Just before the start of the final of the men’s soccer game. I sat on the bench, closed my eyes and tried to calm down. It was like my pre-game routine. My heart was burning with spirit, but my head was calm. It was only by controlling the conflicting emotions and staying calm that one could bring out their best performance.
“Yuya, we better get going.”
“… okay.”
I stand up slowly. Visibility was good. My physical condition was perfect. I received my courage from Kaede and Nikaido. I had a reliable partner (Shinji). Mogi and the other members were motivated enough. Then, there was nothing to lose in this game.
“The card turned out as expected, Yoshizumi and Nippori. But we’ll be taking the championship! And we’ll take over the number one and two spots in the Meiwadai High School and rearranged ranking!”
After the pre-game greetings, when we were returning to our own camp, Sugiya-senpai declared war on us. For some reason, he turned his body in an exquisite stance. This was known as jiggery pokery. It was going to hurt one’s body. Also, what was ‘rearranged ranking’? I’d never heard of such a thing despite being the captain.
“No wonder you’ve never heard of it! After all, I just made it! It’s a harem party consisting of Hitotsuba-san,Otsuki-san, and even Nikaido from the basketball team! I’m… No, we are carrying the thoughts of every boy who attends this school! I’m gonna beat the s**t out of you guys and settle my grudge!”
Yeah, he was no good. I’m starting to worry about whether I could handle being the captain. But just as Sugiya-senpai said, all eleven of them were looking at Shinji and me with a gaze that was almost murderous.
In addition, even Mogi and the others were giving us the same kind of look. That was not a good thing from someone in the same team!
“I’m going to defeat you, I’m going to defeat you, I’m going to conquer you! Prepare yourselves!”
With that, Sugiya-senpai joined the circle of his friends. What he was saying was a joke, but his body exuded an atmosphere similar to a determination to win at all costs. I can’t lose, too.
“This is the last game. If you win, you’re in heaven. If you lose, you’re in h**l. What are we going for?”
We formed a circle and I asked quietly. I’m really not good at this, but I couldn’t help because Shinji was appealing to me in my line of sight.
“”We win!!!!””
Our friends were bursting with burning passion. We had been fighting with all our might to win from the beginning. They responded with anger, saying that nothing else was possible. I asked them again. This time, I raised my voice.
“What is it we’re after!? Where are we going!?”
“”Winner!! We got it! Number one””
“We’re number one!! We’re gonna burn our spirits to death!!”
“”Ooohhhh!””
I was ready for battle. We took our positions and waited for the signal to start the game. We were in the second year, second group. Shinji and I stood side by side in the center circle.
“… Let’s win, Shinji.”
“… Ok, Yuya.”
We slightly clenched our fists together. First, the first goal. I would strike a blow when the opponent was off guard. So if it worked, it would be our good fortune, but we had no idea whether it would go well.
“Yuya, what you said earlier was really cool. Thanks to you, I’m on fire.”
“You were embarrassed, so don’t remind me. I don’t want to be reminded of it again.”
“Well, how about that? I think Hitotsuba-san feels the same way we do, don’t you? Come on, take a look.”
When prompted, I turned to look outside the ground and saw Kaede staring at me with a puzzled look on her face. Nikaido and Yui-chan, standing next to her, also look somewhat dumbfounded. Otsuki-san was waving to Shinji with a big smile on his face.
“I’m sure Hitotsuba-san fell in love with Yuya’s unexpected side? You’re going to be loved again, Yuya.”
I was just about to reply, “Shut up,” when the judge looked at his watch. So much for light talk. I exhaled and concentrated.
Piiiiiiiiii ——
The whistle sounded. After exchanging passes with Shinji, I returned the ball to the back of the field and was about to run to the front as we had discussed.
“Yuya-kun ——!! Good luck—!”
The happiest cheer from the person who wanted it the most had arrived. My mouth loosened involuntarily.
Watch me, Kaede. I’ll definitely win this game.
The men’s soccer final had begun.
Just before the start of the final of the men’s soccer game. I sat on the bench, closed my eyes and tried to calm down. It was like my pre-game routine. My heart was burning with spirit, but my head was calm. It was only by controlling the conflicting emotions and staying calm that one could bring out their best performance.
“Yuya, we better get going.”
“… okay.”
I stand up slowly. Visibility was good. My physical condition was perfect. I received my courage from Kaede and Nikaido. I had a reliable partner (Shinji). Mogi and the other members were motivated enough. Then, there was nothing to lose in this game.
“The card turned out as expected, Yoshizumi and Nippori. But we’ll be taking the championship! And we’ll take over the number one and two spots in the Meiwadai High School and rearranged ranking!”
After the pre-game greetings, when we were returning to our own camp, Sugiya-senpai declared war on us. For some reason, he turned his body in an exquisite stance. This was known as jiggery pokery. It was going to hurt one’s body. Also, what was ‘rearranged ranking’? I’d never heard of such a thing despite being the captain.
“No wonder you’ve never heard of it! After all, I just made it! It’s a harem party consisting of Hitotsuba-san,Otsuki-san, and even Nikaido from the basketball team! I’m… No, we are carrying the thoughts of every boy who attends this school! I’m gonna beat the s**t out of you guys and settle my grudge!”
Yeah, he was no good. I’m starting to worry about whether I could handle being the captain. But just as Sugiya-senpai said, all eleven of them were looking at Shinji and me with a gaze that was almost murderous.
In addition, even Mogi and the others were giving us the same kind of look. That was not a good thing from someone in the same team!
“I’m going to defeat you, I’m going to defeat you, I’m going to conquer you! Prepare yourselves!”
With that, Sugiya-senpai joined the circle of his friends. What he was saying was a joke, but his body exuded an atmosphere similar to a determination to win at all costs. I can’t lose, too.
“This is the last game. If you win, you’re in heaven. If you lose, you’re in h**l. What are we going for?”
We formed a circle and I asked quietly. I’m really not good at this, but I couldn’t help because Shinji was appealing to me in my line of sight.
“”We win!!!!””
Our friends were bursting with burning passion. We had been fighting with all our might to win from the beginning. They responded with anger, saying that nothing else was possible. I asked them again. This time, I raised my voice.
“What is it we’re after!? Where are we going!?”
“”Winner!! We got it! Number one””
“We’re number one!! We’re gonna burn our spirits to death!!”
“”Ooohhhh!””
I was ready for battle. We took our positions and waited for the signal to start the game. We were in the second year, second group. Shinji and I stood side by side in the center circle.
“… Let’s win, Shinji.”
“… Ok, Yuya.”
We slightly clenched our fists together. First, the first goal. I would strike a blow when the opponent was off guard. So if it worked, it would be our good fortune, but we had no idea whether it would go well.
“Yuya, what you said earlier was really cool. Thanks to you, I’m on fire.”
“You were embarrassed, so don’t remind me. I don’t want to be reminded of it again.”
“Well, how about that? I think Hitotsuba-san feels the same way we do, don’t you? Come on, take a look.”
When prompted, I turned to look outside the ground and saw Kaede staring at me with a puzzled look on her face. Nikaido and Yui-chan, standing next to her, also look somewhat dumbfounded. Otsuki-san was waving to Shinji with a big smile on his face.
“I’m sure Hitotsuba-san fell in love with Yuya’s unexpected side? You’re going to be loved again, Yuya.”
I was just about to reply, “Shut up,” when the judge looked at his watch. So much for light talk. I exhaled and concentrated.
Piiiiiiiiii ——
The whistle sounded. After exchanging passes with Shinji, I returned the ball to the back of the field and was about to run to the front as we had discussed.
“Yuya-kun ——!! Good luck—!”
The happiest cheer from the person who wanted it the most had arrived. My mouth loosened involuntarily.
Watch me, Kaede. I’ll definitely win this game.
The men’s soccer final had begun.
