Kaoru makes a sympathetic noise and reaches across the table to pat Kei's hair. "I'm just saying, it shouldn't have been a surprise. You underestimate yourself and how other people see you. You deserve this attention, because you're incredible."

Then he leans back and picks his fork up again, though he doesn't immediately eat. "But just because you're good enough, doesn't mean you have to go for it. You can turn them down if you don't want to keep playing."