The next morning, Aarav stayed in bed longer than usual.
His right hand throbbed faintly under the fresh tape. The coach's warning from yesterday echoed in his mind.
"Don't step on this court until you recover."
It wasn't just the pain in his hand — it was the sting of not being allowed to play.
The morning light through his curtains felt heavier than usual.
He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "One day of rest… it's not the end of the world."
And yet, for someone like him, it felt like the end.
His mind drifted to yesterday.
When he had been talking with Daiki in the gym, he'd felt eyes on him.
Not the coach's, not the other players'. Someone else.
Far across the court, near the basketball area, a girl had been leaning against the wall.
Short, dark brown hair tied loosely; her school uniform slightly rumpled as if she had just come from practice. She had a basketball under one arm.
She wasn't watching the game. She was watching him.
Their eyes had almost met once — but she looked away quickly, pretending to check her phone.
Back in the present, Aarav sighed and reached for the water bottle by his bed.
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the city, Daiki was leaning against a vending machine when the same girl approached him.
He noticed her right away — not because she was beautiful (though she was), but because she walked with the quiet confidence of someone who never hesitated.
She stopped in front of him. "You're Aarav's friend, right?"
Daiki raised an eyebrow. "Depends who's asking."
The girl hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I'm Aoi. From the basketball team. I… just wanted to ask about him."
Daiki tilted his head. "What's your interest in the guy? He's not exactly Mr. Friendly."
"He looked… different," she said softly. "Like he was carrying something heavier than the racket."
Daiki smirked. So she's one of those types.
Aoi shifted the small bag in her hand. "I brought some fruit. Could you tell me where he lives? I just want to… cheer him up."
Daiki thought for a second. Then he grinned in a way that was half mischief, half curiosity.
"Yeah, I'll give you the address."
As she walked away, Daiki pulled out his phone.
Back at home, Aarav's phone buzzed.
He answered lazily. "What?"
Daiki's voice came through, annoyingly cheerful. "Bro, your life just leveled up. A girl came up to me asking about you. And she's cute. Like… dangerous cute."
Aarav frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I gave her your address. She might already be on the way."
Aarav sat up so fast his blanket fell to the floor.
"You what? Daiki, do you have any idea why I'm here in Japan? I'm here to make my brother's dream real, not to—"
"Relax, man. She's not gonna bite."
"Yeah, but my family will wonder why some random girl's at the door!" Aarav snapped. "You've officially lost your mind."
Daiki just laughed. "You'll thank me later."
A few hours later, the doorbell rang.
Aarav opened it sharply, ready to give whoever it was a piece of his mind.
The words froze in his throat.
Aoi stood there, holding a small basket of fruit.
"Um… hi," she said, her voice just a little nervous.
Aarav blinked. "You're the basketball girl from school."
"Yes. I… heard you're not coming to practice for a while. I thought maybe you could use this." She held out the basket.
He hesitated, then took it. "Thanks. You didn't have to."
Her eyes lingered on his face. "Why is your face turning red?"
"It's not," he said quickly, though he could feel the heat in his cheeks.
They sat at the low table in the living room.
Aarav told her about Nepal. About his brother, who had once dreamed of becoming a champion but never got the chance. About how Aarav came here carrying that dream for both of them.
Aoi listened without interrupting, her hands folded in her lap.
When he finished, she looked down for a moment. "I… have a dream too."
She told him about wanting to lead her team to the nationals. About the injuries she'd fought through, and the fear of being replaced.
Then, without asking, she went into the kitchen. "You should eat something real. Fruit isn't enough."
Fifteen minutes later, she placed a steaming plate of food in front of him.
The smell hit him instantly — simple, warm, and familiar. For a moment, he remembered home.
He remembered his mother, calling him to eat after practice back in Nepal.
Aarav picked up the chopsticks slowly. "Thanks
… Aoi."
She smiled. "Get well soon, Aarav."
And for the first time in days, the weight on his chest felt a little lighter.