Disclaimers: Here football is soccer football
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the campus . Ryan adjusted his backpack and glanced at L, who was flipping through his notes nervously. They were on a mission to solve a case that had already sent ripples through the school community: a promising cheerleader had been injured during a game, and rumors of bullying from the football team swirled like storm clouds.
"I can't believe we have to talk to the football team," L muttered, his brow furrowed with anxiety. "They're going to be as helpful as a rock in a swimming pool."
Ryan smirked. "Yes, they are annoying."
Ryan had always been quick on his feet, a skill honed under the watchful eye of Mitch, who had insisted on teaching him the basics of running—whether it was for trying to make him join the football team or escaping from the clutches of high school drama. "Just trust me, L. I have a plan."
As they approached the football field, Ryan's heart raced, not from fear, but from the thrill of the challenge. The boys were practicing, their shouts and laughter echoing off the bleachers.
Ryan couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the days when he'd run around the field with Mitch, though he had never quite taken to the sport.
"Hey!" Ryan called out, drawing the attention of the players. "We need to talk about what happened with the cheerleader."
A few of the players exchanged glances, their faces morphing into expressions of mock amusement.
The captain, a tall, muscular guy named Tyler, sauntered over, dripping with the confidence that only popular athletes seemed to exude. "What makes you think we know anything?" he sneered, folding his arms across his chest.
Ryan exchanged a worried glance with L. They needed this information to help the cheerleader but faced an uphill battle. "We just want to ask a few questions,"
Ryan insisted, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "But if you're not willing to cooperate…"
A lightbulb flickered to life in Ryan's mind. "How about this? A little game: you let us play against you, and if we win, you tell us everything you know about the cheerleader's injury."
L's eyes widened. "What are you thinking? They'll crush us!"
"Come on, L. Just trust me. I can hold my own." Ryan's determination was palpable, and L sighed, reluctantly nodding.
"Fine, but if we get trampled, I'm blaming you."
The football players chuckled at the thought of Ryan and L—two scrawny kids—taking them on. "Alright, let's do it!" Tyler agreed, a cocky grin plastered on his face. "You two against us. But don't expect us to go easy on you."
As the game began, Ryan took a deep breath, shaking off any lingering doubt. "Just pass after kickoff," he urged L. "I'll take care of the rest."
With the whistle blown, Ryan kicked the ball, passing it to L, who immediately faltered under the pressure, his kick slightly off-target. But Ryan was already in motion, sprinting past the defenders. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, fueled by memories of Mitch's relentless training.
The other players were caught off guard as Ryan dashed forward. L, though trailing behind, finally managed to get the ball back. "Ryan, over here!" he shouted, panting.
As Ryan approached, he noticed one of the defenders zeroing in on him, thinking he wouldn't dare shoot. But they didn't know about the Kazuma template he embodied—his aiming skills were sharp from years of playing video games and watching Mitch's coaching sessions. He was ready.
With one swift motion, Ryan kicked the ball at a precise angle and power using his aiming skills just as the defender lunged to block. It sailed past, finding the net with a satisfying thud.
The field erupted in surprised shouts, and Ryan couldn't help but beam with pride.
"Did you see that?" he exclaimed, panting with exhilaration. "I told you I could do it!"
The football players were momentarily speechless, their brash atmosphere deflated. "Okay, okay, you got lucky,"
Tyler grumbled, though he couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes.
As they gathered around, Ryan played his part, maintaining a casual demeanor. "So, what happened with the cheerleader?"
After some hesitation, Tyler begrudgingly confessed, "Look, she got hurt during practice, but it wasn't an accident. There's been some bullying going on, and we're trying to keep it quiet. If the captain finds out we talked, he'll have our heads."
Ryan nodded, sensing the tension among the players. "We won't say anything about you guys as long as you help her. Just give us the details, and we'll take it from there."
The boys looked at each other, weighing their options, before finally spilling the truth. They revealed that the cheerleader had been subjected to relentless teasing, mostly from the captain himself, who had taken it upon himself to assert dominance over the squad.
With the information in hand, Ryan felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "Thanks, guys. This means a lot."
As they departed the field, L looked at Ryan with newfound respect. "You actually did it! You scored a goal against them!"
"Yeah, I guess I surprised myself," Ryan admitted, pride swelling in his chest. But there was no time to bask in victory; his phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. It was a message from the Student Council president.
"Ryan, you need to get to the auditorium. There's a debate competition coming up, and you've been registered," the message read.
"Looks like I've got to go," Ryan said, his excitement dimming slightly.
L said, "I'll handle the rest of the cheerleader case and take what we found to the counselor, okay?"
Ryan "Just be careful. While i handle the debates , You know how much of a drag they can get."
"Yeah, yeah," Ryan waved him off, already plotting his strategy as he made his way to the auditorium.
Upon entering, Ryan was met with a cacophony of chatter. Students were nervously preparing for their turn at the podium. He spotted his debate team, who were all busy strategizing. They turned to him as he approached, their expressions a mix of confusion and expectation.
"Ryan! You're actually here," one of the members exclaimed. "We thought you weren't coming."
"Looks like I was forcibly registered," Ryan said with a chuckle, "but I'm still a bit interested anyway.""What are we debating on?"
"Abstract topics. It's a free-for-all," another team member replied. "But you'll do great. Just use your observation skills."
Ryan took a seat, mentally preparing himself. He thought back to his time with Mitch, absorbing all the lessons on communication and observation he'd learned from his adoptive dad, and Patrick Jane's ability to read people like books.
When it was finally time for his turn, Ryan stood at the podium, his mind racing with the topics presented.
He scanned the room, observing the faces of his classmates, the nervous energy radiating from the audience.
Drawing on everything he'd learned, he addressed the first topic: "The Real Meaning of Freedom."
"Freedom isn't just the absence of constraints," he began, his heart pounding in his chest. "It's about the ability to choose, to express oneself without fear. It's complex, intertwined with our responsibilities to each other. True freedom can only exist when it's shared."
As he spoke, he could see nods of agreement and even a few heated expressions from those on opposing sides. Drawing on his sharp observational skills, he adapted his points based on their reactions, weaving in anecdotes and personal insights that connected with his peers.
By the end of his speech, the auditorium erupted in applause. He smiled, surprised by how easily the words had flowed. The debate unfolded, and Ryan continued to shine, winning over both the judges and his classmates.
When the results were finally announced, cheers erupted. "And the winner of this debate competition is… Palisades High school!"
His teammates rushed up to congratulate him, and Ryan couldn't suppress his grin. "I can't believe we actually won!"
After the competition, the debate team celebrated with a free dinner paid for by their professors at a nearby restaurant. L joined them as well courtesy of Ryan , his eyes sparkling with pride as he recounted their success on the field earlier. The atmosphere was light and jovial, laughter spilling over as they shared stories.
As they finished their meal, a familiar figure caught Ryan's eye—a deep voice resonated from across the room. "I'm just saying, the Force is strong with that one."
Ryan's heart raced as he recognized the unmistakable voice of James Earl Jones, the legendary actor known for his iconic roles, including Darth Vader. He exchanged excited glances with L, both of them unable to contain their enthusiasm.
"Should we go say hi?" L suggested, his eyes wide.
"Absolutely!" Ryan agreed, adrenaline coursing through him. They approached cautiously, their hearts racing.
"Excuse me, Mr. Jones!" Ryan called out, his voice slightly shaky. "I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and it would mean the world to me if I could get your autograph."
James Earl Jones turned, his warm smile lighting up his face. "Of course, young man! It's always a pleasure to meet fans."
Ryan practically beamed as he handed over a napkin and a pen. "Thank you so much! You've inspired me in so many ways."
As Mr. Jones signed, they exchanged a few words about the impact of storytelling. Ryan felt a rush of gratitude; his excitement blended with the day's events, creating a perfect memory he'd carry with him forever.
Afterward, as they returned to their table, L couldn't help but tease, "Now that's a story to tell when you're famous!"
Ryan laughed, his heart lighter than it had been that morning.Between solving the cheerleader's case, winning the debate, and meeting a legend, it had been a perfect day.
[Status Screen: Update]
Mikhail Tal – Advanced (4,500 / 25,000)
Kazuma Satou – Advanced (9000 / 25,000)
Patrick Jane – Intermediate (5000 / 30,000)