Amidst the exhaustion, a new kind of energy was building. You could see it in the quick encouraging word from Rafi to Karim after a tough defensive set, in the high-five Ahsan gave Tariq for a strong box-out, in the shared grimace between James and Arshad after another set of sprints.

  The Banani High team, jolted from their post-victory high by the stark reality of the Liberation Cup's unforgiving format, was being forged in this fire. They weren't just individuals practicing skills anymore; they were becoming a cohesive unit, bound by the shared pressure and the audacious goal they now collectively embraced.

  The fear of early elimination was still there, lurking in the background, but it was being overshadowed by a growing, hard-earned belief. They were tired, they were sore, but they were getting ready.

  United, focused, and daring to believe this cup could actually be theirs.

  The te afternoon sun was really putting on a show, throwing those super long, dramatic shadows across the park entrance like it was trying to win an Oscar for lighting. James leaned against the cool, slightly rusty wrought-iron gate, trying his best to look like he was just chilling, casually people-watching, and totally not waiting for someone specific. He scanned the faces bobbing past – commuters rushing home, dog walkers getting their steps in, couples meandering. It was the usual city shuffle.

  His internal awkward-o-meter was already ticking up. Okay, just look natural. Like you belong here. Maybe whistle? No, definitely don't whistle.

  Then, through the thinning crowd, he spotted her. Toya. There was no mistaking that walk – head high, shoulders back, moving with a purpose that could probably part the Red Sea. Pure, undiluted confidence.

  She navigated the sidewalk like she owned every crack and pebble.

  But as she got closer, maybe twenty feet away, he noticed that tiny, almost imperceptible shift he was learning to recognize. It was like watching a filter slide off. Her shoulders eased down just a hair, the determined set of her jaw softened, and that cool, slightly intimidating mask she usually wore dissolved, repced by a small, almost shy smile that actually reached her eyes. It was the 'off-duty' Toya, the one few people got to see.

  James felt a weird mix of relief and… something else. Right, cue the performance.

  He pushed himself off the gate, mirroring her now more rexed vibe, aiming for 'effortlessly cool.' Probably nded closer to 'trying too hard,' but hey, effort points. He timed it just right, falling into step beside her as she reached the gate. "Hey," he greeted, keeping his voice casual, like this was just another Tuesday.

  "Hey yourself," Toya replied instantly, her voice light. She gave his shoulder a pyful bump, a gesture that felt surprisingly easy between them, even if the context was totally fabricated. "You ready for our completely spontaneous, zero-percent-pnned fitness adventure? Seriously, what are the odds we'd both randomly decide to work out right here, right now?"

  Her grin widened, full of mischief. She was definitely enjoying the absurdity of it all. "Took you long enough, by the way. Thought maybe you'd chickened out."

  "Never," James retorted, pying along, though his stomach did a nervous little flip. "Just admiring the… architectural significance of the gate."