The days kept rolling forward, blending into a week of relentless training.
By the first day of the second week, the intensity hadn't eased.
During a short free-kick drill, Jiho stood over the ball, eyes locked straight ahead.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped in and struck the ball powerfully, sending it rocketing toward the net where Kurogami stood ready, his eyes fixed sharply on the incoming shot.
As the ball neared the far right side of the goal, Kurogami dived across, fully stretching his arm and managing to brush the ball away from the target.
Jiho yells, kicking at the grass in frustration.
Standing on the sidelines with the rest of the players, Kento sensei clapped before patting Izaya on the back, sending him in next.
Now standing over the ball, Izaya took a breath before striking it with smooth precision, sending it beautifully curling toward the net.
Taking a quick mont to position himself, Kurogami launched through the air with both arms extended, cleanly catching the shot before rolling across the grass.
Izaya threw his arms up in frustration before walking back toward the group.
Kento gave a firm nod before turning toward the remaining players, where Kabuto stepped forward, eting Kento's eyes with a confident grin on his face.
Watching his confidence, Kento gave a slight nod, as if granting permission.
Now in position, Kabuto stepped forward with the sa smirk still on his face and struck the ball with a powerful thud, sending it rocketing toward the far left side.
Kurogami reacted perfectly, throwing one arm up and brushing the ball with his fingertips, sending it away from the target.
Kabuto let out a dramatic sigh, holding the top of his head as if the shot had been close, when in reality, it really wasn't.
Kento nodded before turning once again, scanning the players with firm, watchful eyes.
Now positioned in front of the net, Kurogami planted his feet firmly against the grass, crouching low with his arms spread wide like a wall, his eyes locked straight ahead.
Standing over the ball now was Haruma Kusaka.
Keeping his gaze fixed firmly on the goal, Haruma let out a slow breath before taking a few steps back.
From the sidelines, everyone leaned forward slightly, watching with anticipation clear in their eyes.
Haruma took a deep breath before bursting forward, driving his foot cleanly through the ball.
The strike bent viciously through the air, rocketing toward the top right corner.
Kurogami's eyes widened instantly, reacting on pure instinct, he quickly adjusted his footing before launching himself high into the air, stretching his arm to its absolute limit.
The ball flew like a bullet, and for a split second, Kurogami's fingertips connected with it.
But, it wasn't enough.
The shot brushed past his fingers and ripped into the top right corner of the net with unstoppable force, executing an absolutely jaw-dropping free kick.
Haruma clenched his jaw tightly before pumping both fists into the air, roaring out in pure adrenaline and triumph.
Kento stood, staring at the scene with wide eyes when the team around him exploded into cheers and roars.
Jiho and Kabuto shouted loudly, clapping fiercely in excitent. Raya and Izaya were smiling brightly, applauding loudly, while Nagisa was clapping along with his usual bored expression.
Still on the ground, Kurogami punched the turf in frustration before looking up at Haruma.
Then suddenly, a soft amused laugh escaped him…
As the days passed, another bright morning shone over the Japan training grounds.
The entire squad, Haruma, Jiho, Kabuto, and the others sat in a circle on the grass while Kurogami stood in the center, laying out the team's strategy with a steady, focused expression while everyone listened intently.
Just then, Kento stepped onto the field and began walking toward them.
The mont Kurogami noticed him, he imdiately went silent, keeping his eyes on the coach. And one by one, the others turned toward Kento before quickly rising to their feet.
Stopping in front of the squad, Kento looked at them with a steady face.
"There's good news," he announced, steadily. "All of your tickets for Saudi have been booked."
A wave of excitent instantly spread through the group. Quiet laughs and excited reactions broke out as Haruma and Raya smiled, while Kabuto and Jiho exchanged a quick dab.
Keeping a faint smile on his face, Kento continued,
"Three days from now, we leave for Saudi."
The atmosphere shifted further, as excitent, determination, anticipation, everything intensified at once as the players exchanged confident looks with one another.
Among them, Haruma stood silently with a faint smirk resting on his face, a sharp spark of determination visible in his eyes.
Kento's smile widened further.
"And…" he said, pausing deliberately to build anticipation. "…now it's your ti for you guys to welco your team."
At that mont, everyone's eyes widened instantly before smiles began to break through across the group. Jiho and Izaya looked especially thrilled, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Kento then gestured toward the entrance of the training ground, silently directing everyone's attention there.
The group followed his signal.
Haruma turned with a faint smile, Raya wore a bright grin, Kabuto smirked with confidence, Jiho and Izaya looked excited, while Nagisa and Kurogami remained steady and composed.
Just then, players began stepping onto the field, one after another, then another.
Soon, a total of thirteen boys stood side by side, all wearing bright, thrilled smiles on their faces.
Most of them were familiar faces from the U-17 JFC.
Haruma watched them with a calm smile, while Jiho and Izaya's eyes sparkled with admiration. In contrast, Kurogami's expression subtly furrowed in deep confusion.
The new players, still smiling, quickly walked forward and stood near them, clearly thrilled to be there.
Maintaining his calm smile, Kento spoke. "Alright, guys. Let's begin with introductions—one by one."
Just as one of the boys with a bright smile and sharp features stepped forward to begin, Kurogami's firm voice cut through the mont.
"Sensei, where are Kazutora and Yohan?"
His question hung heavily in the air.
The realization slowly sank in across the group. Haruma looked visibly surprised as he turned toward Kento, silently waiting for his response.
Keeping his eyes fixed on Kento, Kurogami added sternly, "You know I want them in my team."
Kento turned toward him, maintaining his composed smile. "We did reach out to them, but they both withdrew."
A wave of shock spread instantly through the group.
Haruma and Raya's eyes widened, while Nagisa and Izaya showed a subtle hint of surprise.
Jiho shrugged casually. "Yeah, who cares! We can win without them."
Kabuto nodded in agreent. "Yeah, exactly. We don't need those morons anyway."
Kurogami let out a sigh before turning his attention back to the player he had interrupted earlier.
The boy, still smiling confidently, stepped forward again and began his introduction.
"My na is Ryota Yamata. I'm a central midfielder. I played for Sagan in the recent JFC, where I delivered four crucial assists and scored one goal," he said before bowing slightly. "I'm honored to represent Japan."
Kento broke into applause, and soon the rest of the field followed.
Kento then gestured for Ryota to join the Japan U-19 team alongside Kurogami and the others.
With a thrilled giggle, Ryota eagerly walked over to the gathered Japan U-19 squad, exchanging quick dabs and shoulder bumps with each of them before taking his place among the team.
Next, a strongly built boy with short hair stepped forward confidently.
"My na is Gaku. I'm 18 years old. I played as a centre-back for Hokkaido. I'm honored to be here, and I'll give my all for Japan," he said, bowing respectfully.
Claps echoed across the field as everyone acknowledged him.
Gaku then moved forward, exchanging dabs with the players one by one before joining the group on the side.
Just then, another boy with small eyes and a slim build stepped forward.
"My na is Jotaro," he spoke in a noticeably thin voice. "I've played as a central midfielder for Yokohama. Don't go by my physique, it's actually my strength, it helps move freely. I'm honored to be here. Everything for Japan." He bowed.
Kento clapped loudly, and everyone followed his lead. And with a slightly hesitant smile, Jotaro walked forward, exchanging light dabs with each player before joining the group.
Then, with a wide, steady smile, a boy with orange hair stepped forward, folding his arms behind his back.
"I'm Takezu," he said confidently. "I'm 17. I played as a centre-back for Sagan, and it's my honor to wear Japan's flag and share the stage with you all. Together, let's win this."
Instant applause broke out across the field as everyone responded.
Takezu smiled and began walking forward, exchanging dabs with each player, and once he reached Haruma, they dapped up and shared a quick shoulder bump.
Just as Takezu moved back from the interaction, he said with a smile,
"Hey Haruma, you rember ?"
Haruma's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied his face more closely.
Takezu continued with a grin, "We faced each other in the semi-finals. Rember that last mont of the ga? You made that great setup, beat past , and assisted Jiho for the final goal."
A wide smile spread across Haruma's face.
"Yeah, yeah, I rember," he replied. "You were the guy giving us trouble."
Takezu let out a light giggle, patting his shoulder. "I'd love to play with you. Let's give it our all."
Haruma smiled and nodded, returning the pat on his shoulder in kind.
After that, Takezu moved on to greet the others, joining the side.
User Comments
0 comments from readers