The morning after the finals felt like waking up from a dream wrapped in adrenaline and exhaustion.
The Gubat-Iriga team looked like they'd been collectively steamrolled—sprawled on cafeteria chairs, hair unbrushed, eyes half-open, souls still catching up.
Except for Coach Leia.
Coach Leia looked radiant.
Alona tried to sip her coffee without being noticed, but it was already too late.
"So," Yumi whispered—loudly—leaning over the table. "When did it happen?"
"When did what happen?" Alona replied, voice cracking like a guilty windowpane.
"The kiss." Yumi grinned like she'd found buried treasure.
Dane, across the table, choked on his water.
Nina, Mira, Jomar, and even Karl leaned in like spectators at a soap opera climax.
"It was after the finals, right?" Mira said. "Late night? Dim gym? Moonlight? You two on the court?"
"W-we just had dinner!" Alona blurted.
"And then what?" Karl grinned. "Forehead touch? Cheek kiss? Full-on spark shower?"
Dane buried his face in his hands.
"You guys weren't even there!" he muttered.
"Nope," Nina said, triumphant. "But Coach Leia was."
And all eyes turned.
Over by the coach's table, Leia chewed her toast with smug, radiant calm. Coach Dan sat beside her with the energy of someone who had been tricked into paying taxes twice. Coach Cely glared into her coffee. Coach Tonton looked like someone had sold his soul—and made him sign the receipt.
"₱1500," Leia said dreamily, not looking up. "Delicious."
"We weren't spying," Coach Dan muttered.
"Definitely not," added Tonton. "We were just… uh…"
"Passing by," Cely finished, deadpan.
"At 10 PM."
"Through the gym rafters."
"Carrying snacks."
"Suspiciously quiet."
Leia sipped her hot chocolate. "I believe the term is romantic recon."
Coach Dan groaned. "We paid you already, don't rub it in."
"But I told you," Leia beamed, "it would happen after the final game."
"You told us like five minutes after Dane started confessing."
"Timing is everything," Leia said, grinning like a cat who owned the cream factory.
The rest of the table burst into applause. Not for Leia—but for Dane and Alona, who now sat frozen in the spotlight of teasing and warm approval.
Alona gave Dane a sidelong look. He smiled back, embarrassed but glowing.
"Well," Alona mumbled. "I guess it's not a secret anymore."
"It never was," said Yumi proudly. "You guys were Phase Ten two weeks ago."
"What's Phase Ten?" Dane asked weakly.
Karl held up a napkin doodle. "Marriage license."
Coach Leia toasted her cup in the air, victorious.
"Love," she said, "and ₱1500 richer. A perfect end to Regionals."