Since entering the university, there have been three matches so far, and this is only my second time being put on the field.
In my very first college match, I made a trapping mistake, they hit us with a short counter, and I became the culprit for the lost goal.
I can’t afford to mess up today.
The halftime break ended, and we returned to the pitch under the clear blue sky.
A spring breeze brushed over the turf.
The heated tension of warriors filled the space before me.
Before the second half began, the substitution was announced—number 9 out, number 18 in.
“Makishima.”
Azaki came up from behind and stroked my butt with a disgusting hand.
“Oi! Don’t do weird crap!”
“Thought you’d be nervous. You should be grateful, y’know—your best friend is here for you.”
You’ve already been downgraded long ago from “best friend” to “trash guy” inside my heart.
“If I hadn’t demanded it, you’d still be sitting on the bench licking your fingers right now.”
“Well… that might be true but—”
“Aihara-san was in the stands today, right? And also that black-mask girl you picked up at the mixer… what was her name again? Asakura-san?”
“It’s Sasaki. How can you have zero memory?”
“I can’t remember girls who are below F-cup!”
“You are unbelievably rude.”
“Anyway! That Sasakura-san or whatever is here too, so show them something cool!”
Does this guy think soccer is just a tool to make himself look cool? Well… that’s exactly the kind of guy Azaki is.
I glance over toward Sasaki.
She raises her index finger toward me.
I feel like she’s saying, “Go score one, idiot.”
…What an un-cute girl.
“Azaki, can I ask you something?”
“What’s with you all of a sudden? If you say something serious, it kills the mood, man!”
“You mean I’m the straight man. You’re the idiot.”
“Hah?! I’m the idiot?!”
“Shut up, shut up.”
“So? What do you want?”
“…Keep threading through passes for me. On the ground or lofted—either is fine.”
Azaki says “’kayyy” and walks away.
It’s not about the promise with Sasaki—I really need to score soon and leave a result behind…
The second half begins, filled with a mix of impatience and tension.
I don’t have luck or talent.
I entered a powerhouse high school, but I never got to step on the national pitch even once during my three years.
But I kept working hard.
I sweated more than anyone else. I cried just as much. And because of that effort, I managed to get into Kotou University.
That’s why… if I don’t do anything here, it’ll just be a repeat of high school.
“Why the hell is someone like Makishima wearing Seishin’s number 9?!”
“Seishin’s fallen so far.”
“Not even qualifying for nationals? What a joke. Also who the hell is that forward?”
I never wanted to be Seishin’s number 9. I just wanted to leave behind a result I could accept.
I don’t want to repeat those three years ever again…!
“Azaki!”
“Yeah yeah, coming.”
The ball came to my feet from Azaki as I positioned myself between the enemy center-backs.
“I’ll crush 18. Number 10 is pushing forward—mark him!”
The enemy CB wearing number 2, with the captain’s armband, stepped in to block me.
While he and I fought over the ball, he drew the marker toward him, letting Azaki advance.
I returned the ball to Azaki, then turned to face forward myself.
“Nice post play. Makishima, you come too!”
Azaki drifted to the right side, dribbling past one defender after another.
I sprinted diagonally toward the left side to scatter the markers and carve out space for myself near the goal.
Sensing that, Azaki sent a sharp cross in front of the goal. The ball flew right over my head.
This is it. The short counter we practiced in our Jishu neri (extra training) finally clicked.
It’s too convenient… but yeah, I should’ve believed in you, Azaki.
Now, with a header, I—
My body reacted before I could think.
With a dull “thud,” the ball slipped past the keeper’s hand and was sucked into the goal.
This is… my first college goal…!
As I confirmed the goal, a sharp pain shot through my head.
My vision started spinning, and I tried to look around.
Something… the crowd seemed strangely loud.
Well, scoring a goal would make them loud, but… Something was off.
When I looked down, something red was staining the green turf.
“Hey! Makishima! Oi! Someone get the med team, now!”
Azaki? Why do you look so serious?
Forget that— I scored a goal—
From there, my consciousness slowly drifted away.
✳︎✳︎
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