It is morning and the twilight stops fighting against the impending sun while the clear sky fills the small lanes of the village. Yes, because Japan, despite its grandeur, remains a small picture overflowing with small and delicious little boroughs of its own. A blue head runs fast on the bank of a river, together with it a slender but tenacious little body keeps its head at its top. He seems tireless if you put him and his friends on the same floor, in fact, unlike blue, the others are lying on the grass watching him. Who is rooting and who taunts in a not too convinced tone.
POV TAKAO
- Damn, but why is it so hot! -
-Why did you run for half an hour in the sun without ever stopping, it is obvious that you feel hot.- Beside me Professor K walks keeping his faithful computer steady watching who knows what statistics.
- I would suggest a nice break, what do you say Takao? - Max insists, he knows me well. The food first of all!
Speaking of this and that, we reach a place at the end of the quarter, we always come here when hunger calls us. We order the usual debating on various techniques to use in the challenges that soon will animate the lives of the three of us, the selections for the championship are now one step away from us and we certainly cannot afford distractions.
From a distance, two small aquamarine eyes watch the scene intrigued. He has heard so much about that boy, Takao Kinomiya, nevertheless he has never seen him if not in some pictures here and there. He decides however not to fully satisfy his interest for fear of being seen by someone, or even worse, by that little group of boys. Quickly turn the corner, disappearing into the crowd that animates the street.
- I would say that we are not? - I ask satisfied at the end of the speech. But I soon notice a not entirely sincere smile from Professor K.
-What's wrong with you? See that you have done a great job, you will see that soon you will all be repaid.- I conclude smiling openly in the hope that things change.
-Yes but you are facing everything with little seriousness Takao! Maybe you're right, my job will give you a great hand on the field, but remember that there are challengers like Kai waiting for you at the selections.- the Moor says in one breath, lowering his head in review.
-I'll do it all you'll see, so you'll be proud of your work and your friends. - Max widens a huge smile in our direction and embraces us giving various encouragement. This guy is magnificent. It leaves no bad situation running, it always catches it on the fly to transform it into a strength. Returning home I realize that it is almost time for dinner but I don't call Nonno, I already know that he is finishing his usual kendo lessons, it's a fix but what can I do about it? It is always and in any case the only family member that remains to me and with whom I can talk about everything, in dark moments even without words. I go up to my room and lie on the bed looking at a fixed spot on the ceiling, reflecting on the meetings I will have to face in the following weeks. The meetings did not scare me as I consider them to be personal training, but I am afraid of losing, with respect for Max and Professor K, and all their help. How would they take it? After all the hard work, patience and sweat poured in? Maybe they will accept defeat and enjoy the event with me, laughing and joking. However, there is something that grips my stomach in an anomalous way, I don't know how to give it a voice or a face, but it scares me a lot. I spend the night in white thinking without knowing what results.
POV ...
The dawn soars quickly over the night, leaving various flares in the still blue sky. My eyes flicker fast from one corner of the view to the other. I look at the sky first and then at my bey. It has numerous dents and scratches of various shapes and sizes. I sigh back into his pocket after gently caressing the small piece in the middle. I am proud of his work, I did my best and I used all my strength to be able to reach the final with Takao and his strange friends. He is a very stubborn but stubborn boy, you can easily recognize him in the crowd. Still immersed in my thoughts I see the first street lamps light up lightly, it's time to go.