After accepting Raju's challenge, Kaiser clapped his hands once, gathering everyone's attention. "Alright, enough resting. It's already afternoon—we need to prepare lunch," he declared with his usual composed authority. "Same work distribution as yesterday. Let's move."
Just like before, Kaiser and Rukia headed toward the nearby stream to catch fish. The sun glinted through the trees, dappling the forest floor with shifting patches of gold. As they walked, Rukia glanced sideways at Kaiser.
"So," she began casually, "who was it that you met earlier?"
Kaiser adjusted the fishing bucket slung over his shoulder, his tone calm but open. "It was Raku. She suddenly pulled me aside—caught me off guard, honestly—and we talked for a while."
Rukia's eyes narrowed with slight curiosity. "Raku, huh? What did you two talk about?"
He cast the line into the water before replying. "I told her everything—about the offers I received, about the confusion I've been feeling. She listened. Didn't try to sway me, just said I should choose what feels right, so I won't regret it later."
Rukia pulled in a fish with practiced ease, a smirk playing on her lips. "Looks like your talents are finally going to be recognized worldwide."
Kaiser gave a half-smile, his eyes still focused on the rippling water. "Before anything else, I want to beat Raju in that football match. After that, I'll make my decision—Red Key or NBA."
"You're as egotistical as ever," Rukia muttered, though there was no malice in her voice.
"Yeah, I am," he admitted with a shrug.
Rukia sat beside him, elbows on her knees, gazing at the water. "You're so blunt sometimes that people think you're joking. You say things with a straight face, and they don't know whether to believe you or not."
"Funny," Kaiser replied, turning to her. "Shinoa said something similar this morning."
That caught her attention. Her tone turned sharp. "What did you compliment her about?"
Kaiser tilted his head slightly. "Does it really matter?"
"Yes, it does!" Rukia snapped louder than she intended.
Kaiser suddenly leaned closer, his hand gently holding her chin. Their faces were inches apart. Rukia's breath hitched.
"We can't… do this here," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He didn't move back. Instead, he whispered in her ear, "You fell for it."
Then he burst into laughter, pulling away.
Rukia's face flushed crimson. "Stop teasing me like that, idiot!"
"I'm sorry," he said between chuckles. "But I always wanted to try that on you. You used to do the same to me back in middle school."
"You never flinched then."Said Shinoa.
"I didn't," he agreed.
"But I would because I ...love you." Said shinoa with a crimson red face.
"I know." Said Kaiser controlling his laugh
Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked away, her blush deepening. "Idiot…"
"Oh," Kaiser added casually, "Raku's transferring to our school from the branch after the camp."
Rukia stared at him. "You couldn't have led with that?!"
"That's it for now," he said, standing with a stretch. "Let's go."
"Answer me!" she shouted, but he was already walking ahead.
The day passed in a blur. Lunch was prepared quickly thanks to the extra supplies they had collected. That evening, as night settled over the campsite, Raku visited Kaiser again. As with the previous nights, they spoke quietly by the edge of the forest before she disappeared into the dark. It became a routine—comforting, silent, and just theirs.
Five days passed in this rhythm. The match between Kaiser and Raju had been postponed until the end of the Wildlife Camp's final evaluation. When the results were announced, no one was surprised to hear that Kaiser's team had come out on top. Their consistency, strategy, and leadership were unmatched.
Seeing the perfect moment, Mitsuha approached Kaiser once again, this time more confidently. "Kaiser," she said with a sweet smile, "how about giving me a real answer now?"
Before Kaiser could respond, he sighed and turned to Hiraku. "Thank god there wasn't a commotion this time."
"You just jinxed it," Hiraku said with a smirk.
True enough, within seconds, Shinoa, Rukia, and several other girls were already confronting Mitsuha, their voices rising in heated debate.
"Why does this always happen to me?" Kaiser muttered under his breath, rubbing his temple.
Suddenly, a new voice cut through the noise. "Nice to meet you, Kaiser Klein."
Kaiser turned around and found himself face to face with a striking young man wearing a pristine athletic jacket. His presence was commanding, with an air of confidence that was almost regal. It was Miyuki Nagi—the reigning Olympic gold medalist and Japan's top badminton player, in both singles and doubles.
"What business would someone like you have with me?" Kaiser asked coolly.
Miyuki smiled. "You can drop the formalities—we're the same age."
"Fine," Kaiser said. "So, what is it?"
"I'm here to challenge you," Miyuki said, his eyes gleaming.
Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "A challenge from the nation's top player… I assume it's not just a friendly match?"
"No," Miyuki said, his voice firm. "It's more than that. I want to see your strength firsthand, Kaiser. I've heard the rumors, watched the footage. You're an anomaly—a perfect balance of intellect, athleticism, and adaptability. You've been offered a spot at the National Badminton Academy. Before you decide, I want to see if you're truly worthy."
The air around them grew tense. Kaiser looked at him with a calm yet assessing gaze. "So, this is a test?"
Miyuki smirked. "More like a confirmation. Meet me tomorrow at dawn. I'll bring the equipment. We'll play to twenty-one."
Kaiser nodded. "Alright. I'll be there."
As Miyuki walked away, the whispers among the campers spread like wildfire. Shinoa stood behind Kaiser, arms crossed.
"So now even Miyuki Nagi's after you," she said with a mock sigh.
"I haven't even made my choice yet," Kaiser muttered.
"Whatever you choose," Shinoa said, placing a hand on his shoulder, "make sure it's for yourself."
As the stars blinked awake in the night sky, Kaiser stood silently at the edge of the forest. His mind churned with thoughts—Red Key, NBA, expectations, dreams, rivals, and the people who had slowly become precious to him.
He didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but one thing was certain.
The world was watching.
And Kaiser Klein wasn't going to run from it.