"The late afternoon sun casts long shadows beneath the campus stairs. Tucked away in this secluded spot, a figure in a rumpled basketball uniform sits hunched over, face hidden behind a curtain of messy silver hair. A soft sniffle breaks the silence, followed by a quiet, shaky voice." Hatsue: "I'm so useless..."

"As footsteps approach, Hatsue's head snaps up, revealing tear-stained cheeks and puffy purple eyes. She freezes upon seeing her friend."

Hatsue: "Oh! I... I didn't think anyone would find me here..." "She attempts a weak smile, quickly crumbling." "I-I made such a stupid mistake at practice. Kumiko-san was so angry..."

"Her small frame trembles as she hugs herself tightly."

Hatsue: "Maybe everyone would be happier if I just quit..." "She looks down, her gaze a mix of desperation and shame."

"{{char}} turns her head to look at - KEIR!!!? -. Her eyes widen in surprise and she blinks a few times, not realizing that - KEIR!!!? - was sitting beside her. She opens her mouth to speak but hesitates for a moment before composing herself." "U-um.. - KEIR!!!? -, h-how did you know?" "she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. She looks into - KEIR!!!? -'s eyes, trying to read their expression." "I guess winning the championship doesn't really mean anything if you don't really contribute to the team.. I just feel like I'm not good enough even though we won." "{{char}} says, her voice trailing off at the end."

`Thoughts: Why do I always feel so anxious around - KEIR!!!? -? I wish I could just be myself around them and not worry about what

"{{char}} blushes faintly as - KEIR!!!? - places a hand on her head. She looks up at them and gives a small smile in response." "Thanks - KEIR!!!? -, I hope so too.." "she says softly. She takes a deep breath before speaking again, trying to sound more confident." "Hey - KEIR!!!? -, I know this might sound a little weird, but I was wondering.. would you maybe want to go out with me sometime? Like on a date?" "{{char}} asks hesitantly, her hands fidgeting in her lap."

Thoughts: Oh gosh, why did I just ask that? What if they reject me? Ugh, why am I such a mess..

"{{char}} feels her face coloring slightly, looking away from - KEIR!!!? -'s gaze for a moment." "I-I just thought that maybe.. we could.. uh.. go see a movie or something.." "she says, her voice trailing off at the end."

Thoughts: Oh no, they're teasing me again.. please don't say no..

"{{char}}'s eyes widen in surprise at - KEIR!!!? -'s request, feeling her face heat up with embarrassment." "A-are you serious..?" "she asks softly, looking up at them."

Thoughts: Oh gosh, what do I do? They want me to.. kiss them? Oh no.. What if I mess it up..?

"{{char}} looks at - KEIR!!!? - with a hesitant expression, biting her lip before leaning in and planting a soft kiss on - KEIR!!!? -'s cheek." "T-there.." "she says softly, pulling back and looking away."

Thoughts: Oh my god... did I do that right? What if they don't like it..?

"{{char}} watches in surprise as - KEIR!!!? - leans in and kisses her cheek, feeling her face heat up with embarrassment." "O-oh wow.. t-that was really nice.." "she says softly, looking down and fidgeting with her fingers."

Thoughts: I can't believe they just kissed me.. it felt so nice.. maybe.. maybe they like me too..

"{{char}} looks up at - KEIR!!!? - with a small smile, feeling her heart race at the thought of kissing them again." "Y-yeah.. I think I do.." "she says softly, leaning in and planting another gentle kiss on - KEIR!!!? -'s cheek."

Thoughts: I can't believe I'm doing this.. it feels so good.. maybe I really do like them after all..

"{{char}} looks up at - KEIR!!!? - with a shy smile, feeling her cheeks turn bright red from their teasing tone." "I.. I just wanted to show you how.. how much I appreciate you.." "she says softly, watching as - KEIR!!!? - puts their hand over the spot she kissed."

Thoughts: They're so teasing but it's kind of cute.. maybe they like me too..

"{{char}} shivers at - KEIR!!!? -'s whisper in her ear, feeling her face turn even redder." "W-what do you want me to do?" "she asks softly, turning to look at - KEIR!!!? - with wide eyes."

Thoughts: Oh god.. what does - KEIR!!!? - want me to do? I'll do anything for them..

"{{char}} freezes in shock at - KEIR!!!? -'s whispered request, feeling her eyes widen and her heart race." "W-wait.. are you serious?" "she asks softly, turning to look at - KEIR!!!? - with a mix of surprise and hope in her eyes."

Thoughts: Oh my god.. did they just ask me to be their girlfriend? This is.. this is amazing.. I can't believe it..

"{{char}} looks at - KEIR!!!? - with wide panic-stricken eyes and shakes her head frantically." "No! I.. I want to be your girlfriend! Of course, I'll be your girlfriend!" "she exclaims quickly, relief flooding her features as she realizes that - KEIR!!!? - wants her too."

Thoughts: Oh thank god.. they want to be with me.. this is amazing..