Part-78

  Just as self-doubt threateo e James, Mili's voice broke through the fog of ivity. "See that guy over there," she poiowards the oh the near-900 stats, "that's Imran. He's one of the best judokas in Bangdesh. Won a national championship st year."

  James could only nod, still processing the overwhelming dispy of skill and power before him.

  James forced a smile, the weight of Imran's domitling heavily on his chest. "National champion, huh?" he managed, his voice barely above a whisper. A part of him, the petitive part awakened by the System, felt a flicker of admiration for Imran's skill. But the rger part was drowning in self-doubt.

  Mili, oblivious to his internal struggle, tinued with a hint of awe in her voibsp; "He's incredible. Fast, strong, and… strategibsp; He read his oppos like a book."

  James nodded mutely, his gaze lingering on Imran's fwless takedowns. Then, a mischievous thought struck him, a way to lighten the mood and maybe pry a little more information out of Mili.

  "So," he began, a pyful glint in his eyes, "is this Imran your secret crush? The national champion who read minds and throw people around like rag dolls?"

  Mili's cheeks flushed a rosy pink, and she swatted him pyfully on the arm. "No way!" she excimed, her voice ced with modignation. "He's… well, he's good, sure. But a crush? Definitely not."

  James couldn't help but chuckle at her flustered rea. It was a relief to see her smile again, the tension momentarily broken. But her answer sparked a new question in his mind. If Imran wasn't the object of her affe, then who was?

  He stole a g Mili, her eyes still fixed oraining session. There was a wistfulness in her gaze, a hint of longing that he couldn't quite decipher. Was there someone else here, someone who trained alongside her, someone who perhaps held a special p her heart?

  The question burned on his tongue, but something held him babsp; He didn't want to pry into her personal life too aggressively. Their e was still fragile, built on a ter and a shared secret. Maybe, just maybe, as they spent more time together, the answer would reveal itself naturally.

  The whirlwind of emotions ing within James was interrupted by a voice that sent a jolt down his spine. "What are you doing here?" a familiar voice called out from behind them.

  James spun around, brag himself for a frontation. There, standing a few feet away, was Ryan, the very same boy he'd tangled with in the school cafeteria. He looked… different. The smug arrogahat had characterized their previous enter was absent, repced by a casual friendlihat felt almost out of pce.

  Mili, however, didn't appear surprised by Ryan's presenbsp; In fact, a flicker of annoyance crossed her features, but it was quickly overshadowed by a resigned sigh. She leaowards James and whispered, her voice barely audible, "Ryan huh... He's also a member of the judo se. We've known each other… well, for a while."