Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818792436148809886
The first half ended, and it was halftime.
The Red Team and Green Team players returned to their benches under the tents that had been set up and began hydrating and discussing strategy.
“Let’s keep this up. Everyone’s doing great.”
The Green Team, led by Hayami Ren , was in high spirits as they reviewed the game.
On the other hand, the Red Team bench…
“… Hey, Amagami? Are you okay?”
“Leave me alone. For now.”
He was visibly downcast.
The reason for this was that Amagami had suffered a major mental blow.
For better or worse, he was the center of the team. And that was working against them.
Sitting on the bench, staring blankly at the ground, Amagami no longer exuded the same vigor as before.
“Amagami… pull yourself together. If you’re like this, we can’t win even if we should.”
At Tokai’s words, Amagami’s shoulders jerked.
“…Win? Where in this game do you see us winning?”
Staring at Tokai, he stood up and threw the towel hanging from his neck onto the bench.
“Amagami?”
“It’s a complete defeat. I’ve been out of practice, and I’m not even in my original position, yet I’ve been beaten this badly. And you say we can win this match? Save your nonsense for when you’re asleep.”
Losing his composure, Amagami grabbed Tokai by the collar in anger.
However, Tokai remained calm and opened his mouth.
“You get angry with that kind of face, huh?”
“Huh?”
“No, well. You’re unusually cold, aren’t you? Normally, teammates call each other by their first names, but you don’t like it outside of games and only want to have the bare minimum of conversation.”
“Then what the hell are you talking about?”
“Nothing. I’m not bothered by losing today. After all, it’s just a sports tournament. It’s not like it’ll close the door to a professional career.”
But. Tokai shook off the hand that had grabbed his collar.
“Even if we lose, we’ll lose with everything we’ve got. With every fiber of our being, we’ll lose with all our might. Amagami.”
And then, that hand grabbed Amagami’s collar in return.
“Amagami, you bastard. If you’ve lost your will to fight and don’t think you can win anymore, then get the hell out of here.”
＊＊＊
First half. To be honest, I didn’t think it would go this well.
I take long, deep breaths to recover my stamina as much as possible.
My knee is fine. In fact, it’s already fully healed, so I don’t need to worry about it.
More importantly.
“…You’re recovering, aren’t you?”
The atmosphere on the neighboring bench has changed. Even Amagami, who should have suffered a major mental blow in the first half, looks different.
“You’re playing a good game, guys.”
“…Aota. You came to watch?”
Behind the bench. I turn around to see where the voice came from, and there stands Aota.
“Yeah, our game is next after yours. …It’s a good team, just like you.”
“Right? In soccer, technique and experience are essential to strengthen the offense. But defense isn’t necessarily the same.”
The most important thing in defense.
It’s awareness and coordination. Understanding what a dangerous situation is.
“If you can do that, I’ll take care of all the tough parts.”
“…You haven’t changed, have you?”
“That’s all I can do.”
“Still, it’s amazing. I didn’t think you were that clumsy.”
“…That’s quite a high evaluation. Thanks, Aota.”
The second half is about to start. I stood up.
“Everyone, please do your best in the second half! It’ll be tough, but… if you get stuck, I’ll figure something out.”
“Ooh!!”
There’s still more to do in this match. Or rather, the main event hasn’t even started yet.
I’m not standing on the court for the first time in two years just to scold a cocky junior.
Of course, there’s a lot of chance involved. But once it was decided that we’d be facing Amagami, I naturally saw what I had to do.
“Amagami. You can do it. Become Aota’s partner.”
I’m here to pass on what I’ve learned from playing with Aota all this time.
I’m here to teach him what he needs to know.
＊＊＊
There hasn’t been a day when I haven’t thought about what I’m lacking.
But no matter what it was, I believed that with enough effort, I could achieve it.
Fifth grade. Until I had to face that person in battle.
Passes with no wasted movements, each one carrying deep meaning and purpose. And overwhelming technique that left me unable to even touch the ball, despite his abundant creativity.
That was Hayami Ren.
He wasn’t very famous, but there was no doubt that he was one of the best players in the country.
And I think the reason he never became famous was because that man was always by his side.
“Hayami-san. I don’t think you can forgive me for my many offenses.”
I bowed my head on the field.
“Huh, why the sudden formality?”
“I always thought you were running away. From soccer, and from Aota-san.”
But that wasn’t the case. There must have been some reason. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be this skilled even after quitting.
“Amagami. If you feel bad, show it through your play. Show me your true determination… or something like that. Let’s just enjoy ourselves for now.”
“Yes, I’ll give it my all. For you.”
Right now, I can’t match this person in any way. I know that. Painfully so.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to back down here.
“Because I can’t hate soccer.”
And so the second half began
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