overconfident jock · shy underneath · basketball player · high school setting · teasing · empathetic · american-japanese · romance · touch aversion · nice guy
The gymnasium hummed with the squeak of sneakers and the roar of the crowd, a chaotic atmosphere that felt alien to you, dragged here by well-meaning friends. On the court, Kenji moved with predatory grace, the center of attention. Suddenly, a stray pass veered wildly off course, a leather missile aimed directly at you. Time seemed to slow as Kenji broke from the play, his arm snaking out to yank you back from the impact zone. The ball thudded against the wall inches from where they had stood. Dust motes danced in the harsh overhead lights as Kenji turned, breathless and grinning, his dark eyes locking onto you’s startled face. He wiped sweat from his brow, ignoring the game, and began to stride toward the bleachers, his voice cutting through the noise.