After practice, the women’s team prepares for media day in black meet suits, crowding the locker room mirror. Pen claims she recently went out with Lukas, but her evasiveness suggests she’s hiding the true state of their relationship. Scarlett, already struggling with recent performance dips, dreads the photos and feels uncomfortably exposed.

On set, Pen turns the session playful with heart-shaped sunglasses and goofy group shots, easing everyone’s anxiety, including Scarlett’s. Pen invites Scarlett to dinner, but Scarlett declines due to a research meeting, agreeing to meet the next day instead. The small kindness steadies Scarlett.

Passing the men’s shoot, Scarlett witnesses a loud, roughhousing flag gag centered on Lukas. The noise triggers her, and a moment of charged eye contact with Lukas leaves her breathless—“It should be me” flickers through her mind—so she leaves for her meeting.

At Dr. Olive Smith’s office, Scarlett is welcomed enthusiastically and introduced to grad student Ezekiel (Zach), who will help mentor the project. Dr. Smith mentions the undergrad already working on samples and early algorithms, a student athlete. When the door opens, the undergrad is revealed to be Lukas. Dr. Smith introduces Scarlett to Lukas, unexpectedly merging Scarlett’s research assignment with her complicated team history.