SAME DIRECTION

Their handshake lasted only a second.

Yet somehow...Neither of them pulled away immediately.

There was an odd sense of familiarity-like finally meeting someone they'd already heard countless stories about.

Kenji released her hand first.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Not cocky.

Not flirtatious.

Simply polite.

Around them, however, the silence didn't last.

The SAU players immediately erupted.

"Uy! Nagkamayan na!"

"Coach, picture! Picture!"

"History in the making!"

Another player dramatically wiped imaginary tears from his eyes.

"Finally, nag-meet na rin ang dalawang laman ng TikTok edits!"

Laughter exploded around the backyard.

Audrae covered her face for a second, already feeling secondhand embarrassment.

"Grabe naman kayo..." she muttered, laughing.

Coach Ben pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Mga baliw..Hindi pa nga nagsasalita nang maayos 'yung dalawa."

Even Coach Cath couldn't stop herself from smiling."Hayaan mo sila...Basketball players talaga."

Kenji let out a quiet chuckle before shaking his head."Mukhang marami na pala silang naisip na kuwento."

Audrae looked at him before laughing softly."Apparently..Hindi ko rin alam kung saan nila kinukuha lahat."

Kenji nodded once."Same, pagbukas ko ng TikTok..."He paused.

A small amused smile appeared."...ikakasal na raw tayo."

For half a second-

Everyone froze.

Then the entire backyard erupted into louder laughter than before.

"HAHAHAHA!"

"Narinig niyo 'yon?!"

"Si Kenji na mismo nagsabi!"

"Coach! Save them!"

Audrae immediately buried her face in one hand."Nakakahiya talaga..."

Even Kenji looked mildly defeated.

"See?" he said, gesturing toward everyone.

"Ito exactly ang dahilan."She laughed again.

A genuine one.

The awkwardness between them slowly melted away.Not because they suddenly became comfortable...

But because they were both suffering from the exact same problem.

The internet.

Coach Ben clapped both of them lightly on the shoulders."Ignore these clowns...Mga walang ginawa kundi mang-asar."

"Yes, Coach," Kenji answered obediently.

"Yes, Tito," Audrae echoed with a smile.

Coach Ben excused himself after another coach called him over.

Almost instantly-The surrounding players also drifted back into their own conversations.

The teasing finally died down.

Leaving Kenji and Audrae standing beside one another.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.Not because it was uncomfortable.More because they were trying to figure each other out.

Kenji broke the silence first."Congratulations."

Audrae blinked."Hmm?"

He nodded toward the driveway.

Her newly wrapped car sat gleaming beneath the afternoon sun, its glittery midnight-blue finish reflecting streaks of gold.

"The new paint."

"Looks good."

Audrae instinctively glanced toward her car.

A smile spread across her face."Thanks."

"I actually waited almost two weeks for this color."

Kenji studied the finish for another second."Worth the wait."

She looked back at him."You noticed? I mean how did you-"

He shrugged casually."Hard not to.. I saw it on Elijah's i* story and everyone outside was looking at it earlier."

Audrae laughed."Good point."

Another comfortable silence settled between them.

Not forced.

Just...

unexpectedly peaceful.

Kenji took a sip from his water bottle before speaking again."Coach Ben talks about you a lot."

Audrae immediately groaned."Oh no..What did he say this time?"

Kenji smiled faintly."Mostly basketball...He likes bragging."

She sighed dramatically."That sounds like Tito...He still treats me like I'm twelve."

Kenji chuckled quietly."I think that's just how uncles are."

She nodded in agreement."Fair enough."

Before either of them could continue-

A familiar loud voice suddenly cut through the air.

"AUDRAE!"

Both of them turned at the same time.

Elijah came jogging toward them carrying two paper plates stacked with barbecue and lumpia.

The moment he noticed Kenji standing beside her-

his eyebrows slowly lifted.

Then a mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Oh..."he drew dramatically."Mukhang istorbo yata ako."

Audrae closed her eyes. Here we go."Elijah..."

"What?"He looked completely innocent."Nagdala lang naman ako ng pagkain."He held up one of the plates."Baka gutom ka na."

Audrae accepted the plate with an unimpressed look."Salamat."Then she immediately whispered-"At tumigil ka."

Elijah grinned wider."Wala pa nga akong ginagawa."

Kenji quietly watched the exchange before letting out a small laugh.

It was exactly how the videos online portrayed them.

Comfortable.

Chaotic, like siblings who argued every five minutes.

Definitely not a couple.

Interesting...Very interesting.

He finally understood why the rumors surrounding them never made sense.

Coach Ben had been right.Elijah really was practically part of the Zamora household.

Kenji glanced at the bustling backyard once more before looking back at Audrae.

"I'll let you eat."

She nodded politely."See you around."

"See you."

He gave Elijah a brief nod before walking back toward his teammates.

Elijah silently watched him leave...

Then slowly turned toward Audrae.

A smug grin already spread across his face.Audrae didn't even have to look.

She already knew.Whatever was about to come out of Elijah's mouth...was going to be absolutely insufferable.

Kenji disappeared back into the crowd, instantly getting pulled into another conversation with his St. Anthony teammates.

For a few seconds, Audrae simply stood there, quietly staring at the paper plate in her hands.

She barely noticed Elijah slowly inching closer beside her.A grin was already stretching across his face.The kind of grin that only meant one thing.

Trouble.

He leaned toward her just enough for only the two of them to hear."So..."

Audrae didn't even look at him.

She already knew."...don't."

Elijah blinked innocently."Don't what?"

She finally turned, narrowing her cat-like eyes at him."Whatever you're about to say..Keep it to yourself."

He placed a dramatic hand over his chest."Grabe ka naman..Concerned friend lang ako."

Audrae scoffed."Concerned?Ikaw?Impossible."

Elijah laughed, unable to hold it in anymore."Sige na nga."He bumped her shoulder lightly."First impression?"

Audrae took a bite of her barbecue first, deliberately making him wait.

Only after chewing did she answer."Normal."

Elijah stared at her."...Normal?"

She shrugged."Oo..Mukha lang siyang normal na tao...Basketball player na tahimik."

"Polite."

"Normal."

Elijah burst into laughter."Bro...Literal na whole internet ang nagwawala.....tapos 'normal' lang?"

Audrae looked at him like he'd lost his mind."Ano ba gusto mong sabihin ko?Oh my God, Elijah, nag-glow buong mundo?'"

She placed the back of her hand dramatically against her forehead."'May background music ba dapat?'"

Elijah nearly choked on his drink."Gago!Hindi gano'n!"

Audrae laughed, shaking her head."Exactly..Normal lang naman."

He studied her face for a few seconds.Really studied it.Then his grin slowly returned.

"Pero..."

Audrae sighed."May pero na naman."

"Hindi mo naman siya iniiwasan."

She frowned."Ha?"

"Napansin ko lang."Elijah casually took another bite of lumpia."Usually kapag may sobrang sikat na athlete...iniiwasan mo agad."

"Kanina..."He pointed toward the crowd where Kenji was now laughing with his teammates."...tinapos mo pa conversation niyo."

Audrae blinked.She hadn't even realized it herself.

Normally...She avoided unnecessary conversations with athletes outside SDU.

Not because she disliked them.She simply hated awkward small talk.

Yet somehow...Talking to Kenji didn't feel awkward at all.

She quickly shook the thought away."Tito introduced us.It would've been rude kung umalis ako agad."

Elijah slowly nodded."Fair."Then-his mischievous smile returned."...pero pogi siya."

Audrae looked at him.Deadpan."Ikaw na lang."

"Hindi, seryoso, objectively speaking."

"Pogi naman talaga."

She rolled her eyes."Congratulations, may eyes ka."

"Alam ko."He laughed loudly."At least honest ako."

Audrae couldn't help smiling.She lightly shoved his shoulder."Ang daldal mo."

Before Elijah could continue teasing her, Coach Cath called from across the backyard.

"Audrae!"

Both of them turned.

Coach Cath waved them over toward one of the larger tables where several relatives had gathered.

"Halika rito...Ipapakilala pa kita sa iba."

"Coming, Mom!" Audrae called back.

She looked at Elijah."Saved."

He sighed dramatically."Sayang..Ang dami ko pa namang follow-up questions."

Audrae smirked."You'll never get answers."

"We'll see."

The two of them walked toward the family table together, slipping effortlessly back into their usual rhythm of playful bickering.

Across the yard...

Kenji happened to glance in their direction.

He watched Elijah dramatically whining while Audrae laughed, lightly pushing him away before sitting beside her relatives.

The corner of his lips lifted into the faintest smile.

So that's what Coach Ben meant.

She wasn't quiet, she simply became loud around the people she trusted.

Interesting.

Chris, who had been standing beside him the whole time, noticed where his attention had drifted.

He followed Kenji's gaze before chuckling.

"Coach's niece seems fun."

Kenji looked away almost immediately, taking another sip from his bottled water."She does."

Chris smirked."Mas tahimik ka yata ngayon kaysa buong training natin nitong linggo."

Kenji gave him a flat look."Overthinker ka rin? I'm just tired, Man"

"Sure."

Chris laughed."Whatever you say, bro."

Kenji simply shook his head, choosing not to respond.

But for reasons he couldn't quite explain...

The image that lingered in his mind wasn't Audrae breaking defenders' ankles.Nor was it the countless TikTok edits he'd seen over the past few days.

It was something much simpler.

Her laughing.

Completely carefree.

The same smile she'd given her family...was exactly the same smile she'd unknowingly given him.

And somehow...

that felt far more memorable than any highlight reel.

The afternoon slowly melted into evening.

The once-lively backyard gradually settled into a slower rhythm as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Pampanga sky in shades of orange and violet. Music continued playing softly from the speakers while relatives gathered around the tables, exchanging stories and laughter over dessert and coffee.

The basketball players were no different.

The rivalry between San Diego University and St. Anthony University had long disappeared the moment they stepped off the hardwood. Away from the court, they were simply athletes sharing meals, teasing one another, and catching up after a long off-season.

Audrae sat beside Coach Cath and a few of her cousins, quietly listening to the conversations around her while absentmindedly stirring the ice in her drink.

Across the backyard...

Kenji stood with Coach Ben and several SAU players.

Every now and then, their eyes happened to meet.

Nothing dramatic, no lingering stares.

Just brief acknowledgments before both naturally looked elsewhere.

It felt...

comfortable.

As if neither of them felt the need to force a conversation.

The first introduction had already been enough.

A little after nine in the evening, several SAU players began gathering their things. One by one, they thanked Coach Ben for inviting them before heading toward the driveway.

Coach Ben clapped loudly to get everyone's attention.

"Hoy! Uuwi na ba kayo?"

"Yes, Coach!" several players answered in unison.

"Salamat sa pagkain!"

"Happy birthday ulit!"

Coach Ben laughed."Mag-training pa tayo next week..Huwag kayong tataba-taba diyan."

Groans immediately echoed around the yard.

"Coach naman!"

"Isang araw lang naman!"

Laughter erupted once again.

Kenji adjusted the strap of his duffel bag over his shoulder before walking toward Coach Ben.

He extended his hand respectfully."Happy birthday ulit, Coach."

Coach Ben smiled warmly before pulling him into a quick one-armed hug.

"Salamat, Kenji, drive safely."

"Yes, Coach."

After greeting a few more relatives, Kenji turned to Coach Cath."Good evening, Coach Cath."

Coach Cath smiled."See you in Manila next month...We're looking forward to having you at SDU."

Kenji nodded respectfully."Thank you, Coach...I'll do my best."

Coach Cath gave his shoulder a light pat."I know you will."

As Kenji stepped away...his eyes naturally searched the yard.It didn't take long to find her.

Audrae was standing near the patio doors with Elijah, laughing about something while helping her younger cousins carry empty trays inside the house.

Almost as if sensing someone looking...

she glanced up.

Their eyes met once more.

This time...

Kenji walked over.

Not hurriedly.

Just naturally.

Elijah noticed him first.A knowing grin immediately appeared on his face.

Without saying a word, he lightly nudged Audrae's shoulder."I'll help your cousins inside."

Before she could question him...

he was already gone.

"Traitor," Audrae muttered under her breath, making herself laugh.

A second later...

Kenji stopped a comfortable distance away.

Neither too close.

Nor too formal.

He slipped one hand into his pocket before offering a small smile."Looks like we're heading out."

Audrae nodded."Going back to the city tonight?"

"Yeah."

"Coach wants us back early tomorrow morning."

"Makes sense."

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Neither seemed in a hurry to fill it.

Finally...

Kenji spoke again."It was nice meeting you."

The sincerity in his voice caught her slightly off guard.

She smiled.A small dimple appeared almost immediately."Likewise."

He nodded once."See you at SDU."

Audrae folded her arms comfortably."See you next month."

No promises, no dramatic lingering moment.Just two athletes acknowledging that this wasn't really goodbye.

It was simply...

until next time.

Kenji gave her one final nod before turning toward the driveway.

Audrae watched as he joined his teammates.

The engines of several SUVs came to life one after another, headlights illuminating the quiet village street.

Coach Ben and Coach Cath stood near the gate, waving everyone goodbye.

One by one, the vehicles disappeared into the evening.

Only when the last taillight vanished around the corner did Audrae finally look away.

Elijah suddenly appeared beside her, carrying two bottles of water.

He handed one to her."You're staring."

Audrae immediately frowned."I was not."

"Sure."He twisted open his bottle."Whatever helps you sleep tonight."

She lightly elbowed him."Ang epal mo."

"Occupational hazard."He laughed.

Audrae simply shook her head before taking a sip of water.

For reasons she couldn't explain...The backyard suddenly felt quieter than it had all day.

Maybe because the celebration was ending.Maybe because everyone was finally heading home.

Or maybe...

because she'd just met someone she'd be seeing almost every day once preseason officially began.

Meanwhile-

Several kilometers away, inside the passenger seat of one of the departing SUVs, Kenji rested his elbow against the window while watching the familiar Pampanga streets pass by.

Chris glanced sideways."Tahimik ka yata."

Kenji looked outside and a faint smile appeared, almost unnoticeable."Iniisip ko lang..."

Chris waited.

Kenji's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead."...interesting pala talaga ang SDU."

Chris laughed."Sinabi ko sa'yo."

Kenji didn't answer, he simply looked out the window once more.For the first time since committing to San Diego University, he wasn't just looking forward to the competition.

He was looking forward...to the people waiting there.

NOTE:

"Sometimes, the first meeting isn't the beginning of a love story.Sometimes, it's simply the moment two paths quietly begin moving in the same direction." 💙🏀