The classroom was silent except for the faint scratching of pencils on paper. The math teacher's voice droned on, weaving through equations and probabilities, but Riku's focus was miles away. The problem on the board was simple— A coin is tossed two times successively. How many different outcomes are there?—and though Riku knew the answer instinctively 4 but his mind wandered.
He hadn't missed this part of school. Math was easy for him, but the rigid structure of sitting and listening felt stifling. In Sweden, classes were louder, more chaotic, and somehow more relaxed. Here in Japan, the quiet was both a relief, but the almost militaristic style of learning felt weird. He appreciated the class, but his restless energy couldn't settle. He shifted in his seat, glancing at the clock.
The end of the day was close. It was Friday, the weekend stretched ahead, and he had plans. Plans that started with finding Teppei Kiyoshi.
Riku's thoughts drifted back to Teppei, his memories of the third-year from their games together clashing with the vivid image of him in the anime he had watched back in Sweden. Teppei Kiyoshi the "Iron Heart" one of the Uncrowned Kings. On screen, he was larger than life, the kind of player who carried his team through sheer willpower. Riku had admired him then, marveling at his ability to shield his teammates, to absorb the brunt of the opponent's attacks and still keep smiling.
In reality, though, Teppei had been different. He was still incredible, of course, but there was a humanity to him that the anime couldn't capture. As a junior high teammate, Teppei had been kind, approachable, almost goofy at times. He wore his immense talent lightly, often cracking dry jokes with a straight face or just goofing off with the team..
But there had also been a fierceness to him, a quiet intensity that came out in moments that mattered. Riku remembered one game against Kirisaki Dai Ichi from the way Teppei had stood his ground despite their dirty tactics, despite the relentless attacks on his knee and their elbows. He'd refused to leave, even as Riko and Hyuga had begged him to sit out.
"This is why I came back", Teppei had said, smiling through the pain. Riku had never forgotten that moment. It had etched itself into his mind as the essence of who Teppei was: a player who didn't back down, who carried his team even when it meant sacrificing himself.
And now, Riku was about to face that same Teppei again not as a teammate, but as a rival
The final bell rang, snapping Riku out of his thoughts. The class stirred, students packing their bags and chatting as they made their way out. Riku slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the third-years' corridor.
The atmosphere changed as soon as he stepped onto the floor. It felt like walking into a different world. There was an air of anticipation, of endings and beginnings colliding. The third-years were only 2 weeks away from april and high school, and the energy reflected that. There was a mix of sadness, excitement, and nervous expectation in the air.
Riku navigated the hallway, scanning for Teppei. He found him leaning against the wall outside his classroom, arms crossed casually. Teppei's posture was relaxed, but his gaze locked onto Riku the moment he approached.
"You're early," Teppei said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I figured you'd wait until next week to reach out."
"I didn't want to wait," Riku replied, his voice steady. "Coach Scheyer already talked to you, right?"
Teppei nodded, his smile widening slightly. "He did. Said you've got a new fire in you. I'll be honest, I'm curious. I've played with you all year, Riku. You've got size, but before now, you didn't have… this." He gestured vaguely, as if trying to encapsulate whatever had changed in Riku.
Riku met his gaze, unflinching. "It wasn't enough. I wasn't enough. Losing to Teikō made that clear."
Teppei tilted his head, studying Riku like a puzzle he couldn't quite solve. "And now? What's different?"
Riku hesitated, the words slow to come. "I realized… it's something I need to do. Not just for the team, but for me."
Teppei's eyes narrowed slightly, his smile fading into something more serious. "Needing to do it and actually doing it are two different things. So, tell me, how far are you willing to go?"
"As far as it takes," Riku said without hesitation.
For a moment, Teppei said nothing, his gaze searching Riku's face as if trying to measure the truth in his words. Then he pushed off the wall, straightening to his full height.
"Alright," he said, his tone lighter now but still edged with challenge. "We'll see. Tomorrow morning, 9 a.m., at the park near the west gate. Bring your A-game, because I'm not going to go easy on you."
Riku nodded, the faintest flicker of a smile tugging at his lips. "I wouldn't want you to."
Teppei chuckled, a low, genuine sound. "Good. I'll see you then."
As Riku turned to leave, the weight of the conversation settled on him. Teppei wasn't just testing his skills he was testing his resolve. And Riku was determined not to disappoint.