The Name Behind the Back

That morning, the wind felt colder than usual. The sky hung thin clouds over the Karuna High School backcourt. The ground was slightly damp, leaving behind shoe prints that quickly disappeared. But Ayaka was already there, punctual as usual, wearing a track jacket and an expression that was hard to read.

Rai arrived ten minutes late.

He emerged from behind the building, his hair disheveled and his breathing slightly labored.

"I overslept," Ayaka said without turning around.

"I'm five minutes late."

"Ten."

Rai shrugged. "The court hasn't blurred yet."

Ayaka kept her eyes on the net. "Today we're practicing mental training."

Rai frowned. "Mental?"

Ayaka threw the shuttlecock toward him. "Get your racket."

Rai caught the shuttlecock without a word, then picked it up from the ground. He got ready. Ayaka didn't give a signal. The shuttlecock immediately hurtled toward him. The first hit. The second. The third. Faster and faster. Rai held on, but his feet weren't completely steady on the wet ground.

"You hesitate," Ayaka said in the middle of the rally. "Your steps are short. Your hips are slow. Why?"

"I don't hesitate," Rai replied, blocking a smash from his right.

"You always hesitate every time your last name is called."

Rai flinched. Ayaka's shuttlecock hit his shoulder.

He held the point of impact, ducking.

Ayaka lowered her racket.

"Your problem isn't technique. It's what's in your head. You play like someone who's afraid of a return shot. You hold all your energy behind the line, like you're holding something in your chest."

Rai didn't answer.

Ayaka approached slowly. Her voice wasn't loud, but it was sharp.

"If you hate your last name, change it. If you're ashamed of your father, erase him from your life. But don't play half-heartedly. On the court, there are only two choices—hit or be hit."

Rai looked up. His eyes were sharp, his jaw was set.

"I'm not afraid of my last name."

"Prove it."

Rai raised his racket again.

"Keep sending the ball."

After practice, sweat was dripping down Rai's back. He sat on the sidelines, breathing heavily, but his eyes were still bright. Ayaka stood nearby, her arms crossed.

"You'll be here early tomorrow," she said. "We'll have reflexes and drop shots."

"What time?"

"Five."

"I'm not a ninja," Rai complained.

Ayaka smiled thinly. "But you played like a monster. The timing was perfect."

As they walked toward the main building, Tama emerged from behind the bushes with his hands full of lunch boxes.

"Hey! I've been looking for you guys! Come with me to the hall! All the club kids want to meet you officially."

Rai frowned. "What for?"

"Because you—unofficially—have joined the club's training. Ayaka has also agreed. We just want you to show up for a bit. Just think of it as… a formality."

Ayaka turned to Rai. "Let them see who they're betting on."

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was lively. The badminton club may not be big, but its members looked enthusiastic. There was the quiet but strong Yuda, the twins Ichi and Ryo who often played doubles, and of course Tama who stood in front of everyone like a party MC.

"Guys! Let me introduce—this is Rai Aksara! Our singles candidate who… is crazy about smashes!"

Everyone turned. Smiles, applause, and a few whispers were heard.

Rai stepped forward slowly.

Someone from the crowd called out, "Aksara…? Seriously? Are you Reza Aksara's son?"

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Rai stopped. All eyes were now on him, not with curiosity, but with a mixture of wariness, curiosity, and a little fear.

"Are you really the son of that suspended athlete?"

Tama tried to interrupt. "Hey, don't bring that up—"

"Yes," Rai said loudly. "I'm Reza Aksara's son. Why?"

It was quiet. Even Ayaka, who was standing on the side of the hall, didn't move.

The guy who asked lowered his head, then said softly, "I watched your father's last match. When he suddenly gave free points… then went off the field. I was still little. But I remember it very well."

Rai took a step forward.

"I remember too," his voice was low. "I was in the stands at the time. I saw everything. So you don't need to tell me how my father fell."

The tension was thick. Someone behind him cleared his throat. Yuda stared at the floor.

Ayaka finally moved. She stepped forward, standing beside Rai.

"Listen," she said firmly. "Rai isn't his father. He doesn't owe anyone. But this club owes a player who can keep us going for another semester."

He turned to the rest of the club.

"If you care more about history than the future, please leave now."

No one moved.

Rai looked at Ayaka. In his eyes, there was a mixture of anger, disbelief, and… respect.

"I don't need defending," he muttered.

"I'm not defending," Ayaka replied without looking at him. "I told them to choose."

Tama laughed awkwardly. "Okay! We've already met, and we're already emotional… How about we go to lunch, huh? I brought onigiri!"

Everyone finally chuckled. The tension melted away, slowly but surely. But Rai knew—this wasn't the end. This was just the beginning of many more sidelong glances.

And now, he stood in the middle of it. With a name on his back that he couldn't throw away.