Bully Lord

Part-93

James glanced at Zia. Unlike Ryan's flamboyant confidence and Sourov's aggressive demeanor, Zia exuded a quiet kindness, a constant smile playing on his lips. He seemed almost… innocent. "Did you…" James began hesitantly, "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 playful glint in his eyes.  "Practice makes perfect, right?"

James felt a pang of guilt mixed with grudging respect.  Despite their similar stats, Zia's skill was undeniable.  He'd fallen prey to 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 declared, a playful jab in his voice as he stood up.  His smile, however, held a newfound seriousness.

The "real" practice that followed was a humbling experience.  James managed to throw Zia twice that day, each successful throw a hard-earned victory.  However, the tables were quickly turned.  Zia, a seasoned Judo player unlike the compliant partner James had imagined, threw James down countless times.  Each fall felt like a lesson, highlighting the flaws in his technique, the areas where he needed improvement.

By the end of the session, James was battered but not broken.  His initial excitement at completing the first chain mission had been tempered by the harsh reality of his own inexperience.  Yet, a newfound determination 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 direction by chance. An awkward silence hung between them initially, the memory of their recent duel still fresh. However, as they walked, a conversation sparked, tentative at first, then flowing more freely.

Finally, James couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "Hey, Ryan," he began, hesitating slightly before forging ahead. "Why did you want me to join the Judo Club, anyway?"

Ryan, a hint of amusement in his eyes, stopped for a moment, considering the question.  "Well, James," he drawled, letting the suspense build for a beat, "we at the club are gearing up for the national tournament this year.  And let's be honest, we needed some fresh blood."

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

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

“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 placing second for the past three years, and this year, we're aiming for the top spot."