An Unescapable Situation

There is only 3 days left till the inter-high tournament. The premier schools of football across Japan play for the title of best in the nation. And this coveted proze was being hunted down this year, not only for the glory, but for attention from top-Colleges. Within these highly-ranked 16 teams, KyoPre only made it in the 16th seed. Dead-last. Only managing to scape through due to a small winning streak.

Posters were set up announcing the schools entry, and the tournament bracket, which was based on a raffle. The ever-busy football club got their first look at the raffle.

"Hey, move!"

"I want a look!"

The results were... painful

(16) Kyoto Prefectural High School VS (1) Hiroshima Tech

"And there you have it boys! We're doomed, haha!" Kawasaki was quick to retort: "Pfft! Look at your faces!"

Their rage filled gazes turned towards the coach, who now is out of breath, laughing.

"You're the one that has to come up with a plan." Hayama, with a mean stare: "I don't care much, but I'd rather not go out in the first round. These useless fools aren't enough, to win that is."

"That's right." Jun spoke out, putting on his signature serious captain face.

"Alright then, you guys seemed fired up enough. I'll think up of something." He couldn't deny them this chance.

Ring!

Just at that moment, the bell had rung. It was about time to go home. It was cheery, and restless. But an invisible wall had been set between the other students and the football club. Who gave of a bad aura, faces like they were pondering an existential question.

Our protagonist, on the other hand, was off to the races. Running away to, somewhere. He thought he'd get some extra excersize before the game. But in the end, this was just wishful thinking, naïveté. He knew that too, but what else could he do. It was hopeless.

An out of breath Yuuto stopped, he sensed the fact that this was a nostalgic scenery. It was, a park. One that he and his brother would often visit. His brother would teach him every single skill he could, and the gullible Yuuto would just follow.

"Hah." A slight smile was on his face, his eyes showed the emotions of happiness, nostalgia, with a hint of sadness. He sat down on a grassy patch, were he thought he was all alone. He noticed this, and quickly apologised.

"Ah, I'm very so-"

"No prob-"

"Oh."

It was Ayase, the girl who had inspired him back to the game.

"Hello."

"Howdy!"

"Huh?"

"Just messing around."

A confusing introduction led to a moment of silence. Blissful silence, a slow breeze swayed the girls hair around gently. The sun, that painted the sky orange. The chatter of kids playing. It was something Yuuto wanted to take a photo of, it was just that beautiful. But he kept that in, and asked Ayase for advice, hidden as a question.

"Hey, if you were trapped in a dire situation, no help, whatsoever, how would you get out of it?"

"Hmm, I'd get out of it." Ayase spoke: "This sounds childish but, say I was trapped in that situation, I'd never think about quitting. I'd try every infinite option available, and if all of those don't work, try them again. Still sounds kiddish."

But that was enough to fuel, Yuuto. Childlike innocence was what he needed. He had one chance, and he was not going to let go of that one chance. Naive and wishfulness, which he deemed not required, were exactly what he needed.

"Thanks, I'll leave now." He took two steps, turned around like a robot and said, in a interrogative tone: "Don't you take the train back home."

"Oh, Oh! Yeah, yeah! I should get going! Thanks!" She thanked him with the biggest smile, it shone as bright as the sun. This is exaggerated but, in someway true.

He reached home, and took a shower and slept like a log, cause tomorrow had a plenty to come.