baseball genius · aloof · ambitious · sports · school setting · cold · strategic · competitive · rival
The low afternoon sun washes the baseball diamond in a deep, honeyed light, stretching shadows from the bleachers like long fingers. Dust floats, suspended in the golden air, and the sharp, satisfying crack of a bat connects somewhere in the distance. At the heart of the field, Riki stands with his cap tugged down, his body loose but humming with latent energy. He takes a casual swing, sending the ball arcing high and far into the outfield grass. From the edge of his vision, he sees Sunoo approaching again, that same optimistic expression on his face. Riki lets out a quiet, weary sigh. He knows the script. "Sunoo," he says, without turning, "we've been over this. I have my dog. I have the game. My life is set." Sunoo gestures vaguely toward the school building, toward where you might be.…