Yuto trudged back to class alongside Hoshino and Yamada, who were still buzzing from the adrenaline of watching him in action. "Kimura, man! That was insane!" Hoshino practically bounced on his toes, holding his phone like it was a treasure. "I got the whole match on video! Every. Single. Smash!"
Yamada nodded eagerly, eyes wide. "Seriously, dude. I don't even know what half of that stuff was, but it looked amazing. You're like… a badminton wizard or something!"
Yuto walked silently, adjusting his backpack straps. He didn't smile or frown. He just walked. But inside, his mind was analyzing every moment of the match. Too many unnecessary steps… positioning slightly off… misread a few angles… He wasn't upset about losing to Masaru—after all, the King had earned that title—but he wanted to improve in anything he attempted. Soccer was still his main focus, still the game that defined him. Badminton was just a side test of reflexes, patience, and adaptability.
Meanwhile, Shouta, never one to let a moment pass, immediately uploaded the video to a group chat of sports enthusiasts at school. Within minutes, it had spread. Comments began popping up: "Who's that tall freshman?" "First year and already giving Masaru trouble?" "Is he some kind of natural athlete?"
By the time Yuto reached class, the whispers had begun. A few classmates peeked up from their desks, glancing curiously in his direction, but none dared approach. Yuto didn't notice. He was too absorbed in his own thoughts.
Later, during evening practice at the badminton club, the video reached the people who mattered most in the gym. Tsukiko Takahashi leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching her teammates' reactions. "So… who is this first-year?" she murmured to Masaru, eyes narrowing slightly at the screen in his hand.
Masaru frowned thoughtfully. "That's… Kimura Yuto. First year. I didn't expect anyone to challenge me before class even started. Look at his form—he's not polished yet, but he's got potential. Serious potential."
Tsukiko's interest piqued. She had always prided herself on knowing who in the club could be dangerous, but this kid… he moved differently. He reacted differently. And something about the way he hit those smashes made her smirk. "We should watch him more closely," she said softly.
Even the others in the club were murmuring, impressed. Some were whispering rumors already. Some were fascinated. But Tsukiko's mind was already calculating: first year, solo, focused… intriguing.
Meanwhile, over in the soccer club, the buzz had spread as well. Shoto Hashimoto, Yuto's captain and senior, called him aside after training. "Kimura, I saw that video. Good work out there… but don't get too distracted with Masaru Kyo or the badminton club. We need you focused for the team."
Yuto nodded silently. "Understood, Senpai," he said evenly. His mind was already juggling the balance—he could practice badminton occasionally, learn from challenges like Masaru, but soccer remained his main focus. He wasn't about to let side interests replace his primary goal.
As he walked home alone that evening, his steps were slower this time. He wasn't thinking about meals, classmates, or even the usual hum of the city. He was thinking about angles, about footwork, about Masaru's deceptive shots—but only as exercises for reflex and mental sharpness. I need to get better. I won't settle for just being "good enough," he reminded himself.
Shouta and Yamada had long since left him behind, heads bent over their phones, rewatching the clips with exaggerated commentary. Hoshino paused mid-step and called back, "Kimura! You're gonna be famous soon, you know that, right?"
Yuto didn't respond. He didn't need to. His focus was on improving, not fame or admiration. The thrill of challenge, the sharpening of reflexes, the mental game—this was something he hadn't realized he craved.
That night, as Yuto lay down to sleep, his room quiet except for the soft hum of the street outside, he thought only of soccer plays, footwork, and timing. Badminton was just a test, a tool to keep him sharp, nothing more. Even a lone, stubborn freshman could feel the stirrings of curiosity and determination—a quiet promise that Yuto Kimura's journey had only just begun.