"The summer sun was flooding the middle school pool, creating sparkling reflections on the turquoise water. Ryo, a determined-looking teenager, stood at the edge of the pool. His taut muscles revealed an unsuspected athletic strength for his age.
The signal sounded, and Ryo dived like a dolphin, splashing through the water with natural grace. His every movement was synchronized, and his silhouette seemed to glide beneath the surface. The other swimmers, dumbfounded, followed in his wake, helpless in the face of his bewildering power.
With each swallowed length, the water intermingled with his hair in a fluid dance. Ryo wasn't just swimming, he was flying underwater. His arms and legs split the water with such ease that he seemed to defy the resistance of the environment. The public's cheers created a symphony of praise, recognizing him as a swimming prodigy.
The clock ticked away, setting an impressive record. Ryo touched the finishing wall with incomparable grace, his face lit up by a modest smile. That day, in that college pool, Ryo had left his indelible mark, revealing a talent that would transcend the limits of time."
Ryo's feat had not gone unnoticed, even by the coach, a man usually reserved and serious. After the race, he approached Ryo, a mixture of admiration and sadness in his eyes.
The trainer gently placed his hand on Ryo's shoulder and gave him a smile of understanding. "Your talent is exceptional, but I think you still have a lot to learn..."
With determination, he turned his gaze to the future, ready to take on new challenges...
***
"Who the hell are you? You pervert!"
I struggled to my feet after Ryo's violent blow. Edano questioned Saé, asking her what I was doing. She herself couldn't understand why I'd presented Ryo as an enemy when I needed him.
Between gasping breaths, I tried to explain the situation. "I know it sounds strange, but he's not just an enemy. He's also the only person who can get us out of here."
The people around me then asked me to explain better. "If we follow Ryo, we could all get out of here, but he has to stop making the riddles unworkable."
Ryo glowered at me. "How the fuck do you know my first name?"
Faced with the general perplexity, I took a deep breath and launched into a quick explanation. "I've discovered something about his marks that we all carry. If you continue not to complete the riddles, you'll end up dead, and we need you to save this world."
The crowd murmured, divided between distrust of Ryo and bewilderment at my revelations. Saé tried to calm things down by adding: "We have to stick together if we want to survive. Let's follow Ryo and try to solve these riddles together."
Edano, though still wary, nodded in agreement. "Let's try to cooperate, but keep our guard up. The person behind all this seems far above us."
The unflappable childlike voice reminded us that time was running out and that the new riddle would soon begin.
Ryo advanced towards me, an aura of coldness surrounding him like a suit of armor. His imposing stature created an intimidating presence, and I felt every ounce of his power as he drew closer. It was hard not to be impressed by his presence.
In a calm but authoritative tone, he questioned me: "Primero, how do you know my name?" His eyes bore into mine, searching for the slightest clue. I had the impression that he could detect the truth with a simple glance.
"Secundo, nobody gives me orders," he added, his voice sounding like a subtle warning. His gaze was uncompromising, underlining his categorical refusal to submit to authority. Ryo was a rock, impassive and unshakeable, and he wanted to make that clear.
Faced with his palpable coldness, I understood instantly that Ryo was not someone to be taken lightly. His defensiveness and refusal to obey showed his fearless, indomitable nature. Right now, he stood before me as an undeniable force, ready to face any challenge with unshakeable determination.
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm despite the tense situation. "I can't tell you everything, but I can help you save her. I don't want to give you orders, but we need to cooperate if we're going to find a solution."
The tension was palpable, but Saé intervened, trying to calm tempers. "We don't want to force you into anything, Ryo. We just want to understand and get by. If we work together, we're more likely to succeed."
"I don't understand anything you're telling me, but you already know far too much about me."
The child's voice interrupted our discussion, announcing the next riddle. Before it began, she told us that we could form official groups if we wished.
Taking the initiative, Edano proposed forming a group with Saé and myself, in order to collaborate more closely.
I asked Ryo if he would join me. His reply was curt. "I won't say it three times, I'd never ally myself with someone like you." His categorical refusal revealed a deep-seated distrust, fueled by a past I vaguely knew.
My efforts to build trust with Ryo had unfortunately had the opposite effect. Mistrust had crept in among the others, and their gaze was now tinged with suspicion towards him. As a result, he found himself isolated, without a team, faced with the complexity of the riddles ahead. Collective cooperation had cracked, and the challenge ahead became even more daunting.
Edano scrutinized Saé and me, his curious gaze betraying a flicker of questioning. "Do we really need to team up to solve this riddle?" he asked, trying to understand.
I spoke up, asserting with conviction, "Yes, it's essential. The union of our skills is the key to success." Blind trust in collaboration was my instinctive response, a belief in the synergy of talents.
However, a fleeting thought crossed my mind. I couldn't help but add, almost half-heartedly, "Although I'm convinced Ryo could manage on his own." A tinge of doubt floated through my words, inwardly acknowledging the individual power Ryo possessed. Even so, the notion of teamwork persisted as a fundamental principle in my perspective.
Edano, ever eager for details, asked, "So, in the film, did Ryo take a teammate for this puzzle?"
I tried to find the right words. "It's a bit complicated now..." I admitted, "I may have made a few changes to the original script." A hint of uncertainty hung in the air, but I remained determined to defend my choices.
I turned to Edano with determination. "Whatever happens, forming a team remains paramount," I declared, emphasizing the importance of unity in solving the riddle.
Suddenly, the bluish windows appeared before us, each representing the possibility of creating our group. However, even after my encouraging words, I made a deliberate decision. With a quick click, I closed the window, making it clear that I wasn't forming a group.
Edano's surprised look didn't escape me, but I maintained my determined expression. My choice was deliberate, made with full knowledge of the facts, even if it left a veil of mystery over my motivations.
"What the hell are you doing, Bun?"