Chapter 4 — Bridge Yard Beats

The first training session of the Vy - Long couple took place on Monday morning, under the direct supervision of coach Kiet. The two stood across the field from each other, physically closer than at any time before in their rocky partnership.

"The mixed doubles event is completely different from the singles event," coach Kiet explained, holding a strategy board drawing a diagram of the division of the field. "Long, you will take charge of the back of the court, taking advantage of your defense and powerful shots from behind. Vy, you will be in charge of the area in front of the net, where your reaction speed and acumen will be most effective."

Vy nodded, trying to remember every detail despite feeling unfamiliar with this completely new playing position. During her singles career, she has never had to coordinate smoothly with anyone on the same court.

The first exercise is basic coordination — Long hits the shuttlecock from the back of the court, Vy blocks and returns the shuttlecock at the net. But right from the first minutes, the lack of chemistry was clearly evident. Vy, with the habits of a single athlete who is used to covering the entire field by himself, continuously moved into Long's side of the field, causing the two to collide many times.

"You need to stay where you are," Long reminded after the third collision, his voice somewhat tense despite trying to stay calm. "If you keep moving around like that, we'll leave a big gap for our opponents to exploit."

"I'm trying to keep up the pace," Vy replied, her voice unable to hide her frustration. "I'm used to having to cover the entire field, it's not easy to change habits in just one practice session."

"Then you need to concentrate more," Long replied, his voice still stern. "This isn't a solo fight, you can't just rely on your personal instincts."

Vy tightened her grip on the handle of the racket, the familiar feeling of discomfort at Long's brutally frank comments reappeared. But this time, she tried to hold back, remembering the promise she made to herself that she would take this opportunity seriously.

"Okay," she took a deep breath. "You show me how to divide the field properly."

Long was somewhat surprised by that rare concession, but quickly regained composure and began to explain in more detail the principle of dividing areas in doubles competition, and how to read the opponent's position to decide who will handle the next ball.

The training session continued for many hours, with countless clashes, misunderstandings, and frustrating moments mixed in. But gradually, little by little, the two began to find a common rhythm, even though it was still very clumsy compared to professional couples who had practiced together for many years.

"At this rate, we probably need more time than two months," Vy said, panting after another failed combination, sitting down on the field to rest.

"We have no other choice but to make the most of the time we have," Long replied, although his voice could not hide the fatigue. He sat down next to her, not too close but not as strange as before.

Coach Kiet, observing from afar throughout the training session, approached, his face showing no obvious emotions but his eyes exuding a certain satisfaction. "Not bad for a first practice session," he commented. "The children have begun to learn how to communicate with each other, although there is still a lot of room for improvement."

"Do you think we have a chance to succeed?" Vy asked, her voice still a bit skeptical.

"I don't dare to promise anything," Coach Kiet replied honestly. "But I believe, if both of you are truly committed, nothing is impossible in the remaining time."

In the following days, the couple's training schedule was more dense than ever - practicing coordination techniques in the morning, physical training specifically for doubles in the afternoon, and at night watching videos analyzing the world's top couples to learn strategies. The intense training intensity left the two with almost no time for any activities other than badminton.

One afternoon, while taking a break, Vy accidentally caught Long massaging his wrist with a slightly grimace on his face, trying to hide it from others' eyes.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, sounding genuinely worried.

"Nothing serious," Long replied, quickly withdrawing his hand. "It's just a mild muscle strain due to a sudden increase in exercise intensity."

"You should go check with the team doctor," Vy advised, her eyes still unable to hide her concern. "Don't let a small injury become a big problem like Tram's."

Long looked at her, somewhat surprised by that sincere concern, completely different from the image of Vy who was always ready to fight that he once knew. "Thank you for your concern," he replied, his voice softening a bit. "I'll go get tested after practice this afternoon."

That evening, after completing a busy training schedule, Vy lay in bed, her body exhausted but her mind still unusually alert. She remembered every moment of the day — the bumps, Long's sometimes harsh reminders, but also the moments when he patiently re-explained every technical detail until she truly understood.

Something is gradually changing in the way she views this new teammate, although Vy herself still cannot name exactly what that feeling is.

In the second week, Coach Kiet decided to add a special exercise to the schedule - forcing both of them to review video recordings of previous training sessions together, meticulously analyzing every mistake in coordination. The two sat next to each other in a small technical analysis room, with a large screen replaying each ball.

"In this part," Long paused the video, pointing at the screen, "you moved too early before knowing for sure which area the ball would fall into. That's why we left a gap in the middle of the field."

"I see," Vy nodded, observing attentively. She rewound the video several times, trying to remember exactly when to move. "So when should I wait until I move?"

"Wait until the ball leaves the opponent's racket, observe their swing angle," Long explained, his voice much more patient than the harsh reminders on the court. "The racket angle will reveal the direction the shuttle is coming from before the shuttle actually leaves."

Vy listened attentively and clearly felt the difference in the way Long communicated when in this quiet space compared to when he was tense on the field. "Your explanations are much easier to understand without having to shout in the middle of the training ground," she commented, a teasing smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

"I'm sorry for being a bit harsh sometimes," Long replied, somewhat shyly. "I just want both of us to progress as quickly as possible in this short time."

"I understand," Vy replied, her voice softer. "To be honest, I also needed such straightforward reminders. I'm not used to hearing anyone give me advice during my singles career."

The two continued to watch the video again, occasionally stopping to discuss every small detail. Gradually, the atmosphere between them became more comfortable, the conversations no longer revolved around arguments but turned to constructive technical exchanges.

"You know," Long said as the analysis session drew to a close, "I think your greatest strength is not your strength or speed, but your ability to read the game instinctively. I've never seen an athlete with such sharp reflexes."

That unexpected compliment made Vy pause for a moment, not used to receiving sincere recognition from someone who is always strict like Long. "Thank you," she replied, her voice filled with a rare hint of confusion. "That's the most sincere compliment I've ever received from you."

"I always tell the truth," Long replied, his eyes looking straight at her, not avoiding her at all. "Even when the truth is hard to hear."

Vy laughed at that statement, a feeling of relief spreading throughout her body after a stressful day of training. "I'm starting to get used to it," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief that rarely appeared in Long's presence.

Before leaving the analysis room, Long stopped for a moment and his eyes became serious. "Thank you, for being willing to challenge yourself with something completely new like this. I know, giving up the number one position in singles to switch to an unfamiliar content is not an easy decision."

"I also thank you, for being patient with a newbie like me," Vy replied, her voice sincere. They both walked out of the analysis room, the hallway light shining down on two parallel silhouettes, an image that just a few weeks ago, none of their teammates could have imagined.