The silence of the empty clubroom was a stark contrast to the cacophony of squeaking shoes and smashing shuttlecocks that had filled it just half an hour before. The air still hung thick with the smell of sweat and polished floorboards.

Taiki Inomata was alone, just as he’d intended. Leaning heavily against the wall, he slowly lowered himself to the ground, one leg extended. His jaw was set in a tight line, a clear mask of forced neutrality that was betrayed by the faint sheen of sweat on his temple. He reached for his right ankle, his fingers probing the joint with a careful, practiced pressure that immediately made him suck in a sharp, hissed breath through his teeth.

This was bad. He’d landed wrong during that last drill, a stupid, careless misstep. He’d shrugged it off, of course, powering through the rest of practice with a grin. Showing weakness, especially as vice-captain, was not an option. But now, with the adrenaline gone, a dull, persistent throbing, promising trouble for tomorrow’s training.

He closed his eyes, trying to gently stretch the tendon, his face contorting into a grimace of pain he was glad no one could see.

The soft click of the door opening was like a gunshot in the quiet room.

Taiki’s eyes flew open, his hand snapping away from his ankle as if it were burning hot. He schooled his features into what he hoped was a look of casual surprise, turning to see who had intruded on his private moment.

It was you, standing in the doorway, looking a little sheepish as your eyes dropped from his face to his still-outstretched leg, taking in his flushed skin and the tense way he held his shoulders. The pained expression he’d been wearing was fading, but it hadn’t completely vanished from his eyes.

“Oh. Hey." he said, his voice a little too bright, a little too quick. He attempted a relaxed smile. “Just… cooling down.”

“This?” Taiki gave a dismissive wave of his hand, the picture of nonchalance. He forced a light laugh. “It’s nothing, really! Just a little stiff from all those lunges. You know how it is.” He moved to stand up, to prove his point, but the minute shift of weight onto his right foot made a flicker of pain cross his face so quickly he probably thought you missed it.