Sprint. Sprint.
Young men in two-toned uniforms swarmed across the green pitch, their eyes locked on a single ball as they raced back and forth.
The ball changed hands at a dizzying pace until, after a series of quick exchanges, it was sent down the center of the field to the feet of the boy in the blue uniform—Hiroto Hashimoto.
Trapping the ball brilliantly, Hiroto shifted immediately into a breakneck dribble.
He carried the ball with the speed of a gale, leaving the opposing defense scrambling to keep up. One defender closed in from the front and another from behind, but as if mocking their desperation, Hiroto calmly slotted a pass to his teammate on the opposite wing—Moriyama.
The opposition’s focus shifted instantly toward the ball as it grazed the grass, tracking its trajectory.
Threading the needle through that momentary lapse in their awareness, Hiroto broke into a sharp sprint once again.
Now, the only one standing between Hiroto and the goal was the keeper, whose attention was fixed entirely on Moriyama.
Having cut deep into the opponent's territory, Moriyama remained perfectly composed, return-passing the ball through a narrow gap in the tightening defense.
The precision pass flew unerringly to Hiroto's feet as he charged toward the front line. In the next instant, he unleashed a strike of incredible power toward the net.
As if he couldn't spare even a second to trap it, he used the full momentum of his sprint for a first-time shot.
The opposing goalkeeper lunged instinctively, but he was far too late.
The ball buried itself in the white netting, and the stands erupted in a deafening roar.
Beside me, Hamasaki cheered at the top of his lungs, while Oka and the others nodded with satisfaction. I joined them, smiling and applauding to celebrate the brilliant play by Hiroto and the rest of the team.
After sharing high-fives to celebrate the goal, they maintained their momentum, playing a steady and reliable game.
With Hiroto and Moriyama at the center, supported by the fierce efforts of the rest of the squad, the flow of the match remained in our favor from start to finish.
A few minutes later, our very own Nishikawa High School Soccer Club secured a decisive victory in the opening round of the Inter-high.
§
Once the first round concluded and the players exited the field, the spectators in our section began to move toward the exits in droves.
To avoid the worst of the congestion, we decided to wait until things calmed down before leaving our seats, passing the time with some idle chatter.
"Man, as expected of our soccer club, that felt like a solid win," Hamasaki said.
"They probably weren't even at full strength," Oka added calmly. "From what I could see, the third-year aces and most of the starters stayed on the bench."
"Are you serious? Winning like that against a powerhouse that made it to the Inter-high is insane..."
Hamasaki's face twitched in admiration. I felt much the same.
Whether they were resting players for the second round or simply giving the underclassmen some experience, there were clearly layers to their strategy. I might have underestimated just how high the bar was set at a powerhouse school like ours.
However, on a personal level, something else was even more shocking.
"Is Hiroto really that good?" I asked. "I mean, Moriyama was obviously great too, but a freshman scoring a hat trick in his first tournament game? That feels like he’s in a different league entirely."
"Well, it's impressive, isn't it?" Minami replied. "He played for a top-tier club team through middle school. He actually passed the scouts for a professional youth team but turned them down to come to our high school instead."
"How big of a deal is that, exactly?"
"Hmm... Simply put, he was at the point where he was almost ready to go pro."
"That is incredible..."
"Well, that 'almost' is where the real struggle begins," Minami noted.
It seemed I was still underestimating Hiroto’s passion and talent for the game.
While thanking Minami for the explanation, I couldn't help but wonder why someone with that much talent would turn down the shortest route to a professional career.
As we talked, the crowd thinned out considerably. We stood up, checked the area for trash, and headed out of the stadium.
A quick check of my phone revealed a message from Hiroto saying they were waiting at the main entrance.
We navigated the entrance hall, which was buzzing with players, cheering squads, and spectators waiting for the afternoon matches, and stepped outside.
"Oh, isn't that them over there?"
Hamasaki pointed toward a group in club T-shirts cooling off in the shade of a tree. It was Hiroto and the others.
As we approached, they waved with bright expressions. Though fatigue was visible on their faces, they were clearly riding the high of their spectacular opening-round victory.
"Yo! Thanks for coming, guys!" Hiroto shouted.
"It was fun to watch. Congrats on clearing the first round," I said. "You and Moriyama were both amazing out there."
"It was seriously awesome!" Hamasaki added. "Especially that first-time shot into the corner from Moriyama’s pass! That was so cool!"
"Right? To be honest, we couldn't get that to work at all during practice. I guess I’m just a beast when it actually counts!"
"For my part, I was panicking because the pass was a bit too fast," Moriyama said with a wry smile. "This is why geniuses are such a pain."
"Heh, stop it, you're making me blush."
Following my lead, the others offered their praises. Hiroto puffed out his chest with pride, while Moriyama looked somewhat conflicted.
I felt like Moriyama’s voice, though praising Hiroto’s talent, held a complexity that went beyond his words.
"Really, I didn't do much," Moriyama demurred. "Hiroto was the one who scored the goals. I was just desperately trying to keep the ball moving."
"Positioning yourself to always support your teammates and handling passes so precisely that your ace can move freely isn't something you can just dismiss as 'just' doing your job," Oka countered.
"Exactly," Minami joined in. "For a freshman to play like such a sharp playmaker is plenty impressive."
"You think so?" Moriyama asked.
Oka and Minami continued to encourage the humble Moriyama. As he still looked unconvinced, Hiroto threw a heavy arm around his shoulder.
"They're right, Moriyama! If you hadn't been there, my performance today wouldn't have happened. No matter what anyone says, that’s a fact. Well, the fact that I’m incredibly good at soccer is also a factor, obviously! Don't you agree, Yanagida?"
Hiroto laughed with absolute confidence. After seeing him today, I realized his seemingly arrogant attitude was just honest self-assurance.
"I don't know much about the technical side, but I thought both of you looked really cool out there."
"Heh, fallen for me all over again?"
"I never fell for you in the first place. Don't make me want to take back the compliment."
"Don't be shy~"
Hiroto leaned in with his usual annoying energy, but I quickly realized it was his way of cheering up the slightly downcast Moriyama and lightening the mood.
Moriyama caught on as well, letting out a sigh that held a hint of a smile.
"I see... I suppose you're right. Thanks, everyone. I think I was getting a bit in my head."
"Hey, don't worry about it!" Minami said. "The matches continue tomorrow, so we need you focused!"
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Oka added.
"I'll be fine. I won't show you anything pathetic," Moriyama replied, his smile appearing more genuine.
I caught Hiroto’s eye and gave a subtle look, but he just gave a light shrug and a tiny shake of his head. I took that to mean there was no need to worry for now.
"By the way, are you guys coming to cheer for us tomorrow too?" Hiroto asked.
"The track and field club starts practice tomorrow," Oka said. "Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the Inter-high myself... but I should be able to make it for the finals."
"Our volleyball club narrowly missed the nationals, too," Hamasaki added. "We have practice starting tomorrow as well. What was the schedule again?"
"Hmm... I think we can all make it for the finals," Minami said. "You'd better make sure you get that far."
"Leave it to the invincible ace! So, what about you, Mr. Go-Home Club?"
"Are you implying I'm free just because I'm in the Go-Home Club? Well... I am, but still."
I brushed off the teasing and checked my internal calendar.
"I can make it for the finals too, I think. I have a date with Haruka the day before, and I have plans tomorrow and probably the day after."
"What? So everyone is only coming for the finals? Now we definitely have to win our way through."
"Going on a lovely date while we're desperately fighting in the semi-finals... you're really enjoying your youth, aren't you?" Moriyama asked mockingly, having fully regained his spirits. "Care to share what those plans are from tomorrow onwards?"
"Tournament matches are a fine form of youth, too. Tomorrow is... well, it’s Haruka’s birthday."
"Oh. I see."
"That’s... kind of hard to tease you about," Hiroto muttered.
"Don't tease me about it in the first place."
Deciding I could be honest with this group, I told them the truth, only to be met with a strangely hesitant reaction. What a bunch of losers.
In contrast, Hiroto—the only other person in the group with a girlfriend—nodded with deep empathy.
"That’s a big deal. Have you got a present ready?"
"I'm not great at surprises, so I asked her directly if there was anything she wanted. For some reason, she put it on hold."
"On hold? What do you mean?" Hamasaki asked.
"She said she needed to make some preparations and that she'd tell me what she wanted on the actual day. She told me to look forward to it. I have no idea what she’s going to ask for... what do you guys think?"
When I asked with a straight face, Hiroto and the others looked at each other—then all pointed at me simultaneously.
"Me?"
"It’s definitely you," Hiroto said.
"It’s like that 'I'm the gift' trope, but in reverse," Hamasaki joked.
"Surprise! You’re the birthday present!"
The guys erupted into laughter. I seriously felt like punching them.
Moriyama tried to placate me as I glared at them, though he was clearly stifling a laugh himself.
"Man, that was good... but seriously, jokes aside, it’s a real possibility," Hiroto said.
"No way. Even for Haruka, that’s a bit much."
"With you? It’s totally possible."
"............"
I couldn't deny it.
Hiroto looked smugly triumphant, and since Hamasaki was being particularly annoying about it, I gave him a quick smack.
As we carried on with our nonsense, Minami spoke up with a look of pity.
"By the way... what should we do about this poor creature? He’s turned into a Buddhist statue ever since the topic of Akise-san came up."
"............"
Oka was beyond our saving.
I looked away from him—he had his hands pressed together in prayer and was muttering some incomprehensible pseudo-sutra—only to notice a large group approaching us.
A swarm of guys was staring at us—no, staring at me—with terrifyingly intense expressions.
Since they were wearing the same club T-shirts as Hiroto and Moriyama, they were presumably members of the soccer team. I had no idea what they wanted with me.
"Hey, seniors," Hiroto said. "Is something up?"
The upperclassmen ignored him, their eyes fixed on me with singular intensity. I didn't back down, meeting their glares head-on.
In the midst of the heavy, silent tension, the scary-looking senior at the front spoke with gravity.
"...You're Yanagida, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Are you... really... Haruka Akise’s... b-boyfriend?"
"I am."
When I nodded without hesitation, several of the boys in the group collapsed to their knees right then and there.
"Tanaka! Saito! Are you okay?" "Stay with us! The wound isn't deep!"
At the very least, it didn't look like heatstroke.
The senior at the front was breaking into a cold sweat, but his gaze remained locked on mine. Seriously, what was wrong with these people?
"I'll ask you... straight out."
"Okay."
"Is Akise-san... not with you today?"
"What? No, she isn't."
"Guh!"
The moment I answered, the rest of the soccer club members—who had been trembling but holding their ground—collapsed in a heap.
I stood there in utter confusion. Behind me, Moriyama let out a knowing sigh.
"Ah... so that’s what it was. When Hiroto said Yanagida was coming, the seniors got all worked up. No wonder they were playing with so much extra motivation during the match."
"Meaning what?"
"They assumed that if her boyfriend was coming, Akise-san would surely be there to spectate as well. And now that their plan has failed, this is the result."
"I see..."
I thought it was profoundly pathetic, but I kept the thought to myself.
I felt a tiny bit sorry for them, but honestly, it wasn't my fault. They had misunderstood on their own and gotten depressed on their own. Like Oka, they were beyond my saving.
Oka was still chanting his mysterious sutras, and the soccer players were scattered on the ground. It was a scene of pure pandemonium. I let out a long sigh.
"Men really are idiots, aren't they?"
"Don't act like you're above it all, Mr. Poster Boy for Lovey-Dovey Couples," Hamasaki retorted.
"Pipe down, stupid disciple."
I could only pray for their success in the matches to come.