It’s fragile, like a shy flower peeking out after a storm, but it’s undeniably there. "Really?" she asks, her voice still quiet, but losing that brittle, shaky edge. There’s a hint of wonder in it. "You'd... you'd actually help me? Seriously? With… with this whole awkward situation?"
The way she phrases it still frames it as this huge, potentially weird burden.
James nods firmly, letting his goofy grin soften into something sincere but still light. He wants her to feel supported, not pitied. "Absolutely. One hundred percent. Count me in." He gnces over his shoulder again as his teammate, Akash, jogs past towards the locker room.
""Later, James! Nice practice!" Akash calls out, giving Dipa a quick, curious gnce before disappearing. James nods back, then lowers his voice slightly, turning back to Dipa. The gym is really clearing out now, just the hum of the lights and the distant ctter of the janitor's cart.
"So," James asks, leaning against the wall casually, shifting into practical mode, "this mystery guy… the prime motivator for what we shall officially call 'Operation: Impress the Crush'…" He grins again, trying to make it sound like a fun, shared mission. "Does he have even the slightest inkling that you're into him? Like, at all?"
Dipa reacts like he just suggested she perform her Judo kata in the middle of the school assembly wearing a chicken suit. She physically recoils, eyes wide with sheer panic. "No! Are you crazy? Oh my god, absolutely not!" she whisper-shouts, shaking her head so violently her ponytail becomes a lethal weapon. "Dude, I would literally evaporate on the spot!"
"Just poof into a cloud of pure awkwardness! My molecules would simply refuse to cooperate!" She throws her hands up, palms out, as if warding off the horrifying thought.
"That is precisely the point!" she continues, jabbing a finger towards herself, her voice dropping back to an intense whisper. "That’s why I need this first!" She gestures vaguely, encompassing the whole fitness idea. "I need to make some changes, get my head straight, feel… I don't know… better."
"More solid in my own skin, you know? Not just when I'm wearing my gi and feeling like I can take on the world, but like, all the time." She takes a breath. "I need to feel like I believe I'm worth noticing before I can even handle the thought of him potentially noticing me back."
She meets his eyes, her expression deadly serious. "It’s about the internal foundation, James. Gotta build that first. Non-negotiable step one."
"Got it," James nods again, the understanding clicking deeper. Okay, this resonates. It’s not just about looking a certain way for the guy, it’s about feeling a certain way for herself, and the guy is just the catalyst. "Loud and clear."
"Confidence mission comes first. Building the internal foundation before anything external." He taps his temple knowingly. "Makes total sense."
"Solid game pn."
He pushes off the wall, starting to pace a short distance back and forth, already shifting into trainer mode. His mind starts churning, filtering through exercises, routines, intensity levels. "Okay, okay, I'm thinking… stuff that builds real, functional strength, you know? Things that make you feel powerful and capable in your everyday movements, not just on the mat."
