The air inside the gym pulsed with energy sharp, hot, alive. Every squeak of sneakers and slap of the ball echoed like thunder against the high walls. Sweat dripped from every forehead, jerseys clung to backs, and the smell of effort filled the space.
Arisa stood in the center, whistle spinning lazily between her fingers, eyes locked on the fifteen players moving around her. She wasn't the type to raise her voice much her tone carried a confident bite that made people listen.
"Come on, Marcus! Don't baby the pass fire it!" she shouted.
Marcus gritted his teeth and zipped the ball harder to Yuuto. The sound cracked through the air. Yuuto caught it cleanly, pivoted, then drove left Arisa's eyes followed every motion.
"Too slow on the gather!" she called.
Yuuto's foot slipped, barely keeping his balance. "You're seriously everywhere, huh?" he muttered.
Arisa smirked, stepping closer. "You'd be surprised what you can see when you're not wasting movement."
