Chapter 8: What's the plan tonight???

Shun and Renji wandered through the stadium, scanning the crowd. The authorities had told them that the girl who found the earring was still there, but with so many players, coaches, and spectators around, finding her was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Renji sighed. "You do realize we could've just asked the staff to make an announcement, right?"

Shun ignored him and kept walking.

Renji groaned. "Of course. Why do things the easy way when you can make it ten times harder?"

Shun wasn't listening. He wasn't even sure why he was so determined to find the girl. It wasn't like he had lost something replaceable. The earring meant something. He just didn't know what.

As they continued walking, a voice called out to them.

"Oi, looking for someone?"

Both Shun and Renji turned toward the source. A tall girl with short black hair stood casually near the exit, arms crossed.

Renji narrowed his eyes. "Do we know you?"

The girl shrugged. "Doubt it. Name's Saiki."

Shun recognized her jersey—it was from one of the teams that had played earlier. She was a player.

Saiki smirked. "I heard you were looking for the girl who found your earrings."

Renji perked up immediately. "Wait, you know who it is?"

Saiki nodded. "Yeah. She's a friend of mine."

Shun stared at her. "Who is she?"

Saiki tilted her head. "You're really that curious?"

Shun didn't respond, but his silence was answered enough.

Saiki grinned. "Relax, I'll tell you. It was Rika."

The Moment of Realization

Renji froze. "Wait, wait, wait—Rika? As in Rika Asano?"

Saiki nodded. "Yeah. She's the one who found it on the field and turned it in. Didn't even hesitate."

Shun's expression didn't change, but internally, something clicked.

Rika.

Of course.

Renji is in complete shock. "Oh, this is amazing! Shun, you know she is 3 times MVP of state-level matches!"

Saiki smirked. "You two have a history or something?"

Renji grinned. "Oh, you have no idea."

Shun finally spoke. "Where is she?"

Saiki shrugged. "She already left."

Renji sighed dramatically. "Damn, and here I was hoping for a dramatic face-to-face moment."

Shun didn't react. Instead, he took the earring out of his pocket, rolling it between his fingers.

Rika had found it.

Rika had returned it.

And somehow… that made sense.

Saiki watched him for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "You gonna thank her?"

Shun slipped the earring back into his pocket. "You do it for me."

Saiki blinked. "...Seriously?"

Renji groaned. "Dude, you came all the way here to find the girl who returned your earring, and now you're not even gonna talk to her?"

Shun turned away. "I found my answer. That's enough."

Saiki shook her head with a chuckle. "You're a weird guy, Aizawa."

Renji sighed. "You have no idea."

Back to the Dorms

By the time Shun and Renji returned to the dorms, the others were already waiting.

Taro leaned back on the couch, tossing a snack into his mouth. "Oi! You guys are back! So, did you find the girl?"

Renji smirked. "Oh, we found out who it was."

Kazu raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Renji stretched, letting the suspense build. "It was Rika."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Then—

Taro blinked. "...Who?"

Kazu frowned. "Wait, are we supposed to know that name?"

Hiroki scratched his head. "Rika… Rika… Nope, never heard of her."

Renji's smirk disappeared. "...Are you guys serious?"

Taro shrugged. "Should we be?"

Renji sighed, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. You guys need to start paying attention to players outside of your team." He crossed his arms. "Rika Asano. State-level MVP for the last three years. One of the best midfielders in the country."

The room immediately changed.

Taro sat up. "Wait, what? State MVP?!"

Kazu blinked. "For three years straight?!"

Hiroki whistled. "Damn… okay, that's impressive."

Taro looked at Shun. "And you know this girl?"

Shun didn't respond. He just sat down and grabbed a bottle of water, completely ignoring the conversation.

Taro leaned forward. "And you didn't even talk to her?!"

Renji sighed dramatically. "Nope. He told someone else to thank her instead."

Taro choked. "BRO, WHAT KIND OF ROMANCE ANIME BEHAVIOR IS THAT?!"

Shun ignored them all. He had his answer. That was enough.

Kazu, still trying to process everything, rubbed his chin. "Damn… State MVP. That means if she plays against us, she'll be a problem, huh?"

Hiroki smirked. "Not our problem. Shun's the one who has to deal with her."

Taro grinned. "True. We'll just sit back and enjoy the show!"

As the conversation turned chaotic, Taro suddenly clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough about that! We're heading to the turf for some midnight football. You guys in?"

Renji smirked. "I thought you'd never ask."

And just like that, the night plans were set.

Tomorrow, Shun would think about everything.

But tonight?

Tonight was about the game.