The first light of dawn broke through the curtains of Ryuji Kazama's room, casting a soft glow over the posters of famous defenders and martial artists that adorned the walls. The alarm on his phone buzzed loudly, vibrating on the wooden nightstand. With a swift movement, Ryuji reached out and silenced it. He lay still for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, letting the early morning calm seep into his bones.
With a deep breath, Ryuji pushed himself out of bed. His lean, muscular frame was visible as he stretched, his joints popping and muscles loosening. The morning air was crisp, and Ryuji relished the coolness on his skin as he made his way to the bathroom. A splash of cold water on his face jolted him fully awake. He brushed his teeth quickly, the minty taste lingering in his mouth, and then changed into his workout clothes—black shorts and a simple white tank top.
Outside, the streets were still quiet, the city just beginning to stir. Ryuji's sneakers crunched against the pavement as he jogged down the familiar path that led to the local park. The rhythm of his footsteps, the steady beat of his heart, and the sound of his breath created a meditative state for him. Running was his way of clearing his mind, a way to prepare for whatever the day had in store.
As he reached the park, Ryuji slowed to a stop near the outdoor workout area. The equipment was basic—pull-up bars, dip stations, and a few benches—but it was all he needed. He began his routine with pull-ups, feeling the strain in his arms and shoulders as he lifted himself repeatedly. His face remained calm, but his mind was focused, each repetition a test of his endurance.
After several sets of pull-ups, dips, and push-ups, Ryuji moved to the grassy area for some shadowboxing. His movements were swift and precise, each punch and kick a controlled burst of energy. He had been practicing martial arts since he was a kid, and it showed in the way he moved—graceful yet powerful. The park was still mostly empty, save for a few early risers who occasionally glanced his way, impressed by his intensity.
"Hyah!" Ryuji exhaled sharply as he threw a high kick, the wind from his motion rustling the nearby leaves. He landed lightly on his feet, breathing steadily, his body humming with adrenaline.
Satisfied with his workout, Ryuji took a moment to catch his breath. He wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel he had brought along, then grabbed his water bottle, taking long gulps to rehydrate. The sun was beginning to rise higher in the sky, signaling the start of a new day. Ryuji checked his watch—6:45 AM. Time to head back.
The jog home was at a slower pace, allowing Ryuji to cool down as he mentally ran through his plans for the day. School, practice, and then maybe some extra training in the evening. His days were packed, but that was how he liked it—always moving, always pushing himself to be better.
When Ryuji arrived home, the smell of breakfast greeted him as he entered the kitchen. His mother was at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. She turned to him with a smile, her face warm and inviting.
His mother sat down across from him, a cup of tea in her hands. "You're up early again. Did you have a good run?"
Ryuji nodded, digging into his pancakes. "Yeah, it was good. I did some extra drills at the park, too."
His mother chuckled. "You're always so dedicated. Just don't overdo it, okay? And don't get in trouble!"
"I won't," Ryuji assured her between bites. "I've got a long day ahead, you know." He continued.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds were the clinking of cutlery and the hum of the morning news on the TV in the background. Ryuji's mind drifted to the day's practice, wondering what drills Aiko and Sota had planned for them. As a defender on the flag football team, Ryuji took his role seriously, always looking for ways to improve his speed, agility, and tackling techniques.
After breakfast, Ryuji headed upstairs to change into his school uniform. The navy blazer, white shirt, and gray trousers fit him well, his athletic build filling out the fabric. He grabbed his school bag, slinging it over one shoulder, and checked his reflection in the mirror. His dark hair was neatly combed, his sharp eyes reflecting the same focus he brought to the field. Satisfied, he headed out the door with a quick goodbye to his mother.
The walk to Seiryuu High School was uneventful, the usual hustle and bustle of students filling the streets. Ryuji kept his pace steady, his mind already in "school mode" as he mentally reviewed the subjects for the day. His academic performance was decent—he wasn't at the top of his class, but he wasn't at the bottom either. He approached his studies with the same determination as he did his sports but with a bit less passion.
Classes passed in a blur of lectures and note-taking. Ryuji was attentive, his notes meticulous, though his thoughts often wandered to the field. During lunch, he found himself gravitating toward the outdoor area where he could get some fresh air. He sat under a tree, munching on his bento—rice, grilled chicken, and pickled vegetables—while watching the students around him.
A few of his teammates joined him, their conversation shifting from schoolwork to the upcoming qualifiers. They joked and laughed, the camaraderie evident as they discussed strategies and shared stories from previous games. Ryuji chimed in occasionally, his usual calm demeanor contrasting with the more animated personalities of his friends. He liked being part of the team, but he also valued his moments of quiet.
The afternoon classes were much like the morning—steady, and focused, with Ryuji keeping his mind sharp despite the growing anticipation for practice. When the final bell rang, he was out of his seat in an instant, eager to get to the locker room.
The field was alive with activity when Ryuji arrived. The team was already warming up, the familiar sounds of cleats on grass and the thud of footballs being passed around filling the air. Ryuji quickly changed into his practice gear and joined the others, his expression focused.
Ryuji's role as a defender was to be the wall that the opposing team had to break through, and he took that responsibility seriously. The drills were intense—sprints, tackling dummies, and coverage drills. Ryuji threw himself into each one, his movements fluid and controlled. He had a knack for reading plays, anticipating where the ball would go, and positioning himself accordingly. It was something he had honed over years of practice, and it was one of the reasons he was such a valuable asset to the team.
During one drill, he found himself matched up against Koenji, the team's running back. The two locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them. When the whistle blew, Koenji took off, his speed explosive, but Ryuji was right on him. He shadowed Koenji's movements, keeping close enough to make the tackle but not so close that he would get beaten by a quick cut.
"Gotcha," Ryuji muttered under his breath as he lunged, wrapping his arms around Koenji and bringing him down. The impact was solid, and the two rolled on the ground before getting up, panting but grinning.
"Nice one," Koenji said, slapping Ryuji on the back as they got to their feet.
"You too," Ryuji replied, a rare smile breaking through his usual stoic expression.
Practice continued until the sun dipped low in the sky, the team working hard, their collective energy driving them forward. By the time it was called day, Ryuji was drenched in sweat but felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The team was coming together, and he could feel the momentum building.
After practice, Ryuji stayed behind to do some extra drills, working on his footwork and tackling techniques. The field was quiet, the other players having already left, but Ryuji preferred it that way. It gave him time to focus, and to perfect his skills without any distractions.
As the sky darkened, Ryuji finally decided to head home. The streets were bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, the evening air cool against his skin. He walked in silence, his mind replaying the day's events. The workouts, the practice, the camaraderie with his teammates—it all filled him with a sense of purpose.
When Ryuji arrived home, his mother had left dinner for him on the table—a simple meal of miso soup, rice, and grilled fish. He ate quietly, the day's exertions catching up with him. After dinner, he took a quick shower, the warm water soothing his tired muscles.
Before bed, Ryuji spent some time reviewing his notes from school, making sure he was prepared for the next day's classes. From a third-person, he may seem like an indifferent individual, but his dedication to the game wouldn't match his hard-headedness at all.