Ryusei's applause still echoed in Setoshi's ears. He sat in the locker room, slowly taking off his shirt. The room smelled of sweat, victory, and a touch of fear. Ryusei hadn't come to see him after the match, he'd just nodded and left. But Setoshi knew: that man had made his decision.
The next morning, there was an extraordinary meeting at the Yuto FC facilities. The entire U21 team had gathered, with the coaching staff and Ryusei seated at the head of the table. Ryusei stood up, and silence fell.
"Setoshi," he said directly. "Your performance on the field yesterday… was impressive. But what was truly impressive was that you didn't put on an individual show, that you thought about the team. This club grows with team spirit, not individual stars."
Setoshi's heart raced. Ryusei continued, "You'll train with the first team until the end of this season. You'll be in the squad for some games. If you prove you're ready, you'll wear the first team jersey next season."
The room filled with applause. Setoshi's eyes welled up, but he didn't show it. He simply bowed his head and said, "Thank you, President." He thought to himself: "Osiko... we'll be in the same league soon."
The atmosphere was tense on the Hajita side. Osiko's heel feint goal had secured the victory, but the locker room was icy. Matsui hadn't joined the goal celebration, showering and leaving immediately. After the game, Tutusiki pulled Osiko aside.
"That goal was fantastic," the coach said coldly. "But Matsui was unmarked in that position. Why didn't you pass?"
Osiko swallowed. "I had seconds to decide, coach. Shooting seemed like the right option."
Tutusiki shook his head. "Is it the right choice, or the brightest choice? Great players think about the team, Osiko. You won an individual victory yesterday, but the team victory was incomplete. Matsui is angry, and the others are starting to lose faith in you."
Osiko was confused on the way home. Was Matsui right? Would he be ordinary without individual talent? Or was Tutusiki right, that you couldn't reach the top without teamwork?
That night, a message arrived. From Setoshi.
Setoshi: "Congratulations, buddy, I watched your goal. That heel feint was legendary!"
Osiko stared at the screen for a while.He typed, deleted, and typed again.
Osiko: "Thanks. I saw your assist too, you're practically giving a lesson in teamwork."
Setoshi: "Haha, we're learning. Maybe we'll be in the same league soon. Are you ready?"
Osiko smiled, but her smile was bitter.
Osiko: "I'm always ready."
A few weeks later, the league fixtures were announced. One of Hajita A's upcoming matches was an away game against Yuto A.
Osiko's heart raced when he saw the list. Tutusiki had seen it too. So had Matsui.
Setoshi was waiting for news from Ryusei. He'd been called up to the first team for the first time – albeit on the bench.
Match day was approaching.
Both their phones vibrated at the same time: the lineups had been announced.
Osiko was in the starting eleven.
Setoshi was on the bench.
But they both knew: they would be on the pitch for that match.
And this time, they wouldn't be talking about friendship, just football.