A dim room filled with people who kept muttering.
There were papers and snacks on the table before them.
A middle-aged man with red eyes and long while hair walked into the room followed by two men on black suits.
"Silence!" One of the men shouted.
Just then, all the mutterings stopped, and all eyes were on the middle-aged man.
"It's time for... the selection."
---
The coach surprisingly returned the next day with his luggage.
After the greetings, he left for his room and never bothered, showing his face again.
'Are they serious now?' Atsushi thought.
He jogged from one half of the field to the goalpost continuously.
"Hey." Akaji called, walking towards him.
Atsushi smiled and waved at him.
"Hey."
"Good job with your training." Akaji said, tossing a bottle of water to him.
"Thanks..."
Akaji glanced at Atsushi, who gulped down the contents of the bottle.
'I need to figure out how he actually feels.'
"Why do you work so hard?" Akaji asked.
Atsushi turned to him, raising his brows slightly.
"Why, huh?" Atsushi looked up at the sky.
"You see... I was the youngest in my schools soccer team, and it was really hard being among the first eleven."
"Many others ended up leaving the team, but some stayed back because of the love of the sport."
"Soccer's been my everything since I can remember, so I couldn't part with the sport just because of that. So I began training seriously with the hopes of reaching the level the school desires."
"I was finally noticed by the coach because of my speed, so I was asked to start in a match. After that, I began staying at the bench for matches." He explained.
Akaji listened intently as Atsushi spoke.
"I finally got recognised for my skill, but that wasn't all. I got into the team, and someone else had to get out. I was despised by both my classmates and the seniors. They tried everything they could to get me out of the team since not only was I a junior, but cause I was also the new kid. I had no choice but to..."
"Haha, I'm just used to it by now. It's already a part of me, so it'll be hard to stop." He chuckled, rubbing the nape of his neck awkwardly.
"Aww, such a sad story..." Emi said as the others walked towards them.
"Why would anyone despise such a cutie?"
"No wonder you're always so quiet."
"It's good that you kept your position."
"Your hard work has inspired me, I'll train harder from now!" Ryuto shouted as the others concurred.
"You guys..." Atsushi started, turning away immediately.
"Wait, are you being shy?"
Akaji's eyes parted slightly as he stared at Atsushi, a light smile on his face.
'All my life I've been trying to be the best among the rest. His situation is kinda understandable since I've gone through that. You try your best to smile, but in reality, you're just being pushed too far and you have no choice to.'
'We're somehow alike. I shouldn't make an enemy out of him. I bet we'll make good friends. I should use him to fulfil my goals. After all, his kind of mentality is good for me.' Akaji thought.
"Okay, guys, let's all work hard and make sure we don't fall behind Atsushi!" Akaji shouted, turning to the others.
"Yeah!"
Atsushi's lips tugged upwards as he glanced at the others discreetly.
'Your expectations would be the death of you. That thought would be your biggest mistake.'
Yamazaki Haruya watched them from his room.
'Is there still a need for the selection?' He thought, turning away.
"Tanaka Akaji. Your records aren't so bad."
---
"Ah... we meet again, Atsushi-kun." Haruya said, looking up at Atsushi.
Haruya was sitting on a lounge chair beside the stadium, taking a smoke.
"Good day, coach." Atsushi said, bowing slightly.
"What brings you all the way here? The residential area is all the way there."
"Haha, just wanted to expand my 'territory'."
It was early in the morning, and Atsushi was jogging around the compound to get accustomed.
"Want a smoke?" Haruya asked, taking out the box.
"I'm underage."
"Hahaha, I was kidding." He laughed, puffing a smoke.
"Coach, aren't we gonna train?" Atsushi asked.
"Surprisingly, you're the only one that cares. Or so you expect me to say..." He smirked.
"Hm?"
The coach narrowed his eyes, "You sound like you've been reciting that line over and over again."
"You act like you're concerned. Like you actually care about training, but you don't really, do you?" Haruya asked.
"I don't quite understand what you mean, sir."
"You know, you remind me of someone who really pisses me off." He clicked his tongue, relaxing on the chair.
"..."
"Well, if you really want any help, you could always rely on me. I'm always here."
"You do act like this doesn't bother you either."
"So we're on the same page?"
"Not exactly." Atsushi answered. "So? What about training?"
"Like I care. If you guys can't do it on your own, then just lose matches. It doesn't really help anyone, does it?"
"You really don't care, do you?" Atsushi asked.
"That's right. You guys aren't ready. There's no point wasting my time until you guys learn that yourselves."
"I thought so too... at first. But then I realised something. You don't want to be here either, do you?" He asked, smiling faintly.
The coach tensed up when Atsushi said that.
"Don't get so smug with me, kid. You know nothing." He said, glaring at Atsu.
Atsushi shrugged.
"You need us, and we need you. If we win matches, you achieve whatever made you to stay here. Our goals align, don't you think?"
The coach narrowed his eyes but didn't reply to Atsushi.
Atsushi smiled and bowed before turning to walk away.
"Interesting..." Haruya started. "You really are like him!" He continued.
Atsushi stopped and turned to him.
"It's a deal. You're an interesting fellow!"
"Thank you."
"Get ready because I'm not a fun coach. My drills would be ruthless, and you might regret coming to me today."
"Try me."
"Hahaha! I like you! I really like you!"
'He seems really excited. Better leave him to it.' Atsushi thought before walking away.
'This kid... Kudou Atsushi. Aside from being a hard worker, he's enthusiastic and has limitless capacity. I hope he won't fail me.'
He laughed again, throwing his cigarette aside.
It wasn't until evening that they all received a message from the coach.
— Coach: Y'all should be at the meeting room by 12 am. at the latest. Coming later than that will attract punishment.
"12 am?!"
"Why?!"
Atsushi smiled at the message he had just received, followed by another notification.
— Have the first real impact on the team - 50 points(claim).
— SW points balance: ???