The ball came flying at him.
Fast.
Too fast.
Fumi's eyes widened.
Catch it.
His hands moved late.
The ball smacked into his palms, nearly slipping through. He stumbled back a step, barely holding onto it.
Don't drop it.
The defender was already closing in.
Of course he is.
Fumi tightened his grip, forcing himself to dribble. Once. Twice.
The sound echoed in his ears.
Too loud.
Too messy.
"Pass it!" someone yelled.
He hesitated.
Just for a second.
The defender lunged.
Fumi flinched and pulled the ball back, almost losing control again. His heart was racing now. Way too fast.
I can't mess this up again.
Not again.
He glanced at the rim.
Too far.
At his teammate.
Covered.
Everything felt blocked.
Everything felt wrong.
The defender stepped closer, arms out, pressuring him.
"Go left!" another voice shouted.
Left?
Fumi pushed off his right foot.
Too slow.
The defender kept up easily.
Of course he did.
Fumi forced himself forward anyway, dribbling harder now. Sloppier. The ball nearly bounced off his foot.
Control it.
CONTROL IT.
He reached the edge of the key.
And froze.
Again.
His body locked up.
Shoot.
Drive.
Pass.
Nothing came out.
"Fumi!" his teammate yelled again.
The defender swiped.
The ball slipped.
No
Fumi reacted on instinct, grabbing it back just before it was stolen. His hands shook as he pulled it in close to his chest.
Everyone was watching.
He could feel it.
Waiting for him to mess up.
Just like always.
"I…"
His voice didn't come out.
The defender leaned in.
Closer.
Closer.
Fumi's breathing got heavier.
Think.
Think.
Think.
Then
His foot moved.
One sharp step forward.
The defender reacted.
Fumi shifted.
Barely.
But it was enough to create space.
A tiny gap.
His eyes snapped to the rim.
Now.
He jumped.
Shot going up.
Form breaking mid air.
Too rushed.
Too scared.
The ball left his fingertips.
And for a second
Everything went quiet.