The Game We're Not Aware

CHAPTER ONE: THE SHIP IS SAILING

Time had a strange way of slipping through Audrae Zamora's fingers.

One moment, she had been standing beneath the blazing afternoon sun in her crisp high school graduation toga, smiling for countless photos while her teammates teased her from behind the camera.

The next summer break was already coming to an end, and San Diego University was only a month away from opening its doors for a brand-new academic year.

A new chapter.

A new season.

For most incoming freshmen, the thought was exciting.For Audrae, it meant balancing two full-time jobs she had never applied for.

Being a student.

And being the captain everyone expected her to become.

The soft buzz of her phone resting on the nightstand pulled her from sleep.

6:42 A.M.

She groaned quietly, burying her face deeper into her pillow before instinctively reaching for the blanket. Every muscle in her body protested the movement.

Yesterday's conditioning session under Coach Catherine Zamora-better known to everyone else as Coach Cath-had been brutal.

Three hours of defensive slides.

Sprint intervals.

Core circuits.

Film review.

And just when everyone thought practice was over...

"Again."

That single word from her mother had earned a collective groan from the entire women's team.

Audrae smiled weakly at the memory.

Classic Mom.

She stretched carefully, wincing as soreness crawled through her shoulders and thighs.

"Grabe..." she muttered to herself. "Parang binangga ako ng bus."

Dragging herself out of bed, she slipped into a loose white tank top before throwing an oversized beige linen cardigan over her shoulders. Her long dark hair remained slightly messy from sleep, but she didn't bother fixing it.

There was no point.

Everyone inside this house had already seen her at her worst.

Yawning, she pushed open her bedroom door and stepped into the quiet second-floor hallway.

The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, painting warm streaks across the polished wooden floor. Normally, the house would still be peaceful at this hour.

Today...

Not even close.

A loud burst of laughter echoed from downstairs.

Followed by another.

Then someone dramatically yelling-

"Bro, I'm telling you, it doesn't make sense!"

Audrae stopped halfway to the staircase, she didn't even have to guess.

Elijah.

Only Elijah Wayne Quinto had enough energy to sound like it was already noon before seven in the morning.

Curiosity got the better of her.

Instead of going downstairs immediately, she leaned lightly against the staircase railing, listening.

Below her, the smell of freshly cooked breakfast drifted through the house while familiar voices bounced around the kitchen.

Matt.

Elijah.

And her mother.

It sounded like another ordinary morning.

Until one name made her pause.

"...Kenji Morzal."

Her brows lifted slightly.

"...What about him?"

She remained where she was, hidden from view.

Downstairs, Elijah sounded like he had just discovered the biggest sports headline of the decade.

"I'm serious, bro! State offered him a full scholarship, guaranteed starting minutes, endorsement opportunities-everything!"

The sound of a refrigerator door closing echoed through the kitchen.

Matt answered in his usual calm voice.

"Don't talk like SDU isn't a good program."

"I didn't say that!" Elijah defended immediately. "But come on, Kenji Morzal? That's national team material. Every university wanted him."

Matt opened another cabinet."We're still a Top Four program."

"Exactly! But imagine turning down all those offers."

A brief silence followed.

Then Matt spoke again quieter this time and more thoughtful."Guys like him don't make decisions overnight."

The words lingered in the air.

"If he chose San Diego University..." Matt continued, "...there's probably a reason bigger than basketball."

Audrae unconsciously tightened her grip on the railing.

Kenji Yuzo Morzal.

The name had been impossible to avoid these past few years.Even athletes outside the men's division knew who he was.

National tournaments.

Highlight reels.

Sports magazines.

Campus forums.

If basketball fans were asked to name the most anticipated collegiate recruit of the year...

His name always came first.

She had watched him play before.

Only from across another court.

Never close enough to actually meet him.

Never enough to care beyond acknowledging that he was... undeniably good.

Still...

She found herself quietly stepping backward.

Instead of heading downstairs, she turned around and walked back into her room.

"...Might as well see what everyone's making noise about."

Closing the door behind her, she grabbed the iPad resting on her bedside table and climbed back onto her bed.

Her fingers moved across the screen almost automatically.

SportsNow PH.

Trending.

KENJI MORZAL OFFICIALLY COMMITS TO SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITY💙

She tapped the video.

The screen faded into a crowded press conference hall.

Camera flashes exploded one after another, illuminating the stage where dozens of reporters sat shoulder-to-shoulder.

At the center...

A young man wearing a neatly pressed white polo calmly adjusted the microphone in front of him.

Kenji Yuzo Morzal.

Even through a screen, he carried himself differently.

There was no arrogance.

No exaggerated confidence.

Just quiet composure.

Like someone who had learned years ago that he didn't need to prove anything.

A reporter immediately stood.

"Kenji, you received offers from nearly every top collegiate basketball program in the country. Why San Diego University?"

The room fell silent.

Kenji smiled politely before leaning toward the microphone.

"San Diego University provides an environment where I believe I can continue growing-not only as an athlete, but as a student as well."

Simple.

Professional.

Safe.

Another reporter quickly followed.

"Was Coach Catherine Zamora one of the deciding factors?"

A faint nod.

"Coach Catherine has built one of the country's most respected basketball programs. I've always admired the discipline and culture she's established."

Audrae blinked.

Mom?

She hadn't realized her mother had become one of the biggest reasons people associated with SDU.

Another question came.

"Did they promise you a starting position?"

Kenji shook his head almost immediately.

"Nothing was promised." His answer was calm.

Steady.

"Positions are earned."

For some reason that answer made Audrae pause.Not because it was dramatic, because it sounded genuine.

No ego.

No unnecessary confidence.

Just...

Basketball.

She watched the rest of the interview in silence.By the time the press conference ended, one realization quietly settled into her chest.

Kenji Yuzo Morzal was no longer just another player she occasionally heard about online.

In one month...He would be wearing the same university colors.

Walking the same hallways.Training inside the same athletic complex.Their paths, which had always existed on opposite sides of the court...We're finally about to cross.

The press conference ended with one final flash of cameras.

Kenji Yuzo Morzal stood from his seat, buttoned the cuff of his white polo, and gave the media one last courteous nod before disappearing behind the security personnel.

The screen faded to black.Silence settled inside Audrae's bedroom.

She remained curled against the headboard, the iPad resting on her lap while sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, painting soft patterns across the comforter.

For reasons she couldn't explain...

She replayed the interview.

Not because she admired him,not because she was impressed.She simply wanted to know what kind of player everyone couldn't stop talking about.

The video rolled again.

Kenji answered every question with practiced composure.

Professional.

Reserved.

Careful.

No unnecessary confidence.

No dramatic promises.

No arrogant remarks.

Just straightforward answers delivered with calm certainty.Audrae let the video finish before locking the screen.

"...So that's Kenji Morzal."

She placed the iPad on her bedside table and stretched both arms over her head until her shoulders cracked.

"Nothing special."

Maybe that was what surprised her the most.

For someone the country considered the biggest collegiate basketball recruit of the year...He didn't act like a superstar.He simply looked like someone who wanted to play basketball.

She stood from her bed and walked toward the mirror.

Messy hair.

Oversized cardigan.

Black tank top.

She looked more like someone who had just survived yesterday's conditioning than the captain of SDU Women's Basketball.

A tired smile escaped her lips.

Coach Cath had almost killed them during practice.

"Tomorrow's going to hurt even more."

She tied her hair into a loose ponytail before leaving her room.The smell of garlic fried rice drifted upstairs, followed by the familiar sounds of laughter.

The moment she reached the staircase, Elijah's loud voice echoed through the house.

"I'm telling you, bro! The state literally offered him everything!"

Matt didn't even bother looking up as he poured orange juice into three glasses."Drink first before you explode."

"That's not the point!"

"You've been talking about him since eight this morning."

Coach Cath laughed quietly while flipping scrambled eggs."Hayaan mo na, Matt. Excited lang."

Audrae smiled to herself.

Some things never changed.

She made her way downstairs."Morning."

Coach Cath immediately looked over her shoulder."Good morning"

"Your training almost killed me yesterday."

"Good."

Audrae gasped dramatically."Mom!"

"Means it worked."

Elijah burst into laughter.

Matt simply shook his head with a small smile.

Without saying anything, he reached for another clean glass, filled it with chilled orange juice, and slid it across the island toward the empty stool beside him.

The glass stopped perfectly in front of her.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Simple.

Natural.

Almost automatic.

Matt had been doing little things like that for years.Sometimes he reminded her to drink water after practice.Sometimes he carried her training bag without asking.

Sometimes he quietly adjusted the air-conditioning vent whenever he noticed she looked warm.

He never made a big deal out of it.

He just... noticed.

Audrae sat beside him and took a sip.

Cold.

Exactly the way she liked it.

Across the counter, Elijah looked between the two of them before placing a dramatic hand over his chest.

"Grabe talaga."

Audrae frowned."Ano?"

"Princess treatment."

She rolled her eyes."Ano na namang pinagsasasabi mo?"

Elijah pointed accusingly at Matt."Ako, kumuha pa ako ng sarili kong juice."Then he pointed at Audrae."Ikaw? Ihinain pa."

Matt finally looked at him."You have two functioning hands."

Coach Cath covered her smile behind her coffee mug.Even Vince, who had just entered the kitchen carrying the morning newspaper, chuckled.

"Hindi ka talaga mananalo diyan kay Matt, Elijah."

The younger man clicked his tongue."Bias talaga."

"Inggit ka lang." Audrae smirked before taking another bite of scrambled eggs.

The conversation settled into a comfortable rhythm.

Or at least...

Until Elijah suddenly remembered something.

His eyes widened."AY, OO NGA!"

Everyone looked at him.

He immediately grabbed his phone and opened I*******m. Within seconds, the official SDU Athletics announcement appeared on the screen.

WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITY.

KENJI YUZO MORZAL.💙

Over one hundred thousand reactions.

Thousands of comments.Hundreds of fan edits.

Elijah placed the phone in front of Audrae."Look at this."

She glanced down for barely two seconds."Okay."

He blinked."...Okay?"

"What?"

"That's your reaction?"

"Should there be another one?"

Elijah looked genuinely disappointed."Bro, that's Kenji Morzal."

Audrae calmly continued eating."I'm aware."

"National player."

"I know."

"Future teammate."

"Technically... schoolmate."

"Internet heartthrob."

She finally looked up one eyebrow slowly lifted."Are you his fan?"

Coach Cath laughed.

Matt nearly choked on his juice.

Even Vince lowered his newspaper to hide his smile.

Elijah dramatically clutched his chest."Grabe ka naman."

Audrae shrugged.

"I'm happy SDU recruited another great athlete."

Matt quietly observed her from beside her.

She wasn't pretending, she genuinely didn't seem interested.Basketball had taught Audrae one thing very early.

Reputation disappeared the moment the referee tossed the ball into the air.Whether someone had a million followers...

Or none at all...

Everyone still had to earn every possession.

Matt found himself smiling.

That was exactly why she had become captain.

Outside, the warm summer breeze rustled the trees lining the subdivision.

Inside the house...

Breakfast continued as though nothing extraordinary had happened.None of them noticed that somewhere across the internet...

Sports pages...

Basketball forums...

TikTok editors...

I*******m fan accounts...

Had already begun pairing two athletes who hadn't even spoken a single word to each other.

The first domino had quietly fallen.

Neither Audrae...

Nor Kenji...

Had no idea just how loud the noise would become.

It was barely ten in the morning.Yet the entire sports community was already in chaos. Basketball pages flooded every platform with the same headline.

KENJI MORZAL IS OFFICIALLY A BLUE 🦅

Sports analysts debated how much stronger San Diego University's men's program would become.

Former UAAP players posted their predictions.

Content creators uploaded reaction videos.

And somewhere in the middle of all that...

The fans had created an entirely different conversation.

Not about basketball.

Not about statistics.

Not even about championships.

They were talking about...

Audrae Brie Zamora.

Inside the kitchen, Elijah suddenly burst into laughter.

"BRO! BRO! BRO!"His voice echoed throughout the house.

Audrae looked up from her breakfast."Ano na naman?"

Elijah practically slammed his phone onto the kitchen island."Explain this!"

She glanced at the screen.

A TikTok edit filled the display.

It opened with Kenji's press conference.

Then...

A slow-motion clip of Audrae during last season's national finals.

Another transition.

Kenji walking through the tunnel.

Audrae tying her ponytail before tip-off.

Then a split-screen of both of them wearing almost identical black outfits.The editor even synchronized their movements with the beat of the background music.

The caption read: Future SDU Power Duo? 👀🏀

Comments poured in by the second.

"They're going to break the internet."

"Pogi x Poganda."

"Manifesting!!"

"Coach Cath recruited a champion and accidentally created the biggest ship of 2026."

"Imagine them training in the same facility."

Audrae stared for exactly three seconds.Then calmly pushed the phone back toward Elijah.

"People have way too much free time."

Elijah laughed even harder."Hindi ka ba natatawa?"

"No."

"Hindi?"

"No."

She reached for her juice again as if nothing had happened. "We literally haven't spoken to each other."

Matt nodded once."Exactly."

Elijah dramatically threw both hands into the air."That's exactly why they're shipping you! Mystery sells!"

Coach Cath couldn't help smiling while arranging the plates. "Hay naku. Hayaan n'yo na ang mga tao."

Vince chuckled behind his coffee mug. "Basketball fans have always loved making stories."

Audrae sighed."As long as they don't bother him."

Matt's eyes shifted toward her.

She sounded sincere.She wasn't embarrassed for herself.She was worried the fans might inconvenience someone else.

That was so... Audrae.

Always thinking about how her actions affected other people.

About thirty minutes later...

Matt stood from his seat.

He checked the time on his watch before grabbing his car keys from the counter."I'll head home first."

Audrae looked up."You're leaving already?"

"Just for a bit."He slipped his keys into his pocket.

"Need to submit my varsity clearance and pick up my SUV from the detailing shop."

Before Audrae could respond-

Elijah snapped his fingers."Ay, oo nga!"He looked at Audrae."Didn't you say you wanted to buy new basketball shoes today?"

She nodded."I do."

Then she turned toward Matt."If you're busy, it's okay. I can just go another day."

Matt answered almost immediately."I'm still going."

She blinked."...Huh?"

"I'll finish my errands first."He shrugged casually."Then I'll come back."

"Matt..."

"You hate shopping for basketball shoes alone."A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips."You always end up choosing the color instead of the traction."

Coach Cath laughed knowingly."He's not wrong."

Audrae covered her face."Mom..."

"Last season you almost bought shoes with terrible grip because they matched your backpack."

Even Vince laughed.

Elijah pointed dramatically."EXACTLY!"

Audrae groaned."Okay, okay! I get it!"

Matt's quiet chuckle escaped before he looked back at her. "One o'clock?"

She smiled a genuine one."One o'clock."

"I'll pick you up."

By exactly 10:15 AM...

Matt had already driven out of the subdivision.

Inside the house, silence settled once more.

Well...

Almost.

Because Elijah never stayed quiet for long.He stretched across the sofa like he owned the place.

"I'm coming too."

Audrae didn't even look up from her phone.

"I wasn't asking."

"Good."

He grinned."Because I'm inviting myself."

She rolled her eyes."Typical."

Elijah suddenly remembered another piece of gossip."Oh, by the way..."

"Hmm?"

"Matt's family is leaving for China next week."

Audrae looked up."Vacation?"

He nodded."His mom invited me."

She blinked. Then laughed."At this point, ampon ka na yata."

Elijah proudly placed a hand on his chest."Favorite son."

"Dream on."

"Your mom literally treats me like family."

Audrae smirked."Because naaawa siya sa'yo."

"Grabe ka."

Their laughter echoed through the house.

For a brief moment...Everything felt normal.

No media.

No edits.

No viral posts.

Just two best friends teasing each other the way they always had.

Around 12:30 PM...

Audrae finally headed upstairs to get ready.She stood in front of her open closet for almost five minutes.

Not because she wanted to impress anyone.She simply liked dressing comfortably.She eventually chose a fitted black baby tee.

Loose gray cargo pants.

Clean white sneakers.

Her favorite black baseball cap.

Simple.

Comfortable.

Basketball-player approved.She stood before the mirror.A little lip tint.

Brushed brows.

Light concealer beneath her eyes.

Done.

She picked up her phone.

Raised it slightly.

Click.

A mirror selfie.

Nothing fancy.

She uploaded it to her I*******m Story with a single emoji.

🏀

No caption.

No hashtags.

No location.

Just...Basketball.She tossed her phone onto the bed.Completely unaware...

That was less than two hours earlier...

Hundreds of kilometers away in Pampanga...

Kenji Morzal had also uploaded an I*******m Story.

Vintage black shirt with gray cap in basketball court neither of them knew.

The internet, however...Noticed immediately.And within minutes...Another wave of edits flooded every platform.

The familiar rumble of an engine echoed through the quiet subdivision.Audrae glanced at the digital clock on her bedside table.

12:58 PM.

Right on time.

She smiled to herself. "Of course."Matt had always been like that. If he said he'd arrive at one o'clock...

He would be outside by 12:58.

Never late.

Never early enough to make people rush.

Just...

Reliable.

She grabbed her canvas tote bag before slipping her phone into the front pocket.As she stepped into the hallway, Elijah's bedroom door suddenly swung open.

His hair was still damp from the shower, and he lazily adjusted the sleeves of his oversized hoodie.

"Is he here?" he asked.

Audrae nodded."He just arrived."

Elijah stretched dramatically."Let's go. Gutom na ako."

"We're buying shoes."

"Exactly."He grinned."Shopping makes me hungry."

Audrae laughed, shaking her head as they headed downstairs together.

Matt was already waiting in the living room.One hand rested casually in his pocket while the other held his car keys.

The moment he saw Audrae, his eyes briefly scanned her outfit.

Black baby tee.

Gray cargo pants.

White sneakers.

Baseball cap.

A tiny smile appeared on his face."Ready?"

"Yep."

He naturally reached for her tote bag."I'll carry this."

Audrae frowned."Matt, it's not even heavy."

"I know."He slung it over his shoulder anyway.

"Let's go."

Elijah watched the exchange before muttering under his breath."Princess treatment na naman."

Matt didn't even acknowledge him.

Instead, he walked toward the front door and held it open.

"After you."

Audrae rolled her eyes."Ang arte mo."

"Good manners."

She laughed."Sure."

The drive to the mall was unusually peaceful.Soft R&B music played quietly through the speakers while Manila traffic crawled around them.

Audrae occupied the passenger seat.

Elijah stretched comfortably across the backseat, endlessly scrolling through basketball forums.

Every few seconds...

He laughed.

Then sighed.

Then laughed again.

Finally...

Matt spoke."What's so funny?"

Without looking up, Elijah answered,"The comments."

"About?"He turned his phone around.

Another edit.

Another ship.

Another ridiculous caption.

POGI × POGANDA = NATIONAL OBSESSION

Matt sighed."Again?"

"Again."Audrae leaned back against her seat.

Elijah laughed."Apparently not."

He continued reading aloud."'Imagine their future kids.' Bro..."

Audrae immediately covered her face."Stop reading."

"'Their eye contact will heal the nation.'"

"Elijah."

"'Coach Cath secretly recruited Kenji because-'"

"Wayne."

He looked up innocently."What?"

Matt chuckled, a quiet one barely audible."You're enjoying this way too much."

"Because it's funny!" It's Elijah.

Audrae groaned."It's embarrassing."

Matt glanced toward her."Don't mind them."His voice remained calm.

Steady.

"The internet always gets bored eventually."

She nodded."Hopefully."

Nearly forty minutes later...They arrived at one of Manila's largest shopping malls.Matt parked in the VIP basement parking without hesitation.

Audrae noticed immediately."Why'd you park here?"

"Closer."

"It's more expensive."

He shrugged."Less walking."

She looked at him for a second before quietly smiling.He always found small ways to make things easier for everyone around him.

Even when no one asked.

The sports flagship store occupied nearly an entire floor.Rows of basketball shoes lined the walls from floor to ceiling.

Limited editions.

Signature collections.

Performance models.

Training shoes.

Audrae's eyes lit up almost instantly."Ang ganda..."

Matt smiled."Take your time."

Elijah had already disappeared toward the hoodie section."I'm checking the lifestyle collection!"

"Don't break anything!" Audrae called after him.

"No promises!"

She sighed."Hopeless."

Matt laughed softly."Very."

Within minutes...

Matt was already doing what he always did.

Research mode.He crouched in front of one display before picking up two different basketball shoes.

He inspected the outsole.Pressed the cushioning. Twisted the midsole slightly.

Checking flexibility.

Checking grip.

Checking support.

Audrae crossed her arms.Amused."You're taking this way too seriously."

Matt looked up."You're a point guard."He held up the first pair."These have better traction."

Then the second.

"These have softer cushioning, but you'll lose responsiveness during quick cuts."

She blinked."...Did you memorize the specs?"

"Maybe."

She laughed."Basketball nerd."

"Occupational hazard."

A sales associate approached with a warm smile.

"Good afternoon! Looking for performance shoes?"

Audrae nodded."Yes, please."

Matt answered before she could continue."Women's size seven."

The associate looked surprised.

"You already know her size?"

Matt blinked once."We've been friends since high school."

"Best friends," Audrae added with a smile.

"Makes sense."

A few minutes later...

The associate returned carrying three different boxes.Matt immediately knelt on one knee.

He opened the first box.

Removed the stuffing.

Loosened the laces.

Then looked up."Foot."

Audrae stared at him.Then sighed dramatically."Do I seriously have to?"

"Yes."

She obediently lifted one foot.

Matt carefully guided the shoe on before adjusting the tongue and tightening the laces-not because she couldn't do it herself, but because he had always been the one who noticed if a shoe fit too loose or too tight.

He pressed lightly against the toe box.

Then the heel.

Satisfied, he looked up.

"Walk."

Audrae stood and took several steps across the polished floor.

She pivoted.

Shuffled sideways.

Made a quick jab step.

Then smiled."Okay..."She bounced lightly on the balls of her feet."This actually feels amazing."

Matt smiled back. "I told you."

Just then-

A hesitant voice interrupted them.

"Excuse me..."

All three turned.

Standing a few feet away were two college girls wearing SDU shirts.

One clutched her phone nervously.

The other looked moments away from fainting."A-Are you... Audrae Zamora?"

Audrae's expression immediately softened."Hi."She smiled warmly."Yes."

The girls gasped simultaneously."Can we please take a picture with you?"

"Of course."

Without a word...

Matt stood.He took Audrae's tote bag from her shoulder.

Held her phone.

Stepped aside.

Giving the fans the space to enjoy the moment.

"I'll take it for you," he offered.

The girls' eyes widened. "Thank you, Kuya!"

Matt simply nodded before raising the phone.

"Ready?"

Click.

Click.

Click.

Three pictures.

The girls thanked Audrae repeatedly.

But just before leaving one of them suddenly looked back.Her eyes darted between Audrae's outfit and her phone screen.

Then she froze."...Wait."

Her friend looked confused.

"What?"

"Your outfit..."

She quickly opened I*******m.

Tapped a story.

Then looked at Audrae again.

Her jaw slowly dropped."Oh my gosh..."She covered her mouth.

"You're wearing almost the exact same outfit Kenji posted this morning..."

Silence.

Audrae blinked.

Matt's smile disappeared almost instantly.

"Ha?"

The first girl quickly opened I*******m.

There it was Kenji's latest story.A vintage black shirt.Gray cap.Standing alone inside a private gym in Pampanga.

She looked back at Audrae.

Black fitted baby tee.Gray cargo pants.Black baseball cap.The colors weren't identical...

But the overall look was undeniably similar.

The two girls exchanged a look before bursting into tiny, embarrassed giggles.

"Sorry!" one of them said quickly, waving both hands. "It's just... the fan pages are probably going to have a field day with this."

Audrae looked genuinely confused."With... my outfit?"

"There's already a lot of edits about you and Kenji online."

The second girl scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.

"People notice everything."

Audrae couldn't help laughing.A soft, disbelieving laugh."Seriously?"

The girls nodded enthusiastically."Everything."

"Even matching colors."

"Or matching songs."

"Or matching emojis."

Audrae blinked.Then slowly pinched the bridge of her nose."Ang lala."

The girls immediately laughed."We're sorry!"

"We're not trying to make you uncomfortable."

"We just think it's funny."

She smiled reassuringly."No, it's okay."Then she shrugged."Coincidence lang talaga."

"Exactly!"The girls nodded.

"We know."One of them grinned sheepishly."...The internet probably won't."

Even Audrae laughed at that.

Matt quietly handed Audrae her tote bag again.His expression remained calm.But his eyes briefly drifted toward the girl's phone.

Another edit.

Another ship.

Another rumor that would probably spread before dinner.

He looked back at Audrae.

She still seemed completely unbothered.

Good.

He hoped it stayed that way.Being an athlete was already exhausting enough.She didn't need unnecessary attention on top of everything else.

The fans thanked them one last time.

"Good luck this season, Ate Audrae!"

"We'll support SDU!"

"Thank you!"Audrae waved warmly."Study hard, okay?"

The girls laughed."We'll try!"

They disappeared into the crowd, still whispering excitedly to one another.

A familiar voice suddenly echoed from another aisle.

"BROOO!"

Elijah came jogging toward them carrying three oversized hoodies draped across both arms.

"Look what I found!"He stopped the moment he noticed everyone's expressions.

He looked at Audrae.

Then Matt.

Then the direction the two girls had walked.

His eyebrows slowly rose."...What happened?"

Audrae sighed dramatically."Apparently..."She gestured at her clothes."...I'm accidentally matching Kenji's outfit today."

Elijah froze.

For exactly two seconds.

Then-He doubled over laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Several shoppers turned toward him.

He didn't care."BRO, YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP!"

Audrae crossed her arms."It's literally just black and gray."

"Exactly!"Elijah wiped imaginary tears from his eyes."The internet is going to lose its mind!"

Matt casually picked up another shoe box."Relax."

His tone remained even."It's just clothes."

Elijah pointed dramatically."Tell that to TikTok."

They eventually finished comparing several more pairs.After testing nearly six different models...

Audrae finally made her decision.

She stood, bouncing lightly in her new shoes before making a quick defensive slide across the polished floor.

Then a spin.

Then a small jump stop.

A grin spread across her face."These are the ones."

Matt nodded immediately."I figured."

"How?"

"You smiled after the first crossover."She paused.

Then laughed."...You noticed that?"

Matt looked almost confused by the question."Of course."

For him...It wasn't unusual.

He had spent years watching Audrae play basketball.He could tell when she liked a pair of shoes.

When she was frustrated, when she was forcing herself through exhaustion.

When she was pretending to be okay.

He noticed.

Because that was simply who he was.

After paying for the shoes, the three of them stepped out of the store.The afternoon crowd had grown noticeably larger.

Families.

Students.

Tourists.

Children running through the hallway.

Elijah stretched both arms above his head.

Audrae nodded immediately."Definitely."

Matt chuckled."I knew you'd be hungry after thirty minutes inside a shoe store."

"Thirty?"

Elijah scoffed."Bro, we were in there for almost two hours."

Audrae looked surprised."Really?"

Matt checked his watch a small smile appeared."One hour and forty-six minutes."

She laughed."...Oops."

As they walked toward the restaurant wing...None of them noticed several people quietly glancing in their direction.Some recognized the captain of SDU Women's Basketball.

Others recognized the captain of SDU Men's Basketball.

A few secretly took photos.

Not out of malice.

Simply because seeing two of SDU's most recognizable athletes casually shopping together wasn't something fans expected.

Meanwhile...

Hundreds of kilometers away in Pampanga...

Kenji Morzal remained completely unaware that another coincidence had just given the internet fresh material.

The late afternoon crowd had grown thicker by the time they reached the restaurant wing.After nearly two hours of walking from one sports store to another, all three of them had unanimously agreed on one thing.

They were starving.

"Please tell me we're eating rice," Elijah groaned dramatically, throwing an arm over his stomach. "If I eat one more donut today, I'm going to pass out."

Audrae laughed."Who told you to finish almost the entire box this morning?"

"I was stress-eating."

"From what?"

"Watching you take forever choosing shoes."

Matt chuckled quietly as he pulled out a chair for Audrae before taking the seat across from her.

"You survived."

"Barely."

Elijah dramatically wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead."The trauma is real."

Audrae rolled her eyes."Arte."

The conversation drifted effortlessly from basketball...

...to classes...

...to preseason training.

Coach Cath's upcoming conditioning program quickly became the topic of everyone's complaints.

"I heard Coach already finalized next month's training block," Matt said while pouring iced tea into their glasses.

Elijah visibly winced."Please don't ruin my appetite."

Matt ignored him."Morning conditioning starts at six."

Elijah froze."Six Sharp? it should be Illegal."

Audrae laughed so hard she almost choked on her drink."You're acting like you've never survived Coach Mom's training before."

"Survived?"Elijah placed a dramatic hand over his chest."Last preseason I literally saw my ancestors during suicides."

Matt calmly nodded. "Same."

The three of them burst into laughter.

For a while...

Basketball wasn't about pressure.

Or rankings.

Or media.

Or viral edits.

It was just three friends enjoying the last few weeks before university life officially began again.

After dinner, they slowly made their way back toward the parking area.The shopping bags swung lightly from Audrae's hand.

Matt naturally reached over."I'll carry those."

"Matt, it's literally one bag."

"Still."

Without another word, he took it from her.

Elijah watched the exchange before shaking his head dramatically.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."He gestured toward Matt like a game show host."The most reliable human being on planet Earth."

Matt didn't even look at him.

"Get in the car, Eli."

"See?"Elijah laughed."Even his insults are responsible."

The drive home was quieter.Golden sunlight filtered through the windshield as Manila slowly slipped behind them.

Audrae rested her head against the passenger window, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone.

Her notification center...

...was overflowing.

I*******m.

TikTok.

X.

Mentions.

Tags.

Edits.

Fan pages.

She sighed.

"Still?" Matt asked after noticing her expression.

Audrae turned the screen toward him for half a second.

Hundreds of notifications.

Most of them looked almost identical.

"Kenji x Audrae."

"The matching outfits???"

"Soulmate behavior."

"They're definitely meant to meet."

Matt looked away from the screen."Don't read too much into it."

"I'm trying not to."She smiled faintly before locking her phone."People just get carried away sometimes."

"Give it a week."Matt's voice stayed calm.

"Something else will trend."

"Hopefully."

Elijah leaned forward between the seats with a mischievous grin."Unless you actually meet him next month."

Audrae slowly turned toward him, one eyebrow raised."Wayne."

"What?"

"I'm this close..."She held two fingers barely an inch apart."...to leaving you on the side of the highway."

Elijah immediately threw both hands into the air."Okay, okay! Peace! I surrender!"

Matt couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped him.

The mood inside the SUV instantly lightened again.

Back at home...The house had already settled into its usual evening quiet.Audrae carried her new basketball shoes upstairs before placing the box carefully on her bedroom floor.

She opened it once more, ran her fingers lightly across the fresh leather. A satisfied smile tugged at her lips.

Exactly what she wanted.

She grabbed her phone.Snapped one simple photo of the shoes against her bedroom rug.

No face, no caption.

Just one blue heart emoji.💙

She posted it to her I*******m Story.

Then locked her phone and placed it on her nightstand.Outside the summer breeze gently rustled the trees beyond her bedroom window.

Tomorrow will just be another ordinary day.

At least that's what she thought.

Meanwhile...

Hundreds of kilometers away...Inside a quiet bedroom in Pampanga...

Kenji Morzal had just finished showering after another exhausting afternoon workout.

Dressed in a plain black shirt and gray sweatpants, he lay back against his headboard while absentmindedly scrolling through TikTok.

One swipe.

A basketball highlight.

Another swipe.

A cooking video.

Then the algorithm paused.A familiar face filled his screen.

Audrae.

The edit was simple.Slow-motion clips from her high school finals.

A few fan-taken photos, her warm, dimpled smile.

And finally a side-by-side comparison of their outfits from earlier that afternoon.

The caption read: "Still saying it's just a coincidence?"

Kenji watched the entire edit without changing his expression.

When it ended...

He let out the faintest breath through his nose.

Almost a laugh.

Almost.

A tiny, amused smirk appeared on the corner of his lips."...The internet really has too much free time."

He swiped to the next video.

Just like that.

The edit disappeared, but somehow the girl in it...

Didn't.