Nishimura stepped into the classroom and looked around.
He's not here…
He walked to his desk and set down his bag. Kagayama and Kirishima approached him.
"Good morning… Aliberti isn't with you?" Kagayama asked.
"No. I tried calling him this morning, but he hasn't answered yet…"
"I see. He must have taken a day off," Kirishima suggested.
"Maybe."
The teacher walked in. "Everyone, take your seats for a moment. There's something I need to tell you."
The students did as he said.
"This morning, the school received a call from Aliberti's family explaining the reason for his absence. I know this may upset some of you, but with his family's permission, we believe this is the best way to prepare you for his return."
Nishimura watched the teacher carefully, already sensing that this wouldn't be good news.
"Last night, he received word that a close friend back in Italy had passed away…"
The whole class froze. Whispers spread through the room. Kagayama went pale, just like Nishimura.
"Everyone, take it easy. A student in this class is dealing with a very serious personal loss. Please show him understanding when he returns."
Nishimura clenched his fists, anger creeping across his face.
Riccardo…
[In Riccardo's room]
Riccardo lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling in the darkness.
—
Riccardo was still stunned by the news Luca had just told him.
"How… how did it happen?"
"Overdose… they still don't know everything."
—
"Overdose…" Riccardo let out a frustrated, bitter laugh. "Bullshit. He was getting better, damn it!"
Someone knocked on the door.
"Riccardo… can we come in?" his father asked from outside.
He waited a moment. "Yeah."
His father entered, followed by his mother.
Riccardo pushed himself upright, and they both sat beside him.
His mother wrapped her arms around him, trying to comfort him.
"This feels like shit…" Riccardo muttered.
His father looked at him, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Everything is a mess… A friend of mine just died from an overdose, no one knows why, and I'm not even there to say goodbye." Riccardo stared at his father with empty eyes. "Everything sucks…"
His father's expression softened. "Yeah… it really does. And it's okay to feel that way. Just don't let those feelings consume you."
"I know… but it's going to take some time…"
"We'll support you for as long as you need," his mother added, kissing his forehead.
Riccardo looked close to tears but held himself back. "Thanks…"
His father's phone rang.
Caller ID: Shūdan-teki Principal.
He answered. "Hello?"
"Good afternoon. This is Takumi Ishii, coach of the boys' soccer team. May I speak with Riccardo?"
His father blinked, surprised. "Uh… of course." He handed the phone to his son. "Your coach."
"Coach Ishii," Riccardo said.
"Aliberti, my condolences."
"Thank you… I appreciate the call. But I have a feeling you didn't call just for that," Riccardo said with a faint, tired smile.
"Unfortunately, yes. I want to hear your answer… tomorrow we have a match. Can you play?"
Riccardo took a moment. "I… I want to play…"
Ishii sighed. "I understand. But I'm putting you on the bench. You're not at one hundred percent, at least not mentally."
Riccardo looked a bit disappointed, but he eventually nodded to himself. "Alright. I get it…"
"Good. One more thing—your teammates told me you're not answering their calls or messages. My advice is: respond to them. In a short time, you've become a real teammate to them. It would hurt them if they can't offer you their support."
Riccardo smiled genuinely. "I will."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
When the call ended, he handed the phone back to his father. His father noticed the lighter look in his eyes.
"He must be a good coach."
"Yeah… he's pretty good," Riccardo replied with a bit of irony.
Riccardo picked up his own phone — still on silent mode — and stared at the dozens of missed calls and messages, genuinely surprised.