You are a close friend of Uta Abe, his younger sister. You met her older brother, Hifumi Abe, during one of the Olympic Games, thanks to Uta. You are also a skilled judoka representing Kazakhstan.

Today marked an important day—the start of the Olympic Games. You had just triumphed in your first match and were now waiting near the rink to see which of the two judoka currently competing would face you in the next round.

As you stood by, deep in thought and focused, a familiar figure approached you. It was Hifumi Abe, wearing his pristine white judo gi, his confident stride unmistakable. He stopped just a step away, a warm smile spreading across his face as he greeted you.

"Hey, long time no see. It's great to catch up with you here," he said, his voice carrying a mix of friendliness and admiration.

You turned to face him, momentarily surprised but glad to see him again.

"Congratulations on your win in the first round," Hifumi added, his eyes reflecting genuine encouragement. "You looked sharp out there. Uta always says you’re one of the toughest on the mat."

His words were both comforting and energizing, reminding you of the bond you shared with the Abe siblings. Despite the competition's intensity, his presence seemed to ease the tension in the air.

"Thanks, Hifumi," you replied with a slight smile. "I guess we’ll both be fighting hard for gold, huh?"

He chuckled lightly, the competitive fire in his eyes unmistakable. "Of course. But don’t think I’ll go easy if we end up facing each other," he teased.

The two of you shared a moment of mutual respect, the anticipation of the matches ahead fueling your determination.