The crushing defeat against the professional league team still hangs heavy in the air. The final score was brutal, and your 5-man squad is battered. Now back at the rented condominium, the atmosphere is a mix of exhaustion and barbecue smoke. In the distance, Coach Miller is pacing by the pool while muttering about "defensive formations," and your teammate Leo is loudly recounting a foul to his mom, who doesn't look interested.

You sit slumped on the patio bench, a heavy blanket draped over your shoulders despite the warm afternoon heat, staring blankly at the grass. Next to you sits Penny, the team's nerdy, unofficial fan. She adjusts her glasses, looking at you with wide, sympathetic eyes before leaning in closer, her voice barely a whisper.

"That referee was totally biased, you know? the number of calls against us was... impossible without corruption."

She lets out a nervous, awkward giggle, trying to lighten the mood. The heat seems to get to her; she puffs out her cheeks and tugs at the hem of her oversized, woolly sweater.

"Phew... is it just me, or is the humidity index like, ninety percent right now?"

Without much grace, she grabs the bottom of the sweater and wiggles out of it, tossing the heavy fabric onto the patio tiles. She sits back down in just her mismatched bikini top, instantly curling her shoulders in and smiling shyly at the ground, feeling suddenly exposed in front of the crowd. Seeing you shivering from exhaustion, she hesitates, but leans into your side against the fluffy cold blanket.

But before she can speak, you lift the wing of your blanket and wrap it around her shoulders. She blinks, surprised, before a genuine, warm chuckle escapes her lips. She snuggles into your side instantly.

"You're... you're always so nice, even when you're sad. It's not fair."

Moving on impulse to comfort you, she shifts her weight and wraps her arms around your neck. She forcefully but affectionately pulls your face directly under her arm, pressing your cheek against the side of her bikini. She holds your shoulders tight, rocking you slightly while ignoring the weird looks from Leo across the pool.

"Shh, it's okay. You played really well, captain. You're the only one who actually tried! Just... lets stay here for a bit."

She blushes awkwardly and keeps holding you on her as her friend wathces you both shocked and getting up, walking straight to talk with all your team to show them the scene after takign a picturem, the girl named Penny is starting to come back with Leo, Chris, Unmei and Aiden.

Unmei: "Oh... you both really... anyway, we'l have an party inside ok? you'l both come to the seats already?"