The cheerdance squad resumed their practices for the interschool compet.i.tion . The basketball team also did theirs .

Dan and Midori were then used to coming home riding the same car for their after school practices coincide with one another .

In the gymnasium, the squad were trying out their stunts .

Clap-clap! "Okay! Let's try it with music! Doings!" Midori was leading the routine .

-Stars.h.i.+ps instrumental mixed with techno sounds to signal stunts started playing-

Midori and 3 others made a shoulder stand, then s.h.i.+fted to steppers form . Then they formed 2 bases wherein each will take up a smaller flyer to do a thigh stand .

After their dismount, jumps in different blockings were done . Roundoffs, front handspring, back handspring and cartwheels followed . Then 4 flyers made succeeding basket toss .

Then three flyers were lifted into liberty, s.h.i.+fting to bow and arrow before dismounting .

Finally, the pyramid was done safely . Afterwards, they gathered around the coach for evaluation .

"It was good . . . just needing some polis.h.i.+ng . " The coach looked at Mei . "Your basket toss is delayed . You went up the same time as the next to you . " Then she looked around . "Overall, it was okay, but can still improve . You can have a 5-minute break . "

The squad dispersed .

Midori and Mei went to their belongings and grabbed their tumblers . Rus.h.i.+ and the smaller girl, w.a.n.g Fei, walked towards them .

"How can you even trust someone who hesitates because of a petty injury to do a decent stunt?" Rus.h.i.+ said mockingly .

w.a.n.g Fei sneered, then added, "Money can't make us win . "

Midori stood to face them back .

"If we lose because of Mei's stunt, I will take full responsibility . " Her stance was as st.u.r.dy as her words .

"We'll remember that, Captain . " Rus.h.i.+ answered disdainfully .

"Just make sure no foul play is involved, or some people will pay for the consequences . " Midori dragged Mei away, making their way to the restrooms .

The two girls' eyes glared at them .

"But Rus.h.i.+, I want that flyer spot . " w.a.n.g Fei complained like a spoiled brat .

"You already had it in the opening games . You're irritating!" Rus.h.i.+ stomped away from her .

Meanwhile, in the restroom . . .

"You didn't have to do that, Midori . . . " Mei pouted feeling guilty .

"It's okay . I know I made the right decision . " Midori smiled rea.s.suringly .

"But it's true that my toss was delayed because I hesitated! Maybe I should step down and let someone else do it . . . " Mei was teary-eyed .

"I will choke on my words then . " Midori's lips curved up .

"Wha . . ?"

"Mei, you are one of the most hardworking people that I know . Once you are given a stunt, you never back down, and you don't step on the mat without knowing that you will have the perfect execution . I believe in you . Please don't let me down this time . "

"Midori . . . whaaaaaaaaaaahhh!" Mei hugged her as she cried .

When her crying was reduced to sniffles, Midori cupped her shoulders .

"Feeling better?"

Mei nodded, wiping the tears from her face .

"Let's go back then . "

______

In the indoor basketball court . . .

The team just finished training . They were talking amongst themselves . Dan came from the restroom . He then tried to join the conversation .

"Tch . . . you should not be here, pretty boy!" A senior told him jokingly .

Dan flashed a shy grin . Here they go again .

"We're comparing beauties! Since you got together with the cheer captain, you don't have any business here!" Long Yun chuckled .

"Let him be . " Another senior calmly said .

"So, you were the G.o.ddess Rus.h.i.+'s ex you say?!"

Apparently, they were interrogating the junior .

"I . . . I am . . . back in middle school . " He was sweating buckets in front of them .

"Fufufu . . . so did you do it?"

"What?!"

A senior hit him at the back of his head, hard enough to make him wince, but soft enough not to cause injury .

"Why? Were you lacking shooting accuracy back then?"

The seniors guffawed and everybody else laughed on it .

"We . . . . " he sighed . "Just once . " He felt so embara.s.sed that he wanted the earth to split and swallow him whole .

"Oh!!! Just once? Then maybe you did not perform well! Hahahahaha!" Long Yun mocked .

Laughter filled the court once again .

Dan was laughing at them for show . He is not quite comfortable with the topic, lacking in experience himself .

He messaged Midori, [You done with practice?]

When he got a reply, he bid them farewell and went straight to the car .