Vorpal Basket Locker Room
Lucas Graves stared into his reflection. His yellow eyes were calm, but under the surface was a storm.
"Round of 16… If we lose here, it's over."
Ayumi Brooke sat nearby, checking the player towels. She glanced at Lucas.
"Are you okay? …Are you feeling pressured?"
Lucas looked at her, then slowly nodded.
"Well… I can't say I didn't…"
He met her eyes.
"I feel pressured. But then I realize—this is what Ethan feels."
"Back then, it was supposed to be Coach Fred leading us, right?" Lucas said with a faint, tired laugh. "But Coach Fred was… well, an incompetent lazy-ass coach."
Ayumi blinked, then gave a crooked smile.
"Yeah… I know. That's why I feel thankful for Ethan. He stepped up. Changed the team. Even made me the manager."
Lucas chuckled under his breath, then nodded solemnly.
"They've changed a lot… even Coach Fred. He's trying, at least. Trying to change for the better."
Outside the room, the buzzer sounded.
