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The sun scorched the playing field, its light reflecting off the sweat of the players as they took their positions for the practice match. The suffocating heat made the air feel heavier, and every breath burned like fire in their lungs. Jun, still exhausted from the previous physical training, took his place in defense, his legs heavy and his mind clouded with fatigue.
Up front, Kouta, with the captain's armband tightly secured on his arm, prepared for the kickoff.
—You'll play a match of two ten-minute halves. —The coach's voice echoed with authority as he settled under the shade of his umbrella, observing every detail.
Fatigue was present in everyone, but no one showed signs of giving up. There was no room for weakness.
PIIIII!
The whistle cut through the air, and the practice match began.
Kouta took the ball and immediately advanced with determination, but as soon as he crossed the midfield line, a shadow loomed in front of him. Toru, with a confident smile, stood in his path.
—You'll face me. —Toru said, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
Kouta tried to dribble past him, but Toru's pressure was suffocating, leaving no gaps to escape. Seeing himself cornered, Kouta passed the ball back, but Ren, as if he had read his intentions, anticipated with inhuman speed.
—Naïve. —Ren whispered coldly before launching into the attack.
His speed was devastating. Mamoru, wearing the number 6, tried to block his path, but a simple feint left him behind as if he were just another spectator.
—Fall back! —Kouta shouted desperately.
Jun watched as Ren approached with the ball glued to his feet, his technique flawless, his posture firm. There was a confidence in his movements that made him seem invincible.
—Come… —Jun whispered, hardening his gaze as he prepared for the clash.
But before he could react, Ren filtered a perfect pass to the right side of the field, where no one expected an attacker. Or at least, that's what it seemed.
—It's mine! —Toru exclaimed, appearing out of nowhere to receive the pass.
With impeccable control and a roulette move, he left the last defender behind. Now only Jun stood between him and the goal.
—I accept your challenge, Jun! —Toru said with an electrifying smile.
The duel was brief. A brutal change of pace made Jun lose sight of the ball for an instant. That was enough. Toru slipped past him with a clean nutmeg and advanced unhindered.
The goalkeeper, desperate, rushed forward to close the gap, but Toru waited… he waited until he fell into his trap.
—You fell for it!
With a subtle touch, he lifted the ball in a perfect chip shot. The ball traveled through the air while the goalkeeper could only watch as it soared past him, kissing the net with elegance.
PIIIII!
—Goal for the orange team. —the coach announced in a monotone voice.
Jun felt his stomach twist. He looked at the scoreboard: 1-0. Not even five minutes had passed, and they were already behind.
But the match had to continue.
—Let's not fall apart! We need to focus! —Kouta exclaimed, trying to lift his team's spirits.
The green team tried to play with more possession, looking for a breather from the pressure of the oranges. The ball reached Jun, who lifted his gaze, searching for options.
—They're pressing us again… —Jun murmured.
Jun attempted an aerial pass, but his reception was sloppy. A rival defender lunged for the ball.
—Damn it! —Jun slid in with everything he had and managed to push the ball to Kouta.
The game turned into a tug-of-war. Every pass, every movement, every individual duel was a test of endurance. Toru and Ren shone with overwhelming intensity, their coordination was lethal.
—I'll show you the difference in our levels. —Ren whispered before stopping and flicking the ball over Jun's head.
Jun turned to react, but Ren repeated the move, lofting the ball over him again.
—Don't underestimate us. —Mamoru growled, launching into a fierce sliding tackle.
The ball shot into the air. Toru and Kouta clashed for possession, but Toru, with an unexpected backheel, slipped the ball between the captain's legs and spun masterfully.
Jun rushed forward, trying to cut him off. His legs burned, his chest ached. But Toru was a wall.
—I can't keep up with his pace…
And then it happened.
Jun closed his eyes for an instant, his body moving on instinct. A perfect, clean slide tackle stopped the play dead.
PIIIII!
—Throw-in!
Toru got back up and looked at him with a smile full of adrenaline.
—That was incredible.
Still on the ground, Jun felt something strange inside him. Something he had never felt before.
—What's happening to me…?
But there was no time to analyze it. The first half ended with the oranges leading 1-0.
The break was brief. And the second half… was hell.
Ren and Toru unleashed themselves. The gap in skill was evident. Goal after goal, the scoreboard became humiliating. 2-0. 3-0. 4-0. 5-0.
And then, the final whistle.
PIIIII!
—The match is over. —the coach announced.
The orange team left with victory on their faces, while the greens remained on the field, defeated.
As he passed by, Ren whispered to Jun:
—I told you.
—I'll be stricter with you. —The coach's voice was firm and cold.
"We'll be humiliated in the league if we keep playing like this."
Jun felt his body heavy, but his soul even more so. The gap between him and the best was immense.
—I'll be stricter with you. —the coach continued. —Rest for five minutes, and we'll resume training.
—Yes... —they responded lifelessly.
Jun could barely stand. More than his body, his mind was shattered.
The way home was silent. At the station, he sat on a bench, watching the trains pass by with a lost gaze.
—Maybe I should give up… —he whispered.
The cold night wrapped around him as he reached his neighborhood and saw Sakura carrying some shopping bags.
—Sakura?
—Jun! I went to visit you, but they told me you hadn't arrived yet. —she responded, not noticing his expression at first.
When the moonlight reflected on his face, Sakura understood everything.
Without a word, she hugged him tightly.
Jun felt her warmth, her comfort.
—I'm a failure. —he murmured.
—So am I.
Jun looked at her in surprise.
—I wasn't selected for the interscholastic tournament.
—What…?
Sakura sighed with a tired smile.
—Yeah... but that made me realize that even though I'm one of the best on the team, it doesn't mean I'll always be a starter.
Sakura looked at him firmly.
Her words hit Jun with unexpected force.
—Don't give up, Jun. Let's do this together. Let's be better tomorrow.
Jun closed his eyes and rested his head on Sakura's shoulder.
—Thank you…
And under the moonlight, in the cold of the night, he found a small glimmer of hope in the darkness.
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Thank you for reading today's chapter.
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