We start off on a bright Monday morning, a black-haired blur was streaking down the street, dodging past unknowing pedestrians and weaving in and out of the sidewalk with his Black Backpack adorned with Red flame patterns bouncing behind him.
Now you might be asking, 'Who is this kid? And why is he bursting with this much energy at 08:49am on a Monday Morning?'. Well, there's a simple answer to that. He's late as hell. Why? Because he slept late watching the latest Premier League match with his favourite team, Liverpool FC going up against bitter rivals, Manchester City. Oh, they lost by the way. Final Score 4 - 1. Boy, was he heartbroken but just like the team he supports, he'll bounce back.
Oh, right. Back to our late Protagonist, slowly losing his breath, he barely managed to run through the School Gates at 08:58am. Lucky bastard.
Without wasting any time, he ran through the Hall, despite protests by the Hall Monitor, got to his classroom door, almost blowing past it but, thankfully, he had the presence of mind to stop himself just in time.
Sliding the door open, panting from the non-stop running from his home to School, he breathlessly offered an apology to the Homeroom teacher and went to his seat at the front. Yes, he sits at the front. No Protagonist Seat at the back near the window for him.
Classes started and he pulled out his notebooks, taking it seriously, he diligently took notes, answered Questions when asked, asked Questions when he didn't understand, typical good student behaviour.
Hours later, on the PSA System an announcement rang out through the Hallway, "Takumi Kaido, your presence is required in the Principal's Office!! Takumi Kaido, to the Principal's Office!!".
"Great. First day of the Week and I'm already looking at a possible Detention. Give me a Break.", Kaido groaned in complaint with his head down, shuffling his feet on his way to the Principal's Office. Beside him was a well-endowed, 5'4 (164.5cm), fair skinned, Red-headed female figure, his best friend, Shizuka Senju. Smiling warmly at his reluctant visage, she stated plainly "Well, if you adhered to the numerous warnings given to you and actually tried to arrive earlier, you wouldn't be visiting the Principal's Office almost everyday".
Kaido tried to argue back "It's not my fault this time, I swear. I just.." but he was cut off by Shizuka again, "And how many times do you think the Principal has heard that line from you, Kaido?". That sentence killed off any form of rebuttal he tried thinking of. He could only sigh and hang his head in defeat, knowing she was right. This wasn't the first time he's been to the Principal's Office on account of his tardiness.
As the two friends approached the door to the Principal's Office, Kaido's mood had plummeted. "Well, time to face the music, I guess", he said in resignation to his Fate. Shizuka, trying to cheer him up even a little bit, replied "Come on, Kaido. Don't be like that. It's not like you're getting expelled or anything. He's probably just going to give you a Lecture with his usual disappointed face. Worst case scenario, you get another run of detention. Not like that's stopped you before, right?" With that, kaido perked up and thanked her.
Opening the door, he was immediately hit with the cold air pouring out of the AC, forcing a light, involuntary shudder from his body in response. 'God, I forgot just how cold this place usually is. And how is he unaffected? What are you, a Polar Bear?', Kaido mused before snapping back to reality and closed the door behind him.
Looking up from his Computer, Principal Asahiro Genji, a 56-year-old father of 3, smiled at Kaido and said warmly "Welcome back, Kaido. You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd have thought you loved my Office so much, you'd do what you can to always end up here. Alright, let's hear it. What is your reason this time?". Kaido sighed lightly at the question and replied truthfully "Principal Genji, I'm sorry for coming late again. The thing is, I….." he paused with slight embarrassment before continuing, "I stayed up late watching a live match and we lost badly, so I...". Sensing his hesitation due to his embarrassment, Principal Genji cut him some slack and said "Look, I've probably said this a million times now but you have to do better, Kaido. You're a good kid. Smart, strong, athletic, you have a very bright future ahead of you. Don't let distractions derail you. I would hate to see such massive potential wasted like that. So please, you have to shape up. Its for your own good, okay? Now, go on. You'll be late for Practice."
That concluded Kaido's meeting with Principal Genji. Kaido got up, bowed to him in respect and promised to do better before leaving his Office, closing the door and taking a deep, relaxing breath. Waiting by the wall for him was Shizuka, faced scrunched up in concern. As they locked eyes, the relief on her face was visible. He walked up to him and asked "So, how did it go?". Kaido, touched by her concern, answered cheerfully "Well, he gave me some advice, made me promise to do better for myself and shooed me away. He's probably busy with a lot of stuff. Running a school isn't easy, you know."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Shizuka smiled. "Well, he's not wrong. I feel you've been distracted lately. You barely practice anymore and your form has been dropping recently. What's happening, Kaido?" Shizuka asked with full seriousness in her gaze directed straight at Kaido. Sensing the tension starting to build, Kaido ran a hand through his hair and smiled sheepishly. "I...I guess is still haven't gotten over our last loss against Ichinan Prefecture Highschool. I know it was just 2 weeks ago but.....that kind of loss isn't the kind you get over just like that. We were so close too. Especially me. If only I had taken the Penalty, instead of Tendo….…". Kaido clenched his fist and tightened his jaw, shutting off anymore words from escaping his mouth, clearly still angry about the close loss. And who wouldn't be? They were one win away from going to Nationals. He could see it, touch it even, and they were one shot away.....so close, yet so far away.