(Ahmed left the field after the match ended, his body tired but his heart overflowing with happiness. The crowd was still talking about his amazing performance, yet he headed only toward Misaki. He gave her a light smile, trying to read her expression which was a mix of astonishment and shyness, then said in Japanese, in a confident voice with a touch of playfulness:)
Ahmed: "We won, Misaki-chan... And now, let's go study. But remember... I haven't forgotten the bet."
(Misaki became flustered, and a blush crept up her cheeks. She said to herself shyly, her words barely audible: "I will keep my promise..." then she quickly changed the subject to hide her nervousness.)
Afterward, Ahmed went to his classroom, where his friends and teachers were waiting for him, their faces marked with shock and admiration. They raced to ask him about the secret of his soccer skill, and how he combined his talent on the field with his excellence in studies. Ahmed smiled with humility and said in a tired voice: "I'll tell you at the right time... but for now, I feel like I need some rest."
He ended his school day, then returned with Misaki to their house to continue studying together. The atmosphere was charged with a silence mixed with shyness, and the words of the bet were still lingering between them. After a moment, Misaki gathered her courage and began to take off some of her clothes, hesitantly, until only the bare minimum was left covering her. At that moment, Ahmed turned to her with great shock and embarrassment, and shouted in a trembling voice:
Ahmed: "Stop! I've seen enough... Please, put your clothes back on."
(Silence reigned between them for long seconds, until the beats of their hearts could almost be heard. Ahmed caught his breath, then rushed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. They sat at the table together, eating in silence, and neither of them dared to bring up the subject of the bet again. Shyness was present in every look and every movement.)
After they finished, Ahmed walked Misaki to her house. On the way back, they exchanged some light words that finally broke the silence. Suddenly, Ahmed stopped in the middle of the road and looked at her with a smile that held a touch of childlike enthusiasm, and said:
Ahmed: "What do you think about you and me and your family going to the hot springs? It will be my first time there!"
(Misaki's eyes widened with astonishment and happiness, and a pure smile appeared on her face. For a moment, she forgot everything that had happened and thought only of the joy of the upcoming trip and the warmth of the feelings that were unknowingly beginning to blossom in her heart.)