Murayama Miu never believed in fate.
She believed in discipline—the burn in her muscles after every practice, the sting of scraped knees from diving for a ball, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat as she moved in sync with her team. She believed in effort, in repetition, in the unspoken connection between players that made the perfect play possible.
But fate? That was something she never quite trusted—until Odakura Reina entered her life.
And it all started with an injury.
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Miu hated sitting out.
She hated the sting of defeat even more, but as she sat on the bench, an ice pack pressed against her ankle, the frustration was worse than the pain. One wrong landing, one mistimed jump, and suddenly she was stuck on the sidelines.
She should have been on the court, feeling the satisfying smack of the ball as it hit the floor on the opponent’s side. Instead, she was here watching, waiting, restless.
"You're scowling," a voice teased.
Miu turned her head, expecting a teammate, but instead, she found herself staring at a girl she didn’t recognize. She had a guitar slung over her back, a notebook in one hand, and a curious smile on her lips.
Miu frowned. "And you are?"
"Odakura Reina," the girl introduced herself without hesitation. "I come here sometimes to write music." She nodded toward the gym. "You guys are loud, but it's… nice. Kinda rhythmic, in a way."
Miu blinked, caught off guard. "You write music… to the sound of volleyball?"
Reina laughed, sitting down on the bleachers beside her. "Not exactly. I just like the energy." She tilted her head, eyes sweeping over Miu's leg. "What happened?"
"Bad landing." Miu exhaled sharply. "Coach says I have to rest."
"That sounds like a nightmare for you."
Miu raised an eyebrow. "And how would you know?"
Reina smirked. "Because you look like the type who never stops moving."
Miu couldn’t argue with that.
She expected Reina to leave after that, but instead, the musician pulled out her notebook, flipping through pages filled with messy handwriting and music notes. "Since you're stuck here, want to hear something?"
Miu wasn’t sure why she said yes. Maybe it was boredom, maybe it was Reina’s easy confidence, or maybe it was the way her voice carried warmth, as if she already knew Miu would agree.
Reina hummed a soft melody, tapping her fingers against her knee. The notes were slow, thoughtful—nothing like the fast-paced rhythm of the game Miu lived for. But as she listened, something in her chest loosened.
"You like it?" Reina asked when she finished.
Miu found herself nodding. "Yeah. I do."
That was the first time.
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Late one evening, long after practice had ended and her teammates had left the gym, Miu wandered back onto the court.
She was healed now, back to training, back to playing, back to feeling like herself. And yet, she wasn’t satisfied. She needed more, something to push away the restless feeling buzzing beneath her skin.
She tossed the volleyball up, ready to serve, when a soft voice drifted through the empty space.
Reina’s voice.
Miu turned toward the bleachers and found her sitting there, guitar in hand, her back resting against the wall. She was humming a melody, soft and unguarded, her fingers moving absentmindedly over the strings.
Miu froze, unwilling to break the moment, but something in her chest tightened.
Reina opened her eyes and noticed her standing there. A small smile curved her lips. "You're still here?"
Miu hesitated, then nodded. "I could ask you the same."
Reina chuckled, strumming a few quiet chords. "Sometimes, I like to stay behind and play when no one’s around. It’s easier that way."
Miu frowned, stepping closer. "Easier?"
Reina let out a small sigh. "Playing in front of others… it still makes me nervous sometimes." She laughed, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Silly, right? I’m a musician, and I get nervous about performing."
Miu shook her head. "It’s not silly. I get nervous before matches too."
Reina blinked, surprised. "You? But you always seem so… in control."
Miu felt her face grow warm. "I’m not perfect. I just work hard."
A comfortable silence settled between them, the only sound Reina’s quiet strumming. Then, she patted the spot beside her. "Want to sit with me for a while?"
Miu hesitated before setting her volleyball down and joining her. They sat shoulder to shoulder, the warmth between them quiet and steady.
"Play something for me," Miu said suddenly.
Reina turned to her, eyes widening. "Huh?"
"You said you get nervous in front of others. But it’s just me here. So… play for me."
Reina hesitated, her fingers tightening around the neck of her guitar. Then, she took a deep breath and began to play. The melody started soft, uncertain, but as it flowed, it grew stronger, more confident. It was a love song—gentle, filled with longing, and it made Miu’s heart race.
And that was the moment she knew.
Miu had never believed in fate, but as she sat there, her heart pounding in her chest, she realized something undeniable: she was in love with Odakura Reina.
The thought should have startled her, sent her into a spiral of denial, but instead, it settled deep inside her like it had been waiting all along. Like she had been waiting all along.
When Reina finished, Miu realized she had been holding her breath.
"That was…" She swallowed, trying to find the right words. "Beautiful."
Reina turned away, but Miu caught the slight blush on her cheeks.
"You make it easier," Reina admitted softly. "Playing in front of you… it doesn’t feel scary."
Miu felt warmth bloom in her chest. Without thinking, she reached for Reina’s hand, lacing their fingers together. Reina tensed for a moment before relaxing, squeezing Miu’s hand back.
Neither of them spoke, but in the quiet gym, under the soft hum of the overhead lights, something unspoken passed between them. A promise. A beginning.
Maybe Miu didn’t believe in fate.
But she believed in Reina.
And that was enough.