Rise - Pursuing a Dream - Inglês version

Phoenix part II

Note before the chapter: I've added a video with music from the League of Legends franchise (LOL), which I personally really like and also used as inspiration for the construction of this chapter. If anyone wants to listen while reading or check out the lyrics, I've placed the video above.

"At the moment, I'm thinking, why are you all still standing there? But now, I won't say it again, and I don't even want to dream that there's something listening behind the door again, because this time, I'll punish anyone who dares to do that," Phuwin said with unwavering authority in his voice.

Maggie exchanged a meaningful look with him, while Dunk and Gemini seemed concerned and confused, but they respected Phuwin's authority and began to get up and leave the room.

Pond was tense, not knowing what to expect. He remembered the distance Phuwin had put between them in recent days, and he felt the tension grow as the others left the room.

To his surprise, when they were finally alone, Phuwin approached him with determination and cornered him against a nearby wall, holding him gently but firmly with an arm against the solid surface. His face was dangerously close to Pond's.

Phuwin's eyes captured Pond's, and there was an indescribable intensity in his gaze. It was as if the whole world around them had disappeared, leaving only the two of them there, immersed in that moment. The tension in the air was almost electrically charged, and Pond felt his heart pound in his chest. Phuwin's gaze was clouded by a shadow of concern, frustration, and something deeper, something Pond couldn't identify.

"I know, Captain. I'm messing everything up, I'm so sorry," Pond hurried to say before Phuwin could say something.

"No one is saying you've messed everything up, but you know you've made mistakes. But I want to know if you can understand why this is happening," Phuwin questioned as he tried to read the emotions in Pond.

"I don't know, I swear I tried to be cautious, I'm trying to do things differently from the match against Akira, but I'm still failing... maybe that's a mistake, maybe I don't deserve to be here," Pond said with a choked voice, turning his face to the side, trying to avoid those dark eyes of the Warriors Of Night's captain.

Phuwin then gently touched Pond's face, making their eyes meet again. It was a subtle touch but enough to make Pond feel like an electric current ran through his skin where the captain's fingers touched.

"I don't care if we win or lose this match today; I only care about the battle you're losing here," Phuwin said, now touching Pond's forehead with his index finger, his words surprising Pond completely.

"Wait, are you saying you distanced yourself from me because you wanted to give me time to sort out my feelings? I spent all this time thinking you were angry with me," Pond asked, and now it was Phuwin's turn to be surprised by his statement.

"What? No, I was angry about many things, but never at you. I guess we need to improve communication between us going forward, avoid further misunderstandings," Phuwin said, and Pond nodded in agreement.

"I think I need some time to absorb everything that happened, but now our time is running out, so let's focus here. As I said, the real battle between you and Akira is happening in your mind right now. You still have a chance to defeat him, but for that to happen, I need you to go back to being the player you are, the one who captivated everyone when you defeated Force. Winning or losing a match, as I said, doesn't matter. Even the best in the world don't win every time, but do it by playing as yourself. Pond Naravit isn't someone who makes cautious decisions or hides in safe plays, and that's why we chose you for our team."