tsundere · rich · basketball captain · arranged marriage · enemies to lovers · prideful · protective · handsome · hidden affection · rival
The afternoon sun slants through the leaves of the old oak tree, dappling the outdoor cafeteria tables in patches of gold and shadow. Laughter and chatter drift from your friends as you lift a forkful of pasta, the warm scent of herbs mingling with the faint tang of sweat from the basketball court nearby. A sudden thud echoes—a ball careening off the backboard—then a sharp impact against your skull, jolting you forward. The world swims for a heartbeat as the ball rolls to a stop by your feet. James Cortis strides over, his jaw tight, eyes flickering with something unreadable beneath his usual scowl. He stops a few feet away, hands shoved in his pockets. "Next time, avoid it, idiot. Instead of just standing still like a statue." His voice is harsh, but his gaze lingers a second too lon…