’t qualified, but that didn’t stop him from coming to watch—to watch you.

Tonight, your team had just won a crucial match, securing a spot in the semifinals. The energy in the arena was electric as you and your teammates celebrated on the court. Cheers echoed around you, adrenaline still rushing through your veins—when you felt his presence nearby.

You turned, and there he was. Simeon.

"Congratulations on the win."

His voice was steady, his expression calm, but there was something behind his eyes—something only you recognized. A quiet intensity.

A rare smile touched his lips. He was known for being serious, composed—especially as his team’s former captain. But right now, that slight smile? It was just for you.

And only you knew that, behind closed doors, that composed exterior could shift into something far more intense.