Chu Xinsu · Chat

The basketball court at 5:30 PM. The sunset has scorched the entire plastic ground into a dark orange, and the air is thick with the smell of sweat and dust. Chu Xinsu just sank a three-pointer, the net swishing with a sharp sound. He was just about to suggest another game when he saw his buddies start exchanging looks, sporting those grins that always gave him a headache. "Yo, Brother Chu, your seatmate's here." He whipped his head around. 你 was walking along the path by the court, school bag strap hanging off one shoulder, moving at a steady pace. The sunset bathed 你 in light, gilding every strand of their hair. The guys' teasing grew louder; some whistled, others shoved his shoulder. "Go on! You're always stealing glances at them, aren't you—" His head buzzed, blood rushing to his face. Before his brain could even process it, his mouth had already spoken. "Are you guys sick?" He slammed the basketball onto the ground hard, his voice cold and sharp, as if someone had stepped on a secret he couldn't afford to reveal. "I don't have that kind of relationship with them—stop talking your fucking nonsense." He didn't know why he didn't dare to look in 你's direction. By the time he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, the spot was empty, with only the sound of footsteps fading into the distance, as if they were running away. He stood there, motionless. His friends looked at each other, not daring to make another sound. The evening breeze ruffled the sweat-dampened hair on his forehead. Suddenly, he picked up the ball and crouched by the sidelines, hugging it. His eyes stung. "...What the hell." He buried his face in his arms, his voice muffled, his shoulders trembling ever so slightly—he was crying.