Days keep on coming quickly, and Shiro still hesitates to be with Asher. "I hate VIP things." She keeps on saying to Lynx as he takes her to the gate as they have their half classes done and she will get home.
"You can think about it, I'm fine," Lynx told her.
"I'm taking a bus but I will go to the mall today do you have to need something I can pick up too from the bookstore?" Shiro asked without looking at him as she is fixing her backpack and put her phone inside of it.
"Just some new ball pen." He told to her and exhibits his eye smile again on her and pat her head.
As Shiro finally said goodbye, Lynx check on her before leaving the front gate and goes immediately to the gymnasium for their meeting for the upcoming opening of intrams. He sighted his teammates from the BSOA team.
"Cap," he said to one of the seniors from them. The guy simply smiled at him and tap his shoulders, "You should be called by that soon Mr. MVP!" Lynx breaks out his eye smile and sits down with his teammates. As they are all waiting, some of the colleges are coming one by one including Coach Minghao who is wearing round specs along with his mullet short hair and a T-shirt indicating his name as well as FACULTY at the back tuck in blue jeans that make him more tall and slender. His intimidating appearance can easily make all the students quiet down just effortlessly glaring at them.
"Aren't we all are here?" He said calmly.
"BSBA is not yet here coach."
When someone has said it suddenly the door from the gymnasium aggressively opens and the last college is finally here. Lynx turns his head to them and spotted Austin and Mark from the team. Lynx instantly wipe out his stare and turn it again to Coach Minghao who is instructing the last team to sit down near the BSOA team. Some of the BSBA team get flabbergasted as they saw Lynx on the other side.
"Isn't fair to join him at the normal basketball event?" A guy whimpering at his teammate as they sit down looking at Lynx.
"He is an MVP from the University Athletic Association just last year and he is the youngest in history to do that!" He responded.
The sudden motion of aggression strikes the guy's back and he immediately sees Austin fiercely glaring at him, "Will you just shut your mouth? I can beat that guy to death, you still never see me playing!" Austin boastfully told them and Mark nervously taps Austin's shoulder to catch his attention and point Coach Minghao who is constantly looking at them.
Coach Minghao starts the meeting and he Instructed about the team's game as he is presenting it from the flow chart. Austin glared once again on the board and instantly smirks as he saw his team will rival the BSOA team. His team concedes their tensions as they don't want to destroy Austin's mood. When the meeting was done all of the team took off themselves from the gymnasium, Lynx and his other teammates were still on the inside as they fixed their bags and stuff. Lynx immediately gets his phone and calls someone.
"Hey, Shiro," He said with a deep voice that was not his intention to echo his voice on the court. Austin who is fixing his rubber shoes heard Shiro's name from him and quickly peek at him.
"Meeting was done, I'm going to your home now," He seriously said while brushing up his hair. Austin clenches his fist and gazes at Lynx more deeply and Mark noticed it and tries so hard to comprehend what is going on between them.
"Oh, Aunty is not yet there? You want me to buy us dinner?" Lynx calmly asked Shiro.
After Lynx's last words to Shiro, Austin aggressively stands up and all of the remaining people inside the gym instantly look at him because his rubber shoes squeak loudly inside. Lynx stops talking while his phone is still on his ears and glares at Austin who is gazing at him; Eventually, frowning like he wants to start a fight. Mark nervously looks at Austin and smiles awkwardly at Lynx for he is also fretting from Austin's unreasonable stare at him. Lynx wanted to ask Austin arrogantly for he is getting to his nerves since morning and he cannot comprehend anymore what exactly happening to him.
"What the hell exactly wrong with that guy? He has been staring at me since morning."
"Lynx?" he suddenly heard Shiro's voice that's why he turn his attention again to her.
"Uhm, sorry I'm coming now," After he said it he instantly drop the call and put his phone in his bag. He fiercely look back at him and try himself to be patient and he turn my back holding his sports bag clinging to my right side. "He is infuriating me so much, he must be thankful and his stupid friend with him that I am not on to fight for we have our Steno recitation tomorrow and I need to study with Shiro. But if he is going to do that tomorrow I will never help myself to punch him. That dimwit stubborn, isn't Shiro is the reason why he acts like that?" Lynx said on his mind.
Lynx finally takes off himself and never looks back to Austin. The basketball event will happen the day after tomorrow that's why he and Shiro focus on studying together all night long so that Lynx can catch up on his major subjects as well as the Research. Lynx even wakes up early with Shiro and studies together at the library or Shiro's home before the class and by night his practice for basketball and even Coach Minghao reminds the UAA team to prepare for the next play. In short, Lynx's schedule was seemingly hectic and tiring for him but he is thankful that Shiro's hard work and encouragement always motivated him.
As the 1st day of the game has started, Lynx sighted Shiro near the front door of the Gymnasium. Colleges from different departments are already inside along with their placards to support the team they want.
"GO LYNX BAÑES!" suddenly a group of girls shouted Lynx's name from the audience.
"Famous ugly duckling jinx!" Shiro teasingly said to Lynx and he taps his back that has a silky texture from his red basketball uniform along with his name and number 23 embroidered on it. Lynx just taps his head and smiles charmingly.
"Sit in there," He is pointing at the front or lower parts of the seats.
"Yep just like before!" Shiro responded.
"Good luck!" She cheers him up and eventually ambles her feet going on her sit.
Austin on the other hand is along with Mark as he sighted Yangyang, Nana, and Asher who is holding a banner for Austin and Mark near the upper box section.
"Good luck Austin and Mark! Go BSBA! WOOHOO!" Asher exclaimed which makes Yangyang look at her so badly.
"The game's not yet starting Ash would you calm down?" Yangyang asserted to Asher while he is munching some salted popcorn along with a large Coca-Cola.
"You are even eating already so we are just fair!" Asher responded and stick out her tongue on him and instantly goes back cheering up her friends. As the game is almost approaching, it all began with the teams lining up inside the court after that the program has started with a doxology, national anthem, and university hymn together with the CYU Glee Club. The crowd began to scream their cheer as the two first teams ignited the game.
Team BSOA (Bachelor of Science in Office Administration) and Team BSBA (Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Finance) face together as Coach Minghao is in between the team.
Austin looks at Shiro that happily smiles from the crowd looking at the side of Lynx's teammates. He instantly turns his gaze to Lynx and he was not listening to Coach Minghao who is reminding them before the game while holding the Mikasa Ball in his hand. He looks at Lynx over and over and he finally caught his attention that's why he smirked at him. Lynx makes a sudden frown because of Austin and smirked back at him while he mumbles.
"You'll be dead," that gives rise to Austin widening his eyes and pointing his jaw while clenching his fist.
"START!" As they heard the whistle aggressively uproar, the ball has been hanging on the air and instantly catches like a lightning from no other than Lynx Bañes. The girls from all their colleges and his fangirls from another department started to roar like crazy that makes Shiro's heart rapidly beat from the tension she felt inside.
"Go Lynx!" She shouted with her deep and loud voice. The first quarter went so smoothly because of Lynx's great agility as well as the cooperation of his team. His skillfulness is also complimented conveyed by the commentators and even the alumni of different colleges and UAA who are already on a National Team. The scores on the board are 27 for BSOA and 23 for BSBA.
"Austin is reasonably awesome!" A fan girl suddenly asserted behind Shiro which makes her agree for Austin is also good at it.
The second quarter finally arrives and the game became more intense as Austin served his amazing three-point shots as well his fierce dunk shots that make the other fan scream his name.
"AHHHH THAT'S MY AUSTIN!" Asher screamed out of her lungs while cheering Austin happily.
"God damn," Yangyang said as he complained because of Asher's high-pitched voice luring disturbingly on his ears. As Austin makes his move again on the three-point corner, he successfully shoots it effortlessly that making the crowd viciously louden their voices.
Austin glimpses a smile as he succeeded to surpass Lynx's team this time and instantly turns his look to Shiro.
A sudden slow-motion begins whereas his heart rapidly beating from Shiro's charming smile looking in his direction. His heart beating faster and faster and because of it, he cannot help himself to look at her deeply.
"GO LYNX BAÑES!" some group of girls shouted from the crowd and he quickly realizes that Lynx is also in his position in front of him and that was what Shiro is looking for and not to him.
He glances at Lynx one more time and slowly turns his eye at Shiro again to confirm it. Mark looks at Austin who currently being out of his state looking at them and he runs towards him to wake him up.
"BRO COMMON! THEY ARE AHEAD AGAIN!" Mark aggressively taps his back and he clenches his fist strongly and way back the evil gaze on his eyes.
[Time out] "YES!" Lynx shouted while exhibiting the proud gesture of his fist and instantly looked at Shiro happily and swiftly moved his feet towards Shiro and the two of them jumped cheerfully before Lynx hugged her tightly.
Austin gaze at them and stops and his heartbeat became wilder and his eyes fiercely on them without being noticed by the two except Mark that is already getting nervous from Austin, Yangyang who is eventually smirking while looking at them, Nana also glared at them quietly observing and anticipating Austin's next move and also there is Asher that is being so late to comprehend Austin's behavior from the beginning.
"My goodness Austin, not today," She said calmly and sits down on her chair, and nervously looks at Yangyang and Nana.
"H-he is okay right?" She asked them with her trembling voice but Yangyang just shrugged off and goes back to eating his popcorn.
The third quarter began when both sides of the team have been done instructing by their coaches. Lynx immediately notices Austin that is more badly looking at him than before he instantly turns his eyes on him too and it withstands already tension and pressure inside the court. As the game started Austin became more hostile and unstoppable which makes his coach widen his eyes from his physical aggression even to his teammates.
"What the hell is he doing?" one of the teammates grumbled to Mark.
Mark did his best to catch up with Austin so he can at least calm down a bit and prevent himself from violating. "Bro, keep your head cool down you are going to get foul!" Mark warned him but unfortunately did not listen to him as he is focused on Lynx and failed to observe what will happen for he is recklessly running towards Lynx that who is dribbling the ball and also gazing at Austin like he is the only rival he has.
"I will kill this bullshit!" Austin internally screaming on his head and Lynx just raised his eyebrows as if he heard Austin's voice.
As Lynx shifted his move, he eventually skips from Austin and it gives rise to him being madder and impatient that's why he never minds his captain signal for him and jerk his shoulder to Lynx and he instantly falls from the ground and it suddenly makes the audience quiet and Shiro began to stand up because of being concerned with Lynx. Lynx gazes at Austin more fiercely as he heard the whistle as a sign of Austin getting foul by the referee. Instead, Austin is upset by his action he just smirks at Lynx.
"Lame," Austin said.
Lynx widens his eyes and quickly stands up from his fall and clutches Austin's uniform and it makes the Audience shock with his action.
"You son of a bitch! Do you want me to tear your fucking stupid face!" He shouted at him and punches Austin's face. Austin immediately punches him back while he also shouting recklessly on the court. All of their teammates try their best to stop but they are incredibly unstoppable until their lips are already bleeding. Coach Minghao along with another referee and coaches as well interfere with them.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Coach Minghao shouted and tightly hold Austin's uniform but he still stubbornly squirmed from him that's why Coach Minghao aggressively gets Austin again.
"I warned you if you move a single step I will beat you until you passed out!" He warned him with his fiercely stare at him and also turns his gaze to Lynx.
"You two are now ejected!" Coach Minghao exclaimed to them and they followed him and sits down on the corner beside their coaches. Shiro suddenly perceives madness inside her while looking at Austin fiercely.
"That guy is too much!" She said while clenching her fist. All of the fangirls of Austin and Lynx began to get disappointed about what happened. Asher covers her face because of the pressure she feels inside.
"I feel embarrassed for Shiro and Lynx! He is reckless as always!" Asher sulked in disbelief while Nana and Yangyang stared at her and said nothing from being fed up by Austin.
The game set back on its own without them until the last quarter and BSOA win the game with a score of 110 and 98 for the BSBA Team. The most awaited game from them ends up with a chaotic scene from the two most valuable players especially Lynx that has been having a good reputation since the first year.
"I can't believe that happens but at least our college won," One of the BSOA students said.
"You are right, that Austin is an incredibly handsome and good player but he has some anger management issue," She responded.
"Shhh! Bold of you to say that to the owner's nephew!" A first-year girl mumbled to them.
After the game, Lynx has no chance to talk to his teammates. He and Austin instantly go to Coach Minghao's office, who is holding his forehead looking at the table trying his best not to shout at them hysterically.
"Hey Austin, this is your second guidance in a month! Do you want to mess up with other students here one by one?" He angrily said to him and Austin just stubbornly looks at him and rolled his eyes while he deep sighed.
"And you Lynx! The crowd was for you and you let them witness that!" He addressed his lecture to Lynx who is fiercely glaring at Austin.
"I don't care about my reputation at least this unreasonable stupid guy had my punch and I know that was not enough!" He asserted.
"You called that punch? More like a massage for me!" Austin sarcastic response.
"Then let me give you more, you silly lack of attention jerk!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Austin recklessly shouts inside the office whereas Lynx widens his eyes to threaten him with his chest and chin up gesture.
"I said you stupid LACK OF ATTENTION KID!" Lynx emphasized to him as if Coach Minghao is not in front of them. Austin clenches his fist while tremendously trembling from the madness he felt, DID HE MEAN I WAS LACK OF SHIRO'S ATTENTION! He internally screams on his mind and looks at him with his death glare.
"WHY? WHO IS SHE IN THE FIRST PLACE? I AM NOT BEGGING FOR HER ATTENTION! WHO DO YOU THINK SHE IS HUH?" He recklessly shouts at Lynx.
Lynx raised his eyebrows as he was dumbfounded by his confusing response to him. Coach Minghao also raises his eyebrows and looks at him very deeply and he immediately comprehends what was happening.
"Oh, She..." Lynx sarcastically said to Austin and turn again himself to Coach Minghao who is trying hard not to laugh at Austin.
"W-what? WHY?" Austin screams out again and punches Lynx's shoulders as he rapidly moves his eyes from being embarrassed by what he let out just now.
"Hey Austin, I know it's normal to fight for a girl but never ever do that in the game again! If you fight again in front of me I will hang the two of you upside-down in the school grounds, UNDERSTOOD?" Coach Minghao said to Austin and initially gave his warning to them before they leave his office.
Austin swiftly take off himself from the office and he gets surprised to see Shiro in front of him. He became dumbfounded stuck staring at her and Shiro directly rolls her eyes and grabbed Lynx's wrist hastily beside her. Austin's mood quickly changed as he sees them again together and Shiro still holding Lynx tightly and frowning at Austin so bad.
Yangyang, Nana, Mark, and Asher promptly run towards them, "Shiro," Asher called her name very gently and that makes Shiro a bit calmer. Shiro took her deep sigh as she is only looking at Austin that barely looking at her back from his consciousness he felt.
"Hey, Austin are you enjoying your play? Am I not enough and now you embarrassed Lynx in many people like what you did to me? Isn't that enough? What else do you have in there so we are ready for your childish trick!" Shiro asked him while she is trembling her voice from being fed up and her hands are shaking so bad that's why Lynx holds her hand tightly.
"Shiro it's fine let's go." he calmly told Shiro.
Austin immediately glances at her and clenches his fist while looking at them, "Shiro we're very sorry," Asher pleaded to her.
"It's fine Asher, It's not your fault you have an unruly and self-centered friend." Shiro said to Asher and instantly turn her back away from them whereas she is holding hands with Lynx at the back of her.
"Austin!" Asher shouts at him and grabs his arm, "Say sorry to them!" She demanded but Austin jerk off his hand.
"Why would I do that? She's nothing but a commoner with a commoner boyfriend! Who do you think they are?" He said with his trembling voice and hastily scamper his feet away from them and kicks the trash can aggressively.
"Wow, I never knew I saw this coming," Yangyang jokingly said to them while grinning his teeth trying not to laugh out loud. Asher forcefully strikes her hand at his back.
"This is not funny Xiao Yang!" She said like a nagger mom that makes Yangyang mock him by copying her gestures and mumbling her words annoyingly. Mark nudges Yangyang on his side and he eventually stops teasing and decided to leave them. Nana still looking in the direction where Lynx and Shiro walk out and he took a deep sigh and also leave.
When that night is over, Lynx and Shiro walk towards the gate and they see Asher waving her hands to them. Shiro smiles a bit and Lynx noticed that she became more awkward now. Shiro starts to become more formal again every time they had their Research with Asher and Lynx is entirely pitying Asher but he cannot do anything about it. As Lynx says goodbye to Shiro to have his second game, Shiro went home alone and rides a bus again. The game he had still run smoothly as it is but some students cannot stop talking about what happened yesterday which is he actually did not care at all.
Lynx put all his things on his sports locker and brushed his hair up again. As he closes the door he gets surprised by Nana appearing in front of him without being noticed just earlier.
"Lynx, can we talk?" he asked him in a calm convincing voice. He did not respond to him and walked ahead of him and stops again peeking at Nana in his peripheral vision, "What is it?" he asked Nana that makes his deep voice again echo inside the locker room.
"About Austin's behavior, we are sorry about it but I hope you will give him a chance. You are getting the wrong idea about him. Austin is not like what you are thinking." Nana calmly explained to him.
Lynx turns himself and faces him and he can see that Nana is sincere about what he is talking about, "What exactly is his intention, and does he act like that? He's such a spoiled brat!" Lynx responded to Nana and Nana looked at him with his expressionless look and take a deep breath as he inserts his hands on his cream-colored coat with a turtle neck with long sleeves inside.
"He is bad making friends with anyone and he has no idea of pursuing someone that's why he behaves he can get everything he wanted instantly, and to the point he became possessive. But I assured you that he's doing his best but his impulsiveness ruined it. He is trying his best and I hope Shiro can see it." He said.
Nana walks slowly towards Lynx and still looking at him. Lynx nodded and took a deep sigh and turn his head up looking at the ceiling.
"Then why Shiro?" He asked as he frowns upon him.
"Because Shiro is different and She makes us all realize that there is something about her that we need to know about." He stares at Lynx again.
"That time Asher wanted her to be her friend there is something about me that makes me curious about her, and the moment we met her at her home the more I realized that I wanted to know her deeply." Nana let out his thoughts while looking at the white rubber shoes he keeps on playing with while he talks.
"We know Shiro is really important to you that's why I want to say these things to you and besides that..." He instantly stops and looks at Lynx.
"That Honey Tteokbokki, that Auntie Quennie made, I want to have it once more." He said then thinning his lips before he moved away from Lynx and walk towards the exit.
"About Austin, if you want to make things clear about his intentions to Shiro, I hope you can talk to him and confront him," Nana said to him while there are back to back from each other. Nana ambles his feet through the exit and never says a word anymore. Lynx was left as the dim lights of the locker room starts to fade.
"If someone hurts her I will never forgive them for she is like a sister to me and I expect you never make some games to Shiro, Zhong Austin." He said to his mind and promptly leaves the room with a furious expression on his face.