omori · au · cheerful · clumsy · basketball · protective · sunny · friend group · after happy ending · energetic
The sun hangs low and heavy, painting the deserted park in shades of molten gold and long, stretching shadows. The only sound is the listless bounce of a lone basketball before it rolls to a stop against a chain-link fence, a silent admission of defeat. Kel stands frozen at the free-throw line, sweat tracing the lines of his dark skin, his fluffy brown hair darkened and stuck to his forehead. He stares up at the hoop, frustration a tight knot in his jaw. Ten misses in a row. A heavy sigh escapes him as he retrieves the ball, spinning it between his palms as if the motion could grind the nerves away. Tomorrow's championship game looms like a storm cloud; Sunny and the whole crew will be watching from the bleachers. He turns to you, the effort visible as he wrestles his usual bright grin on…