Part-93

  James g Zia. Unlike Ryan's fmboyant fidend Sourov's aggressive demeanor, Zia exuded a quiet kindness, a stant smile pying on his lips. He seemed almost… i. "Did you…" James begaantly, "Did you let me throw you?"

  Zia's smile widened. "Oh, you figured it out," he chuckled. "Yeah, I saw you were frustrated, so I eased up a bit. You were getting the hang of it, but…" He trailed off, a pyful glint in his eyes. "Practice makes perfect, right?"

  James felt a pang of guilt mixed with grudging respebsp; Despite their simir stats, Zia's skill was undeniable. He'd falleo the temptation to believe his close call throws were genuine victories. A silent vow echoed within him - no more shortcuts.

  "Alright, let's get real from now on," Zia decred, a pyful jab in his voice as he stood up. His smile, however, held a newfound seriousness.

  The "real" practice that followed was a humbling experienbsp; James mao throw Zia twice that day, each successful throw a hard-earned victory. However, the tables were quickly turned. Zia, a seasoned Judo pyer uhe pliant partner James had imagihrew James down tless times. Each fall felt like a lesson, highlighting the fws in his teique, the areas where he needed improvement.

  By the end of the session, James was battered but not broken. His initial excitement at pleting the first mission had been tempered by the harsh reality of his own inexperienbsp; Yet, a newfouermination burned within him. He wouldn't just throw Zia 100 times with the De Ashi Barai; he'd master it, honing his skill until his throws were unstoppable.

  The afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the sidewalk as James and Ryan walked home. They'd bumped into each other outside the school gates, both heading in the same dire by ce. An awkward silence huween them initially, the memory of their ret duel still fresh. However, as they walked, a versation sparked, tentative at first, then flowing more freely.

  Finally, James couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "Hey, Ryan," he begaating slightly before f ahead. "Why did you wao join the Judo Club, anyway?"

  Ryan, a hint of amusement in his eyes, stopped for a moment, sidering the question. "Well, James," he drawled, letting the suspense build for a beat, "we at the club are gearing up for the national tourhis year. A's be ho, we needed some fresh blood."

  James raised an eyebrow, surprised by the answer. "Fresh blood? And the National Tour? Wasn’t that an individual tour?”

  Ryan shook his head. “Yes, there is an individual tour, but there's also a team game. I'll expin the rules to you ter.”

  “Okay. You guys are already pretty good though." James recalled the impressive skills of the other students.

  Ryan chuckled. "Good, yes, but not quite good enough. We've been pg sed for the past three years, and this year, we're aiming for the top spot."