Here we have a new chapter just before new school week. Enjoy
Chapter 4: Beyblade, Former Champion And Practice Match
-With Susumu With The Nurse-
'Why?' Susumu asked and kept his back away from the woman. She noticed immediately that Susumu didn't want to show her his back.
'I need to check your spine. So it's straight,' she said. Susumu kept his death glare and finally nurse backed down.
'You can keep your shirt on then. Could you bend down a little?' nurse asked. Susumu grabbed his shirt to keep it place and bend down. Nurse followed his spine with her fingers and she did touch few wounds but Susumu kept quiet. He did feel it and it stung but he was like nothing had happened. After that everything else was quite normal, minus his weight compared to his height.
'You are in good health but I would suggest eating more. You are underweight,' nurse said and handed him a paper. Susumu took it and left without a word. Nurse was still bothered by Susumu's behaviour but let it be and asked for another student in.
-In The Dining Room-
'Can you slow down?' Frank asked while he watched Bruce stuff food in his mouth.
'I eat when I'm stressed,' Bruce stated and continued eating.
'Stressed?' Judy was confused, 'Don't tell me you think of Susumu?'
'The health check is worrying me too. I'm not in good shape,' Bruce said.
'Then you should control your eating too,' Shin laughed and took his phone from his pocket. But something dropped from his pocket too to the floor.
'What's that?' Frank asked.
'Oh this?' Shin picket the around dark grey object with sharp tip, 'It's beyblade.'
'Beyblade?' Bruce frowned.
'I have heard of it. It's an upcoming sport that has had few world tournaments too,' Frank recalled.
'Why haven't heard of it?' Bruce asked.
'It's not popular yet. Not worldwide yet but it's getting there. There are more and more new bladers starting the game,' Shin put his beyblade back to his pocket.
'Is it fun?' Bruce asked.
'Definitely,' Shin answered.
'How long have you played? Have you played in tournaments? Who else plays it?' Bruce through bunch of questions at Shin who laughed.
'Slow down dude,' Shin tapped Bruce on the head and Bruce sat back down.
'Let's see. I have played since I was maybe nide or ten. So, it's about…' Shin continued.
'Six to seven years,' Frank counted faster with a smile.
'That's long!' Bruce eyes widened.
'Any sport takes time to get good at. I have played in few tournaments too but I haven't won any yet. I've been second every time, but it's not surprising since Susumu is hundred times better than me,' Shin laughed and took a sip from his drink.
'Susumu?!' others almost yelled too loudly.
'He beyblades too?' Judy asked this time with curiousness.
'He does and has even a lot longer than I have. I don't know when he began but he was already a world champion when I first met him during elementary school,' Shin nodded.
'Seriously? That's amazing!' Bruce smiled widely.
'If you hadn't told me I hadn't believed it,' Judy admitted.
'I don't know what he has been up to but he hasn't participated in tournaments since the last time I saw him. I haven't either though,' Shin said.
'Can you teach me?' Bruce asked.
'What?' Shin almost choked.
'My parents want me to start something as a hobby at least but I don't want to do martial arts. I think beyblading would be fun even if it's just for fun,' Bruce said.
'Heh, sure. We need to get you beyblade first,' Shin agreed.
'Where do I buy it?' Bruce asked.
'You don't buy it. You build it,' Judy said.
'Wha? How do you know? Do you blade too?' Bruce asked.
'No but I have seen stores,' Judy shook her head.
'She is right though. You can straight up buy a pre-made beyblade but to have right touch to the sport, it's better to build it yourself. You can choose attack ring, defense ring and even the small tip to make your bey but it needs to be balanced,' Shin said.
'Huh? That's way too complicated,' Bruce sank in his seat.
'Don't worry. I'll help you. Frank can do the math too,' Shin half joked.
'Sure. Leave the hard part for me,' Frank noted. Everyone laughed happily when Shin noticed Susumu walking past the diner with his backpack.
'Looks like Susumu is going to skip the rest of the day,' Shin sighed. Bruce saw Susumu too and dashed right after him.
'Where are you going?' Judy yelled.
-Susumu's View-
Susumu had grabbed his stuff from classroom right after the leaving the nurse. He hated people poking their noses to his business but he did know it was nurse's job though.
'Susumu!' familiar voice called right after he had passed the diner. It was Bruce.
'Is it true that you are champion of beyblading?' Bruce asked panting after stopping in front of Susumu.
'Shin told you,' Susumu sighed annoyed and walked past Bruce.
'Yes and I think it's awesome. Do you have your bey with you now?' Bruce ran in front of him again.
'No,' Susumu tried walking past him again but Bruce grabbed his arms.
'Wait a minute,' Bruce said and let go right away.
'I got interested in that sport after Shin told me about it. We are planning building beyblade for me too. Mind coming along?' Bruce asked.
'Shin should be enough for that,' Susumu replied.
'But you have knowledge he doesn't. Come on, it's going to be fun. Please,' Bruce was literally begging.
Susumu looked into Bruce's eyes for a minute and could see how determined the younger boy was.
'Fine. I'll wait outside after school then,' Susumu said and left Bruce alone.
'Yes!' Bruce celebrated and returned to the diner.
'Don't tell me you asked him to come along?' Judy asked.
'Come one Judy. He's the champ of the sport. his knowledge is going to come in handy,' Bruce sat down.
'That's true,' Shin agreed smiling. They continued eating and went right next another class. Teacher asked Frank and Bruce where Susumu had gone after class had begun.
'He just left,' Bruce shrugged his shoulders.
'Right. Well, I'll inform his parents about it but let's start,' teacher said. Bruce checked Susumu's desk but turned right back around. Why wouldn't he go to school? Even though Bruce didn't like it much either but he knew it was needed.
-After School With Susumu-
Susumu was leaning against the nearby wall and hands crossed. He was still carrying his backpack and listened to music eyes closed. He had many hours of peace but it did end when he heard a loud laugh. Opening his eyes Susumu saw the kid called Bruce laughing with others. Shin was most calm as always.
'Hey there,' Bruce greeted Susumu with big energy and jumped in front of him, but Shin pulled him back.
'Calm yourself already. Let's go,' Shin smiled and pushed Bruce towards the right direction. Susumu kept himself back this time by few meters and just followed others to the BBA shop.
'BBA?' Bruce asked as they stepped in.
'Yeah. Did you forgot already? You have met Mr. Dickenson,' Shin reminded.
'Oh right. Sorry,' Bruce said and began looking at the beyblades.
'Going to try the sport?' voice asked and Bruce turned around.
'Taro? Do you work here too?' Bruce asked.
'I fix beyblades, and other parts here,' Taro answered.
'Seriously? Do you play too?' Judy asked.
'No. Not interested in that,' Taro said and walked back to the register.
'So… what now?' Bruce asked.
'You need to decide what kind of beyblade you want. Defense or offense and so on,' Shin showed Bruce couple different attack rings.
'Just my preference then?' Bruce wondered.
'Offense,' they heard Susumu speak. Bruce turned towards Susumu.
'He should decide that himself,' Judy complained. Even Taro was listening to them after recognizing Susumu from old BBA magazines.
'Obviously,' Susumu sounded cold and stepped closer. He took the attack ring from Shin.
'But sometimes to get good bey is to build it according to bladers own personability,' Susumu examined the attack ring for a while before throwing it to Bruce and walking to the other side of the store.
'That's a good point there,' Shin said.
'So Susumu thinks I'm attacker?' Bruce pointed at himself.
'If you ask me, it would be good for you. You face problems head on,' Frank said.
'Not to forget that Susumu's cold demeanor doesn't bother you,' Shin added.
'Is that weird or something?' Bruce asked.
'It is and you have no idea how much,' Shin laughed, 'No one EVER has just grabbed his arms like you did today. Other kids are afraid of him and don't want to be in same room with him.'
'That's kind of his own fault, isn't it?' Judy asked.
'Who knows. Susumu seems cold but as you saw just now that he's just like any other teenager,' Shin answered. Judy glanced at Susumu who was looking at different parts.
'Mm… no, I don't see it,' Judy said.
'Do you want to build a blade too?' Taro asked behind the counter.
'Why would I?' Judy asked defensively.
'You seem to be a defensive type if you ask me,' Taro said. Others nodded agreeing there.
'I'm not going to play some kids game,' Judy declined their suggestion.
'Why not just build it then? I would like to learn about it,' Frank said, 'It seems interesting if you ask me.'
'I can lend you these,' Taro walked to the back and came back with books.
'These are information about basic builds, different parts and what's good against what! Wow,' Frank said. Shin came too and glanced the books and opened one.
'These are good for now,' Shin agreed, 'For you anyway since if you are interested for just the builds.'
'Shouldn't that be useful for bladers as well then?' Judy asked.
'Of course they are but I haven't met a blader who knows all of this and also blades too. What I mean by that it's a lot to process if someone plans to read all of this, make their own blade and keep up with the change information and so on. And the way technology is developing and development of better and new parts, this information will go old,' Shin explained.
'Aah man…' Bruce complained. He was so bad at learning everything of those, even a little bit.
'Hey, I know!' Bruce stated abruptly.
'What?' Judy was shocked from the abrupt yell.
'Frank, do you want to team up?' Bruce put his arm around Frank's neck.
'Team up?' Frank was confused and hold his glasses still.
'We both want to learn about beyblading here. Want to become my technician?' Bruce asked.
'Huh?' Frank watched Bruce with surprised expression.
'At this rate you will start become professional blader,' Shin said.
'Professional?' Bruce asked.
'Every professional blader that I know at least have a place or a person where they go to fix or improve their blade for future battles,' Shin answered.
'Who do you go to?' Judy asked but Shin just smiled and looked at Taro.
'Taro?' Judy was shocked.
'Him mostly when I'm not at my home town. Like I said, even after over five years, I don't know everything about how to build it. That reward goes to people like Taro here,' Shin said.
'Stop embarrassing me here,' Taro said. Bruce looked at Shin and even Susumu.
'That's right… You two are professionals,' Bruce said and began to ponder. He was quiet for a while.
'What are you thinking?' Frank asked after he was free from Bruce's hold.
'Let's do it. Let's build a beyblade,' Bruce said with determination.
'I think… someone has already started that,' Shin glanced at Susumu who was coming towards them with few main parts.
'Start with those,' Shin said as he saw the parts. They were good quality.
'There is a place for you to build it,' Taro gestured towards the empty table close to the floor. Bruce took the parts and went to the table with Shin and Frank. With Shin's instructions they began building it and in few seconds it was like a lecture in school. Susumu kept back and Judy was leaning against the counter in front of Taro.
After an hour it was done. Bruce was happy with it and examined it more. It was light orange with white attack ring.
'Here. Try it,' Taro brought Bruce a small launcher.
'Don't tell me launchers have different styles too?' Bruce sounded little scared.
'Of course but at the moment they are little rare,' Shin took his backpack and took his launcher out. It was a lot bigger with grey-black stripes.
'Because not everyone can build them and they are more expensive too,' Taro added, 'BBA gave that launcher to Shin after the last tournament he was a few years back.' Bruce seemed more amazed than before and Shin touched his shoulder.
'Try launch it,' Shin engouraged as Taro brought a small dish. Bruce prepared himself and aimed towards the dish on the floor, but his first try was a miss.
'Not as easy as I thought,' Bruce rubbed his neck.
'Of course. It takes years to learn the basics just like any other game. Try again,' Taro said with a smile. Bruce picked up his blade and tried again. This time he hit the dish but blade was slower.
'Not enough strength behind my launch there,' Bruce said to himself. Then he noticed how quiet it was and saw others staring at him, even Susumu.
'What?' Bruce asked.
'It was just your second time and you already knew what went wrong this time,' Shin said puzzled.
'Something tells me that shouldn't be surprising,' Bruce said even more puzzled.
'Do you want to try have a battle too? There is bigger dish on the back there and you have a former champion there,' Taro pointed at Susumu.
'Former? I thought he was still one,' Bruce asked.
'Since Susumu didn't take a part in the next years tournaments there are new champions. Just like there are new second best bladers and so on. If you want to stay as champion, you need take part to the world tournament every year it's held. Although, I think they would lose to Susumu anyway,' Shin explained.
'When was the last time you two took part in?' Frank asked.
'I think we stopped the same year. I was age of 8 or 9,' Shin answered.
'You?' Bruce turned to Susumu but he didn't answer.
'He must be around same age as Shin, Bruce,' Judy sighed.
'Right,' Bruce nodded and grabbed Susumu's wrist this time,' Let's go.'
'Let go,' Susumu grunted as he was pulled into next room.
'I know you're going to beat me easily but I would like to try it,' Bruce said and showed his blade to Susumu.
'Seriously…' Susumu sighed and stood still as Bruce moved to the other side of the dish.
'Here Susumu. It's a store's bey since you don't have your own now,' Shin offered with a small smile, 'And do go easy on him. Okay?'
'Fine…' Susumu said and took the beyblade.
'This can also show you Bruce that it doesn't matter what beyblade you have but if you have skills, you are good at the sport,' Shin said.
'Yeah, yeah,' Bruce brushed Shin off mostly because he was getting excited of trying a practice match.
'Bladers, are you ready?' Taro called out from other side.
'3, 2, 1 and let it rip!' Taro and Shin called out and match began.
'Go!' Bruce had a big smile. He hit Susumu's borrowed blade a few times, few times he missed and it went on for few minutes.
'Is this normal, Shin?' Judy asked. She had followed both bladers moves and how they themselves behaved. Bruce was calling out order left and right but Susumu stood still and quiet.
'No. I did ask Susumu to go easy on Bruce since otherwise it would be over under a second,' Shin answered.
'Would you show us Susumu that?' Frank called out excited. He wondered how much Susumu was holding back.
'Oh yeah. I want to see how far the top is,' Bruce suggested too. Without a word Susumu changed his stance a little and simply sighed. Bruce didn't understand what meant but he saw Shin nod. Bruce attacked again and the instant his blade hit Susumu's, he lost.
'Wou!' Bruce was shocked as was Judy and Frank.
'Shit, that was cool,' Bruce said and took his blade from the ground.
'If that's enough for you, I'm out of here,' Susumu through the launcher to Taro, took his backpack and left with annoyed look.
'I must admit, I didn't expect that,' Judy said too.
'Are you that strong too Shin?' Frank asked.
'If compared to Bruce here yes, but against Susumu, totally not,' Shin said, 'I lost him under a minute when we battled too.'
'A minute?!' their eyes widened.
'Again, he has been beyblading longer than I have,' Shin said. Others looked at the dish again and recalled the battle a moment ago.
'Shin…' Bruce began.
'What?' Shin replied.
'Can you teach me?' Bruce asked.
'Maybe someday. I would suggest first blade against other kids around town and parks where you can see them. There are few places also in buildings and you can find them with simply map. BBA also has places you can go to,' Shin said.
'Why? You are so good,' Bruce said.
'That's the reason. You need to practice and find your own style how you want to beyblade,' Shin poked Bruce against his forehead.
'Fine. I'll do that then,' Bruce agreed to Shin's logic after thinking for a while. it did seem weird to ask someone so good to train a total noobie.
'I'm going to also read these books,' Frank said. After those decisions they left the store too and headed towards their own homes. It seemed that Bruce found something awesome and he got excited about it.
Hope you liked it. Thank for the reviews and I will try my best with this and the other ones :)