The First Step

The Nankatsu team returned to the field, chatting and laughing as they walked, while Kaito trailed a few steps behind. The lively energy of the group felt unfamiliar to him. It wasn't bad—just strange. He had always trained alone, his world filled with the sound of a bouncing ball and the silence that came after.

When they reached the bench, Roberto turned to him. "Why don't you sit down for a bit?" he said casually.

Kaito nodded without a word, easing himself onto the bench. He raised a hand to the bandage over his eyebrow, touching it lightly. The sting from the cut was faint, but it grounded him, pulling his thoughts back to the events under the bridge.

As he sat there, Tsubasa walked over with a bottle of water. He held it out. "Here. You need this."

Kaito hesitated before taking it. "Thanks," he muttered.

"No problem," Tsubasa said with a friendly smile, his tone easygoing. He didn't linger, turning to rejoin his teammates who were starting to warm up on the field.

Roberto leaned against the fence nearby, watching Kaito with a thoughtful expression. "You know," he began, his voice calm but firm, "what happened earlier wasn't your fault."

Kaito glanced up at him briefly before lowering his eyes again. "I've dealt with worse."

"That doesn't make it okay," Roberto said. "It's not something you should handle alone."

Kaito didn't reply, his jaw tightening slightly.

Sanae appeared then, walking over with Yuko beside her. The first-aid kit was still in her hands. "Hey," Sanae said, her voice lighter. "We brought this in case you need anything else."

Yuko stepped forward, her pink eyes soft but steady as they met Kaito's. "You should let me check your cut again. It's not too deep, but it could get worse if you don't take care of it."

Kaito studied her for a moment before giving a faint nod. "Fine."

Yuko crouched beside him, carefully unwrapping the bandage she'd put on earlier. "Does it hurt?" she asked, her tone calm.

"It's fine," Kaito replied quietly, though his shoulders relaxed slightly as she worked.

"Good," Yuko said with a small smile. "You're tough, but even the strongest need to take care of themselves."

Sanae chimed in, her hands on her hips. "She's right. Don't be stubborn about it, okay?"

Kaito's lips twitched, almost like he was holding back a small smile, but he said nothing.

Once Yuko finished rewrapping his bandage, Tsubasa jogged over again, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're about to start some drills," he said. "Why don't you stick around and watch? You might learn something."

Kaito's crimson eyes shifted toward the field, where the players were moving in a loose circle, passing the ball with quick, practiced movements. He hesitated, then gave a slight nod. "I'll stay."

"Great," Tsubasa said with an encouraging grin. "Maybe next time, you'll join in."

Kaito didn't reply, but there was no hostility in his silence.

The team got to work, running through scrimmages and passing exercises. From the bench, Kaito watched everything closely. He noticed the fluidity of their movements, the way each pass seemed to flow into the next. They weren't perfect, but their energy and teamwork were undeniable.

"They play differently than I thought," Kaito murmured to himself.

Roberto, who had taken a seat nearby, glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

"They're good," Kaito said simply. "They're not just playing—they're connected."

Roberto smiled faintly. "That's what makes a team. It's not just about skill; it's about trust. Everyone pushing each other to be better."

Kaito leaned back slightly, his gaze still on the field. He didn't respond, but Roberto's words lingered in his mind.

Yuko sat down beside him after a while, breaking the silence. "You analyze everything, don't you?" she asked, her tone light.

Kaito shrugged. "It's a habit."

"They're not perfect," Yuko said, following his gaze. "But they work hard. And they care about each other. That's something you can't teach."

Kaito's eyes softened slightly, though he didn't reply.

Sanae leaned against the bench, smiling. "You might fit in better than you think."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, practice wound down. The players gathered near the center of the field, laughing and talking about the day's drills.

Tsubasa walked over to Kaito one last time. "You're welcome to come back tomorrow," he said simply. "No pressure—just show up if you feel like it."

Kaito stood, glancing at Tsubasa before shifting his gaze to the field one last time. "We'll see," he said quietly.

As he walked away from the field, the chatter of the team faded into the background. The day had been strange, but not unpleasant. For the first time in a long time, Kaito found himself thinking about something other than his own solitary training.

The team was different from what he expected. They weren't just a group of players—they were something closer to a family.

And though he didn't make any promises, as he walked home with the faint sound of laughter still in his ears, a small part of him already knew he'd be back.