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The week had passed… normally. Yuujin was just awake early in the morning, sitting in his chair, a notebook on the desk, biting his pen as he thought and thought in his room about the lyrics of the song.
"What if it's about… saying goodbye to a little pet I had?"
He muttered in his mind.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU WHITE CABBAGE HEAD?!" Misaki screamed.
"Well… I thought he was dead…" Yuujin said, pointing at his pet fish being swept away by the toilet whirlpool.
"THAT'S NO REASON TO FLUSH IT! MOM! DAD! YUUJIN FLUSHED LISTRADO!" Misaki shouted, running off.
"That was so long ago… but I never forgot it… Hm, a song about that would be so lame, pathetic even. Maybe about… the goodbye I had at my old school?" he thought further.
"Yuujin, you look really hot!" a friend of Yuujin's from back then said, pointing at him and laughing.
"Why out of nowhere?" Yuujin asked, opening his locker.
"Well… because I love complimenting friends?" he said, making a shy gesture with a silly face.
"Really? People are way too selfish for that. Come on, just say what you want from me," Yuujin said, organizing his locker while waiting for the possible request.
"Uh… it's… that we're one player short on our team, and I don't want to lose to the 8th graders. Please help us!" He pleaded with Yuujin, who finally stopped looking at the locker to pay attention.
"No way! I don't like the 8th graders," Yuujin said, crossing his arms.
"But that's exactly why! We could win and humiliate them afterwards, wouldn't that be satisfying?" He stood up and got really close to Yuujin, waiting for a positive answer.
"It would be, but I'm really not interested in joining. They're too annoying. Besides, I need to finish my geography homework, no way—" Yuujin yawned a bit, feeling lazy and tired.
"Hm… If you help us and win, I'll buy any car for your collection," he said, standing behind Yuujin and leaning on his shoulder. "So, what do you say? Good offer, right? You see the 8th graders suffer at our hands and get another car for your ridiculous collection… I mean, your beautiful car collection," he smiled warmly at Yuujin.
"Ah… fine, you convinced me. Do I need to do anything?" Yuujin rubbed one eye.
"OF COURSE YOU DO! How do you expect to win if you don't do the basics?" He stepped back from Yuujin and studied his sleepy face. "We're going to play soccer. You need to get used to it a bit—at least do you know the rules of the game?"
"Ah… sure, I'm not that dumb…" He yawned again and adjusted his posture.
"Hm… You've got good physicality, that'll help a lot. Alright, since you know the basic rules, you're kind of ready!" He examined every part of Yuujin's body to make sure everything was fine.
"Kind of? I'm totally ready…" Yuujin made a weak little celebration while the boy sighed seeing him so tired.
"You still need to integrate into the team. By the way, what have you been doing to be this tired?" He watched Yuujin almost fall asleep several times.
"Ah! Ah! I'm awake, sorry, Professor Henry!" he said, startled.
"Had to be that idiot Professor Henry. But today's your lucky day—I'll help wake you up. My name is Kaito, and you don't need to tell me yours. I know you well; I've been watching you for a while. Get ready to… shine on the field." Kaito saw Yuujin doze off again and grabbed his water bottle to splash him awake.
"Ah… just five more minutes…" he mumbled, collapsing onto Kaito's shoulder.
"I'm going to need a lot of patience with him…" Kaito rolled his eyes slightly and carried Yuujin on his back to the training area.
When they arrived, everyone greeted Kaito and noticed Yuujin on his back.
"Ah… did you kidnap this boy?" Koki asked, looking at Yuujin sleeping on Kaito's back.
"What? No. Everyone, this is Yuujin. He's going to help us win against the 8th graders," Kaito introduced Yuujin.
"Courageous. Those 8th graders annoy me, and they're strong for their age," Sho said, drinking some water.
"Are you sure he'll help? He looks… tired…" Takeru touched Yuujin's face.
"I'll finish the activity soon, professor… give me a break…" Yuujin mumbled, still sleepy.
"This guy's a powerhouse and will definitely be a great support!" Kaito encouraged the group to have a positive view of Yuujin.
"He really has good physicality… but seems lazy. You sure you don't want someone else, Kaito?" Should remarked, watching Yuujin sleep with a doubtful expression.
"Trust me, he can be a big help!" Kaito said, taking Yuujin to the field to train.
He organized the side where Yuujin would play and set up a 2v2: Yuujin and Kaito against Takeru and Sho, with Koki as the referee.
"So… let's start, GAME ON!" Koki shouted, but no one moved. "Are you going to stand there like capybaras?" he added, annoyed.
"Where's the whistle?" Kaito asked.
"You're kidding, right? Whistle?! I don't have a whistle, JUST START!" Koki yelled again, stressed, and the game began.
Sho advanced with the ball and passed to Takeru, who was faster.
"Yuujin, you're closer! Defend!" Kaito shouted, and Yuujin moved so slowly that Takeru easily passed him and scored.
"No… Yuujin! You need to move more!" Kaito rushed to give him more guidance.
"Do I really need to?" Yuujin yawned, and Kaito was getting frustrated.
"Yes. Sleeping won't bring us victory. Follow my lead and you'll succeed," Kaito winked, and they continued the game.
This time Sho and Takeru changed their strategy.
Takeru held the ball and advanced. Yuujin rushed at him, thinking he had the advantage, but Takeru dodged and passed to Sho. Kaito tried to approach, but from afar Sho scored.
"You passed the ball past me, what a pity. Can we go home now?" Yuujin said, rubbing his eyes.
Kaito almost gave up, then remembered something.
"Yuujin… remember I said I'd buy you any car? What if instead of one, I bought as many as you wanted? Your collection could use an upgrade, right?" Kaito whispered close to Yuujin's ear.
"Ah… really?!" Yuujin perked up a bit, looking more motivated.
"Of course! Come with me, partner. You'll fit in with us well," Kaito stepped back, and they prepared for another round, with Yuujin more determined.
This time, Kaito reached the ball first but got cornered by Sho. Kaito tried to dodge, but Sho held the ball and passed to Takeru—yet Yuujin intercepted.
"No way… he actually did something useful!" Koki got more interested.
"Nice, Yuujin! Now go for it!" Kaito shouted, and Yuujin passed to Kaito, who shot straight for the opponent's goal, leaving them stunned.
"I really don't understand what just happened," Sho said, confused.
"That cabbage head… where did he get all that motivation?" Takeru observed, panting.
They started another round, with Sho and Takeru sticking to their plan. Sho held the ball, let Kaito take it on purpose, knowing he'd pass to Yuujin. Then Takeru intercepted, ran, and Sho made a simpler goal.
"They used our own strategy against us?" Yuujin panted, while Kaito clapped, and Koki touched Yuujin's shoulder in approval.
"You did really well, Yuujin… I'm impressed," Koki smiled.
"But we lost 3-1…" Yuujin was unsure.
"That's not a problem. You played really well anyway. Shows your potential; we just need to train you more. Trust us," Kaito extended his hand, and Takeru and Sho approached, watching Yuujin shake Kaito's hand, officially joining the team.
Game day arrived, and the 8th graders were already there, annoying as ever.
"Ready to lose again?" one 8th grader taunted.
"This time we won't let you win. We'll play smart and humiliate you," Kaito shot back.
"We'll see about that," he crossed his arms, eyeing Yuujin. "Who's the newbie?"
"Doesn't matter who he is, but he's incredible and will help us win," Kaito replied.
"Don't brag too much; we know how filthy those pigs are," Kuron said indifferently.
"I know, but we'll play their game," Kaito said as they walked onto the field.
Yuujin was fine… until he saw the crowd.
"Ah… you didn't tell me people would be watching…" he said to Kuron.
"Uh, seemed obvious, kid," Kuron ruffled his hair, and they entered the field.
The game started, and everything seemed fine—until Sho passed the ball to Yuujin, and he couldn't kick it, losing the ball to a rival.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YUUJIN?!" Sho yelled, running to catch up.
"I… I don't know…" Yuujin froze, hearing the crowd, sweating, trembling, running toward the ball, but it was too late.
"Way to mess up, kid," Kuron said, hands on hips, watching Yuujin blush.
"S-sorry…" Yuujin lamented.
"No time for that, let's move on," Koki said, trying to calm down as the chaotic game resumed.
Yuujin barely managed anything. Whenever the ball reached his feet, he shook, heard screams, didn't know who to pass to. He kicked randomly, causing two goals.
The game was tied… 3-3… second half. They could still win… Koki got hurt, pausing the game for a bit, but it was almost over.
"Damn, that idiot Syd pushed me on purpose!" Koki punched the nearby wall.
"You okay to keep going?" Sho asked him.
"Yeah… but this guy isn't helping. What's wrong, Yuujin?" Koki and everyone turned to him, even players Yuujin didn't know.
"I… I don't know… I saw all those people, the screams… I didn't know what to do… My hands were slippery, my head hurt, I… maybe I should leave the team," Yuujin took a deep breath, clutching his arm, scratching slightly.
"No, Yuujin… I trust you. Remember what I said about your potential?" Kaito stepped in front of him, holding his shoulders.
"Ah… I remember…" Yuujin said, feeling Kaito shake him gently.
"Then here's the answer! We're going to win, and you'll prove your potential!" He shouted, and Yuujin sweated, barely able to maintain eye contact.
"Alright… I… can do this!" Yuujin clenched his fists, trembling.
"That's it, kid," Kaito stepped back and turned to the team. "Let's go, guys. We have a game to win." Everyone returned to the field.
Yuujin took a deep breath, but every scream and movement around him made him feel like he was doing everything wrong, scared even to run incorrectly.
Then it happened… tie game, time running out, total panic. Takeru ran with the ball, passed to Sho, who couldn't handle it and had to pass to Kuron.
Kuron tried to hold it but was blocked by two opponents. He considered passing to another teammate but saw Yuujin closer. Unsure, he took a gamble—kicked the ball to Yuujin. Trembling, Yuujin caught it, ran, sweating and shaking.
"Go, Yuujin!!!" Kuron shouted, and Yuujin ran as fast as he could, kicking the ball, falling afterward, embarrassed… but…
"GOOOAAAL!" the announcer shouted, everyone cheering. Time was up, and the 8th graders lost.
"I… I did it!" Yuujin was hugged by a circle of friends, teammates, and those who helped him.
"I KNEW IT! YOU'RE ONE OF US, YUUJIN!" Kaito yelled, hugging him tightly.
"One of… you…?" Yuujin blushed, feeling more accepted.
"Hm… interesting memory, but I don't think anyone would want a song about that," Yuujin thought.
He grabbed his phone and saw a new unknown contact. The person greeted him, and he decided to ask who it was.
"Who am I? Oh, it's me, Max. You know, right?"
"Oh yeah, I do… um…"
"Ah! Me and the others are going out a bit. Wanna come with us?"
Go out, huh? But… where are you going?
"Ha, wherever destiny takes us!"
Hm… alright, maybe this will inspire my song. BUT WHO GAVE YOU MY NUMBER?!
"Ah, it was your sister, she's really nice."
Had to be. Fine, tell me where we'll meet.
With that, Yuujin got up from his chair and began getting ready to go, thinking this might inspire his music.
To be continued…
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