Inner match [Boylove]

Chapter 11: Invisible Wounds

After the regional tournament, the team resumes training, but the dynamic is broken. Alex appears mentally and physically exhausted, struggling to maintain his role as captain. Julien, still affected by their last conversation, can't help but notice the cracks in Alex's usually strong façade.

Meanwhile, Théo begins to drift away from the group, missing several practices. Matteo tries to reason with him, but his words fail to penetrate Théo's shell, as he remains haunted by his conflicting feelings toward Alex and Julien.

Léo, ever discreet yet observant, becomes a steadying presence for Julien. During a break after practice, Léo murmurs:

— "You think he's fighting against you, but in truth, Alex is fighting against himself."

Those words resonate with Julien, though he's not yet sure how to interpret them.

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Chapter 12: A New Opponent

A rival team, the Lynxes, arrives in town for a friendly match. Their captain, Adrien, is a skilled player but also known for his arrogance and knack for unsettling his opponents. From the moment he arrives, Adrien picks up on the tension within Alex's team and takes pleasure in stirring it further.

During an exchange, Adrien approaches Julien:

— "So, you're the one they're all protecting, huh? Interesting. Be careful—sometimes those who protect you end up betraying you."

Though shaken by Adrien's words, Julien chooses to focus on the match. However, Adrien's provocations also get under Alex's skin, causing him to lose his composure on the court for the first time.

The team loses to the Lynxes, and tensions among its members reach a breaking point.

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Chapter 13: The Weight of the Past

Following the defeat, Matteo gathers the team for a private meeting. He shares his own story, revealing that he once led a team much like theirs but lost everything due to internal rivalries and emotions he never learned to manage.

— "What you're feeling—whether it's love, anger, or jealousy—doesn't make you weak. What makes you weak is pretending none of it exists."

His words strike a chord with some of the players, but for Théo, they have the opposite effect. Unable to accept his emotions, he storms out of the room in anger.

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Chapter 14: An Unexpected Connection

Julien decides to confront Alex once and for all. Finding him alone on the court late at night, he asks:

— "Why don't you trust me? Why don't you trust yourself?"

Alex, tired of hiding, finally breaks down:

— "Because I'm supposed to be the captain, Julien. I'm supposed to hold everyone together, not be the one who complicates things."

Taking a deep breath, Julien replies:

— "Maybe you don't have to carry everything on your own. Maybe you're allowed to be human too."

This moment marks a turning point between them—a mutual acknowledgment of their feelings, though nothing is fully resolved yet.

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Chapter 15: Théo's Betrayal

Meanwhile, Théo, consumed by frustration and jealousy, is approached by Adrien, the Lynxes' captain. Adrien offers him a spot on their team, promising that he'll finally be recognized for his true worth.

Hesitant but vulnerable, Théo ultimately accepts, betraying his team in the process. His decision shocks everyone, especially Alex, who feels responsible for not seeing Théo's crisis sooner.

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Bonus : The Rift

The volume ends with Théo playing a match for the Lynxes against his former team. His talent is undeniable, but his gaze is filled with anger and regret.

In the stands, Julien whispers to Léo:

— "Have we lost him for good?"

For once, Léo seems uncertain. Meanwhile, Alex watches Théo play in silence, his expression unreadable.

As Théo scores a decisive point against his former team, he locks eyes with Alex on the other side of the net, searching for a reaction. Alex, still impassive, finally murmurs to himself:

— "Maybe I'm the one who pushed him away..."

In the background, Adrien smiles, savoring the fracture he's created. But at that moment, Julien, unable to stay passive, steps onto the court and approaches Alex.

— "We can't give up on Théo. Not like this."

Alex, surprised, hesitates, but Julien continues with determination:

— "If we want to rebuild this team, we have to start by fixing what we broke."

Théo, standing with the Lynxes, looks at his former team with conflicting emotions. A glimmer of hope flickers in his eyes, but Adrien places a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back into the opposing camp.

End of volume 3 :Out of Bounds