Valt

Kris sat in her office, deep in thought and glancing at the calendar slightly. It was summer, the month of June, and the time where new recruits are chosen to join the highly sought-after team, BC Sol.

When they had won the European League nearly a year ago, to say that they were ecstatic would be an understatement. She still remembered the tears that rolled down her cheeks when she saw the team of her dreams cheering and crying around her, hugging and jumping at the battle she couldn't believe came from one of them. The blissful atmosphere that engulfed everyone.

Then as if that wasn't enough, a short time later came the International Blader's Cup, and 4 of her own bladers were invited, even two finishing in the finals. The tournament ended with Valt becoming world champion, a title she couldn't have prouder of, seeing a kid that has grown to great heights.

Her team was flourishing, right before her eyes. But of course, with those accomplishments under the team's belt, came with their own issues, which brings her right back to what sat in front of her.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of applications, all coming from bladers hoping to join BC Sol.

She groaned and ran her fingers through her hair, laying her arm on the table to think of what she was going to do. Previously, the job was done by her and Trad, but of course Trad was no longer on the team, and she was already having troubles balancing managing the team and being the director of the WBBA.

She had gone to asked Raul, but he declined the job. When asked why, he didn't give much of an answer, other than it's not a position that is for him. Who does that leave, then? Maybe one of the bladers...?

Knock knock

"Hm?" Kris glanced up at the door. It was slightly ajar with a sheepishly familiar head of blue hair appearing behind it. She smiled. "You can come in."

Valt popped his head in the room.

"Sorry to bother you," he laughed. Stepping inside, she saw the stack of papers in his hands, and could already feel the headache coming. "These are the rest of the applications that were sitting in the office. Though I think I missed a couple-"

"It's fine! Just set them on the table over there." She let out a sigh, but kept a strained smile on her face. "I'm assuming you finished your trip?"

He immediately lit up.

"Yeah, it was awesome! Everyone was so nice and there were so many cool sights over there! I wish I got to battle more though. But still, it was so much fun!"

Kris softened a bit when an idea popped in her head.

"Say... How long is it before your next trip?"

"Uh, I think I got a few months before that tournament in Japan. Maybe 3 or 4?" He quickly got out his phone and tapped on it for a bit. "Yeah, 3 months, it looks like."

He looked up, slightly confused. "Why?"

Kris got up with the stacks of papers on her desk and placed them on top of the ones that he had set on the table. It made a plop as they hit the surface. "Valt, would you be interested in completing the recruitment process this year?"

Valt stared at the very thick pile of applications next to him for a few seconds with a blank expression, though for Kris, she could feel sweat accumulating by the minute. Suddenly though, a smile broke out on his face.

"Really?! I would love to!" His grin stretched from ear to ear while bouncing in his steps like a little kid. She let out her breath, and side-eyed the way that Valt's eyes sparkled at the hundreds of paperwork. "Now remember the criteria, they must complete all three stages and show exceptional dedication and potential in each facet of blading. Identification must be shown, along with the specs of their bey to verify their qualification for official tournaments. Valt, are you getting this?"

The younger boy nodded, making a poor attempt at containing his excitement. Kris simply smiled and motioned for him to take the papers. He took it with no hesitation. "Alright. I'm trusting you. When you finished the first stage, hand me the list of qualified applicants."

"Got it! I'll do my best!" With that, he ran off, and Kris sat back in her chair with relief. Thank god that problem was solved. Now she could focus on her other duties, and no longer worry about it again.

~

A mere 2 days passed before Kris heard from Valt. She had just gotten back from a meeting when a knock came at the entrance of the office.

"Come in."

Just as she began to unwind, she was met with yet again the same problem being put right in front of her, sitting between the papers.

"Valt. Why are there over 400 names written down? The selection should've been barely 100." Her eyebrow was raised and skeptical as she glanced at the nervously smiling boy.

"There were so many amazing bladers Kris, you should've seen them! They all did so well, it was so hard to narrow it down!"

"You did this in 2 days, I doubt that 400 people were seriously considered."

"C'mon, just give them a chance, please???"

Setting the papers aside, she looked up and exhaled. "It's alright, we'll just have to do the process again. Thank you for your time Valt."

He pouted and left the room.

Silas

Kris sat in thought once again, and looked over the names that were written down. Of course Valt wouldn't be able to choose, he was too nice. They needed someone a bit harsher. Someone like...

"I got it!" Kris yelled out loud to herself. Quickly typing a contact on her phone, she tapped call and waited for it to get through.

"Hello?"

"Silas, can you come to my office real quick?"

"I'm uh-I'm a little busy right now... hey!"

"Kris! Is that you?"

"...Hello, Cuza."

"You wouldn't believe what just happened, listen- HEY let go!!"

"Give me back my phone!"

"Nuh-Uh! You'll have to catch me!"

"WHY you little-"

"BOYS!"

The other end quickly fell silent. She breathed in and spoke calmly.

"Silas, come to my office. Now."

"Uh, sorry it's still me. Hey Silas, Kris said-"

"I heard her, I'll be right there, now hang up."

"Alright! Hey Kris, Silas said-"

"I said hang up-!"

And with that the call ended. Even through her frustrated state, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Why did she expect any different?

A while passed before Silas came. He was breathing weirdly, like he had just finished running, or perhaps chasing a certain someone. Instead of making a comment though, she simply motioned him to the chair in front of her desk and towards the papers before her.

"I need you to take care of the recruitment process."

He ticked his tongue.

"Wasn't that Valt's job?"

"Yes, but as you can see, we decided that he wasn't fit for it. I figured you'll be able to choose wisely, wouldn't you?"

Giving a smirk and propping up his glasses, Silas responded. "Of course I will. After all, BC Sol needs to the best of the best, so I'll fit the job perfectly."

At least he's modest.

"Alright, but pick carefully. There needs to be 100 bladers for the next stage."

"Yeah, I got it."

"Perfect, you're dismissed."

~

Two names.

That's it.

Two. Fucking. Names.

"Silas, what is this?"

The guy just looked up and nodded towards the paper.

"Hm? What you mean? It's the bladers who passed."

Kris could feel her knuckles grow white with the paper in her hand.

"Why- are there only two?"

"Oh, they were all hella weak. Didn't even last a second in the stadium. I'm doing you a favor, really." He said, rolling his eyes while doing so.

She took a deep breath. Calm and collected. Just be calm and collected.

"So only two didn't?"

"Nah, they were weak too, but they talked good shit so they're aight."

Kris pinched the bridge of her nose. She needed a vacation. "Alright you're dismissed, I'll just get someone else." With a huff, he left towards the door and quickly closed it shut, but not before a giggle could get through.

Back to the drawing board. Fuck.

Free

"Hey Free, do you mind-"

"No."

Rantaro

Alright. Kris looked at the stack of papers for what felt like the hundredth time that week. She could've sworn it was taunting her.

So Valt couldn't do it. Neither could Silas. Raul rejected the offer. Free declined before she could even ask. The deadline is coming up fast.

I swear to god, this will be the end of me-

"Yo, Kris!" The door opened to reveal Rantaro peering into the office. "Ange was looking for you, something about dinner and- uhh, you good there?"

Looking up with a flickering eye, she nodded with a constrained smile, practically feeling the nerve bulging on her forehead. "Of course, I'm perfectly fine! You know, I just got all this paperwork left to do and- hold on..."

Rantaro stared in confusion as Kris searched through the papers scattered over the table and floor, picking up a couple and leaving some in the ground to be slipped from later, her hair an absolute mess.

"Rantaro!" She exclaimed, going up to the taller boy hastily and dropping the papers in his hands. "How would you like to do the recruitment process this year?!"

He stayed quiet for a minute, letting the words soak in his head. "You-you want me to do it?!" His voice was high-pitched and like Valt, his eyes sparkled, thought this time it may be from tears. "Really...?"

"Absolutely! I know you'll be a great fit. If anyone can, it's you!" This time, it really looked like Rantaro was about to cry, but kept it in if only to look professional and put together.

"This is...This is such a big honor. I can't believe I was the first person you thought of! I won't disappoint!" She laughed nervously and patted him on his shoulder.

Yup, first person....

"I know you will. Now, tell Ange I'll be right there."

"Got it!" With that, he was off, practically skipping his way out of the office. Kris finally sat back on the couch. Please. Please let this one work.

~

To her surprise, Rantaro turned out to really be the perfect fit. After a week, he came back with the list, and it was 100 names to the dot. Still skeptical that this will really work out, she allowed him to move on the next stage, which should have an estimate of 20-30 spots.

He came back with 27 names.

By the time it was all over, he came back the names of the five bladers that made it through, and even provided notes on each one, with their strengths and noticeable qualities that made them stand out.

Really, she couldn't have asked for a better person for the job. He even seemed content during it, happily helping the rookie bladers. But most of all, she felt relief, no longer having that stress hanging over her.

Of course, no one had the guts to tell Rantaro that he was, in fact, not the first person to be assigned the position. Well, Silas did, but Valt and Kit quickly shut him up before he could say anything.

So all well that ends well...

A few years later

"Hey Kris?" Cuza said. He was walking along the rail of the bleachers while the now-20-year-old manager was watching the practice arena, bustling with activity.

"Hm?" she responded distractedly.

"Aren't the new recruits supposed to be coming soon?"

She looked at in confusion. "That's Rantaro job, he'll... oh."

The realization hit her as soon as she opened her mouth. She put her head in her hands.

"Oh, don't you remember, he's working with the Comets-"

"Yes, I know, Cuza."

The performer smiled and jumped down in display to land in front of benches, right where she was sitting. "Don't worry, I can do it!"

That gave Kris a chuckle, looking up from her distress in amusement. "Really?"

"Yup! It's just writing down names, sounds easy to me!"

Easy. Easy he says. Kris got up and trudged towards the door. "You know what, I'm going to get some air. Can you watch over the bladers for me?"

"Will do!" He bounced up and stood on the bench, carefully surveying the building. Kris didn't bother telling him to get down.

I need a nap.