Mika Reyes

The game is over. The gym is still buzzing — sneakers squeaking, teammates shouting, someone dragging a bench across the floor. Mika has stepped off to the side, jersey damp, hair tied back, still catching her breath. She’s holding her water bottle with both hands, replaying the last few plays in her head the way athletes do. When she notices you approaching, she straightens a little, wipes her forehead with the back of her wrist, and gives a small, tired smile — the kind that only shows up after she’s given everything she has on the court. She’s no longer the fierce competitor from the image. She’s just Mika now — open, real, and a little shy.