Chapter 7 — Bridge Yard Beats

Returning to the country after unexpected success at the first international tournament, the couple Vy - Long quickly became the center of attention in the domestic badminton world. Many sports newspapers reported on this surprising combination, praising the perfect complementary play between two opposing styles.

But success also comes with new pressures. The training schedule has been doubled to prepare for the regional Olympic qualifiers that are only a month away. Coach Kiet added more complex tactical exercises, requiring coordination and the ability to read the game at a much higher level than before.

"From now until the qualifying round, we don't have much time left to make mistakes," coach Kiet announced in the tactical meeting, pointing to the analysis table of potential opponents in the regional qualifying round. "The strongest opponent you can meet is the couple from Thailand, the second seed in the region, with a comprehensive attacking style of play on both sides."

That afternoon's practice session, coach Kiet let Vy and Long practice with the same pair simulating the playing style of their Thai opponents, including two promising young athletes of the team assigned to "play the role" of opponents in tactical practice sessions.

The practice match was tense from the beginning. The simulated pair, with their aggressive play style from both sides, forced Vy and Long to constantly switch between attack and defense at breakneck speed. In a fierce ball phase, Long rushed to block a strong hit, but because he couldn't move in time, he slipped and fell to the court, his hands leaning heavily on the wooden floor.

"Are you okay?" Vy quickly ran over, her voice filled with worry when she saw Long wincing and rubbing his wrist.

"It's okay," Long replied, trying to stand up even though his face still showed signs of pain. "It's just a slight twist."

But coach Kiet, observing from afar, immediately asked to stop the training session and called the team doctor to check. After a preliminary examination, the doctor concluded that Long had a mild wrist sprain and needed to rest for at least a week and limit strong movements during recovery.

That news came as a small shock to the whole team, especially to Vy, who understood better than anyone the importance of each training day during this important sprint period. "There's only one month left until the qualifying round, if it takes a week without practicing together..." she worriedly told coach Kiet after Long was taken for a closer examination.

"I know you're worried," Coach Kiet replied, his voice reassuring. "But Long's health is more important than anything else right now. We will adjust the lesson plan, you can practice your physical strength and personal technique during this time."

That evening, Vy visited Long in his room, bringing with him a bag of fruit that he quickly bought at a store near the dormitory. Long was sitting on the bed, his wrist carefully bandaged, his face showing a boredom that rarely showed.

"How are you feeling?" Vy asked, placing the fruit bag on the table, her eyes full of concern.

"It's getting better," Long replied, although his voice was still a bit sullen. "It's just that I'm worried about losing precious practice time right now."

"Don't worry too much," Vy sat down next to the bed, trying to be optimistic. "Health is more important. We still have three weeks after your recovery to prepare."

"I know," Long sighed, looking down at his bandaged wrist. "But I feel sorry for slowing down both of our progress, just when things were going so well."

"This is not your fault," Vy said, her voice determined. "Injury is something no one wants but is also very unavoidable in top sports. The important thing is that we get through this period together."

During the week Long took a break from general training, Vy spent time practicing physical strength and personal techniques according to her own lesson plan, but she also did not forget to visit Long every day, sometimes just to chat, sometimes bringing snacks or helping him do gentle recovery exercises according to the doctor's instructions.

"You don't have to come visit me every day like that," Long said one afternoon when Vy stopped by, although he couldn't hide the warmth in his eyes.

"I want to come," Vy replied, smiling as she helped him perform gentle wrist rotation exercises as directed by the doctor. "We are a team, a team must overcome difficulties together."

Long looked at her, his eyes filled with an emotion he had never experienced before — not just appreciation for a teammate, but something much deeper, making his heart beat faster every time she was near.

"Thank you," he said softly, his voice filled with more emotion than words could fully express.

During that week of vacation, Long did not sit completely still. Even though he couldn't hold a racket, he still spent time carefully studying the Thai couple's competition videos, meticulously recording each strength and weakness in his opponent's playing style in a small notebook.

"Are you still working even though you're on vacation?" Vy asked when she visited one afternoon and saw Long sitting watching videos on his tablet, a notebook full of handwriting next to him.

"I can't exercise physically, but my mind can still work," Long replied, showing her the notebook. "I realized that the Thai pair tends to attack hard on the left wing in high-pressure situations. If we can predict this in advance, we will have a significant advantage."

Vy attentively looked through each line of those detailed notes, unable to hide her admiration for Long's relentless progressive spirit even when injured. “You really never stop thinking about badminton,” she commented, her tone both teasing and respectful.

"Not really," Long smiled lightly, a rare relaxed smile. "Sometimes I also think about other things."

"Like what?" Vy asked curiously, sitting down next to the bed.

Long was silent for a moment, his eyes avoided looking straight at her, his hands unconsciously tightened the edge of the blanket. "Like, I hope to get better soon so I can go back to training with you," he said, trying to keep his voice normal even though inside it wasn't that simple.

Vy felt the hesitation in that answer, but she decided not to ask further, just smiled in response. "I hope so too. The training ground feels strangely empty without you."

On the fifth day of the recovery week, after fully performing all prescribed recovery exercises according to a strict schedule, the team doctor re-checked Long's wrist condition and found that the recovery progress was better than expected thanks to strict compliance with the treatment regimen. "If you continue to improve at this rate, you can return to light exercise in two days, one day earlier than originally planned," the doctor announced.

That good news made both Long and Vy unable to hide the obvious excitement on their faces. "Finally, I'm about to return to the field," Long said, his eyes shining with excitement that was rarely seen when Vy visited right after the test that afternoon.

"I'm very happy for you," Vy replied, a bright smile on her lips. "But remember not to be too hasty, you need to follow the recovery roadmap that the doctor has carefully laid out."

"I promise," Long nodded, his eyes looking at her affectionately, his voice carrying a sincerity that was rarely expressed. "Thank you, for always patiently accompanying me throughout the past week, even though you yourself had to struggle with an equally strenuous private practice plan."

"We are a team," Vy replied, repeating the familiar saying as an affirmation of the increasingly strong bond between the two, not only on the field but also in everyday life.

Before leaving the room, Vy showed Long her wrist, where the small bracelet was still worn. “I still wear it every day, even when I work out,” she said, her voice light. "Every time I look at it, I remember our first victory, and your unexpected flair."

Long smiled, a warm feeling spread throughout his heart at that simple, sincere appreciation. "I'm glad you like it," he replied, his eyes gently following her figure as she stood up, gathered her things, and prepared to leave.

"Have a good rest, see you on the field in two days," Vy waved before closing the door, leaving Long alone with his chaotic thoughts about the feelings that were growing in his heart, feelings that he knew, sooner or later, he needed to face seriously, instead of forever hiding behind his familiar calmness.