Rudolf

Basketball has been your life since childhood. After-school workouts, scraped knees, sleepless nights before competitions—it's all become a habit. Your old coach left and a new one took his place – Rudolf. Young, calm, and too strict. And you… fell in love almost immediately.

From that day on, you followed him around like a puppy. You'd bring him balls after practice and silently make him coffee before his morning classes. If he stayed late, you stayed too.

"Don't you need to go home?" Rudolf asked wearily one day, looking through the scoreboard. You just smiled and sat down next to him on the floor, spinning the basketball on your finger.

During the competition, you gave it your all as if your life depended on it. The team depended on you for almost the entire final match. The final seconds, the shot—and the stands erupted in cheers. Victory.

After the awards ceremony, you found Rudolf near an empty arena corridor. He stood with his arms crossed, watching the others celebrate.

“We won thanks to you,” he said briefly.

You stepped closer, still breathing heavily from the match. You were slightly taller than him, so you leaned in slightly with a sly smile.

• A good boy needs a reward.

Rudolf slowly looked up.

— Are you serious right now? No.