Courtside Confession

Part-1

The basketball court of SM High School echoed with the rhythm of sneakers on the hardwood as Jeno and his friends practiced tirelessly for the upcoming match against their rival school, Hybe High School. (NO HATE TO HYBE ENT. AND ARTISTS)

Jeno's tall, athletic figure moved with precision and grace, a testament to his prowess on the court. His hair, dark as midnight, swept across his forehead with each determined dribble. The sunlight caught on the sheen of sweat that glistened on his skin, accentuating the contours of his defined muscles. Jeno's eyes sparkled with a fierce determination, a fire that burned within him to excel.

Jimin watched from the bleachers, her heart pounding in rhythm with every beat of the ball. Her gaze was fixed on Jeno, the object of her affection. She couldn't help but be mesmerized by the way he commanded the court, a natural leader in every sense.

As Jeno leaped into the air, executing a perfect layup, Jimin couldn't help but notice the effortless grace in his movements. He seemed to defy gravity, soaring like a bird with outstretched wings. It was as if the court was his kingdom, and he ruled it with absolute authority.

The crowd of onlookers cheered, their voices blending into a symphony of support. Jimin's heart swelled with pride, not just for Jeno's impressive skills, but for the person he was.

As the practice session came to a close, Jeno's eyes scanned the crowd, seeking familiar faces. When his gaze met Jimin's, a smirk spread across his face. Then he, being the captain of the team, concluded the practice session, and jogged off the court, his chest heaving with exertion. He scanned the bleachers, his eyes landing on Jimin and her group of friends. With a playful grin, he made his way towards them.

"Hey, Jimin!" he called out, his voice carrying the cheerful lilt that was unmistakably Jeno. "You guys come to watch the pros in action?"

Jimin's face lit up, her smile reaching her eyes. "Of course! You guys were amazing, as always," she replied, a touch of admiration in her voice.

Jeno's eyes sparkled with mischief as he accepted the offered water bottle from Jimin. "Thanks, cheerleader. I might need a whole team of cheerleaders to keep up with us."

Laughter bubbled from Jimin and her friends, the playful banter weaving a sense of camaraderie. Jeno's confident charm was infectious, drawing everyone into his orbit.

As Jimin handed Jeno a towel, their fingers brushed, sending a jolt of electricity through her. She felt her cheeks flush, a telltale sign of her growing crush. She couldn't help but steal a glance at Jeno, wondering if he ever noticed her in the same way.

Jeno, ever perceptive, couldn't miss the subtle shift in Jimin's demeanor. He turned to her with a playful twinkle in his eyes, "You're too kind, Jimin. Maybe one day I'll teach you a few moves on the court."

Jimin's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. She nodded eagerly, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I'd love that."

As the conversation continued, Jeno couldn't deny the flutter of something unfamiliar in his chest. Though He sensed the depth of Jimin's feelings, he decided to play it cool, masking any hint of interest.

__________

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, students poured out of the classrooms, their voices filling the hallways with animated chatter. Among them, Jeno, Jaemin, and Minjeong walked together, laughter bubbling between them.

Jimin watched from a distance, a wistful smile on her face. She couldn't help but admire the easy camaraderie between Jeno and his friends. A small part of her secretly wished he would offer to walk her home, but she understood that there were responsibilities that took precedence.

Nearby, Jeno's younger brother, Jisung, stood by his locker, his gaze fixed on the ground. He was a quiet, reserved boy, who often struggled to find his voice in the bustling halls of the school.

Jeno, ever protective of his younger brother, approached Jisung with a casual air, ruffling his hair in a playful manner. "Ready to go, squirt?" he asked, his tone light and teasing.

Jisung's eyes brightened, a grateful smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, hyung," he replied, his voice soft but filled with genuine warmth.

Jimin couldn't help but observe the interaction, her heart swelling with admiration for the way Jeno cared for his brother. She knew that beneath the bratty exterior, there was a heart of gold.

Jeno leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "We've got a secret mission, and it involves a little... let's call it 'urban exploration.' Mark and Haechan are in too. We're meeting up at the old warehouse after school."

Jisung's heart raced. "Are you serious? Isn't that place off-limits?"

Jeno's grin widened. "Exactly. That's what makes it an adventure, right? Just don't tell Mom and Dad. They'd have a fit if they knew."

Jisung hesitated for a moment, then nodded eagerly. "This sounds crazy. Anyways, I'd agree if you let us play with your pro-team."

Jeno clapped Jisung on the back. "Deal! Remember, lips sealed!"

As Jeno and Jisung prepared to leave, Jimin approach them. "Hey!~" she greeted, her voice gentle.

Jeno turned to her, his eyes meeting hers with a warm smile. "Oh, Hey, Jimin. Heading home?"

Jimin nodded, a blush dusting her cheeks. "Yeah."

"Oh!, I think you two haven't meet each other yet. Looks like, I have to introduce you guys.", said Jeno with a smile. "This is my brother, Jisung." -the whole school already know that thought Jimin-  "And Jisung, this is my classmate, Jimin."

"Hyung, you are weird introducing Jimin noona to me. I mean she is really popular in our school." Jisung whispered through his smile. But loud enough to hear for both Jeno and Jimin.

"Oh, is it so?," Jeno raised his eyebrow. "Ok, whatever, I'm leaving, now. See you tomorrow, Jimin." Jeno addressed to Jimin with a quick wave.

With a wink and a final word of caution to Jisung, Jeno headed off, leaving his brother with Jimin.

As Jeno left, an awkward silence started to take place between Jimin and Jisung. However, Jimin, as the cheerful girl she is, decided to break the ice. "Umm.. Jisung, right? Would you mind walking home together with me?"

"N-no. Of course, not. I do not mind at all, Jimin-sunbaenim." Jisung stuttered. Jimin let out a soft laugh. "Jimin-noona. Just call me noona." 

_______________

Author's note: I'm thinking about changing the title.

"Faded Echoes: Love on the Court"??

That is a bit too sad (especially the "faded echoes" part). I'm not making the ending that sad. So, here I have some in mind. 

"Courtside Confessions"

"Heartbeats on the Hardwood"

"In the Game of Love"

"From Dribbles to Declarations"

"Love Beyond the Buzzer"

"Ballroom of Hearts"

Which one do you recommend? 

Please leave your thought about this chapter in the comment. This is my first book and I would really appreciate your reviews and feedback.