𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐀 | Ran Takahashi ✓

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝘄𝗼

"Hey, hey, look who we got here, it's Takahashi Ran!"

Ishikawa Yuki shouts his name across the gym. The rest of the guys applauded while the juniors gave slightly bowed their heads to give respect. "It's been weeks, how are you doing?"

Ran smiled at them, "It's better than ever. I'm up for the free practice, just name it." He replied, earning a pat on the back from Yuki. "Loved the enthusiasm. Anyways, go meet Coach Nakagaichi before anything else.."

Ran exhales before entering the office. He doesn't even know what he's nervous about. But, going back here after a short rest in Tokyo, it also gave him a fresh...new start.







"Look at you, you're back." Coach Nakagaichi spoke as soon as he saw Ran. "Good to see you Coach,"

"I must say, your short trip to Tokyo had given you this sense of peace. You've been smiling ever since I saw you enter my office. I'm not against it though. Stay happy, we have a lot of things to work on."







*Now that they kept pointing that out, I feel like I shouldn't be lifting up the mood twice than before. Should I keep my expressions blank? Maybe.* Ran thought as he continued to talk to his coach. "I'm excited, Coach."







"You should be. It's double the intense practice and you should get your head in the game." Coach Nakagaichi took a piece of paper and a pen, "I was told to ask my players their number on their jersey. Maybe you've finally decided what number you want so that everyone can recognize you. You're going international. "






Now, it's the time for him to finally get rid of the meaningless number he once had. 19 - though it gave him so many memories, but it only make him sad thinking who's the reason behind that number and it only falls for the same girl that he don't want to talk about.

He took the pen and wrote down. The number 21. It's what he is having, he liked how it looks although there were any reason from behind it. "Good choice of number.." Coach nods, "You can now join them for the free practice. Remember not to bring any of your girlfriends from now on since we're playing for the Olympics."

"Hai." Ran replied, he gets out of the office and rush to change clothes.

*Bzzz*

His phone suddenly vibrated. He took it out and saw Hina's name appearing on the screen. Ran paused for a second, completely staring at his phone until the calling . . stops.

Then, he put his phone away in his duffle bag and locked it inside his locker.

Fresh new beginning, they said............