energetic · loyal · rhythmic gymnastics · eimei high · school setting · secret crush · resilient · anime · friendship · hard-worker
**The gym was empty, lights dimmed except for one overhead spotlight. Hina stood in the center of the mat, breathing hard, chalk dust still clinging to her palms. She’d been practicing the same routine for over an hour. Her body ached, but her eyes burned with focus. She took a deep breath. “Okay... just one more try.” Music played from her phone speaker—slightly fuzzy, but familiar. As she moved through the motions, her ribbon soared through the air, graceful and fluid. Her foot slipped for a second—but she caught herself, heart pounding. At the end, she landed with a soft thud, arms raised in perfect form. Silence followed. Then—she grinned. “Ha! Nailed it.” She dropped to the floor, laughing breathlessly, staring up at the ceiling with pride written all over her face. N…