[Sunday morning, outside the aquarium]
Riccardo walked toward the entrance with his mother and sister, tickets already in hand.
"I'm really sorry your father couldn't come…" their mother said with a sigh.
"Work is work. Nothing we can do about it," Riccardo replied calmly.
"That's way too wise for your age… what are you, an alien?" Cecilia teased.
"That would explain my perfection," he shot back.
"Sure, go back to your home planet with your delusions…"
Their mother laughed at the bickering. "Alright, you two. Let's go enjoy the day—even for your dad."
They stepped inside and began the visit.
[Time passes]
Cecilia and their mother stopped in front of the penguin tank.
"They're so cute! Can people keep penguins as pets?" Cecilia asked.
"I have no idea. But even if you could, we're not bringing one home," her mother replied.
Riccardo joined them just in time to see a penguin slip and fall into the water.
"That penguin moves exactly like Cecilia in PE class," he joked.
Cecilia stomped on his foot. He winced.
"Okay, okay, sorry…"
"If you're really sorry, become a professional footballer and buy me one!"
Riccardo's expression shifted. "Actually… I need to tell you guys something."
Both of them turned toward him, curiosity replacing the laughter.
"What is it?" his mother asked.
Riccardo hesitated, glancing at the shimmering blue water before speaking.
"Friday, I talked with my coach. He told me something important… He said he was the one who recommended me to the school principal. And he did that because he actually works with the JFA—he's supposed to look for talent through Shūdan-teki."
"The JFA… so he works for the national team," his mother reasoned aloud.
"Exactly. And he suggested I consider taking Japanese citizenship… so I could have the chance to play for Japan in the future."
"Switching citizenship… but that could open a lot of doors for you," Cecilia said thoughtfully.
"You're assuming too much. It's not that simple. A lot of guys chase the same dream."
"Yeah, but you're strong!"
"School football and professional football are two completely different worlds," Riccardo said sharply, shutting her down. "There's no guarantee I'll handle the jump."
His mother looked at him carefully. "But that's not what's truly bothering you, is it?"
Riccardo froze. Her voice had hit the exact spot.
"You want to play for the Italian national team."
"…Yeah."
"Why, then? Why make everything harder for yourself? You already have a path—not guaranteed, but at least visible. Why not take the chance?"
"Don't oversimplify it. You know I don't want to become a professional just because it looks good on paper. This is my pride. I feel Italian… not Japanese. I want to hear the Italian anthem before my match."
Cecilia couldn't find a comeback.
"So you refused?" his mother asked.
Riccardo exhaled. "No. He told me to enjoy these three years at Shūdan-teki and work hard so I can actually have the right to choose."
Her mother sighed. "Your coach is right. There's no point overthinking it now. The future's still far away. For now…" She pulled both her children close in a warm embrace. "Let's enjoy the present. And remember why we're here today."
Riccardo and Cecilia felt a heat rise to their cheeks as they returned her smile.
"You're right…"
"Sorry for bringing all this up now," Riccardo murmured.
"No, you did the right thing. It's important. And we've got time to think it through." She let them go. "Now, how about we go grab something to eat?"
"Yes!" both siblings replied together.
[Time passes—peaceful moments, jokes, photos, a full day together. Evening arrives.]
Back home, Riccardo collapsed onto his bed, phone in hand. He stretched and let out a satisfied sigh.
"What a day…"
He stared at the ceiling for a moment, then smiled to himself.
"Everything's finally falling into place. Things are good with Mom again… my class likes me… the club is doing amazing… and I'm making new friends here while keeping the old ones back home. What else could I ask for?"
He put his phone on the charger and turned off the lights.
"Time to sleep."
[Hours later]
His phone began to ring.
Half-asleep, he fumbled around, missing it three times before finally grabbing it.
"…Hello?" he mumbled.
"Ric… Riccardo…" A shaky, broken voice came from the other side.
Riccardo blinked, trying to wake up. He glanced at the caller ID.
Luca Liguori.
"Luca? What's wrong?"
There was a breath. A sob. Silence.
"Riccardo… I—I don't know how to say this…"
Another pause.
"…Simone was found dead this morning."
Riccardo's eyes widened. All the color drained from his face.
"What…?"