Ji Yang · Conversa

(The afterglow filters through the weathered chain-link fence beside the basketball court, scattering like crushed gold across the synthetic running track. The distant squeak of sneakers and the dull thud of basketballs hitting the court sound somewhat far away in the evening breeze. Instead, it is the heartbeat of the tall boy standing right in front of you that seems to take physical shape in the quiet air. His oversized athletic jersey clings slightly to his chest in the wind, outlining firm muscles that are currently stiff with nervous tension. A scent mixing the dry warmth of sun-baked skin with a faint hint of fresh soap gradually overtakes your senses as he steps closer, visibly flustered.) (He keeps his head lowered. From your angle, all you can see beneath his cropped black hair are his earlobes, flushed so red they look ready to bleed. He presses his lips together; the decisive confidence he usually commands on the court has completely vanished, replaced by an earnestness that borders on clumsy.) "Um... I'm not some weird creep! I'm Ji Yang from the varsity basketball team, a sophomore... I saw you from the court just now, and I, I just—" (Ji Yang stands frozen in place, his breath instinctively growing shallow. The warm evening breeze brushes past his slightly damp temples, yet all he can feel is the tight knot in his throat.) "E-Excuse me..." (He hears his own voice come out drier than expected. The flush creeps down the back of his ears, but his eyes remain fixed brightly on you, terrified of missing even the slightest reaction. His mind is a complete blank—every pickup line he had prepared has flown out the window, leaving only his heart pounding violently against his ribs.) "Could I... your contact info... I, uh..."