Rows of rich Squirabian history on display through various relics and artifacts, the countless paintings and sculptures depicting the life and culture of their creators and capturing the beauty of Squirabia as a whole. Whispers and footsteps echoing through the silent halls, the students showed their respect for the countless works of art by abolishing the horseplay they'd done earlier while in the city. At the head of the group absorbing the sophisticated history stood Reice, who uncharacteristically looked far more serious than usual as he appraised the many works on display as he glazed by with a concentrated glance. Unlike earlier when he was brimming with more energy than he could exert, right now he looked far more calmer than even the eye squinting Cobalt who had his hand up to his chin inspecting a painting. A much needed change of pace from the rest of the activities stacked on the team's itinerary for their day off which saw them touring over a fair amount of the city and visiting some landmarks, the serenity and tranquility found in the museum offered a therapeutic effect for the players who could simply walk around and admire various works of art that helped soothe their wary minds.
"It's really amazing how these trips can help put into perspective how we stand in life. To think there was hundreds of thousands of years of history before us." Cobalt mumbled as he inspected another painting.
"Almost like life is just a story that we're just living. Hey Reice, what do you think?"
Tangie's question got no answer.
A moment of down time that allowed him to process his thoughts and unwind his otherwise tense mind, Reice released a lot of the nerves he had pent up through a heavy sigh that had him close his eyes. "You know, I've been thinking lately-"
"You're capable of doing that?" Violet chimed with a subtle grin teasing him.
"Very funny. But in all seriousness, after these past couple of days of doing practice and watching the other teams play their way into the next round, It's really driving home just how far we've come and what lies ahead. We're one of the final sixteen teams left in the tournament and every match we play from here on will feel like it's against an impossible opponent. When I think about that...it gets me a bit nervous. To know that we'll be going up against teams that spent every waking moment preparing for this moment. Knowing we'll have moments where we have to have the willpower to pull ourselves from a deficit or build a lead right out the gate."
"This tournament is a mental challenge as much as it is a physical one and the fact that we've made it this far is proof enough that we deserve to be here. I can empathize with how you're feeling since I have similar thoughts as well. But we're just as much a contender as the others." Todd joined in.
"Our next opponents...Skolar...they're one of the best in the tournament. That isn't anything new for us when considering we've run through tougher opponents and circumstances. All we can do is play our game and make necessary adjustments and face them without any doubts in our resolve." Mason reassures him.
"True...sorry for getting gloomy all of a sudden, it's just that it's all sinking in now."
His apology was unwarranted since they all resonated with that feeling, their thoughts all wandering to that topic thanks to having a moment of tranquility where they could play their thoughts out. Indeed the path to their ultimate goal laid riddle with thorns and various obstacles, but so too did the trail they already blazed, leaving behind nothing but evidence that they succeeded and triumphed over all difficulties. Another day of rest meant another day of an approaching battle, so for them to realize the position they were in only meant they were that much closer to making their goal a reality. Now while the majority of the team was present for the group hangout, a handful had opted to skip out similarly to how Azule did-difference being that instead of hanging out with the others they wanted to watch how things unfolded for a fellow member. It all started when Kosami and Jory "heard through the grapevine" about Sally's plans for the day, and curiously, her adamant declining to spend time with the team and her somewhat flustered attitude and glances with Fuchsia made things all the more interesting. As such, they wanted to find out...as did Hannah, Parker, and Nelson who were also not interested in the team itinerary and decided to tag along. Following her at a safe distance as she walked into the city district, they were stunned to find who she was meeting on her day off.
"Hatsunika Mi-" Kosami covers Hannah's mouth just before could grab attention to them.
"Don't give us away like that!" An emphatic Jory whispered, the terror present in his eyes as he knew getting busted by Sally during such a sensitive meeting would only lead to doom.
"Sh-should we go? We probably shouldn't stick around for this…"
"Yeah, it'd be wrong to spy on them when they're clearly trying to have some intimate time together."
"Whoa whoa now hold on my saints!" Jory gestured with his hands, his eyes turning hollow with an empty smile; "This will be good content."
"You sounded like a creepy old producer who got stuck doing reality tv shows after falling out of favor with the industry."
"Really? I thought it was more like a creepy uncle who spies on his nieces and nephews' love lives while he himself is pathetic and can't do anything in life."
"Are you all trying to jinx me in the future or something?" Jory's tone dipped; "Look, I'm just curious about seeing more of their relationship. Contrary to popular belief thanks to Mika making it so obvious, Sally rarely gets personal about anything. And if I'm honest, I miss having her be more like her old self…"
That old self that Jory was referring to was Sally prior to her sidelining injury due to her health condition. The heart of Squidcom and undeniably the ace of the unit, they wouldn't be at nationals if it wasn't for Sally's superb ability to be both an anchor and slayer while manning a heavy weapon that was difficult to use on the run-she'd always been the one who etched her DNA into the team's identity. Her feats were well documented, but it was her beaming and infectious attitude that really left an impact. When Jory subbed in for her as the emergency reserve, he had the biggest shoes to fill and even larger than that, a hole to patch in the team's morale and chemistry. Though they prevailed and eventually made it all the way here to Nationals, the guilt in his heart never subsided as he got the opportunity to play while Sally was rendered to being a cheerleader from the bench. It frustrated him to know that some of the situations they were in wouldn't have ever existed if Sally was playing instead of him.
Though he didn't elaborate any further on his statement, they all could tell his reason for being nosy wasn't one full of malice; it was still unsettling however. All of them watching from a distance out of sight, but not out of hearing, they tune their ears to listen in. It started out with Mika nonchalantly walking up to Sally, who lowered her guard out of surprise by how calmly Mika approached her compared to their other interactions...only for Mika to attack when her guard was lowered and smother her in affection, much to Sally's embarrassment as she tapped her shoulder in submission noticing that they garnering more attention. After a quick scolding by Sally to an unregretful Mika, she caved in and offered to hold her hand, aware that Mika wanted nothing more for them to just be together on one of the rare days off they had.
"How's the practice going? You aren't giving Leor any trouble are you?" Sally initiated as they sat down at a table, giving an order to the attendant right afterwards.
Mika's face brightened then quickly shifted to look of annoyance, "What is that supposed to mean!?"
"You're nothing but trouble and you'll ruin everything with how clumsy and absent minded you can be."
"D-don't say that with such a straight face and dead tone! Don't you love me!?"
Sally's eyes turned hollow followed by a click of the tongue, displaying disdain for her companion.
"Wh-why are you being like this!? You called me out here and now you're making me feel terrible!"
"O-oh, I thought you liked it when I acted like this. Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
"I know you don't mean any harm by it. To answer your question, we're proceeding smoothly! So far the intention is to have a massive concert-" Mika immediately covered her mouth once she realized any further and sme might be breaching the contract she signed; "Sorry! I can't spill everything before the big event!" she apologized with a clap.
"Ah yeah they'd probably make you sign one of those. Well, so much for getting this talk off the ground."
"Obviously you didn't call me out here for a romantic date, so what's up? What's on your mind?"
"A-and how do you reckon that to be the case? For all you know, maybe I just wanted your company."
"Mhm I agree...for venting. Now start talking before I come over there and repeat what I did earlier."
"F-fine! Look, there's been a lot going on lately and all this time of inactivity had my mind wandering to other places." Mika's eyes lost a bit of light remembering those days full of worry for Sally's wellbeing both physically and mentally. "While watching my friends out there playing I started to think about how that's similar to what you do. On stage, you leave everything out there and perform the best of the best every time. Watching the crowd shout your name and sing in tune while shaking their glow sticks in sync as you lead the way, how you'd look exhausted after every performance but the encores spurred you to do just one more song for them as an extension of your love. How you looked after me during those dark days. I know I've said it before, but I truly am grateful to have you in my life and uh…"
"Oh my oh my! Someone is blushing and can't finish!"
"I don't like being in these positions." she wrinkles her face crossing her arms; "But there comes a time when one has to prove their growth, and today is that day for me. Hatsunika Mika, I love you. I love you, I love you, I lo-"
"O-okay I get it!" the flustered popstar waved for her to stop, partially hiding her face, unable to look Sally in the eyes. "I didn't think you'd say this in public at a restaurant…"
"Your disguise is good enough for no one to recognize you."
"You still used my name!"
"No one is listening."
Everyone was listening.
"If your intentions today were to burst my heart into confetti then congrats!"
"You wanted me to talk!"
"Ugh I thought it was about something else! How the hell did I expect you to confess!?"
"W-"
"Ahem…" the attendant interjected, placing the ordered item between the couple.
"Oh, this isn't what I ordered." Sally pointed at the extra large sundae decorated in sweets with a luscious color of teal and pink swirled together over a white and brown base.
"It's on the house…" the attendant added with a wink, leaving behind a pair of spoons.
As she walked away, Mika's face turned pale with a ugly realization. "Everyone heard that."
"You're in a foreign country anyway."
"We're going to end up in the tabloids…" She covers her face.
"W-well then…" Kosami clears her throat afterwards.
"I think we've seen enough." Parker resigned, understanding that what they were doing was wrong.
At the resort where Special Forces were staying, it was a slower day for practice as many of the players opted to have their day off as scheduled although there were still a fair number of them who stayed behind to squeeze in an extra workout to keep their bodies in rhythm. The gym riddled with gold and black practice shirts, it felt like the world of the team in gold came to a sudden halt upon a single arrival that turned all heads. The hearts of Kary, 18, and 12, sunk with terror as he marched through the facility as though tracking the scent of his target; luckily the other seniors and coaches weren't here to chastise him-not that it mattered as his reason for the surprise appearance was for one person and that person only. The wave of silence turned to anticipation as the tension built to tangibility, the fateful encounter of the two brothers assured as the footsteps of Gin neared the presence of Jin. The elder of the two was in the middle of his workout when he felt a sharp pressure directed at him, and on instinct he turned around to shoot a fierce glare at the one targeting him with such malice.
A face full of surprise, disgust, and disappointment, Jin hid it all behind a harsh glare he directed at the cold stare worn by Gin.
"Th-this feels like a boss encounter…"
"Did he seriously march into our turf? What kind of monster is that guy?"
"I'd heard the two brothers hated each other with a passion, but this is kind of sad. I didn't think members of a family could carry such anger in their hearts for one another."
The other first years murmured and observed the obvious strained relationship between two gifted brothers. With the coaches away prepping and the seniors using today as their chance to get a rest and break away from seeing Jin's face, it was Gin's perfect chance to confront his brother without any interference. Jin figured as much based on how intense Gin's aura appeared and knew that this encounter likely was a declaration of war. All the years of pent up jealousy and frustration were finally about to be unleashed in their epic finale-a final match to end the feud. A long stare shared between the two brothers with all eyes focused on them, it felt like the air left the building as everyone held their breaths anticipating what would be said between them. Jin didn't avert his gaze, and neither did Gin.
"I hate you. I hate your face, I hate everything you stand for, and I most certainly hate that this isn't a final where I can beat you to win the title and prove outright that I'm better than you now. But it's fine, this match will settle the score. I'm here to deliver to you a direct declaration of war from myself and on the behalf of all of Beacon Hills." His head tilting a bit with a scowl, he lifts up his middle finger; "A sincere representation of how we feel about you and your obnoxious team."
At that moment the entire facility went into an uproar in outrage, the first years and select second years getting riled up watching the absolute disrespect shown to their captain. 18 and 12 were ready to intervene but their cousins held them back, who'd been away briefly and came back to see their top enemy infiltrate and pick a fight with their captain. Their dead gazes tipped off Kary that they had no intention of getting involved, rather they wanted to see what the captain's response would be. Jin's silence proved to keep his entire team under control as his superior demeanor kept everyone under control. Approaching his brother with an indifferent expression and meeting him with the same fiery aura that was sent his way, he leaned into his face and with cold eyes he stated, "The feeling is mutual." with no emotion in his tone nor in his eyes."You're an annoying little brother who doesn't know anything better than throwing a tantrum. You're a pest. Life would've been better if you were given up for adoption, or better yet, not even born. Happy now? I'm giving you the attention you always wanted."
Everyone's jaw dropped. Even Gin was surprised to hear the hate behind his words considering that leading up to this point it felt as though Jin was attempting to reach out to him to try and reconcile, but it looked like that was long gone. Part of the reason Gin came here was that he wanted to air out all the animosity between them and settle the rivalry on that day and reset their relationship, but the adrenaline from being in enemy territory and his personal grudge had gotten the better of him. But it felt reassuring to hear Jin's true feelings finally.
"Anything else that needs to be said?"
"None whatsoever. Any other talking left can be done through our actions."
As Gin walked away, spreading the sea of gold and the lone piece of silver traversing, Jin made sure to give him a stark reminder: "Our family will be watching."
Gin flicked his hand, "Tell them to eat a foot too."
The tensions building in anticipation for what comes next, the other captains and their teams were making their last minute preparations. Edward went over film with his squad, Carmichael got some solo workouts in with his sights set on clashing with Azule, and Carbon and his crew were doing their final impromptu team workout-unable to simply take it easy and rest when considering they'd be up against the defending champions. As the evening welcomed the next stage and players turned in for the night, the hallowed sweet 16 awaits them in the coming morning.
