As Ayame stands up, her thoughts swirl around the fight she witnessed. Miyata’s defeat lingers in her mind, and she feels a weight in her chest as she walks away from the gym. The night air cools her face, but she feels nothing but warmth inside. She doesn’t know where she’s going—only that she needs to escape her swirling emotions.

Then, she hears it. A voice. Miyata’s.

“Wait.”

Ayame freezes, heart pounding. Slowly, she turns around to find him standing just a few feet away, his gaze intense. There’s something raw in his expression, something different from before.

Miyata steps closer, gently taking her wrist in his hand. The warmth of his touch sends a jolt through her, and her pulse quickens.

"I don’t want you to think you're alone," he says softly.

Ayame’s breath catches. She wants to speak but can’t find the words. Her thoughts race, and she looks at his hand still holding her wrist. The air between them feels thick with tension.

"You just lost," she whispers, her voice shaky. "Doesn't that mean we're all alone in the end?"

Miyata steps closer, his other hand resting on her shoulder, pulling her nearer. Their faces are inches apart, and Ayame feels herself leaning in.

Just as their lips are about to meet, a voice interrupts.

“Miyata! You planning to stand out there all night or what?”

They both turn to see Miyata’s coach—his dad—grinning from the doorway.

“Looks like I interrupted something,” he says, clearly amused.

Miyata’s face flushes. He pulls back, offering Ayame a quick, apologetic look. “I’ll see you later, Ayame,” he murmurs before following his dad inside.