POV KAI
My legs go from frozen to fiery in a few moments. My body's not responding. My head so light that for a moment I feel like I have to faint, my breath short and imperceptible while I barely feel my fingertips.
POV MAX
- A beautiful name, worthy of the girl to whom it belongs. – I observe it better. Then I look at Kai behind him, he looks petrified, on his face a pallor never seen before, as if he were to give stomach from one moment to another. That he interrupted something between the two? Surely it must be so. I hasten to resume the speech.
I'm such an idiot! – I lean for another bow but this time I take my back to an even lower level. I see the shape of the girl stiffen ingest and move a step back.
There's no need for a bow. I don't know you and I don't find any reason why you should belittle your figure in front of a stranger. The bow is too noble a gesture for a daily situation. I hear her say this in a stern but condescending voice. It seems to me too formal a language for a girl her age. Again I find myself staring at it, but this time in more detail. In fact, your clothing must have cost a significant amount. Well-groomed face and hair, whether it's the daughter of some rich family member? The name was foreign if I am not mistaken, perhaps of the territories of the East.
What the heck, you win your place on the national team and you don't even come to celebrate? In the distance, Takao's voice attracts everyone's attention. He runs to meet me and hugs me, almost ending up on the ground, to us joined by the professor, while behind him more calmly appear Rei and Mr. Dickenson. After the thanks I see the form of Takao moving towards the girl, the curious look. I hear the man's voice by my side.
Oh dear, nice to see you again! I'm sorry about the lost battle, but apparently the guys are doing a lot here to be the best on the court. – one of his usual laughs invades the hallway.
Do you know her? –asks Takao leaning out of my left shoulder to better observe the man to his right. I actually realize that we are all now watching him wait for the answer.
-But of course, in fact, despite your defeat, I'm going to ask you to take me and the Bladebreaker team to the world championships. –ok. Now we're all in shock. The girl has wide eyes as much as we do, frowning as she takes a step back. Kai still doesn't move a single muscle.
-If I lost the challenge, why does it still give me an opportunity? – Now it has become a continuous shift of heads, from one interlocutor to another. Nobody seems to want to say anything... Seems.
What would you say! – Takao's voice almost pierces my eardrum, I immediately carry my hand on my ear to protect him while with the other throw a light fist on my friend's shoulder. In response he complains and looks at me offended, I return with pleasure the look, but without malice.
Take it as a favor for my friendship with Nives' family. –the man winks at the girl who looks surprised but hints at a smile. You must have understood what our representative was referring to.
All right. Thank you for that. –she extends her hand and shakes her with Mr. Dickenson.
POV KAI
I listened carefully to the conversation, mentally recording every expression of the other members of the group. I almost lost my pulse at the back of my game, yet something in my mind suggested I had to take it by the shoulders and rip it away from the team's oppressive looks.
Well, now that we've cleared up, guys, you should follow me to the offices to arrange the cards and decide on the future stages of the championship. – the two idiots scream and hug each other, Rei and the professor fight in five with their hand.
As for you Nives...- If outside the stadium he started to hail violently, my heartbeat would be in perfect harmony. The girl shifts her gaze straight to the eyes of the man who is talking to her.
-I will update you later in the afternoon for the various procedures to follow. You will understand of course that my priority is the boys right now. –
Of course, sir. – remains motionless but from Mr. Dickenson's expression I deduce that he must have smiled at him.
So guys if you want to follow me... and you too Kai. –Kinomiya and Mizuhara talk to each other as they look at me in their underworld, certainly some insulting statement. I look at the man who senses my silent assent. The others begin to walk towards the center of the stadium called up by well-dressed men, probably colleagues of our representative who now turns to look at me, as if to entice me to follow him. Am I moving for the first time, after about half an hour? My eyes lower on the figure in front of me, and I notice that he is observing me, his face seems to betray my own sensations and the same thoughts. Should I go? Should I leave/lo here? She moves to the side to make room for me on the way to the arena, then turns to Mr. Dickenson and finally, very quietly passes me by to get out of the stadium. From me.