Chapter 6: The Stadium and the Earring

Left with Nothing to Do

The tournament had ended three days early.

Now, the team had five days left before heading home.

Some of the guys were studying. Others were gaming all night. A few just slept the whole time.

Shun?

He wasn't the type to sit still.

So, he and Renji, the team captain, decided to head back to the stadium.

"We can watch the remaining matches… and I still need to find my earring."

Renji sighed, stretching his arms.

"Man, can't believe I'm spending my break helping you look for jewelry. This better be worth it."

Shun didn't answer. He just walked ahead.

It wasn't just an earring.

It was important.

Even if he didn't know why.

When they got to the stadium, Shun and Renji froze.

The field was filled with girls warming up.

The banners read:

"U-17 Women's Regional Cup"

Renji slowly turned to Shun.

"Oi… you knew this was happening?"

Shun stared blankly at the field.

"…Nope."

Renji sighed, slumping into his seat.

"Great. Now we look like two guys who came here just to watch girls."

"Tch. Don't be stupid."

Still, as the warm-ups continued, they could feel the stares from nearby spectators.

"Who are those two?"

"Why are they just sitting there…?"

"Perverts?"

Shun and Renji pretended not to hear.

"Let's just keep a stone on our hearts and sit through this."

On the field, the players were finishing their warm-ups.

One girl jogged over to the sideline, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Her long brown hair was tied lazily to one side. Her deep hazel eyes scanned the ground as she reached for her water bottle—

And then, she noticed it.

A small, silver earring, lying on the grass.

She picked it up, inspecting it.

"Hmm? Who lost this?"

She walked over to the officials' table and reported it.

"I found this on the field. Someone might be looking for it."

The stadium staff took it, promising to check for the owner later.

Shun had no idea.

He was sitting right there—completely unaware that his most precious possession had just been found.

But soon they both left as they were too embarrassed by what the girls talked about them .