The Blind Love Life of the Returning Hero: The Companions I Lost in Another World Resurrect in the Modern Era and Indulge Me - Episode 19

After finishing his work with Takeshi without any issues, Hayato had an important plan upon returning to Japan.

Riri’s badminton club was participating in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament. The moment he heard she would be competing, he had already decided he would go to cheer her on.

He was relieved that work hadn’t dragged on. If it had, he wouldn’t have been able to come today. With that thought, Hayato made his way to the gymnasium where the tournament was being held.

When he arrived, the venue was already bustling with spectators. Adults who looked like parents and high school students in uniforms were entering one after another. Hayato lined up and entered with them.

In the center of the spacious gymnasium, several courts were set up, and intense matches were underway on each one. The bleachers were about half full, and the air was filled with energetic shouts of encouragement from players and spectators alike.

As Hayato looked around inside the venue, his eyes landed on a girl. Wearing a blue and white uniform, with her golden hair tied in a ponytail—it was Riri. She was stretching at the side of the court, and the moment she looked up, her eyes met Hayato’s.

He could see her face light up in an instant.

Riri said something to her teammates, then jogged over to Hayato. Her eyes sparkled with joy.

“Hayato, you really came!”

Her voice overflowed with excitement.

“Of course. I promised, didn’t I?”

Hayato smiled and encouraged her gently.

“Give it your best today.”

“Yes!”

Riri was bursting with motivation for the match.

“Hello, Hayato-san.”

A gentle voice interrupted their conversation. When Hayato turned around, he saw a beautiful woman with the same golden hair and blue eyes as Riri.

“Mom!”

It was Riri’s mother, Elena Takahashi. Hayato had met her before. On nights when it got late and he had walked Riri home, he had run into her a few times. He also happened to have met Riri’s father before.

“Hello, Elena-san.”

Hayato bowed respectfully.

“Thank you for coming to support my daughter today,” Elena said with a courteous bow of her own. A kind smile, much like Riri’s, appeared on her face.

“This girl was so looking forward to you coming to cheer her on.”

“Mooom!”

Riri blushed and gave her mother a playful glare. Her expression was adorably embarrassed.

“Um… I’d better go get ready for my match now.”

Trying to hide her shyness, she spoke quickly.

“You can win this, Riri. Show them what your practice has achieved.”

Hayato called out firmly as he watched her go.

“Do your best. And be careful not to get hurt,” Elena added lovingly. Her voice was filled with the deep affection of a caring mother.

After watching Riri return to her teammates, Hayato and Elena were left alone. Looking around, more and more spectators—including parents, elderly couples, and young students—were taking their seats.

“Elena-san, would it be okay if I sat with you?”

Hayato asked. He thought it might look a bit suspicious if a grown man watched a high school girl’s match alone. Sitting with someone else seemed like the safer choice.

Elena also appeared to have come by herself, so he decided to ask.

“Of course,” she replied with a smile.

“Let’s cheer for her together.”

They found a good spot and took their seats. Soon after, an announcement echoed through the venue, signaling the start of the matches.

Riri’s match would come a bit later. As they watched the ongoing games, Hayato got a feel for how badminton matches progressed. He knew the basic rules, but this was his first time actually watching a live game.

Finally, Riri stepped onto the court. Her opponent was a taller girl whose expression radiated intense determination.

“She looks tough,” Hayato thought.

Apparently, Riri’s opponent had been the champion of the previous Tokyo tournament. Facing such a formidable opponent right away?

The match began, and the two exchanged point after point. Riri’s athleticism stood out—she moved gracefully across the court, looking a cut above the other players. But her opponent didn’t give in easily either, returning shots with impressive technique.

“Ugh…”

Hayato let out a small noise. Riri had just lost a point, unable to respond to a drop shot near the net. She lost a few more points in tight rallies. It was frustrating to watch.

Elena, sitting next to him, also watched the match with a serious expression.

“Oh!”

Hayato leaned forward, excited. Riri’s movements were clearly evolving—she was reading her opponent’s patterns and adjusting her strategy mid-match.

Come to think of it, she had always been good at this.

In the other world, Lilia had been the same. She had a gift for quickly analyzing enemy magic patterns and crafting the perfect counter-spells. That same talent now blossomed differently in this world.

Riri’s style shifted from defense to offense. A powerful smash she delivered pierced through her opponent’s side of the court. She looked like a graceful butterfly in motion, yet her strikes had the force of a hawk.

The whole venue buzzed with energy. Her teammates shouted, “Go, Riri!” while the other team’s supporters yelled, “Don’t lose!” Applause and cheers rang out from the spectators. She was clearly the focus of everyone’s attention.

It was a close match. Riri won the first game, narrowly lost the second, and in the final game, she initially took the lead. But her opponent fought back tenaciously.

“Come on, Riri!”

Hayato stood and shouted encouragement. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down. She had to stay hungry for victory until the very end. That’s what his voice conveyed.

Perhaps she heard him. Riri glanced at him for a brief moment from the court. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but she smiled before returning her focus to the game. Her next serve was powerful, aimed with precision to exploit her opponent’s weakness.

“Match point!”

The referee’s voice echoed. The final rally was tense and breathless. Riri dashed left and right, chasing the shuttle tirelessly. The moment her opponent showed even the slightest opening, Riri struck with a decisive smash.

“Game set! Winner: Takahashi!”

Cheers erupted across the venue. Riri raised her fist in triumph, her joy bursting forth. Then, without hesitation, she walked over and shook hands with her opponent. It was a picture of true sportsmanship.

“Riri looked so happy that you came to cheer her on,” Elena said with a warm smile. Her expression held a sense of understanding and reassurance.

“I want to keep watching over her as she grows,” Hayato replied.

“Yes, please do. Riri sees you as someone very special,” Elena said gently.

Hayato couldn’t say anything in response. Deep down, he knew Riri was special to him too. It was a bond from another world—one he had no intention of revealing. So he remained silent.