The holo-wall kept replaying the same moment: Kazama Ryuji rising like a shadow of thunder, his Dragon Smash crashing into the court with impossible force. The ball blurred, sensors shattering in a spray of sparks.
Ren couldn't look away. How do you even... hit something like that?
Late that night, he stood alone on an empty practice court, moonlight painting silver streaks across the glass. He tossed a ball high, swung with all the force he had—
THUD.
The racket twisted in his grip, shock biting through his wrist. The ball ricocheted awkwardly off the wall.
Ren winced, clutching his arm. If I keep forcing it, I'll break before I even start climbing...
He tried again. And again. Each swing wilder than the last, each miss hammering the same truth into him: Kazama's shot wasn't just power. It was rhythm, angle, timing beyond his reach.
Finally, his legs buckled. He collapsed to the floor, sweat dripping into his eyes. That's not a shot. That's a verdict.
A voice echoed from the rafters, smooth and cold.
"Pathetic."
Ren froze. From the shadows of the stands, a figure stepped forward. Sharp features, eyes like steel—Kazama Ryuji himself, fresh from another clean victory.
"You're the substitute, aren't you?" Ryuji's lips curled faintly. "Trying to imitate me? You'll tear your arm off before you touch my shadow."
Ren's throat dried. He forced himself upright, chest trembling. "One day... I'll—"
Ryuji's chuckle cut him off. "Substitutes belong on benches. Remember that."
Shizuka's voice snapped from the entryway. "Ryuji."
Ren turned. She stood there, racket at her side, glare sharp enough to cut glass.
For the first time, Ryuji's composure flickered—just slightly. He didn't look at Ren, but at her.
"You still wasting time on scraps, Amane?" His smirk deepened. "Some things never change."
Shizuka's knuckles whitened around her grip.
Ren's eyes darted between them. They... know each other?
Ryuji turned and walked away, leaving silence heavy in his wake.
Shizuka finally looked at Ren, her expression unreadable. "...Don't ever try to copy him again. You'll only break yourself."
Then she left, the sound of her steps echoing in the empty court.
Ren's body ached, but inside his chest, the fire burned hotter. If even she fears him... then he's the wall I have to climb.