INVISIBLE STRINGS ~ Scoups [C]

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The early morning sun bathed the school courtyard in a warm golden light. Y/N sat on a bench near the school fountain, flipping through her notebook. Yeri joined her moments later, holding two cups of coffee.

"Thought you could use this" Yeri said, handing one to Y/N.

"Thanks" Y/N replied with a small smile, taking a sip.

They sat in silence for a while, the hum of the school morning filling the air.

"You seem… different" Yeri observed, glancing sideways at Y/N.

Y/N tilted her head. "Different how?"

"Calmer. Like you’ve finally let something go."

Y/N chuckled softly, her eyes fixed on the ripples in the fountain. "Maybe I have. It’s exhausting chasing someone who doesn’t want to be caught."

Yeri gaze softened. "You deserve better, Y/N. Someone who sees your worth without you having to prove it."

Y/N nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I know. And I’m done proving myself to someone who doesn’t care."

The hallway buzzed with activity as students moved between classes. Y/N and Yeri walked side by side, chatting casually about an upcoming group project.

As they turned a corner, they nearly bumped into Scoups. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes meeting Y/N for a brief moment.

"Sorry" Y/N said politely, stepping aside without hesitation.

Scoups opened his mouth to respond but froze as Y/N walked past him, her attention already back on Yeri.

Mingyu, standing nearby, witnessed the interaction and raised an eyebrow at Scoups. "You okay, man?"

Scoups shook his head slightly, watching Y/N disappear into the crowd. "She didn’t even… look at me."

"What did you expect?" Mingyu asked, crossing his arms. "You pushed her away every chance you got."

Scoups didn’t reply, his chest tightening.

Basketball Court Reflection

Later that afternoon, Scoups found himself alone on the basketball court. The rhythmic bounce of the ball echoed in the empty gym as he practiced his shots.

But his focus was off. Every missed basket only deepened the frustration gnawing at him.

The door creaked open, and Joshua stepped in, leaning against the frame.

"Practicing or punishing yourself?" Joshua asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp.

Scoups sighed, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "What do you want, Josh?"

Joshua walked onto the court, picking up the ball. "To talk some sense into you."

Scoups stayed silent, so Joshua continued. "You’ve always been stubborn, but this? Letting Y/N go without even trying to fix things? That’s just stupid."

"She’s… fine" Scoups muttered. "She doesn’t need me."

Joshua narrowed his eyes. "No, she doesn’t. But you need her. And if you don’t realize that soon, someone else will."

Scoups flinched at the thought, his grip tightening on the basketball.

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The next day, an announcement spread like wildfire among the senior classes: the school club fair would include a mixed-team badminton tournament, open to all.