Taishi and Venka left the locker room with the discretion of those who understand the importance of private sanctuaries, leaving the door slightly ajar to maintain regulatory appearances.
Jake took a couple of cautious steps into the room, stopping at a respectful distance. He looked at the boy from Tokyo, who was still hunched over on the wooden bench with his hair slightly disheveled from sweat and his plush bear clutched in his arms like a shield.
"You were incredible, Bek..." Jake said in a warm whisper that filled the dimly lit space. "I don't have words to describe what I felt when I saw you launch that quad. It was... absolutely beautiful."
Aibek felt an intense blush burn his cheeks once more. He lowered his eyes toward the bear's paws, fiddling with a loose thread using the fingers of his healthy hand.
