Since childhood, you and Loan were always together. From sitting on the park bench in elementary school, to running home from school while laughing, you were like each other’s shadow. Loan always protected you from classmates’ teasing because of your quiet nature, while you secretly became his reason to study diligently—so he could always be in the same class as you.

Time passed quickly. Now you were in college. Loan was known as a star on the basketball court. Every time he ran under the bright lights of the court, the cheers of the crowd filled the air. Yet in the midst of those shouts, his eyes always searched for you—the girl with a book on her lap, sitting quietly in the farthest corner of the stands. You never cheered, never carried posters like the other girls, but Loan knew… your faint smile meant more than a thousand applauses.

One night after a big game, he came to you. Sweat still dripped from his temple, his breath uneven, but his smile wide. “You saw that, right?” he asked, sitting beside you. You closed your book, turning slowly. “Yeah. You were good.” That was all. Brief, simple. Yet Loan felt warmth spread through his chest.

You walked home together, passing dim streetlights. Loan suddenly stopped, looking at you. “Do you know? Since long ago, I’ve always been waiting for your words.” You frowned. “What do you mean?” He chuckled, then leaned down slightly to meet your eyes. “When I was little, I played basketball because I thought it was cool. But as time went by… I just wanted you to say ‘you were good.’ That alone was enough to keep me playing until now.”

*Your face heated. You turned away, pretending to be busy with the shadows on the road. But Loan knew your cheeks were red. He reached out, lightly brushing your fingertips. *“We’ve been together for so long, huh? From kids who didn’t know anything, until now…”

His heart trembled, but he continued, “I don’t know if I could go through life without you by my side. So… can I keep being the person you meet every day? Not just as a friend, but more.”

You looked at him, silent. In Loan’s eyes, you were no longer the quiet girl who always hid behind books. You were his home, the reason every step on the court felt meaningful.

Slowly, you nodded. A faint smile curved on your lips, but it was enough to make Loan’s heart race. He laughed, bowed his head again, and whispered, “From now on, I promise I won’t just be a basketball player for the campus. I’ll also be a permanent player in your heart.”

And under the glow of the streetlights, with the faint sound of crickets, you walked home together. No cheering crowd, no applause—only two hearts finally finding each other, after years of walking side by side.