New Beginning

The early morning breeze carried the faint scent of dew as Kaito stood at the edge of the schoolyard, arms crossed, his crimson eyes scanning the bustling scene. Students chattered loudly, their energy a sharp contrast to his silent demeanor.

He didn't belong here—he knew it the moment he walked up the path. The neat uniforms, the cheerful banter, the clean school building. It felt worlds apart from his reality.

"Yo, Kaito!"

Tsubasa's familiar voice broke through his thoughts. The boy jogged toward him, his signature grin lighting up his face.

"Waiting for practice?" Tsubasa asked, slinging his bag over one shoulder.

"Not today," Kaito muttered. "Roberto told me to meet him here."

Tsubasa's brow furrowed. "At school? Weird."

Before Kaito could respond, Roberto's unmistakable figure appeared in the distance, his stride confident as always.

"Morning, boys!" Roberto called, his voice carrying a hint of cheer.

"Coach," Tsubasa greeted, puzzled. "What's going on?"

Roberto's expression grew serious. "Kaito and I have some business to handle inside. I'll catch up with you later, Tsubasa."

Kaito shifted uncomfortably. "Why are we here, Roberto?"

"You'll see," Roberto said cryptically, motioning for him to follow.

As they walked toward the main building, Kaito's nerves prickled. He hated places like this—structured, filled with rules and expectations. It reminded him of the school he left behind, the one he'd been kicked out of.

The Principal's Office

The office smelled faintly of polished wood and paper. The principal, a stern-looking man with neatly combed gray hair and wire-rimmed glasses, sat behind a large mahogany desk. His eyes flicked from Roberto to Kaito, scrutinizing the boy with measured skepticism.

"So," the principal began, folding his hands, "you're saying you'll act as this boy's guardian, Roberto?"

"That's right," Roberto affirmed, his tone steady. "He's got real potential, and he needs a stable environment to grow—not just as a player, but as a person."

The principal's gaze remained fixed on Kaito. "We have a strict attendance policy. His records from his previous school aren't exactly promising."

Kaito tensed but said nothing.

Roberto leaned forward slightly. "He's got what it takes to turn things around. With the right guidance, he'll be an asset—not just to the team but to this school."

The principal sighed, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Very well. But I'll be clear—any trouble, and he's out."

Roberto grinned. "You won't regret it."

As they left the office, Kaito exhaled sharply. "You didn't have to do that," he muttered.

Roberto's expression softened. "Yeah, I did. You need this, even if you don't realize it yet."

Kaito shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm not good at this school stuff."

"Maybe not yet," Roberto admitted. "But you're not doing this alone. And trust me—football's about more than just what happens on the field. Discipline off the field matters too."

Kaito stayed quiet, his thoughts swirling.

As they walked toward the practice field, Roberto broke the silence. "Why didn't you tell me you got kicked out of your last school?"

Kaito's jaw tightened. "Didn't think it mattered."

"It matters," Roberto said firmly. "Skipping school isn't just about classes. It's about discipline, structure. You need that."

Kaito's gaze hardened. "They didn't care about me. My mom doesn't care either."

Roberto's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Kaito hesitated, then spoke quietly. "She drinks. All day. Barely notices if I'm around."

The admission hung in the air. Roberto's heart ached for the boy, understanding more than he let on.

"I'm sorry, kid," Roberto said gently. "But that's not your whole story. You've got people who care now—me, Tsubasa, the whole team."

Kaito glanced away, unsure how to respond.

Later that afternoon, after practice, Tsubasa, Sanae, Yuko, and Ishizaki gathered under a tree near the field. Roberto stood nearby, leaning casually against the trunk.

"Where's Kaito?" Ishizaki asked, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Had to head home," Roberto said.

"He's kind of a mystery, huh?" Sanae remarked. "Always so serious."

Yuko nodded thoughtfully. "There's more to him than he lets on."

Roberto hesitated before speaking. "Kaito's had a rough time. His mom's... well, she's struggling with alcohol. He's been on his own for a while."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

"That's rough," Ishizaki said, his voice uncharacteristically subdued.

"No wonder he's always so guarded," Sanae added softly.

Tsubasa's expression hardened with resolve. "We'll help him. He's part of our team now."

Roberto smiled faintly. "That's the spirit. Just remember—he's not the type to ask for help. You'll have to show him he's got people who care."

The next morning, Kaito walked through the school gates, his usual guarded expression in place. But something felt different.

"Hey, Kaito!" Tsubasa called, jogging up to him.

Sanae and Yuko waved from the steps.

"You ready for this?" Tsubasa grinned.

Kaito shrugged. "Guess we'll see."

As they walked inside together, Kaito felt a strange warmth—a flicker of hope he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something better.

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The next morning, Kaito walked through the school gates, his usual guarded expression in place. But something felt different.

"Hey, Kaito!" Tsubasa called, jogging up to him with a grin.

Sanae and Yuko waved from the steps near the entrance.

"You excited?" Tsubasa asked.

Kaito shrugged. "I guess"

As they walked inside together, Kaito felt a strange warmth—a flicker of hope he hadn't experienced in a long time.

The hallway was bustling with students chatting and rushing to their classes. Kaito's gaze swept over the crowd, his usual unease creeping in. The atmosphere felt too controlled, too structured for someone like him.

Roberto had left earlier after dropping him off, offering a reassuring pat on the back. "Remember, just be yourself. You'll figure it out."

"Easier said than done," Kaito muttered under his breath.

Tsubasa led the way to the principal's office, where a teacher was waiting. "This is Mr. Tanaka," Tsubasa said. "He's one of the homeroom teachers."

Mr. Tanaka, a kind-looking man with glasses, smiled warmly. "Welcome, Kaito. We've assigned you to Class 2-B."

Yuko perked up. "That's my class."

Kaito blinked in surprise. "Great," he muttered, though the idea of knowing someone in his class made things slightly less daunting.

Mr. Tanaka gestured down the hall. "Follow me, I'll show you to the classroom."

Yuko walked beside him, offering a friendly smile. "Guess you're stuck with me now."

"Could be worse," Kaito said with a faint smirk.

As they entered the classroom, curious whispers spread among the students. The teacher clapped his hands to get their attention.

"Everyone, we have a new student joining us today," Mr. Tanaka announced. "This is Kaito."

Kaito stood at the front, his hands stuffed in his pockets. His crimson eyes scanned the room, catching a few curious glances and hushed whispers.

"Looks intense," one student murmured.

"Do you think he plays sports?" another asked.

Kaito ignored them, his expression stoic.

"Why don't you take a seat next to Yuko?" Mr. Tanaka suggested, pointing to an empty desk by the window.

Yuko waved him over. "Come on, it's not as bad as it looks."

Reluctantly, Kaito made his way to the seat, dropping into the chair with a casual ease.

As the lesson began, Yuko leaned over slightly. "You'll get used to it," she whispered. "And if anyone bothers you, I'll handle it."

Kaito smirked. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

Despite the unfamiliarity of the classroom, something felt different. Maybe it was Yuko's easygoing presence or the promise of a fresh start, but for the first time in a long while, Kaito didn't feel completely out of place.

And as he gazed out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky, a thought crossed his mind—this might not be so bad after all.