Castillian #1: Sinner's Formula

"Lynx, just three more tries and still no basket. It's all air!" Coach yelled while holding his clipboard, giving a disapproving glare.

"Coach! I think the ring has something against my ball," Lynx replied, scratching the back of his head, pretending to be serious. "Maybe I forgot to pray before the shot—that's on me."

"Don't drag God into your airballs," Felix cut in while warming up on the bench, with Uno and Jairo bursting into laughter.

"Focus!" Coach shouted again.

"This is just a friendly match, but there are a lot of people watching—scouts, probably. Don't waste the exposure!"

The pre-Intrams friendly game was underway at Casa Universitaria's covered court. The match was heating up—not just on the court, but also in the watchful eyes of the crowd. College booths surrounded the oval, and every cheer echoed throughout the venue.

While adjusting his wristband, Mico turned his head toward the side of the court—just in time to catch Scarlet laughing as Liza helped steady the tray of coffee at their booth. Her laugh was like a mouthwash commercial—all teeth and pure joy.

Mico furrowed his brows.

"Where's she from again?" He suddenly asked Keita while wiping sweat with a towel.

All four—Uno, Jairo, Felix, and Lynx—turned to him at once, like they'd just seen a ghost gossip.

"Hold on…" They practically said in unison.

"Bro," Uno started, "Did we just hear Mico Cein Esguerra ask a personal question?"

"Is the Cold Prince actually asking for info?" Jairo added, clearly just as shocked by the state of the universe.

"She wasn't from here before," Keita answered, ignoring the teasing. "She just transferred to Casa Universidad from the province. She's struggling a bit with school, but she's hardworking. Nice. Just... a little clumsy."

"Definitely clumsy," Mico muttered, eyeing the coffee cup in Uno's hand. "Is that coffee from their booth too?"

"Yeah," Uno replied, nearly done with his drink. "Bro, legit. Just my type of flavor. It's like it has a special touch."

"There's sweetness in it," Felix chimed in with a grin. "Maybe it's got a dash of love in the blend."

"Hmph," Mico just huffed, tossing his towel onto the bench and standing up. "Let's go. Warm-up time."

But even as he walked away, the whole team could sense the unspoken excitement their captain was trying hard to hide.

Mid-game, no matter how intense the play, the other four members of the Castillian Five noticed how, at times, even with the ball in Mico's hands, his eyes would automatically flick to the booths—and to Scarlet.

"Lynx, are you the point guard or is Mico?" Coach asked.

"It's Mico, Coach," Lynx replied, pointing to him as he dribbled and sidestepped.

"Then why does it look like he's not even looking at the basket?"

Everyone turned. Right then, Scarlet was stretching while holding a coffee thermos—and Mico froze mid-play.

"BOG!" The ref shouted. "Double dribble!"

Mico scratched his head. "Sorry," he mumbled, clearly not used to making such a rookie mistake.

"Shit," Felix whispered. "Did Mico just double dribble... because of that girl?"

"That's our real opponent now, guys," Jairo said seriously. "Not Coach. Not the other team. Scarlet."

"Coach, we need a new training drill. A love-immunity drill so no one freezes up from a crush," Uno chimed in, laughing.

Mico nearly lost it. "Shut up, all of you."

"You're too much, Captain," Keita teased with a grin from the bench. "Want me to give you her full biodata? I even have her height, blood type, and favorite Zesto flavor."

"Shut up," Mico muttered again, not angry—just smiling quietly. The Castillian boys knew: Mico never asked about girls. Never. So the fact that he was asking now? It said everything.

---

Halftime. Back to the bench. Despite it being an unofficial game, their coach looked pleased.

"Good job, Castillian. Clean plays, even with all the distractions—like someone here." He glanced at Mico.

"Why are you all looking at me?" Mico asked, gulping water. No one answered.

"No wonder you had an energy boost. Sweet coffee," teased Uno.

"And those side-eyes you kept throwing at the booth," Jairo added.

Mico just shook his head, wiped off sweat, and whispered to Keita under a towel.

"What section is she in?"

Keita's jaw dropped. "Is that really you, Captain?"

"Just the section," Mico repeated. "Just curious. In case... in case we bump into each other in the hallway."

"You're kinda cute right now," Lynx teased, clearly hearing them.

"Want me to ask her to bring coffee for you next time too?" Felix offered.

"Fuck off,"Mico said, punching Uno's arm—not hard, more like a playful hit masking something else.

---

After the game, as they were leaving the court, Mico paused and looked back at the booth. Scarlet was gone—but the coffee thermos was still there.

"Keita," he called.

"Yeah?"

"Tell her… the coffee… it was good."

Keita smiled. "I'll tell her. But next time—you should be the one to say it."

Mico didn't respond, but his silence said it all.

And from a distance, the rest of the Castillian Five grinned like hyenas, watching their coldest friend finally catch a spark.