Dat let out a dramatic sigh, hands on his hips."Man… that close to the basket and still got blocked? What a waste."
Thien Hung shrugged, shaking his head."Told you. He's a monster. Bet he could still wipe the floor with all four of us by himself."
In the middle of the court, one person stood frozen.Hai Minh's face had gone dark—so dark it felt like the whole gym dimmed with him.
Uy Phong brushed off his hands and strode forward, each step deliberate."So," he said quietly, "guess the problem wasn't the pawn or the knight after all, huh?"
His tone was calm, but his eyes—cold, unreadable—cut deep.
Hai Minh bit down on his lip, his hands trembling. "Say it," he rasped. "What do you want?"
"Hm?" Uy Phong only lifted a brow.
Silence fell. The echoes of the last few dribbles still hung faintly in the air, a ghost of the game that had just ended.
"Damn it…" Hai Minh muttered, his voice cracking. "I tried my best. I did! So why… why—?"
A broken sob escaped him as he lifted a shaky hand to rub at his eyes.The others froze, stunned. Even the trio up on the bleachers jumped to their feet, hurrying down——but they stopped halfway.
Uy Phong was already standing in front of Hai Minh, one hand resting on his shoulder.
"Calm down, Hai Minh."
"Get off me!" Hai Minh shoved him hard, tears streaking down his face. "Don't you dare pity me! You— you're a damn monster! Bet you've never even felt this pathetic before, huh? Of course not! You've never lost, that's why you act so damn proud all the time! I hate that face of yours! I hate you!"
For a moment, Uy Phong simply stared at him.His eyes weren't angry—just… deep. Too deep.
"…Who said I've never lost before?"
"…What?"
Uy Phong exhaled slowly, as if shaking off memories he'd rather never recall. His voice, when it came, was low—almost weary.
"Sorry."
The single word hit the floor with a thud heavier than any slam dunk.Hai Minh froze, wide-eyed. Everyone else fell silent, not trusting their own hearing.
"I'm sorry," Uy Phong said again. "For making you feel that way. I wasn't trying to act superior. But if my face really bothers you that much… then I apologize for that too."
"Wha—hold on…" Hai Minh stammered, caught completely off guard.
But Uy Phong continued calmly, almost too calmly:"I've apologized. Anything else you want?"
"I—no, but… why? Why would you apologize to me? I lost!"
Uy Phong paused, his gaze meeting Hai Minh's. Those dark eyes softened just a fraction."Because," he said quietly, "it felt necessary."
Hai Minh blinked, his thoughts scrambling. Necessary? Why would it feel necessary to apologize—to him?
But before he could find words, Uy Phong straightened, his voice returning to its usual even tone."Your wish is granted. Now it's my turn."
"Huh? Oh—uh, fine. What do you want?"
"…Haven't decided yet," Uy Phong said after a pause. "I'll save it for later."
"WHAT!? No way! You can't just—hey! Say it now! What am I, your magic genie or something!? HEY!!"
Hai Minh's voice echoed across the gym, but Uy Phong only shrugged, walking off toward his bag.
The others crept closer. Ho Nhu laid a gentle hand on Hai Minh's shoulder."Hey… if he didn't ask for anything, maybe that's his way of letting you off. You ever think of that?"
"Huh? What are you talking about!?" Hai Minh gawked at her, dumbfounded.
Everyone nodded in unison, leaving him standing there, speechless—heart thudding in confusion as if the whole world had suddenly flipped upside down.
Across the court, Uy Phong slung his backpack over one shoulder."Oi, where you going?" Dat called out. "We're not done practicing!"
"You guys keep going. I've got to head back to class," Uy Phong replied, waving a hand casually.
"What? You dragged us out here during class time, and now you're going back?" Dat frowned.
"Of course he is," Thien Hung said, smirking as he caught the ball Thanh tossed over. "His special someone is waiting."
"...Special someone?" Thanh froze mid-catch, eyes flicking up from behind his mask.
"What?! He has someone? In his class?!" An Thu practically screamed, eyes wide as saucers.
"Yup," Thien Hung said nonchalantly, grinning. "And very gorgeous."
The entire group fell into stunned silence.
No one—absolutely no one—had ever expected someone like him to have a crush. And on someone from his own class, no less? It was a revelation that hit harder than any slam dunk.
Thien Hung only chuckled, refusing to explain further, letting everyone drown in their own conspiracy theories.
***
When Uy Phong stepped back into the classroom, the fifth period was still underway. He tapped lightly on the doorframe.
The teacher looked up, instantly smiling."Oh, you're back! Come in, Uy Phong."
He nodded politely and headed straight to his seat—right beside An Phong.
The moment he sat down, thump, An Phong side-eyed him."Why bother coming back for the last few minutes?"
"Why? Am I not allowed to attend class?" Uy Phong smirked.
"That's not what I meant. It's just… barely any time left. You went all the way back across campus just to sit here?"
Uy Phong chuckled, leaning slightly closer."Worried about me?"
"Yeah. You just got out of the hospital," An Phong said quietly, frowning.
"No need. I just spent an hour running around anyway." He shook his head and, without warning, pulled An Phong's textbook closer to the middle of the desk.
"What are you doing?"
"Sharing. I didn't bring mine."
An Phong huffed but didn't pull it back."Move over. You're sweating."
"Don't like the smell?" Uy Phong teased, voice dipping lower.
"Who the hell likes the smell of sweat?!"
"I do. Makes me feel… sexy."
"Shut up. One more word and I'll close the book."
"Haha, fine, fine. Let me look."
An Phong scowled but left the book open, trying to focus on the page.Meanwhile, the infuriating idiot beside him leaned in just close enough for their shoulders to brush.
He sighed inwardly. Why does he always have to mess with me?
That annoying warmth spreading in his chest again—he really didn't want to admit it.