It has been two years since Sae left for Spain. Never misses morning training, self-training, and muscle training, Rin continues to work hard. His daily routine remains the same, and watching horror movies before going to bed has become a completely regular habit. Lately, he's been into splatter films. The one where a killer comes out with an electric saw and a big-ass ax, then blood splatters all over the place. The one where a killer chases you no matter how hard you try to escape, and if you get caught, you end up being dismembered. His heart is pounding, but he's not the type to show on his face, so Rin watching the slaughter scene without any expression on his face is much more horrifying.
Around this time, Rin had reached a major turning point in his life. In his first year of junior high school, he was selected as a key player in the youth team of his club. It was no surprise, considering his ability. Because of his talent and hard work, Rin has already acquired extraordinary abilities. However, unlike Sae, who was an absolute ace, Rin's reputation as a striker was incomparably lower.
It was only at first that they said he's "the next best thing to Sae." Now they said that even though he is his younger brother, he is a disappointment and their decision-making ability are worlds apart.
"A-ah, We're not winning at all."
"Damn it. we're done for."
On the practice match that day, with their attack being inconsistent, it ended in a 1-1 draw. The atmosphere in the locker room after the game is the worst. The team used to be a top-level club team, but since the pillar of their team, Sae, had gone, their level had been declining. Today's opponent was a team that they could have won overwhelmingly in the past.
We're not at a level where we can aim to be the best in Japan right now.
Rin is also worried inside, although he doesn't show it on his face.
"A-ah, If only Sae's here, we could have won."
Someone said it. Triggered by this comment, the team's frustration turns to their quiet ace, Rin.
"Without his brother, he's just an ordinary guy."
"He's just been blessed up until now. His brother could have won for the team by himself."
They deliberately let him hear all those backbiting. "... Hey." Rin calmly lost his temper.
Then give me the pass I want, Rin wants to shout at him. Even in today's game, in Rin's image, there were many chances to score. But whose fault is it that they don't live up to his image? At this rate, he thought he'd qive him a beating, he clenched his fist. It doesn't matter if he's a senior. Rin's bloodlust scared his teammates and they backed away.
"Wh- what... Isn't that the truth!"
"Because you can't score like Sae, so we aren't winning."
He's at a loss for words. What these guys are saying are frustrating, but it's true. Without Sae's passes, he can't play the way he wants to play. And it's also true that Rin, the ace, is largely responsible for their team's inability to win.
"You can't score a goal by yourself!"
Rin, who has been silent, was subjected to a barrage of ruthless words.
Damn it.....
Unable to say anything back, Rin left the locker room.
He's frustrated, but he doesn't miss his daily routine. When he gets home, it's training, stretching, and horror movies. And tonight, another splatter film. A killer with an electric saw is persistently chasing someone, and just when they're relieved that they have escaped, the killer comes up behind them!
... Whoa. That's sick.
As he watches the scene of the killer chopping up the young campers to pieces, little by little, he starts to calm down.. After watching the movie, he lay down on his bed. It was interesting, so he'll watch the sequel tomorrow.
Niichan got scouted when he was my age.....What the hell am I doing.
In their room, there are only Sae's trophies, and none of Rin's trophies have been added. Suddenly, his eyes met Sae's in the photo.
Niichan, I wonder what you are doing....
When he searched for news about "Real Madrid" on his phone, an article about Sae came up. It was in English, but he desperately read the news on Sae, and managed to read the soccer article in its original text.
SAE ITOSHI! MADE HIS WAY ON THE BENCH...that being said. In the youth team's* matches, it seems that Sae was chosen as a bench member*.
*FH is also referred as "youth team". bench member means he is a reserved player.
"Niichan is really awesome....."
It's awesome but he's anxious. He can't go on like this. He can't fulfill his promise.
It's frustrating, but it's true that I can't score goals by myself. If Niichan's not here..... What kind of soccer can I play?
He thinks back to today's game. He felt as if he was fighting alone. No one on his team can keep up with his movements, and his line of attack breaks before reaching the goal. Rin can see the route to the goal. Regardless of theories and tactics, only Rin has the sense to smell a goal. Only Sae understands this talent. Even if he gets out of the way with a move that no one can read, it's okay to move on impulse because of Sae's pass. However, in a match without Sae, even if he gets out to the position he thinks is the best, no pass will come to him. He was an irreplaceable talent, but because of his talent, he is unable to play as a team player.
I can't play the way I used to play with my Niichan anymore.
He's not going to play the "I score the goals" style anymore.
I..... have to change my mindset. To make this team the best in Japan. To fulfill my responsibility as an ace. Also... To fulfill the promise I made to Niichan.
Until now, he's been playing, aiming for the goal. From now on, he will play so that the team can reach the goal.
Draw an image of the finisher, then work backwards. Build up that image using my teammates. Let's try to play that way...I can't score goals by myself.
That was the conclusion Rin came to. The team keeps going because of Sae. With Sae gone, the team suddenly ceased to function.
... Then, I would be the replacement for Niichan!
The next day, Rin drastically changed his playstyle.