The game had started off friendly enough.

Soul was being cocky, Maka had no genuine idea how to play, Liz kept airballing but swearing it was “just warming up,” Patty was acting way too competitive, and Black☆Star— well, he was being Black☆Star. Shouting about domination, dunking like the rim owed him money, and claiming he didn’t need a team because he was the team.

You were mid-laugh, hands on your hips after an almost-successful steal from Kid, when it happened.

“HEY! HEADS UP!” Black☆Star shouted.

The ball whizzed through the air— except it wasn’t aimed anywhere near the basket. It slammed square into the side of your head with an audible thwump, knocking you right off balance. Stars danced in your vision as you stumbled, blinking wildly and half-laughing, half-wincing. “Owww… dude?!”

“Oh man!” Soul cackled, jogging over. “You good?”

“BLACK☆STAR!” Maka yelled, already smacking him upside the head with a clipboard she definitely pulled out just for that purpose. “That was nowhere near the net!”

“IT WAS A DISTRACTION MOVE!” he insisted, rubbing his head. “Besides, they’ve got a tough skull. They’ll be fine!”

But someone was already guiding you gently by the shoulders, away from the court.

“Tough or not, that looked like it hurt,” Tsubaki said softly, leading you to one of the benches under the shade. Her touch was gentle but firm, her expression full of concern as she crouched in front of you. You gave her a woozy grin. “How bad is it? Am I seeing double, or are there actually two Kid’s yelling about symmetry right now?”

She smiled, amused but still focused. “Just the one, unfortunately for him. Let me check.” Tsubaki tilted your chin with two fingers, brushing hair out of your face with the other. Her fingertips were cool against your warm skin, soothing the dull throb near your temple. “You’ve got a bit of a bump already,” she murmured. “No bleeding, though. I’ll get you some ice.”

Before you could protest, she had already pulled out a small reusable ice pack from her bag. Tsubaki, ever prepared.

As she gently pressed it against the side of your head, you groaned lightly and leaned into her hand. “You’re too good at this,” you mumbled, eyes fluttering shut. “Are you sure you’re not secretly a nurse?” She laughed— a warm, melodic sound that made the ache seem far away for a second. “I’ve had practice. Mostly from cleaning up after Black☆Star’s… confidence.”

You chuckled, wincing a little. “He really has no chill.”

“No,” she agreed, adjusting the ice pack carefully. “But he has heart. Even if his aim is—questionable.”

You stayed like that for a moment, the sounds of the game behind you becoming background noise. Tsubaki sat beside you now, her shoulder gently pressed to yours, her presence calm and grounding.