As the days passed, the group of friends found themselves slipping back into the familiar rhythm of school life. Classes, studies, and clubs filled their schedules, and each day brought its own mix of challenges and fun. The early jitters of the new term had faded, replaced by a comfortable routine.
Aizen and Violet quickly became known as an unstoppable duo in the badminton club. Their teamwork was almost telepathic—Aizen's defensive skills were unmatched, and he could block even the fiercest smashes with ease. Violet, on the other hand, was a powerhouse with her devastating smashes, sending the shuttlecock flying past their opponents before they could even react. Their synergy on the court was impressive, earning them admiration from their teammates and respect from their opponents.
One evening, the club had an unexpected day off, giving everyone a rare break from practice. Violet, who had been thinking about upgrading her sports gear for a while, saw this as the perfect opportunity. Her old racket had been pushed to its limits, and during their last practice match, both she and Aizen had accidentally broken their rackets during an intense rally. While Violet was concerned about replacing hers, Aizen seemed surprisingly unfazed.
After school, as they walked out of the building together, Violet turned to Aizen. "Hey, since we have some free time today, would you like to come with me to buy some new sports gear? I need a new racket, and I thought maybe we could pick one out together."
Aizen looked at her, a small smile on his face. "Sure, that sounds like a good idea. I could use a new racket too."
They made their way to a nearby sports store, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement. As they walked, they chatted about their recent matches, the upcoming school events, and how much they were enjoying the badminton club.
Aizen, who was usually more reserved, found himself opening up more around Violet. There was something about her calm presence that made him feel at ease.
When they reached the store, they were greeted by rows upon rows of sports equipment. Violet's eyes immediately lit up as she browsed through the selection of badminton rackets. She carefully examined each one, testing the grip, the balance, and the tension of the strings. Aizen, however, seemed more relaxed, casually looking around the store without the same level of intensity.
As Violet tried out a few rackets, Aizen wandered over to a section with gaming accessories. He couldn't help but smile as he saw a new gaming mouse he had been eyeing online. Though he was dedicated to badminton, his love for gaming was just as strong, and he often found himself more excited about new gear for his computer than for his sports equipment.
Violet noticed his distraction and called out to him. "Aizen, what do you think of this one?" She held up a sleek, lightweight racket with a stylish design.
Aizen walked back over and took the racket from her, giving it a few swings. "Feels pretty good," he said, handing it back to her. "I think it suits you."
Violet smiled, appreciating his input. "I think I'll get this one, then. What about you? Did you find one you like?"
Aizen shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not too picky. As long as it works, I'm happy."
Violet tilted her head, a curious look on her face. "You're really laid back about this, aren't you?"
Aizen chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I am. I mean, I enjoy badminton, but it's not like I'm super competitive about the gear. I'm more into gaming stuff, to be honest."
Violet nodded, understanding his perspective. She had seen how passionate Aizen was when they played games together, whether it was on his PC or mobile. "That makes sense. But still, it's nice to have good equipment, right?"
Aizen smiled. "True. I guess I should take better care of my gear. But if I have to choose between a new racket or a new gaming mouse, the mouse usually wins."
They both laughed, and Violet playfully nudged him. "You're hopeless, Aizen."
After they finished shopping, with Violet purchasing her new racket and Aizen casually picking out a replacement for his, they decided to grab some snacks from a nearby café. They sat by the window, enjoying the warm evening air and the relaxed atmosphere.
As they sipped their drinks, Violet looked out the window, her thoughts drifting. "You know, I'm glad we joined the badminton club together. It's been fun playing with you, Aizen."
Aizen glanced at her, surprised by her sudden admission. "Yeah, me too. I wasn't sure about joining a club at first, but I'm glad I did. It's been nice having something to do after school."
Violet turned to him, her expression thoughtful. "Do you ever miss the way things were before? You know, before you moved here?"
Aizen thought about her question. His life before transferring had been solitary—filled with gaming, nature walks, and spending time alone. He had enjoyed his own company, but there was something different about having friends, about being part of a group.
"Sometimes," he admitted. "But I think I like it here better. It's different, but in a good way. I like having you, Ryuen, and Kei around. It feels… less lonely."
Violet smiled softly, feeling a similar sentiment. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I used to do everything on my own too, but now… it's nice to have people to share things with."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both of them reflecting on how much their lives had changed since the beginning of the school year. The new routine, the clubs, the friendships—they had all become a part of their lives, and neither of them would have it any other way.
As the evening grew darker, they finished their snacks and headed back home, their new rackets in hand. The streets were quiet, the sounds of the city winding down for the night.
When they reached their apartment building, they paused at the entrance, knowing they'd see each other again tomorrow, as they always did.
"Thanks for coming with me today, Aizen," Violet said, her voice warm with gratitude.
"Anytime," Aizen replied with a smile. "And thanks for the invite. It was fun."
With that, they parted ways, each heading to their own apartment. Aizen felt a sense of contentment as he entered his place, reflecting on the day. Violet, too, was in good spirits as she put away her new racket, looking forward to using it in their next practice.
As they settled into their evening routines, both Aizen and Violet knew that tomorrow would bring another day of classes, club activities, and time spent with friends. And they wouldn't have it any other way.