The gymnasium was empty, save for the echo of Renji's sneakers brushing against the wooden floor. Training had gone late again, and Coach Mayumi had been her usual self, sharp, commanding, determined to push every ounce of sweat out of him.
Renji leaned against the wall, his shirt damp, his muscles taut and glistening. But his eyes weren't on the court. They were on her.
Mayumi stood near the equipment racks, scribbling notes into her clipboard like she always did, pretending not to notice his gaze. Her tracksuit hugged her curves in ways that were almost unfair, her ponytail swaying as she bent forward slightly. Her figure was pure temptation disguised under layers of professionalism.
She felt him watching, of course she did. That boy's eyes were relentless, piercing, impossible to ignore.
"Stop staring and pack up the balls," she muttered without looking at him, her voice carrying that crisp authority that always made her students fall in line.
