After cleaning, David always went with Rie and Takumi during free period. Since they were both on the badminton team, it meant he had to brave the gym’s sweltering heat. Even though he was there nearly every day, he had yet to play since there were so many people waiting. Rie had also invited him to the after school team practices, but David usually opted to study Japanese with the Language Club in the air-conditioned library. The only times he had even picked up a racket had been with Rie at the Estate.
David took a seat in the gym while Takumi and Rie went off to play. As he watched the various games, another second year student came over and sat next to him. The student looked vaguely familiar and as he spoke, it took David a second to realize he was speaking perfect English, instead of Japanese.
“Hi, sorry I have not introduced myself before this, but we are in different classes,” the boy said. “My name is Chul Soon.”
‘Ah, so this is Chul Moo’s brother, great.’ David inched away. Chul Soon smiled warmly at David’s surprised expression, completely ignoring his move.
“You must know my brother Chul Moo… We are both from Korea, and can speak English, but Chul Moo is not very social. I, on the other hand,” Chul Soon said smiling broadly and gesturing to himself, “think we should be friends. Anyway, I have seen you over here a few times, but you never play. Would you like me to explain the rules?”
“Sure.” David carefully checked himself, so that he replied in English rather than Japanese. Embarrassed at his initial reaction, David smiled. “I’ve seen it but don’t know all the details.”
Chul Soon went through all the rules and basic strategies for David in English. David was impressed with his language skills. Even with his strange brother, it was hard not to like someone so outgoing and friendly. Though David had actually picked up a lot about badminton, he let Chul Soon speak. David was surprised to learn it was actually a British sport, which explained why the students always counted the score in English.
Most of the time, people played two on two. Each player used an oval-headed racked and hit the shuttle back to their opponent’s side. Unlike the rare occasions he had seen it back home, here it was fast and exciting. Some of the best students could jump high into the air, smashing the shuttle back towards their opponents with blinding speed. David smiled in spite of himself; Jessica could probably do well here. Although still in elementary school, she could literally run circles around him.
Despite having spent a great deal of time watching the sport, and Chul Soon’s explanations, David had long ago convinced himself he could never get through an actual game. The year before in P.E., he had been given a tennis racket with the rest of the first years. He was quickly relieved of it after hitting every single ball out of the court. Thanks to Rie’s help and skill, he had not had the same problem while practicing at the Estate, but David felt that might have been more to do with her skill and the feathers on the shuttle.
Before he knew it, the free period ended and people started to leave the gym. Chul Soon said goodbye and left to meet his brother. A group of first year girls giggled as he walked past.
‘Apparently he has the same effect on girls his brother does,’ David thought. ‘Hey, maybe that’s why Chul Moo is always so annoyed.’
The only exceptions to the mass exodus were the second years staying for the double P.E. class. Both the 2A and 2B classes would be together, while the other second year class had homeroom. Tsukasa, the badminton coach and shop teacher came in.
“Since Shima-sensei is out today, we will be having a badminton tournament. Please check this list for your teams and then begin warming up.” Tsukasa’s voice echoed through the gym as he used a well-practiced coach-yell to get everyone’s attention. Upon hearing the news, the vast majority of the students erupted in cheers. It seemed only David and Chul Moo were unhappy.
“But I’ve only played badminton with Rie at the Estate! This will be horrible. I can’t play a game. Whoever is stuck with me will be furious,” David said, leaning over to Takumi as they walked towards the list. Takumi checked for their names before offering David a grim smile.
“Don’t worry, you’re with me, I’m good enough for the both of us.” Halfway down the list Takumi smiled widely and laughed. “Rie’s with Chul Soon!” Takumi handed David one of his older backup rackets and led him away from the crowd forming around the lists.
“What’s wrong with Chul Soon? I just met him today,” David asked.
“Everyone likes him. It’s just that he’s so nice… He never goes for winning shots and Rie’s really competitive,” Takumi replied. “It’s going to be fun rubbing it in when we win.”
The class began to run around the courts, warming up before stretches. David trailed behind with a few of the less enthusiastic students. In the past, he had felt being towards the back was his own form of social protest against mandatory sports. After hearing other students encouraging the others around him, he was embarrassed for lagging behind. The other slow people here were doing their best, while David had been merely lazy. He tried to pick up his pace, but was soon out of breath.
While the first matches began, David and Takumi went off to one corner to practice. On the way, they passed Natsuki and her friend Yuka, followed closely by Kaeda and Mizuki. Seeing David and Takumi, the girls quickly huddled together. Grinning maliciously, Natsuki craned her head out of the group.
“Aww, sorry Takumi, looks like you’ll be last. Too bad you ended up with the gaijin.” Natsuki filled her voice with over the top sympathy.
“Better watch your head. He’s more likely to end up hitting you than the shuttle,” added Kaeda with an evil smile. The four girls giggled as David walked away, attempting to appear as if he had not understood their insults.
“See? He doesn’t even know when he’s being insulted, how pathetic,” Mizuki said, sending the group’s parting shot at David’s back.
“Don’t worry about them. They’re just mad you showed them all up. By the way, where did that come from?” Takumi asked once they were out of earshot.
“Now that I understand what the questions mean, I can do them,” David said after fighting down his anger at the girls’ words. “We studied all that stuff last year. I’ve also spent a lot of my free time helping my dad plan his experiments, so I know a bit about science. I’m sorry you are stuck with me though. Hopefully I won’t throw you off.”
“Really? That’s great!” Takumi’s smile went from forced to genuine. “Now you can help me with my homework. That’ll more than make up for it if we lose.” Seeing David’s face fall, he added, “Just kidding. Relax and have fun. Rie says you aren’t too bad at hitting the shuttle. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
Takumi’s wide grin was infectious. David knew that studying and getting into the right schools were critical to getting a good job. If he could help them study, then perhaps there was a way to even things out. At the very least, he could offer up his homework.
David and Takumi’s first match turned out to be against two students from Class 2A. A mixed boy girl team, neither opponent was on the badminton team. With much of David’s inexperience compensated for by Takumi’s extraordinary ability, they were able to win by a relatively high margin. David even managed to score on a lucky shot.
As the boys grew used to playing with each other, they improved. Each game was more difficult as better players advanced, yet the pair still won their games. David’s unconventional shots, due to lack of formal training, threw off their opponents’ defenses. After the sixth point David made from hitting the shuttle in when it should have gone out, Takumi started calling David’s wild points “gaijin shots.”
Takumi’s loud shouts and aggressive play were shocking, even after seeing Takumi in class, but he could not argue with the results. In almost no time, they were in the finals. David’s heart fell when Natsuki and Yuka joined them on the court for the last match. Seeing the fear in David’s eyes, the