---

---

Chibi:
“He didn’t miss once.”

Mara:
“I know.”

Chibi:
“He always misses.”

Mara:
“Everyone does.”

Chibi:
“Not today.”

The ball hits the ground. Perfect rhythm. Perfect control.

Mara:
“Watch his face.”

Chibi:
“I am.”

Mara:
“What do you see?”

Chibi:
“…Nothing.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Another shot. Clean. No reaction.

Chibi:
“He should be happy.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Chibi:
“Or at least… something.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Chibi:
“But he isn’t.”

Mara:
“No.”

The boy retrieves the ball. Turns. Shoots again.

Perfect.

---

Chibi:
“Do you think he practiced?”

Mara:
“If he did, he’d look different.”

Chibi:
“How?”

Mara:
“Proud.”

Chibi:
“He doesn’t look proud.”

Mara:
“No.”

---

Chibi:
“You ever notice something?”

Mara:
“What?”

Chibi:
“When people get better at something…”

Mara:
“They change.”

Chibi:
“Yeah.”

Mara:
“They gain something.”

Chibi:
“Confidence.”

Mara:
“Joy.”

Chibi:
“Even ego.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Pause.

Chibi:
“He didn’t gain anything.”

Mara:
“No.”

Chibi:
“He lost something.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

---

The boy stops. Just stands there. Not breathing hard. Not tired.

---

Chibi:
“That’s wrong.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Chibi:
“He’s not reacting.”

Mara:
“No.”

Chibi:
“What’s he doing then?”

Mara:
“He’s executing.”

Chibi:
“…like a machine.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

---

Chibi steps forward slightly.

Chibi:
“Hey!”

The boy turns.

Slow.

Precise.

He looks at them.

---

Chibi:
“He sees us.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Chibi:
“But…”

Mara:
“…he’s not looking at us.”

Chibi:
“No.”

Mara:
“He’s checking something.”

Chibi:
“What?”

Mara:
“If we matter.”

---

The boy turns away again. Shoots.

Perfect.

---

Chibi:
“I don’t like that.”

Mara:
“No.”

Chibi:
“He’s better.”

Mara:
“Yes.”

Chibi:
“But he’s not him.”

Silence.

---

Chibi:
“You think it comes back?”

Mara:
“What?”

Chibi:
“The part that’s missing.”

Mara watches the empty court.

Long pause.

---

Mara:
“Some things don’t.”

---

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