Ramen Shop

It had been a couple of days since Kaito's fight under the bridge. His injuries had mostly healed, leaving behind only faint marks on his face. During that time, he had spent his days silently watching the Nankatsu team train from the sidelines.

Kaito wasn't one to jump into things. He preferred to observe, to understand. And though he wouldn't admit it out loud, there was something about the way the team played—how they trusted and supported each other—that felt foreign yet strangely appealing.

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the soccer field. The team was deep into their drills, their laughter and energy filling the air. Kaito sat on the sidelines, arms crossed, his sharp red eyes following their every move.

---

Sanae noticed him and jogged over, her usual cheerful energy in full force. "Kaito, you've been sitting here for days now. Are you going to just keep watching forever?"

Kaito glanced at her but didn't respond.

"You know," she continued, plopping down beside him, "they're all happy you've been hanging around. You could, you know, actually join them instead of brooding over here."

Before Kaito could respond, Roberto approached with his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. He gave Kaito a knowing look. "She's right, you know. You're not going to learn much just sitting there. This is your chance to grow, Kaito."

Kaito frowned slightly but knew Roberto had a point. After a moment, he stood, brushing the dirt off his pants.

Roberto smirked. "That's more like it. Go show them what you've got."

---

As Kaito joined the drills, Tsubasa immediately passed him the ball. "Here, Kaito! Show us what you can do!"

Kaito received the ball cleanly, his movements sharp and deliberate. He dribbled forward but struggled to maintain control as Ishizaki closed in, stealing the ball easily.

"Come on, Kaito!" Ishizaki teased, grinning. "You've gotta do better than that!"

Kaito clenched his jaw but kept his composure. His dribbling was solid, but it was clear he lacked the fluidity and flair of someone like Tsubasa.

When the ball returned to him moments later, Tsubasa gave him an encouraging nod. This time, Kaito steadied himself, moving with more care. He managed to slip past one defender before spotting an opening near the goal. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful shot.

The ball rocketed forward, slamming into the net with an explosive thud. The sheer force shook the goalpost, leaving the team stunned.

"Whoa!" Ishizaki shouted, his eyes wide. "What the heck kind of shot was that?"

Tsubasa grinned, clearly impressed. "That was amazing, Kaito. That power of yours is incredible!"

Kaito shrugged slightly, trying to downplay the praise, but inside, he felt a flicker of pride.

Roberto, watching from the sidelines, called out, "That's your strength, Kaito. But soccer's not just about power. Keep working on your control and dribbling, and you'll be unstoppable."

Kaito nodded faintly, letting the advice sink in.

---

As practice wrapped up, the sun dipped low, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Tsubasa approached Kaito with his usual warm smile. "Hey, Kaito, we're all heading to the ramen shop. You should come with us!"

Kaito hesitated, his instinct to decline surfacing, but Tsubasa's sincerity made it hard to refuse. After a moment, Kaito responded softly, "Okay."

The team cheered, excited to have him join, but as everyone packed up and headed toward the gate, Kaito lagged behind, his hands in his pockets.

Sanae and Yuko noticed and walked back toward him. "What's wrong?" Yuko asked, her voice calm yet attentive.

Kaito glanced down, his voice low but steady. "I don't have any money to eat there."

Yuko exchanged a quick glance with Sanae before stepping forward. Her pink eyes were soft yet firm as she said, "That's not a problem. I'll cover you this time. You're coming with us, no excuses."

Kaito looked at her, a bit surprised by her directness. But something about Yuko's tone told him she wasn't offering out of pity. She was serious, and she meant every word. "Alright," he said simply, his voice quieter than before.

Yuko smiled faintly. "Good. Let's go."

---

The ramen shop buzzed with life as the team crammed into a corner booth, their voices and laughter filling the space.

"Kaito," Tsubasa said between bites, "that shot earlier was insane. But if you work on your dribbling a little more, you'll be unstoppable."

Kaito nodded, appreciating the advice. "I'll work on it."

"You better," Ishizaki joked, grinning. "Otherwise, you'll always need someone like me to bail you out!"

Kaito smirked faintly but didn't reply, refusing to give Ishizaki the satisfaction.

Roberto leaned back in his chair, watching Kaito interact with the team. "You're starting to get it, Kaito. Soccer isn't just about skills. It's about trust. Trust in your teammates and yourself."

Kaito glanced at Yuko, who had been quietly observing the conversation. When their eyes met, she gave him a subtle nod, as if silently encouraging him.

For the first time in a long time, Kaito felt a faint sense of belonging.

---

As the team walked out under the night sky, chatting and laughing, Tsubasa slowed his pace to match Kaito's.

"Thanks for coming tonight," Tsubasa said warmly.

Kaito hesitated before replying softly, "Okay."

And then, for the first time since joining the team, Kaito let his guard down. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

Ishizaki stopped mid-sentence and stared in shock. "Wait… Did he just smile?"

Sanae gasped dramatically. "Oh my gosh, he can smile!"

The team erupted in laughter, not mocking but genuinely delighted by the rare expression. Even Yuko let out a small laugh, clearly amused.

Kaito's faint smile lingered as the team continued teasing, and for the first time, he didn't feel the need to hide it.