The lessons ended, and the teacher left the classroom.
The moment the door closed behind him, Riccardo stood up and walked to the front of the room under everyone's watchful eyes.
"Before you all leave, I want to make one thing clear. I ended up in Japan because of my father's job, and I don't even know how I got this recommendation. If your problem is that I haven't taken the physical entrance tests yet, then it's just a matter of time—I'll make up for them."
The students didn't seem fully convinced by his words.
Nishimura stood up and looked at him.
"You're here through a recommendation... what makes us think you'll pass the physical tests even if you take them?"
The doubts were shared by everyone in the class.
"I can't really argue with that... but like I said, it's only a matter of time."
The class looked irritated after hearing his answer.
Nishimura stepped forward.
"What do you mean by that?"
"If I can't convince you with words, then I'll do it with my performance."
After finishing his statement, Riccardo grabbed his bag without paying attention to the hostile stares around him and left the classroom.
Nishimura let out a sigh, then picked up his bag as well.
Why did I even react to him... that's not like me.
Outside the classroom, Shimizu was waiting, also holding his school bag and a sports duffel.
"Hey."
Nishimura noticed him and walked over.
They started walking together.
"So... unusual day?"
"You heard everything?"
"More or less. Actually, I think the entire hallway did."
They went down the stairs and reached the school entrance.
"You know... I actually agree with that guy."
"Why?"
"In the end, like he said, he didn't know anything. He was suddenly thrown into a reality that isn't his. He should have people supporting him, not turning against him..."
Nishimura looked down, thinking.
"Yeah..."
Shimizu noticed his expression.
"Changing the subject, the coach probably won't show up again today."
"That makes four days in a row."
They stopped in front of a door.
"By now, in your first half-month here at Shūdan-teki, you've probably figured out why our club has been considered the worst for the past ten years."
"I've fully understood why..."
Shimizu opened the door and walked in, with Nishimura following behind him.
[The next day]
Riccardo woke up in the darkness of his room to the sound of his phone alarm.
He struggled to turn it off, then checked the time.
6:30 a.m.
He switched off his phone and sighed, sitting up with a thoughtful expression.
[Flashback]
Riccardo was about to leave school when the vice principal approached him.
"Aliberti, I need to speak with you."
Riccardo stopped and looked at him.
"What do you need?"
"So, you've already chosen the club you'll join, but you're still free to change your mind—"
"Yeah, I'm sure. I've been doing this since I was little... I'll start tomorrow."
The vice principal smiled at Riccardo's confident attitude.
"Then you don't know anything..."
Riccardo had already started walking toward the exit, but stopped the moment he heard those words.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing you need to worry about... you seem confident, you don't need advice. Have a good evening!"
The vice principal walked away, leaving Riccardo with a doubtful expression.
[End Flashback]
What did he mean by that? And why does he always say useless things and never the important ones?
He got up and opened the blinds, letting the morning light flood in.
Outside, a park was coming to life with people heading to work, dressed in sharp professional clothing.
He looked up at the sky.
It was completely clear.
At least the weather reminds me of home...
Riccardo left his room and walked into the kitchen, which was connected to the living room in an open space layout, separated only by a kitchen island with stools.
Cream-colored walls contrasted with a bright red sofa and a black kitchen, while paintings, vases, and lamps completed the interior design.
He looked around the space for a moment.
This doesn't feel like home at all...
"Good morning!"
"Buongiorno, mamma!" (Good morning, mom!)
Riccardo greeted her in Italian.
"Did you already make breakfast?"
"Yes, get the plates."
"Alright."
Riccardo walked over to a shelf and opened it.
He took out two plates and placed them on the island, then looked at his mother, who was finishing cooking pancakes.
"Cecilia?"
"No, your sister already ate."
Riccardo closed the cabinet and picked up the plates he had set down earlier.
"She woke up early..."
His mother picked up the pan of pancakes and walked over to the counter.
"She said she wanted to go down first to see if she still remembered the way to her school."
The two of them sat side by side on the stools, ready to eat.
"So, how was your first day at school?"
"It couldn't have gone worse..."
His mother looked at Riccardo's slightly downcast expression.
"They didn't take it well... the fact that you got in through a recommendation?"
"P' nient." (Not at all.)
He answered in Neapolitan dialect.
"Your father told me last night. He doesn't even know how he managed to get you in. He tried talking to the school principal because of your passion… and after three days, they called you in for the written exam."
Riccardo finished eating, stood up, and placed his plate and cutlery in the sink.
"Don't worry about it. I'll figure it out somehow... like always."
He headed toward a door.
"I'm going to get ready. Thanks for breakfast!"
His mother watched him leave with a small smile as Riccardo stepped into the room.