Riccardo returned to class, seemingly calm, momentarily interrupting the lesson and startling everyone. Some began whispering among themselves.
"He's back already..."
"Have any measures been taken?"
"Come on, he's clearly the principal's favorite."
Riccardo leaned back in his chair, while the teacher pretended nothing was happening and simply continued the lesson.
Once class was over, Riccardo found himself in the club's locker room. He took off his shirt, revealing his tattoo, then noticed the looks on his teammates' faces.
"What? I thought you were already used to seeing it." Riccardo said, trying to ease the tension.
"Yes... but after everything that's happened, it's different now." Yasuda replied, visibly worried.
Riccardo put on his training uniform.
"I understand your concerns, but acting this way doesn't help me or the team. When I'm here, and when I step onto the field, I just want to focus on playing soccer with all of you."
As soon as Riccardo finished speaking, Coach Ishii and Coach Suzuki entered the locker room.
"Aliberti is right. Blaming him for your worries won't improve anything." said Coach Ishii. His words made everyone realize their attitude was wrong. "This isn't a simple problem that can be solved overnight. It will take time, and Aliberti knows it. So, if we truly want to support him, let's do it by playing our best, together!"
The team rallied after Coach Ishii's speech.
Noguchi stepped to the center of the room.
"For once, Coach Ishii is right!"
His comment deeply impressed Coach Ishii.
"This is one of our goals for this year."
"Gather here, everyone!" Noguchi shouted, motioning for the entire team to come forward. They didn't keep him waiting: everyone quickly formed a circle.
"Our other goal isn't just to prove ourselves and bring the team back to the national tournament after ten long years. No, we're aiming higher... we're aiming to win it! And that's the bare minimum for Shudan-teki!"
The team cheered with excitement.
"Who are we?" Noguchi shouted.
"Shudan-teki!" the team replied at the top of their lungs.
"Who?!"
"Shudan-teki!!"
This time the shout was even louder, so loud, in fact, that it startled some students passing by the locker rooms.
"Well, then, let's go, boys!" Noguchi opened the door and led the team toward the field, while Riccardo watched the scene with a smile on his face.
In the evening.
Riccardo returned home.
"I'm back!"
He dropped his bag and took off his shoes. After giving the dog a proper goodbye, he headed for the kitchen, where his mother and father were talking.
"Good evening." Riccardo said as he headed for the refrigerator.
"Good evening... How was school?" his father asked, without even glancing at him.
Riccardo, staring at the refrigerator, closed his eyes, fully aware of the situation he was getting himself into.
"It could have been worse." he said sarcastically.
"Good... So, can we have the honor of seeing this tattoo?"
Riccardo lifted his shirt and showed the tattoo to his parents.
"A tattoo... My son got a tattoo and I didn't even notice." his mother said, shocked.
"How long have you been hiding it from us?"
"Four months."
"Couldn't we at least talk about it?" his father asked, visibly disappointed.
"You never would have given me permission."
"Of course not. You just turned sixteen! And you knew we'd be moving here... you know how these things are viewed around here!" his mother replied, starting to get agitated.
"I knew it... but I think you've figured out by now that I don't really care about these things."
At Riccardo's words, his mother was speechless. She just looked disappointed.
"Do what you want..." she muttered before leaving the kitchen. "But forget about some of your little luxuries for a while, starting with late-night Juventus games!"
"I'm sorry, Mom!"
Riccardo then turned to his father.
"I'm sorry, Dad... I know it was a reckless decision, made only in the heat of the moment."
His father stood up and approached him.
"I know moving here wasn't something you wanted. It upset you... But this goes beyond simply acting on emotions. I'll get over it with time, but your mother won't."
"I know. I'll do everything I can to make it right."
"I know you will."
With those words, his father placed a hand on his head and left.
"And I know you'll do it your way."
In the end, Riccardo was left alone in the kitchen. He finally reached for the bottle of water, then stopped to think.
"I really won't be able to watch Juventus anymore...?"