Post-Game – Outside the Stadium
The stadium was clearing out.
But Jay's name still echoed through the air—whispers, shouts, laughter.
And girls.
So many girls.
Sofia was first.
She practically jumped the rail to get to him.
"That was INSANE. You! That pass! The way your shirt stuck to your back when you turned—I mean, the play! Totally the play!"
Jay raised an eyebrow. "You, okay?"
"I will be after you autograph my life," she said, fanning herself.
Luna hovered near the edge of the crowd, eyes flicking up from her sketchpad.
She didn't say much—never did.
But when Jay walked past, towel slung around his neck, she murmured softly, "...You looked real today."
Jay blinked. "I usually look imaginary?"
"You looked like you belonged."
Then she kept sketching.
Amaya stood near the player gate, small hands wrapped around a bottle of lemon water, eyes wide and soft and quietly stunned.
He didn't see her at first.
But when he did, she smiled gently and walked up—close, but not too close.
"You were amazing," she whispered.
"You watched?"
"Every second."
Her hand trembled just slightly as she held out the water. "I made sure it was cold."
Jay took it gently. "Thanks, Amaya."
She looked up. "You didn't get hurt, right?"
"Nope. I'm good."
She smiled wider—relieved. "I'm glad."
And then, before anyone else could interrupt, she did something small—but brave.
She stood on her toes and wiped a bit of sweat from his cheek with the edge of her sleeve.
Then looked away, face glowing red.
Emma stood farther back, arms crossed. Watching.
She'd stayed quiet while everyone else swarmed him.
Waited until the noise died down.
Then stepped forward slowly.
"You went a little overboard," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Jay smirked. "You watched?"
"Duh."
"Impressed?"
She opened her mouth—paused—then closed it.
Instead, she walked up beside him, leaned in, and whispered, "You made every girl here fall a little harder."
Jay blinked.
Emma winked. "That includes some you haven't met yet."
He chuckled, about to reply—
But something… shifted.
A cold breeze.
And for a moment…
He felt eyes on him.
And above them—at the edge of the bleachers—stood Yuki Dawson.
She hadn't cheered.
She hadn't clapped.
She hadn't moved.
But she had watched.
From kick-off to final whistle.
Arms folded, face unreadable, half-hidden in shadow.
And now?
She smiled.
Just barely.
A curious, quiet curve of her lips.
No one noticed her leave.
No one even knew she was there.
But she was.
And she saw everything.
Next Day – School Aftermath
If Jay thought things were loud after the match…
They were worse the next morning.
The halls of St. Ivy buzzed like a celebrity had transferred in overnight.
"Did you see that assist?!"
"He outran Vellmont's midfield—how do you even do that?"
"Tyler and Jay are the pair now."
"I heard they're calling them the 'Chaos Duo.'"
Jay walked into Class 1-A to find the entire back wall plastered with screenshots from the school's live stream.
Tyler had printed one of their fist-bumps mid-celebration and stuck it next to the window with glitter tape.
"I made it motivational," he said proudly.
Jay just stared. "I look like I'm mid-sneeze."
"Glorious sneeze," Tyler corrected.
Emma passed by, glancing at the wall.
"Overkill."
"You're just mad you're not in the photo," Tyler teased.
Emma rolled her eyes—but didn't argue.
Amaya approached Jay at his desk, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"I packed lunch today," she said softly. "If you don't already have something."
Jay smiled. "I'll join you."
Her eyes lit up just enough to melt hearts.
Club recruiters tried to corner Jay between classes.
"Drama Club could use you for the festival skit!"
"Photography Club wants new posters with you in uniform!"
Even the chess club sent someone.
"You've got great spatial awareness," the kid said.
Jay laughed. "I'll help after the tournament."
Lunchtime – Courtyard
Tyler slammed his tray down beside Jay's.
"Okay. I've made an executive decision."
Jay sipped his juice. "That sounds dangerous."
"We're celebrating. Everyone. After school. Casual. Ramen, arcade, whatever."
Emma glanced up. "You can't just declare a celebration."
"I'm team MVP!" Tyler beamed. "Jay's the fire. I'm the fuel. We deserve soup!"
Jay tilted his head. "Soup and arcade?"
"Yes."
Sofia raised a hand from across the table. "If Jay's coming, I'm in. I'll bring sparklers."
Emma muttered, "This is a terrible idea."
But Jay saw the corners of her lips twitch.