“Start warming up.”
““Yes, sir!””
Following the coach’s instruction, we began warming up behind the bench, moving our bodies while watching the match.
With it being a pro-versus-amateur game, the pride of the professionals and the ambition of the amateurs clashed fiercely, and from the opening whistle, the heat on the pitch was overwhelming.
Amid the stadium boiling with excitement, one player stood out with his calm yet skillful play—Azaki.
After receiving the ball, his unexpected passes and refined ball control worked even against professional opponents.
Koutou University focused their attacks through Azaki’s build-up play and the post play of Victor-senpai, who excelled at holding the ball up front, creating chance after chance…
But the flow of the match changed completely in first-half stoppage time.
With one minute left in the first half, Kanekawa Ryushin—who had been quiet until then—finally made his move.
A ball cleared forward by Odawara’s defender was controlled near the center circle by Kanekawa.
As he turned to face Koutou’s goal, he gave off an aura that felt almost like bloodlust.
This is bad… Kanekawa’s coming…!
Using the long strides born from his powerful legs, he pushed the ball forward in one burst and challenged the defender head-on.
Koutou University’s back line—said to be the strongest in the school’s history—couldn’t keep up, even running alongside him.
Blowing past them, Kanekawa went one-on-one with Koutou’s goalkeeper, Chan-senpai.
Everyone thought he’d fire off a powerful shot with all that momentum.
But Kanekawa suddenly slammed on the brakes with his planted foot, killing his speed in an instant.
Then, with the tip of his opposite foot, he gently lifted the ball.
The looping shot arced gracefully over Chan-senpai’s head and was sucked into the Koutou goal.
“I-incredible…”
The stadium fell silent for a moment from the sheer shock.
If we’d just held on for one more minute, we could’ve gone into halftime at 0–0.
Never missing a momentary opening—this was the true ability of Kanekawa Ryushin, recognized by the world.
【Odawara 1 – 0 Koutou】
The first half ended like that, and the team returned to the locker room.
“Did you let your guard down in the final minute?”
As expected, the coach’s lecture began.
Even as his angry voice echoed, Azaki motioned for me to lean closer.
“…Seeing Kanekawa Ryushin up close is seriously insane. I don’t feel like I can catch up at all.”
“Don’t chat during the coach’s lecture.”
I seriously don’t understand Azaki’s mentality—actually enjoying this situation.
Meanwhile, I’m nervous as hell, wondering when my chance will come.
“We’ll change the system for the second half. Azaki Seiichi, move up one line.”
“Got it.”
Azaki answered casually and adjusted his shin guards inside his socks.
He’d been overwhelming the opposition with technique, but today he was sweating more than usual.
He acts tough in front of me, but it looked like the fatigue was really hitting his legs.
Not long after, the second half kicked off.
Maybe because we were down 1–0, Koutou University increased their work rate even more than in the first half, pushing forward relentlessly.
Seeing how exhausted even Azaki was, I doubt I would’ve lasted even forty-five minutes if I’d started the match.
Just watching the game like this makes it painfully clear how much I still lack.
But if I come on in the second half… I’m confident I can make a difference.
After the twentieth minute of the second half, the coach came over from the bench holding the tactics board.
“Makishima, you’re up.”
It’s finally here…!
I pulled off the green bib and stepped into the deep crimson number 16 uniform.
—Are you watching, Sasaki?
Me wearing this uniform on the Emperor’s Cup stage… it’s all thanks to your support.
“Thanks.”
“—Koutou University substitution. Number 13 is replaced by number 16—”
I tightened my boot laces and stood up.
Exchanging a look with Azaki, I stepped over the white line and onto the pitch.
At 24 minutes into the second half, I was sent onto the field.
✳︎✳︎
“Looks like Makishima-kun is coming on, huh?”
“Y-yeah!”
The moment Makishima took off his bib on the bench, high-pitched cheers rose from the front rows of the stands.
“Wow, Makishima-kun’s popular.”
“Huh? Makishima has fans?”
“I don’t think they’re fans exactly… but I think this is why.”
Yuzu-chan pulled a newspaper out of her bag and showed it to me.
“What’s this? A university newspaper…? Ah—”
On the front page of the Koutou University Newspaper was a large photo of Makishima taking a shot.
“The university’s newspaper club ran a story titled ‘New Stars of the Soccer Club: Makishima Yuutaro and Azaki Seiichi.’ Makishima-kun’s photo was huge, so a lot of people probably came after seeing that.”
“Heh heh heh. Noticing now is way too late.”
“That’s an awfully smug face, Ayane-chan.”
By the way, Azaki’s photo was a tiny, almost apologetic headshot next to Makishima’s standing figure. Combined with his shaved head, he looked like a criminal.
“Man, Maki really is cool. If he can’t go pro someday, use your connections as a former idol to make him a fashion model or something.”
“Eh? Kishihara-san, you knew about me?”
“Yeah. I heard from Shizuku.”
Shizuku-chan smiled shyly and said, “Ehehe.”
No, no, no.
“Shizuku-chan! You said you’d keep it a secret!”
“But my dad asked who gave me this headband, and when I said it was a secret, he almost called the police, so I had no choice…”
W-well… I guess any parent would worry if they didn’t know the situation.
“Thank you for taking care of my Shizuku back then.”
“You suddenly got really polite… Kishihara-san, did you really believe it when she said I gave her the headband? You didn’t think it was just a kid’s lie?”
“Do you think my Shizuku would lie?”
“Such a doting parent all of a sudden…”
While we were talking, Makishima stepped onto the pitch and the match resumed.
He sounded unsure on the phone yesterday, saying he might not get to play, so I was worried—but seeing him out there put me at ease for now.
All that’s left is whether he can score the one goal that saves the team…
I watched the match with my hands clasped, praying.
✳︎✳︎
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