Preparing for Training Camp, and a Goodnight Call
I finished a light pre-practice run with Azaki, and we headed to the indoor training area next to the field for agility training.
And there, in the center of the room—
“Long time no see, Makishima-kun! I’m glad you look well.”
“Ah, Aihara?”
Aihara was spreading out the ladder for drills.
She was wearing the Takato soccer club’s red jersey. What’s going on…?
“Why are you… here, Aihara?”
“When I was coming back from the hospital last time, Azaki-kun invited me. I became the soccer club’s manager. I wasn’t in any circle, and the soccer club never recruited managers before, so I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance.”
I see… that explains it.
Before, Aihara said she wanted to stay involved with soccer even if she wasn’t a player. No wonder she looked so happy.
With her new manager role, her hairstyle was different today—her side-up hair flowing down.
She’d also chosen a bigger jersey to match her chest size, but because of that, it hung loosely on her overall.
“Makishima-kun? What’s wrong?”
“N–nothing. Looking forward to working with you, Aihara.”
“Mm-hm!”
…Azaki actually did something decent for once.
“I set up the ladder. Do your best with the agility training, okay?”
Aihara continued to work briskly, doing her tasks like she’d done them for years.
“Isn’t Aihara-san in that oversized-sleeve jersey just the cutest?”
While I ran the ladder, Azaki came over talking.
“Oversized sleeves” isn’t a phrase you hear these days…
“I thought you only cared about mixers and hooking up with girls, but… guess you can invite someone normally too.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
“Well? For someone with the worst personality like you, I guess this counts as doing something good.”
“Why are you talking down to me…? Listen, Makishima, Aihara-san is mine, alright? You focus on your ‘special someone’ you’ve been thinking about, got it?”
“Yeah yeah. …By the way, didn’t you get along just fine with the Aristo ladies at that mixer?”
Azaki gave a big thumbs-up.
“It was amazing.”
This guy… seriously the worst.
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. The more experiences you get, the more you’ll cherish your main girl—Aihara-san.”
“See, THAT right there is your problem.”
Just when his stock rises a little, he crashes it instantly.
I kicked Azaki’s butt and headed back to the field.
One week since the so-called “training ban.”
I changed from training shoes into spikes, stepped onto the turf, and rolled a ball under my foot for the first time in a while.
“What’s up? Feeling emotional touching the ball after so long?”
“Of course I am. And not just the ball. The smell of the grass, the sound of the wind… everything hits me.”
“You’re still such a sentimental kid, Makishima.”
As I was taking in the feeling of the ball, the coach stood up and walked onto the field.
“Hey, gather up.”
The coach assembled the players and explained today’s menu.
“That’s it for today’s training. Also, the schedule for next week’s training camp is set. All three days are full with matches. The A-team’s coach will be there too—leave an impression.”
The moment he said that, the clueless freshmen panicked, and the upperclassmen hardened their expressions.
Azaki and I already had our resolve set, just like the seniors.
Azaki is trash and creepy, but if we’re talking soccer talent, he’s already pro level.
If he brings the ball up to the goal area, I can show my strengths.
“Hey, Azaki. Before camp, let’s increase our pattern plays.”
“Can you go full-speed right after an injury?”
“I have to. You and I are getting into the first team.”
“…Yeah.”
And so, training until camp began.
Azaki’s a rotten bastard, but he’s always trusted me and passed me the ball.
So I’ve got no choice but to trust him too.
His passes lead straight to the first team.
Whether I can handle them or not… that’s on me.
✳︎✳︎
—The night before camp.
With the training camp starting tomorrow, I was packing my shoulder bag.
Three days’ worth of stockings, training clothes, and uniforms—checking each one before putting them in.
“Crap, I forgot to buy a travel toothbrush.”
I reached for the shelf in the bathroom where the new ones should’ve been, but then remembered—
“Oh yeah… I opened one for Sasaki last time…”
Next to my usual toothbrush sat Sasaki’s.
…Sasaki.
Once camp starts, I won’t be able to contact her… Maybe I should call?
I texted, “Can you talk now?” and she called immediately.
“Hello?”
‘Maaakishimaaa? Don’t tell me you’re calling cuz you’re lonelyyy?’
“I’m not! Camp starts tomorrow. I won’t be able to call or text.”
‘So you ARE lonely.’
“I’m not…”
‘Then why’d you want to call?’
“W-well… I’m gonna do my best starting tomorrow, so… if I make it to the first team… praise me. Okay?”
…What am I saying?!
This makes me sound like I’m craving attention!
‘Of course I’ll praise you! You’ll totally make it! I’ll even reserve a place right now!’
“Hey, don’t get ahead of yourself. What if I don’t make it because you expect too much?”
‘Then we’ll have a reflection meeting together!’
“Together…”
‘I’ll book a café. Which one should we go to next?’
“More sweets?!”
But hearing her usual voice calmed me down.
Next time we can talk will be four days later.
To make Sasaki look my way… I’ll definitely make the first team and beat Kanagawa.
‘Hey, where’s the camp?’
“Chiba.”
‘Are there matches?’
“Obviously.”
‘Where’s the venue?!’
“…Don’t tell me you’re planning to watch.”
‘Of course! I wanna see you play! Oh! Maybe I’ll stay in Chiba for three days while watching all the matches!’
“You sound so carefree…”
I glanced at the clock on the wall.
I’d heard Sasaki’s voice. Time to sleep soon.
“It’s early, but I’m going to bed.”
‘Okay! Tell me the match venue later.’
“Yeah. …Goodnight.”
‘Goodnight~’
I hung up and plugged in my phone.
I have to make the first team. And Sasaki’s coming to watch.
I can’t show her any more pathetic sides of me.
“…Starting now… I can’t afford a single loss.”
The training-camp survival begins.
✳︎✳︎
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