[ Tsubasa Ozora's POV ]
At Nankatsu Middle School, Shizuoka
We were about to begin our final year of middle school. In our first two years, we had finished third and then second in the national tournament. The first year, we fell in the semifinals against Azumaichi. The following year, we lost to them in the final.
Things had changed since then. I was now playing as a midfielder instead of a forward, following the notebook left by Roberto and his advice. We were in the middle of training, playing scrimmage matches. After the session, some journalists approached for interviews.
Farther away on the field.
"Still as popular as ever, Getting interviewed by Footballeleven." Ishizaki said to Kenichi Iwami, watching from the sideline.
"Well, to be fair, he did attend a training camp for high school players last spring." Kenichi replied.
"He's really outpaced us." Kisugi added with mock frustration.
Then Sanae stepped in, "Don't say that. Football is a sport played by eleven, remember?" Their conversation continued in the background.
Back at the interview.
"The prefectural and national tournaments will begin next month. How are you feeling heading into them?" they asked.
"I feel good. I'll give my all, just like every match." I replied.
"This year, the rival clubs seem more determined than ever. Your local rivals Otomo are aiming to take your place as Shizuoka's representative.
Nationally, Toho Academy has added Takeshi Sawada, Kojiro Hyuga's former teammate from elementary school.
Furano has sharpened their team play, Hanawa's Tachibana twins are working on new strategies, and Misugi from Musashi is finally back after two years away.
But what fans are really curious about is, what do you think about Shin Orochi leaving Azumaichi?"
I paused. "I see, it's… wait, Orochi isn't at Azumaichi anymore?"
[ Kojiro Hyuga's POV ]
At Toho Academy, Tokyo.
The midday sun bore down on Toho Academy's training pitch. My shirt was already soaked in sweat as I buried another shot in the top corner. That was my third goal in just ten minutes of the intra-squad match.
"Again!" I barked. "Feed me another ball!"
I didn't stop. Not for water, not for rest. Every session was a battlefield.
Just then, one of the coaching staff came jogging over.
"Hyuga! A journalist from Footballeleven wants a word."
I sighed. Of course. Another one.
A few minutes later, I stood in front of the camera, sweat dripping down, a towel around my neck.
"Kojiro Hyuga, you're entering your final year at Toho Academy, and many see your team as one of the favorites for the championship. Your thoughts?"
"We're not here to participate. We're here to win this year." I said coldly.
"With the arrival of Takeshi Sawada, your former elementary school teammate, many believe Toho is stronger than ever."
"It's true."
"Now the big question, how do you react to the news that Shin Orochi has left Azumaichi and gone overseas?"
I stopped for a moment, eyes narrowing.
"...Orochi left Japan?"
'I couldn't even beat him in our first year in middle school, we finished second losing in the final, and the following year we lost in the semi final to them... Shit! I can't confront him with my new shot.'
[ Shin's POV ]
I stared out the window.
"Here we're." I murmured.
"We kindly ask all passengers to return their seats to an upright position, fasten their seatbelts, and switch their devices to airplane mode. We're beginning our descent, ladies and gentlemen." the pilot announced.
The passengers, myself included, complied.
The plane touched down smoothly.
"We hope you had a pleasant flight with us." the flight attendants said as we disembarked.
After getting my documents checked, I headed to baggage claim to collect my suitcase, then made my way to the taxi area where I'd been told someone would be waiting for me.
Later.
"Are you Shin Orochi?" someone asked as I arrived.
"Yes, that's me." I replied.
He led me to a car, placed my luggage in the trunk, and we set off toward our destination.
"You've got a good accent." the driver said as we talked during the ride."Thanks." I replied.
"Over there on your left, that's the first team's stadium." he pointed out.
"Incredible." I said, eyes wide.
"But that's not where we're going. The academy is further out." he added as we kept driving.
Eventually, we reached the countryside, where the academy was located.
"Thank you very much, sir." I said after grabbing my bags from the trunk.
"No problem, young man. I hope things go well for you with the tryouts." he said before driving off.
"There's a lot of people here…" I muttered to myself, looking around at the other players who had also come for the trials.
That evening, I was in the room they had assigned me. I unpacked a bit, then went straight to bed, tomorrow was going to be a big day.
I got up early, took a shower, got dressed, and headed straight for the training grounds.
When I arrived, a small group of players was already chatting among themselves. One of them suddenly said,
"They're even inviting Asians now? Where's this place headed…"
"What did you just say?" I asked, stepping toward the guy who had spoken.
"Oh, so not only can't you see, you can't hear either." he snapped.
Before things could escalate, a coach called out,
"Everyone gather around here! Right in front of me, please!"
We all headed over.
"Alright," the coach began. "We'll be organizing a match to evaluate you. It's simple: if we call your name at the end of the game, you stay. If not… you go home!"
"I'm now calling the forwards to come and grab a bib." the coach announced.
I stepped forward to take mine, joining the line of attackers.He continued, calling out the midfielders next, then the defenders, and finally the goalkeepers.
"Alright, everyone has a bib now. We can get started." he said firmly. "Give it everything you've got—this is your shot to earn a place here at
Chelsea Academy."