You Are Not Spare Parts

Protecting his shoulder, Lin produced three weak grounders. Coaches began shaking their heads. Before round two, Han approached him. “Don't expect me to surrender my spot to a hero.” “Good. I don't want a gift.” Han grinned. “Then lift your shoulder. You're afraid of pain. You aren't protecting an injury.” The words pierced Lin. He saw Han's fatigue and his own focus falling to thirty-three under fear. A handshake might let him trade fatigue for focus. A quote even appeared: 【Han Yue Fatigue 20 may be exchanged for Lin Ye Focus 16.】 The temptation stood within reach. But this was practice, not a game, and Han had not consented. Lin turned his reaching hand into a fist bump. “Let's do it for real.”