Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/7667601420068998847
Next Monday. After wrestling with equations, classical Japanese, and other tricky problems since morning, spring break arrived in the blink of an eye.
“…The time has come, huh?”
“What are you talking about, Ren?”
As soon as the bell rang, I was distracting myself with some random talk when Aota called out to me.
“Nah, just a bit…”
“You seem unusually restless today. Something happen?”
“Not so much happened, but more like it’s about to happen?”
“Ah, so it’s happening now, huh?”
Aota tapped his palm with his fist, looking satisfied.
“Yeah. Anyway, gotta go. Details later.”
“Alright. Oh, wait, Ren. I’ve got something to tell you then too.”
“Mm, got it.”
And so, I left the classroom.
According to the teacher, in a case like this, the worst-case scenario is that fifth period would be officially excused, and the other party would likely arrive around the end of lunch break.
So I could come after lunch, but I just couldn’t relax.
“…What could they possibly want with me now?”
A scout from a prestigious school. Someone who’d even experienced the highest stage, the pros. And yet, they seemed interested in a broken player like me.
“Looking troubled, aren’t you? Senpai?”
I heard that voice as I passed near the faculty room.
“Shiramine-san? Why are you here? …No, sorry. Never mind.”
Why? It was obvious the moment I saw it. The package she held so carefully caught my eye.
“Today, right? That… meeting with the university scout?”
“…Yeah.”
I’d let it slip the other day. Besides, we always eat lunch together in the old school building at this time.
“Saying ‘Good luck’ feels kind of off. But precisely because of that, I’ll say it anyway. Please do your best.”
Shiramine looked at me straight on with a serious expression and held out the thing in her hand.
“Thanks.”
It felt like she was expecting something from me, which was a little scary, but I was able to take it without hesitation. It was probably because I…
“Alright, I’ll be off then. Thanks.”
“Sure, see you after school or something.”
It was heartwarming. It was the first time I’d ever felt so supported by someone.
“…Thank you. Really.”
And with that, I slipped through the reception room door.
＊＊＊
The visitors arrived about thirty minutes later. It was just as I finished the sandwich Shiramine had given me.
“Well, I’m terribly sorry about this. Honestly, I wish I could have come on a holiday… or better yet, adjusted to your schedule…”
The door opened, and a man entered with Aoi sensei.
He was about my height, dressed in a suit, yet had an almost ethereal presence.
But,
“So you’re Hayami Ren? Hmm. Not bad. You’re the type I don’t dislike.”
There was something about him. He was the kind of person who made you feel certain of it.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Ah, thank you so much for your time. I’m really sorry about this…”
Huh? …Maybe it was just my imagination. But… wasn’t he being incredibly humble? This guy.
The door clanged shut, leaving just me, that man behind.
“Hmm, sorry about that. This was the only time I could make it. By the way, what’s your next class?”
“Um, well… PE.”
“Oh man, I’m really sorry. For a high schooler, that’s gotta be way easier than lecture classes, right?”
“No, it’s fine.”
He’s elusive. …Or rather, he’s just a unique person.
“Um, first off, nice to meet you. I’m a scout for the Hoshikawa University Soccer Club. Um, would that mean anything to you? Iga…”
“Iga Teruhito. Former playmaker for Dranpas, Japan’s top midfielder selected for the national team continuously from age 18 until his retirement.”
Any Japanese person knowledgeable about soccer knows him. That’s how great the person standing before me now is…
“No way. This is kind of… nice. It’s been ten years since I retired… Ah, I feel like I might cry.”
“Eh, yeah.”
Always cool and collected. A player who could control the entire offense, even the entire match, with a single pass.
…Or so I thought. But talking to him like this…
“Hmph… Still, I’m here for work, right? Let’s put that aside for now. I wanted to ask you about yourself.”
“Yes, nice to meet you today.”
“Ah, no need to be so formal. Yeah. Actually, with someone like me… No, sorry. I’m just terrible at this sort of thing. Well then—let’s get to the exciting Q&A session!”
Not excited at all… Seriously, the only person I can imagine getting excited in this situation is Aota…
“You are, hmm. Let’s see. What kind of player is Hasegawa Aota to you?”
“T-That…”
That question was far too difficult for me.
But it was probably the easiest one to answer.
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