Chapter 31: The Game
Sayaka brushed off stray dried-up grass and leaves from her girlfriend's uniform. Flicking her hands at the back and the front. She does this as they walk towards the parking lot. Yuu is eyeing her with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement.
"You are enjoying yourself." She mused.
"I can't have the Saeki representative have a dirty uniform. You must exhibit excellence."
"Last I checked, my surname is still Koito. Says so at the back of this jersey."
The green eyes glared at her. "I'll have us marry on the way to the field if you keep up that attitude."
The younger girl only laughs and adjusts her cap. They reach the parking lot, and the last strands of grass are taken off. They open the door, and Sayaka brushes her hand on Yuu's chest one last time with a faint squeeze before the brush is over. The little girl's cheek turns crimson.
"What? There was a strand of dried grass over there."
"Pervert." She called out as she went inside the car.
"You should be thankful these people can't understand you. Or you will be in trouble for calling me that in the open."
"If your action says otherwise, why would I even say it?"
"Oh, you really want to be in trouble, huh?"
As the heiress leans over to grab the seatbelt from the side, the brown-eyed girl quickly tilts her chin with a finger to face her and kisses her quickly with a fast sweep of the tongue on her lower lip. It was her turn to blush.
"I love you, Sayaka. I love you so much. You are everything to me." She said it with such warmth that Sayaka was awestruck, and Yuu didn't give her a chance to react as she kissed her again. This time, deeper. Licking her lips before the tongue goes inside to seek hers. A hand on her nape, keeping her in place and pulling her closer. It took a second for the tall girl to register what was happening. She then pushed back on her, and a hand went to the collar of the jersey. The car started moving. Yuu pulls away. "Your seatbelt isn't on."
"Eduardo is an excellent driver." She dives in for another kiss. Making her girlfriend's head press against the headrest.
"Enough, cara mia. This car doesn't have a divider."
"You brat, you started something that you won't even finish."
"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was overcome by a desire to kiss you."
"I want those kisses again once we have a little privacy."
"I am yours. Take everything you want."
"Stop seducing me. Or I will tell Eduardo to take us home."
"I am not seducing you. I am…"
"Stating facts." Sayaka cuts her off.
"Most definitely."
"You know that I love you too, right?"
The softball player smiled brightly. "As boundless as the sea."
"Ah! Why do I always fail at flirting with you?"
"You don't need to flirt with me. I am already in the palm of your hands." She grabs her nape again and kisses her profoundly. This time she didn't care if there were two other people in the car whom she had just met earlier that day. But she suppressed the moans that were bubbling up inside her. Sayaka's lips are caressing her longingly and avidly, making her melt. What stopped that wonderful moment was a loud stomach growl.
"Oh no, you are hungry." They didn't have lunch like yesterday. Eating heavily at breakfast carried them till dinner. Lunch time was forgotten as they tried to satisfy another need. But this morning, the little girl didn't get to eat much while meeting everyone. "Let's stop somewhere."
"I'll be okay. Once the game starts, I will forget about it."
"I have a Snickers bar in the glove compartment." Eduardo said. He talks in Italian to Claudio about taking it.
'Wait, did he understand us?'
"Whose stomach was that?" he asked as Claudio offered the chocolate. The brunette took it and thanked him.
'Ah, of course.' A little embarrassed now at how vocal her body is sometimes.
"Thanks, it was Yuu's. We didn't get to have lunch today." She opened the candy and gave it to her. The redhead accepts it and takes a big bite. "Oh, no, you will need water." The lanky girl cursed under her breath. 'What the hell was I thinking? Why didn't I think to take several bottles from the fridge? And I should have prepared a sandwich or something for her earlier! I am slipping! Stupid! Stupid!' Her girlfriend somehow read her mind.
"Hey, it is not your fault. My body just has a fast metabolism, and when a game is coming, I become ravenous. Don't worry, okay? This chocolate is enough. I will be fine."
"I'll get you something. There must be a convenient store near the field." Her worries amount to nothing when they arrive at the baseball field parking lot. A table near the stands has coolers full of ice-cold energy drinks, bottles of water, and different kinds of juices. There are snacks as well: biscuits, sandwiches, bowls of fries, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, meatballs, and even some pastries. Emmanuel was already munching on everything. Her father waved at them when he saw them walking towards the stands. 'Of course, there is dad.'
Yuu wrapped her half-eaten candy and gave it to Sayaka. "Please keep this for me. I will finish it later. I need some protein."
"I'll fix you a plate."
"No, I just need one or two of those meatballs. I don't need to eat a lot. I want to be able to run comfortably."
"I am sorry, my love. I am being a bad girlfriend today."
"No! Of course not. Don't think like that." She goes on tiptoes and gives her a peck on the lips. Then goes to the table. With their hands intertwined, the tall girl was dragged along. She was ecstatic inside as her girlfriend seemed to be getting more comfortable displaying affection. But her body is taking its time to react properly. She licks her chocolate-tinted lips and blinks several times. The candy was tucked away in her pocket. Yuu took a meatball on a pick and offered her one. She parted her lips to accept. Then the little girl gets another one for herself and smiles at her while they chew. "Yeah, one is enough. It tastes good, isn't it?" she asked, throwing the pick at the trashcan provided under the table.
'She's shining.' The green-eyed girl flutters her eyelids again. After the redhead finished the meatball, she opened the cooler and examined the drinks, then selected a green bottle and offered it to her. Then she took a bottle of water for herself and closed the lid. The heiress glanced at the bottle offered to her. It is green apple juice.
"Sayaka, I need my other hand to open the bottle."
"Give it to me, and then you twist the cap off."
"People will think we are crazy." She chuckled but did as instructed. They did the same for the apple juice but placed it on the table as the lanky girl wasn't ready to drink it yet.
"Yuu,"
"Hmmnn" she mumbled as she drank the water.
"Infinite."
She smiled radiantly and continued to drink the water. Putting the bottle next to the apple juice, she said, "Please keep this for me too. I will finish it later. I promise. I just don't want to have a heavy stomach during the game."
"Stay safe. Don't get injured."
"Yes ma'am." She even added a hand salute.
Her collar was grabbed, and an intense kiss began.
"Hey, lovebirds, the game is starting. Continue that later." Takeshi yelled from the end of the table. Everyone laughs.
Yuu turned almost as red as her cap.
"Me and Takeshi will be the umpires." Dr. Calle announced.
"I will be the catcher for both teams." Esmeralda stated. "We will be fair. Don't worry."
"Okay, we will start the warmup game in five minutes."
"Emmanuel, stop eating already. You might throw up during the game." Esmeralda said.
"If food goes into this mouth, it never goes back where it entered." He flexes his biceps, traps, and pecs. His muscles are rippling like spring, and Yuu was thankful that baseball isn't a contact sport. Rosalia rolled her eyes.
Jovanney is standing by the homeplate, surveying the field. Alicia greeted him. And his lips turn into a small smile. The redhead thought it was the first time she had seen him show some kind of emotion. Valentino was stretching his legs in front of his sister and Claudio. Eduardo was staring at Bella as she spoke.
"He interrupts us to say that the game is starting, then announces that it will start in five minutes!"
"Might as well, my darling. You are close to turning me on again. I need my head in the game. Not in…" She trails off.
"Not in what?"
"Nothing."
"Not in what?" She repeated. But her lover remained silent. "Yuu! I will grope you right now if you don't tell me."
"Can I whisper it instead?" Her blush told Sayaka that it was something lewd, and she was excited to know what it was.
"Okay."
The kōhai covered her mouth with a hand as she mumbled into her ear.
The lanky girl giggled. "Who's the pervert now?"
Yuu instantly covered her senpai's mouth.
Sayaka kissed the palm and drew it away. "Be safe, okay?"
"I will try my best. I can't promise you anything."
"Then have fun."
"That is better advice." She winks at her.
"I told you not to wink at people. Oh, my heart." She clutched her chest.
"I want to win this for you." Yuu turns to her with a determined and sincere look on her face. "It's like if my team wins, I feel like somehow I would be worthy of you. That might sound silly since this is just a game with family and friends, but that is how I feel right now."
"Then win for me, my love."
"I'll give it my all." She said, then turned to look at the bases.
"And Yuu?"
"Yeah?" Now, checking the outfield.
"You are and will always be worthy. More, honestly."
The brown eyes, which were almost golden in the afternoon sun, met the vibrant green ones. They both get lost in each other's eyes. Forging yet another bond. The brunette raised their entwined hands and kissed the back of Yuu's hand. The yellow gem ring twinkles as it catches the light.
"Oh, that reminds me." She took it off. "Keep this safe for me."
Sayaka tried to put it on her ring finger, but it only got to her middle knuckle.
"Don't lose that. It is very important to me."
"Really? This old thing?"
"Don't insult it. The one who designed it is the most beautiful elf I have ever seen."
"I will take you right here, right now."
"Okay, team captains, gather your team and say your last-minute instructions." Takeshi proclaimed.
"Rain check?"
The heiress growls.
"Yuu, Sayaka!" Eduardo beckons them. The couple walks over to team. Claudio, Alicia, and Bella all huddled around the bronze-haired boy. "As I told you before, don't show how good you are immediately. Yuu, don't catch difficult throws. Only the obvious ones. And don't throw it back with all your strength. Claudio, stay at first base for now. I want them to feel complacent about second base. Alicia, pitch as usual, since the other team already knows how we both play. I will alternate with you on pitching. That will throw them off. The warmup will last for sixteen minutes, I think. When the real game begins. Don't hold back." The atmosphere suddenly changed. Their faces are serious, even Alicia's. "Red team for the win?" he asked, placing his hand in the middle.
"Red team for the win!" They chanted.
"Oh really?" Emmanuel chuckled.
Whatever confidence Yuu might have had built up until that moment. It had disintegrated. The bat looks small in his massive hands. Jovanney stretched his long limbs. Rosalia crossed her arms over her chest. Even with Valentino's friendly face, they still looked formidable.
"Listen up, everyone. We will only have at least three more hours of sunlight. We will have this game for only two hours, excluding the warmup game and timeouts. We will have as many innings as possible until then. If we don't get to nine innings before the time is up, it is okay. The team with the most runs will win. Any questions?"
"Let's get this started already. We don't need a warmup game." The giant remarked.
"That is fine by me." Eduardo said calmly.
"He doesn't speak for the team. You can bat first." Jovanney said.
"Don't do us any favors."
"How about you flip for it? The winner will bat first." Dr. Calle suggested.
"Heads" Jovanney said.
Dr. Calle flips a 1-euro coin in the air; he catches it and claps it to the back of his hand. Revealing an eagle with its wings spread out. "The red team bats first."
"Claudio will bat first, then Alicia, me, and then Yuu." The captain tells his team.
Bella wished them good luck and went towards the stands.
"Have fun, my love." She kissed her forehead. "I will be in the stands if you need me."
"Thanks." The brunette started to walk away. "Ah Sayaka,"
"Mmmmn." She glances back.
"Infinite."
"Go get them."
"Yes ma'am."
It didn't surprise Yuu that Jovanney would be the Blue Team's pitcher. Emmanuel at first base. Rosalia in second and Valentino in the outfield
Claudio heads out to bat. Esmeralda and Dr. Calle are behind him.
Jovanney threw a lightning-fast pitch.
"Strike one!" Dr. Calle declared.
"Damn Jovanney, that was too hard. My hand hurts." Esmeralda said.
"Maybe I should be the catcher. These people won't hit your pitches anyway." Emmanuel jeered.
"No, I will endure it. Good thing I don't have any projects at the moment, and we have a doctor present." The couple shared a look and then signaled for Jovanney to continue.
Another lightning-fast pitch.
"Strike two."
"Andiamo, Claudio!" Eliana cheered.
"Go for it, Claudio!" Sayaka shouted.
"Forza, Claudio" The grandfather shouted.
Another throw from the pitcher, and Claudio was struck out. Emmanuel shook his head, laughing.
Eliana defended her brother and hurled some curses at Emmanuel.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever."
Alicia steps onto the plate. If people thought that Jovanney would go easy on her, they were wrong. The pitches that came were as fast as the ones he threw for Claudio, and she had the same fate.
"Two for two!" roared the first baseman.
Yuu got her helmet on, practiced her swings, and headed to bat. Hazel-colored eyes studied her form, and he threw his usual pitch. She didn't swing.
"Strike one."
"What? Are we just going to stand here?" the muscle man yawns.
The softball player taps the plate and signals that she's ready. Jovanney threw a curveball. And Yuu swung in time to hit it. But it falls at the foul line.
"Finally, some action."
The pitcher narrowed his eyes and threw a fastball. Yuu caught it in the middle and shot it sideways towards the left field. Valentino ran to catch it. The redhead threw her bat and ran to first base. The ball fell to the ground and rolled farther away from the outfielder. She goes to second base. Bella, Eliana, and Sayaka are all cheering. "Run, run, run!" The ball was finally caught when Yuu got to third base. But the outfielder couldn't throw it fast enough to Rosalia, and she in turn missed catching the ball, and the small girl get to home plate. And the crowd watching cheered for joy. Some strangers who joined the party clapped and whistled.
"That's my girl! My girl!" Sayaka cheered.
Eduardo knocked on her helmet, Alicia hugged her, and Claudio gave her a fist bump.
"Are you happy that was just a warm-up and didn't count?" Eduardo said to Emmanuel.
"Whatever."
The team captain heads to bat. Jovanney threw an almost electrifying pitch, but the bronze-haired boy intentionally did not swing for it.
"Strike one."
"Okay, we just need to worry about the small girl."
The blonde pitcher winds up his arm and adjusts his cap. He threw another pitch. But it didn't land in the strike zone.
"1-1" Dr. Calle stated.
"Eight minutes are up. Blue team's turn to bat." Takeshi announced.
"Let's play for real. We are warm enough." Emmanuel suggested.
The team captains agreed.
"That's your decision. Who will bat first?"
"We will." A massive hand in the air. No one disputed.
The red team changed their helmets to baseball caps. Yuu runs to the outfield but waves at her girlfriend as she goes. Sayaka blushed and waved back.
"Eh, Yuu is so cute." Eliana said.
"And good too. She was the only one who got to hit Jovanney's pitches." Bella added.
The heiress just smiled at these, her eyes following the smallest player in the field.
Emmanuel steps into the right-handed batter's box. Golden eyes glance at her team captain. He adjusted his right shoulder jersey. A sign to be ready to run on the right field.
Alicia threw a pitch. It is not as fast as Jovanney's, but it is fast enough for the muscle man to have a strike.
"Again!"
"Relax, Emmanuel, it's okay if you strikeout. It is normal." Eduardo taunted.
"Shut up! You didn't even move earlier."
"That's enough." Said Dr. Calle. He signals for Alicia to continue.
She threw again, and another strike was awarded.
The blue team's giant squeezed his bat and almost wanted to hit his own head with it. Then he breathed out loudly and signaled that he was ready. Alicia threw her third pitch, and Emmanuel caught it. As Eduardo predicted, it flew into the right field. Yuu was already running there to catch it.
"No way," Eliana said in Italian. "When did she get there?"
The ball fell right into the black glove. The crowd cheered again.
"Batter out." Takeshi announced.
"Lucky catch." Emmanuel grumbled.
It was Valentino's turn to bat. He hit the first pitch, but the ball rolled towards Eduardo, and he threw it to Claudio before the oldest Falcone child reached first base.
"Runner out."
Jovanney steps into the left-handed batter's box. He flicked the bat, the head rotated towards him, then tapped it upwards, the handle went back to him, he caught it, and signaled that he was ready.
"Show off." Rosalia sneered.
"That is not how you talk about your captain."
The blonde goddess just rolled her pale blue eyes.
To no one's surprise, he hit the first pitch, and the ball shot to left field. The outfielder runs towards it.
"There is no way she could catch that, right? It is too far." Eliana said in Italian.
But the redhead is determined not to let a ball that goes to the outfield touch the ground. She surged forward and dove. The ball was caught in time before she hit the ground, her body sliding a little, and then she immediately stood up and threw the ball to Eduardo. But the umpire declared that the batter was out. And signal the end of the half-inning.
"Whoa, eh Sayaka, your girlfriend is a freak, huh!"
"She really is something." Bella agreed.
The lanky girl was already running to meet her lover at the coach's box as the red team changed their head gears.
"My love, you are amazing." She hugged her enthusiastically.
"Ah, good, Sayaka, you are here." The green-eyed boy noted, but he was not heard as Sayaka captured Yuu's lips. "Hey! No kissing! We need you to translate!"
"Are you here to kiss all of us? I am up for that." Alicia quips.
Claudio's gray eyes widen, and he shakes his head. The team captain just laughs. The outfielder pulls away.
"Sayaka, we are in the middle of the game. I'll kiss you later, okay?"
"Fine." But she didn't let go of the hug.
"Okay, Jovanney isn't happy with that. He will want to strike us out so they can bat again. Claudio, don't be afraid. Just swing as fast as you can. He will get tired soon with those lightning pitches. Sometimes, let him just throw it. Yuu, get us a run if you can."
The brunette translated. "I will do my best."
"Alright, don't hold back, red team. We can do this." He trusts his hand in the middle, and they chant for their win and proceed to get in line to bat.
"See you later, honey."
The little girl smiled and tipped her helmet as she ran to join her team.
The game continued, and players from both teams were exhausted at the final quarter of the second hour, with the red team leading by a run at 4-3.
Eduardo got the team into a huddle. The senpai was there to translate for her kōhai. After scoring her second run of the game, her girlfriend is keen on praising her and hugging her happily.
"Sayaka, stop hugging Yuu. She's getting embarrassed." The bronzed-haired boy observed the flushed cheeks of his teammate.
She froze. Yuu asks her what he said, but she is too shocked to respond.
"Tell me. Please tell me. I heard our names."
Eduardo had said it in Italian, and Claudio was the other one who understood it, but he was suddenly interested in his shoes.
"Tell me or I will grope you right here right now."
The heiress finally recovered and chuckled. Yuu was thankful that her copied joke made her girlfriend laugh.
"He said I should stop hugging you since it seems you are getting embarrassed by it."
"Ah, it is okay. I don't mind. I am still adjusting to these public displays of affection. But really, I am okay. I'd kiss you now if we weren't in the middle of the game. Now translate for me. I want to win this game for you." The softball player had played countless matches during middle school. Her desire to win isn't great. She had fun because she was playing with her friends. So even if they win or lose, she is not frustrated. But somehow, now that she has someone she wants to impress, she is pumped up. This is the game she is most eager to win. "Tell him I will pitch for the last innings. Claudio can hang around in the right field but is still near first base. Alicia in the outfield, and him between second and third base. I will try to strike them out."
Sayaka translated, and Eduardo readily agrees with both him and Alicia's shoulders beginning to throb and entering the painful category.
The crowd whistles when the small girl heads to the pitcher's mound. Takeshi is smiling from ear to ear. Dr. Calle had relieved his wife of being the catcher half-way through the game. Emmanuel steps into the batter's box.
"Come on, little girl."
Yuu threw a curve ball, the muscle guy hit it, and it shot like a canon ball towards the right field. But Claudio ran towards it, jumped into the air, almost caught it, and then the ball fell to the ground. When he got control of the ball, the redhead called out to him; she was running towards first base like Emmanuel. He threw it with all his might, and Yuu caught it easily. She arrived at first base two steps earlier than the biggest and strongest player in the field.
"Runner out."
"Oh, yeah, eh, that is possible. Baseball is fun, noh?" Eliana said.
Valentino then heads to the plate. He was awarded two strikes and two balls, and on Yuu's fifth throw for him, he hit the ball, and it flew to left field. Alicia ran for it, but she wasn't as fast as her Japanese counterpart. She picked up the rolling ball and threw it to Eduardo. But the Italian boy had already secured the second base.
"Bravo Valentino, bravo!" Gienpietro cheered.
Yuu eyed Eduardo. He nodded.
Jovanney did his usual batting trick to show that he was ready. She winds up her arm to pitch, then unexpectedly turns around and throws the ball to Eduardo, who catches the ball and touches his glove to Valentino. The caramel-eyed boy cursed loudly and kicked the ground.
"Runner out."
"Eh, wait, what happened?" Eliana asked.
"He was pickoff. It happens when a base runner is not touching the base in an attempt to steal the next one. The pitcher, aware of this, took advantage to try and tag him out. Which they did." Bella explained.
"Eh, Sayaka, your girlfriend is scary."
"Yeah, and her communication with Eduardo is impeccable. They did that with just a look." Bella continued.
The petite blonde girl nodded.
The lanky girl is trying her best to stay still. Her heart is swelling inside her chest. She knew that Yuu played softball, and that one catch while they were about to practice their relay told her that she was good. But she had never imagined that her kōhai could demonstrate this much aptitude for the sport.
The pitcher made eye contact with the most feared player. His long limbs and toned physique can't be trifled with. He is fast, strong, and very intelligent. He had scored two runs earlier. And he strikes them out for most of the game. She is impatient to return the favor. She winds up her arm and, with a single fluid motion, steps forward and releases the ball as hard as she can.
"Strike one."
Jovanney smiled and winked at her. He taps the plate with the bat and signals that he is ready.
Yuu changed her grip on the ball. And threw a curve ball this time.
"Strike two."
The hazel-eyed boy nodded and pointed towards the middle of the field. Eduardo signaled for Alicia to be ready. Claudio's foot is at first base.
'Oh, no, you don't.' Yuu threw an intentional ball. Dr. Calle almost stood up to catch it.
The blonde boy sniggered. "Come on, I know you want to strike me out. Give me all you've got." He bent his knees and shouldered his bat.
She changed her grip again and threw a slider.
"2-2. Ball"
"Jovanney, what are you doing? Hit it." Rosalia complained as she practiced her swings.
"Shut up, this is between me and her."
The sun is laying low on the horizon, which signals that it is the last inning. With two players out. The red team just needed another, and they will win the game.
'Relax, if I don't strike him out, I could just catch the ball and tag him. It doesn't need to be a strikeout. Eduardo, Alicia, and Claudio will do their best if I fail.' She glanced at the stands. Her girlfriend's wavy, light brown hair is easy to spot. She is smiling at her. 'This is for you, cara mia.' She threw another curveball, and Jovanney's sharp eyes saw it coming from a mile away. He hit it, and the sound reverberated like thunder. The ball hit the ground, then bounced towards the centerfield. But the Ichiro-glove-clad girl jumped as high as she could, grazed the ball, and intervened with the projection. Eduardo then catches it from behind and readily throws it to Claudio. But Jovanney had secured first base before the ball arrived.
"That is alright, little girl." The captain of the blue team stated. "That is some pitching you got there."
The ball was returned to the redhead. Rosalia had scored the other run for the blue team a couple of innings ago. The jersey hugged her curvy figure. With her blonde hair in a ponytail, if Yuu squinted, she could mistake her for Sayaka. But those pale blue eyes aren't warm; her expression is serious with a hint of irritation. This woman is keen on winning against her adoptive brother. 'Well, I guess this is for you, Eduardo.' She threw a fast ball.
"Strike one."
"Come on, babe. Score us a run."
The equestrian glared at her boyfriend and tapped the plate.
Yuu threw a slider.
"Strike two."
'Okay, dad, this one is for you. Show me why curveballs are nice.' She threw an ultra-fast curveball that spun blindly in the air. The pale blue eyes couldn't place it as she swung her bat. Dr. Calle caught it in the strike zone.
"Strikeout."
The words echoed throughout the field. It took a moment for the team to register what happened. Yuu turns to face the stands with her gloved hand in the air. Golden eyes met green ones. And cheers erupted. Eduardo, Alicia, and Claudio all ran to her. The captain picks her up in his arms. Claudio tousled her cap, and it fell off. The peach paradise hair was clearly visible from the stands. People who watch clap for them. Alicia finally reaches the trio as Eduardo spins the little girl. The last-inning pitcher was tapped on the back repeatedly by her teammates. Bella, Eliana, and Sayaka also ran to join the celebration. Takeshi, Yume, Gienpietro, Dr. Calle, and Esmeralda all cheered for the winning team and offered consolations to the blue team.
"Dang it." Emmanuel roared. "I demand a rematch!"
"If we had won, would you agree to a rematch?" Jovanney asks.
"Fine, but this should be a yearly event. Come up with ideas on how to win against that kid."
"We lose fair and square. It is a good game."
The blue team joined the crowd in the stands and let the red team have their moment.
As soon as Eduardo let go of Yuu, Sayaka pulled her aside and embraced her.
"You win, my love. Congratulations."
"It is a group effort. But I did my best for you."
"You are amazing. I love you."
"I love you too."
With the light fading and the crowd celebrating, surrounded by teammates and friends, Sayaka tilted her athletic girlfriend's chin, bent down, and captured her lips. It was a fast one. She doesn't want to steal the red team's moment. She let go and let other people congratulate the smallest player who won the game.
The heiress gazed at the crowd and found her father easily. She mouthed her thanks, and he grinned at her.
It took a few more minutes before they calmed down. Takeshi announces their victory and offers for them to return to the villa so they can all celebrate. More cheers erupted, and soon they were all walking towards the parking lot. The CEO had hired a catering team to manage the food for the pre-game and the dinner celebration. Even with all the chaos. Everyone who was near heard the tiniest and cutest stomach growl.
"I know whose stomach that is." The handsome red team captain chuckled.