(The following morning, a gentle autumn breeze was playing with the leaves in the schoolyard, while Ahmed walked with confident steps through the crowd, carrying a new sparkle in his eyes. He spotted Misaki passing by the large bulletin board, where papers for school clubs and different activities were crowded, and among them was a prominent announcement for a trial to join the soccer team. She stopped for a moment, contemplating the colors and pictures, before hearing Ahmed's voice approaching her.)
Ahmed smiled as he put his hands in his pockets, trying to hide his excitement, then said in Japanese with a tone that held a playful challenge:
"Misaki-chan... I've decided to join the school soccer club. What do you think? Should I join or not?"
She turned to him slowly, her eyes observing him from the top of his head to his feet, before she let out a small laugh that held a gentle mockery, and said lightly:
"Soccer? Are you really good, Ahmed? You don't look like it!"
Ahmed laughed quietly, and was not affected by her words. On the contrary, he seemed to grow more confident, his eyes gleaming with distant memories, memories of the dirt fields in Yemen, where he used to run after the ball with bare feet but with a soul filled with passion. He raised his head, saying with warmth and playfulness:
"I have a trial match tomorrow. Come and see for yourself, and then you can judge!"
Misaki froze for a moment, not having expected this level of confidence from him. A small smile formed on her face, a mix of astonishment and curiosity, as if she was seeing a new side of him that she had not known before. She nodded her head, her eyes gleaming with a mysterious sparkle, as if she were waiting to discover a new secret that this boy from afar was hiding.