❛ 𝐒𝐓𝐘𝐋𝐄 ❜ ✓

11

          "HEY MANAGER, WHAT ——— happened to your foot?" a voice called out, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Kenta Fujimoto, one of the team members, approaching with a concerned expression.

It was currently a practice day, to prepare for the game against the Tigers tomorrow. With Ken Sato slacking behind, the whole team was affected, meaning that the whole team felt like they needed the pressure to step up their game.

"Oh, hey Kenta," I said, forcing a smile as I glanced down at my bandaged ankle, "Just a little mishap. I got caught up in the Kaiju attack earlier."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You were there? Damn, that must have been intense! How'd you manage to get away?"

I sighed, wincing a bit as I shifted my weight. "I was caught in the middle of it, but Ultraman came to the rescue. He got me out of there and brought me to safety."

Kenta's eyes widened. "Wow, that's incredible! You're lucky he was there. How's your foot?"

"Just a sprain, nothing too serious," I said, trying to downplay the situation. "I'll be fine with some rest."

"Must be hard, huh, you're always on your feet," He teased.

"Yeah, it's a bit inconvenient, but I'll manage."

Kenta gave me a sympathetic smile. "Well, if you need any help or anything, just let me know. We're all here to support each other."

"Thanks, I appreciate it," I said, "I'll definitely reach out if I need anything."

He nodded and gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Take care and get well soon. I'm sure things will settle down soon."

I watched as Kenta rejoined his teammates, feeling a bit better knowing that the team was supportive. I glanced around the practice field, noting how the intensity of the game preparation seemed to have intensified with the recent events.

Sitting there with my sprained foot propped up, I couldn't help but think about the upcoming game and the team's performance. It was clear they were all pushing their limits, and I hoped that Ken Sato would be able to shake off whatever was bothering him. He had seemed particularly off lately, and I knew it was affecting the whole team.

Speaking of which, I took Coach's advice to heart and decided to sleep last night. Although I did dream of him, my energy the next morning was a great feeling to experience again.

As practice continued, Coach Shimura walked over to check on me. "How's the foot?" he asked, his concern evident.

"It's manageable," I said, giving him a small smile. "Just a bit of a setback, but I'll be fine."

Coach nodded, though he didn't look entirely convinced. "Make sure you're taking it easy. We need you at your best, too, not just the players, kid."

"I will," I assured him. "Thanks for checking in."

As Coach returned to oversee the practice, I let out a deep sigh.

I looked up at the sky, seeing dark clouds begin to overtake the previously clear afternoon. There was a distant rumble of thunder that indicated that whatever was approaching was going to be a heavy storm.

My eyes glanced towards Ken, wondering how he is. I watched him from the sidelines, noting how he seemed to push himself harder, perhaps trying to mask his fatigue or stress. The weight of whatever was bothering him was evident in his body language, and it was affecting his gameplay.

As the rain began to fall, the team continued their drills, pushing through the downpour with determination. The sight of them working so hard, despite the worsening weather, filled me with concern.