The day of the sports festival arrived, and the atmosphere at Sunrise High buzzed with excitement. Arthur and his friends couldn't contain their eagerness, ready to make the most of their last sports festival. The midterm exams had drained everyone, and now, they craved the freedom to run, laugh, and create memories before their final year came to a close.
"Let's enjoy this," Arthur said with a grin, his eyes scanning the lively field. His friends nodded, all determined to make the day unforgettable.
The sports festival was divided into two parts—fun and games in the morning and the long-awaited basketball match against Evergreen High in the afternoon. The match, an annual event, was the highlight of the day. It had become a fierce tradition, and as Sunrise's captain, Arthur held the weight of his school's expectations. Known for his leadership and sharp skills, Arthur had never let his team down.
Every year, Luna, his older sister, missed the match, swamped with work at Nexus. Arthur understood her workload and never pressed her to come, but deep down, he always wished she would watch him play, if only just once.
As the sun reached its peak and lunch came to an end, the basketball teams from both schools gathered on the court for warm-ups. Arthur stretched, his eyes darting between his teammates, encouraging them silently. Across the court, Ben, Evergreen's captain, was talking to someone. Arthur saw him approaching Nora.
"If we win," Ben smirked, "you should be my girlfriend."
Nora's expression remained icy, but before she could respond, Arthur's team overheard the exchange. Anger bubbled within the group.
Arthur walked over to Ben. "You can't just say things like that to Nora."
Ben, annoyed by the interruption, turned to Arthur. "What's it to you, Arthur? Or is this what happens when you grow up without parents?" The words were meant to cut deep.
Arthur's fists clenched. "If you're making a bet, it should be fair," he said through gritted teeth. "If I win, you apologize to Nora in front of everyone." Ben's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Deal."
The game began. Both teams fought hard, the score staying neck and neck. At halftime, the players took a break, chugging water and catching their breath. As Arthur wiped the sweat from his brow, he heard something that stopped him in his tracks—a familiar voice cheering from the crowd.
His head shot up, scanning the crowd, and there she was, Luna. His heart swelled with joy. Every year he had secretly hoped she would come, but never asked. And here she was. His excitement doubled as the game resumed.
With newfound energy, Arthur pushed himself harder than ever. His movements became faster, sharper, as if Luna's presence alone fueled him. The game shifted quickly, and Evergreen High was now struggling to keep up. Onlookers, especially Arthur's admirers, began whispering, curious about the woman who had seemingly unlocked this new side of him.
By the end of the match, Sunrise High had dominated. The scoreboard flashed their victory, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Arthur, breathless but beaming, looked toward his sister, her proud smile all the reward he needed.
Ben, approached Nora. He muttered a barely audible apology, avoiding her gaze. His anger simmered as he turned to Arthur. "This isn't over," he growled, but Arthur paid him no mind.
Instead, Arthur rushed to Luna,as he began talking excitedly about the game. But their moment was interrupted by Ben, who stormed over, shouting once again.
Luna's smile vanished. She turned to Ben, her voice cold. "Don't waste your time by bothering my brother."
Ben's face flushed with rage, and he lunged forward. But Arthur was faster, grabbing Ben's arm and swiftly throwing him to the ground.
"Get lost," Arthur said, his tone icy.
Ben's pride was in tatters as he stormed off with his team. The victory was celebrated with the presentation of a trophy to Sunrise High. The principal called Arthur forward, requesting that he offer some advice to his juniors.
Taking a deep breath, Arthur stood in front of the school, gripping the microphone. "Today's win isn't just mine," he began, scanning the crowd. "It belongs to everyone who supported me. And today, I want to introduce the person who's always been my biggest supporter, even from afar—my sister, Luna." He gestured to her, and Luna joined him on stage, the students watching in awe.
Arthur continued, "My motivation has always been to help her, so she could focus on her own happiness. So, my advice to all of you is simple—don't take the people who care about you for granted. Live your life for yourself, but never forget the ones who believe in you." As the day wound down and students began to leave, Arthur and Luna walked side by side, a comfortable silence between them.
A buzz in Arthur's pocket broke the silence. He glanced at his phone—Nora had sent him a message, asking him to wait at the school gate.
Luna noticed the message and smiled knowingly. "I'll see you at home," she said, leaving him at the entrance.
Moments later, Nora appeared, running towards Arthur through the crowd. She collided with him, nearly knocking them both over. He caught her, holding her steady, their faces inches apart. "Thank you," Nora whispered before stepping back.
Arthur chuckled softly. "No need to thank me. That's what friends are for."
Nora's eyes met his, her voice almost too quiet to hear. "I don't consider you just a friend."
Arthur's heart sank for a moment, misunderstanding her words. He watched her walk towards her car. But as the car door shut, his phone buzzed again. A message from Nora.
He opened it, and his heart leaped. *You're more than a friend to me* it read.
A grin spread across his face, and he couldn't contain the joy that bubbled up inside him. He ran home, filled with a new sense of hope, while Nora watched from her car, a smile playing on her lips as she saw him leap in happiness.