∙ ❀ Philophobia ❀ ∙

Chapter 9 - Game On!

Chapter 9 — Game On!

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Yuuki strolls through the park, the soft crunch of gravel under her sneakers mingling with the distant laughter of children and the chirping of birds. Subaru walks beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual easygoing demeanour tinged with an uncharacteristic tension.

It's been three days since her interview at Eden Games, and the anticipation has been eating away at her since. Today, however, she's pushed that aside for the sake of her friend. When she met up with Subaru some minutes before and saw him sitting on a bench and looking unusually pensive, she decided that her issues were irrelevant right now.

"You okay?" Yuuki asks, trying to catch his eye with her short vantage point.

Subaru shrugs, trying to play it off. "Yeah, just needed a distraction. Thanks for meeting up with me."

"It's all good. I needed a distraction for myself anyway... Did you, uh... want to talk about it?"

He shakes his head. "Not really. I just... Emma's with Yusuke today, and I need to not think about it."

"Ah, right, yeah..." Yuuki looks around the park for a change of topic quickly, noting the half-empty basketball court some ways away. This gives her an idea. "Hey, how about a game of basketball? I could use the exercise."

Subaru raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You sure? I don't want to embarrass you too much."

"Oh, please. I'll have you know I'm an excellent basketball player... in my dreams."

"Alright. Don't expect me to go easy on you."

Yuuki chuckles, rolling her eyes. "Wouldn't have it any other way. Let's go."

They make their way to the basketball court, where a few kids are already playing. Subaru grabs a ball and they manage to secure half the court for themselves. Yuuki stretches, trying to remember the basics of the game, while Subaru watches with a smirk.

"Ready?" He asks, spinning the ball on his finger.

"Bring it on," Yuuki retorts, though she knows she's in for it.

Their game starts, and it quickly becomes apparent that Subaru wasn't exaggerating. His movements are quick and precise, his shots almost always finding the hoop, while Yuuki struggles to keep up. Despite her best efforts, she finds herself constantly on the defensive, barely managing to score a few points. But she expected nothing less from this match.

"Come on, Yuuki, you can do better than that!" Subaru teases, a grin spreading across his face as he effortlessly scores another point.

She huffs, wiping sweat from her brow. "Just you wait. I'm saving my energy for a big comeback."

They continue playing, the game becoming less about distractions and more about Yuuki desperately trying to sink a single hoop. They joke and banter as they run, Yuuki's angered voice ringing out across the park. For a few hours, they manage to forget their worries, losing themselves in the game and each other's company.

Eventually, they collapse on the grass beside the court, completely spent. Yuuki lies on her back, vigorously wiping the sweat from her face, while Subaru stretches out his legs.

"That was fun," Yuuki says, audibly out of breath.

"Yeah, that was good," Subaru agrees, a relaxed smile now adorning his face. "...Thanks, Yuuki. I needed this."

"Eh, anytime. But maybe we get someone else on my team next time, yeah? I hate getting my ass kicked that badly."

As the two sit and calm themselves from the exertion, Subaru turns to watch the kids play on the small playground. A small silence engulfs them before he turns to Yuuki with a contemplative look.

"I just don't get it," he begins.

"Hm?" Yuuki raises to her elbows and urges him to continue.

"What does Yusuke have that I don't?"

A bit shocked at the sudden topic change, Yuuki scrambles to comfort him. "Ah, well, it's not about what he has that you don't, Subaru. Sometimes... Sometimes things just work out that way. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. You're a great guy, and there are a bunch more amazing people out there that would be lucky to have you."

Subaru looks at her, his expression softening. "...Yeah. Thanks, Yuuki."

"I try." She shrugs, giving him a small smile and noting the lingering look that he gives her. His mouth is brought up in a gentle smile as he watches her and at first, she doesn't think much of it, but as the moments pass on, she begins to feel a chill crawl up her back.

Luckily the moment is quickly broken as a loud ringing emanates from Yuuki's phone. She glances at the caller ID, her heart skipping a beat when she sees it's from Eden Games. Taking a deep breath, she answers the call.

"Hello, this is Yuuki."

"Hello, Yuuki, this is Miss Sato from Eden Games. We're pleased to inform you that we'd like you to come in for your first shift on Monday next week at 9 am. We'll provide you with more information about your position then."

Yuuki's eyes widen. "Thank you so much! I'll be there." She hangs up, turning to Subaru with a beaming smile. "I got the job! I start on Monday!"

Subaru's face lights up, his earlier thoughts forgotten. "That's awesome, Yuuki! Congratulations!"

"No way, no way, no way! AH, I gotta tell Natsume! Bye!"

As Yuuki scrambles to her feet, nearly tripping over her laces as she runs off, she misses the fall in Subaru's expression as he watches her leave.

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Hey all, I hope you're enjoying the story so far! 

Quick update: I'll be uploading fortnightly instead of monthly from now on. I've got several chapter drafts already lined up so I can get them out to you a lot quicker than I was before. Yay!