Chapter 10: エゴイスト (Egoist) ---

The first-years trudged into the locker room, their bodies screaming in protest. The once bright and hopeful eyes of Saijo and his teammates were now dim and hollow. Their faces were etched with frustration and fatigue, and the realization of their inadequacy hit them like a ton of bricks. The brutal first half against the third-years had left their spirits shattered.

Saijo slumped onto a bench, burying his face in his hands. His breath was ragged, and the sting of sweat mixed with the bitter taste of defeat. Around him, the other first-years sat in similar states of despair. Gon, the timid goalkeeper, was trembling, his hands still shaking from the relentless shots he had faced. Roy, usually brimming with envy and determination, now stared blankly at the floor, his confidence crushed. Kaito and Daisuke leaned against the lockers, their heads bowed in exhaustion.

The silence in the locker room was oppressive, broken only by the sound of labored breathing. Coach Takeda entered, his expression unreadable. He scanned the room, taking in the dejected faces of his players.

"Listen up," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I know you're all tired and frustrated. But this is part of the process. Growth comes from pushing beyond your limits, from facing challenges head-on."

Saijo lifted his head, his eyes meeting Takeda's. There was a flicker of something in his gaze—a spark of defiance, a refusal to be completely broken.

"You were thrown into unfamiliar positions, yes," Takeda continued. "But that's not an excuse. A true player can adapt, can find strength in adversity. This is where you separate yourselves from the average. This is where you become extraordinary."

The words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise. Saijo felt a stirring within him, a faint echo of the fire that had driven him to become a soccer player in the first place. He glanced at his teammates, seeing that same flicker in their eyes. They were down, but they were not out.

Takeda's gaze softened slightly. "Take a moment to catch your breath. Reflect on what went wrong, but also on what you can do better. This is only halftime. The second half is where you show what you're truly made of."

With that, Takeda turned and left the locker room, leaving the first-years to their thoughts. The silence stretched on, but it was no longer oppressive. It was contemplative, a shared moment of introspection and determination.

Saijo stood up, feeling the weight of his exhaustion but also a renewed sense of purpose. "We can't let this be the end," he said, his voice steady despite the fatigue. "We have to show them what we're capable of."

Gon looked up, his eyes still filled with fear but also a glimmer of resolve. "But how? We're so outmatched..."

Roy clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "We may be outmatched, but we're not beaten. We've seen their weaknesses. We just need to exploit them."

Kaito and Daisuke nodded, the fire returning to their eyes. Saijo felt a surge of pride for his teammates. They were battered, but they were still fighting.

As the second half approached, the first-years began to prepare, their spirits slowly rekindling. They stretched their aching muscles, adjusted their gear, and exchanged determined glances. The locker room buzzed with a quiet intensity, each player silently vowing to give everything they had left.

When they stepped back onto the field, the third-years were already there, looking relaxed and confident. Takeshi, the formidable captain, smirked as he saw the first-years return. "Back for more, huh? Let's see if you've learned anything."

Yuto Nakamura and the Yuta twins exchanged knowing looks, their confidence unshaken. The challenge was set, and the first-years steeled themselves for what lay ahead.

The whistle blew, and the second half began. The first-years, despite their fatigue, moved with a newfound determination. Saijo, playing on the left wing, forced himself to adapt. His movements were more deliberate, his passes more precise. He used his right foot to cut inside, finding new angles and opportunities.

Roy, now a central defender, was more focused, his positioning improved. He intercepted passes and challenged the third-years with renewed vigor. Gon, in goal, had regained some of his composure, making crucial saves that kept the first-years in the game. Kaito and Daisuke, though still out of their comfort zones, worked tirelessly to support their teammates.

The third-years were taken aback by the first-years' resilience. Takeshi's smirk faded as he found himself struggling to break through Roy's improved defense. Yuto Nakamura, though still dominant, had to work harder to maintain control in his unfamiliar defensive role. The Yuta twins, though formidable, found themselves challenged by Saijo's strategic play on the wing.

Despite their improved performance, the first-years were still fighting an uphill battle. Their legs shook with extreme fatigue, their bodies drenched in sweat. Every movement was a struggle, every pass a test of endurance. The third-years, though pressured, still had the upper hand.

As the game wore on, the first-years' exhaustion began to show. Their passes grew sloppier, their movements slower. Takeshi seized the opportunity, breaking through Roy's defense and scoring another goal, widening the gap.

But the first-years refused to give up. Saijo pushed himself harder, his vision narrowing to the ball at his feet and the goal ahead. He dribbled past Yuta Hayashi, his right foot guiding the ball with precision. He saw an opening and took the shot, the ball sailing past Yuto Nakamura and into the net.

The first-years cheered, a brief moment of triumph in the midst of their struggle. But the third-years quickly regrouped, their experience and skill shining through. Yuto Nakamura, despite his defensive role, orchestrated a counterattack that led to another goal.

The game ended with a decisive victory for the third-years, but the first-years had shown their resilience and potential. As they gathered on the field, their bodies exhausted but their spirits unbroken, Coach Takeda approached them.

"You fought well," he said, his voice filled with pride. "You showed heart, determination, and the ability to adapt. Remember this feeling, this fight. It will carry you through the challenges ahead."

Saijo and his teammates nodded, their exhaustion mingling with a sense of achievement. They had faced a brutal test and emerged stronger, their bonds forged in the fires of adversity.

As they left the field, the first-years knew that the tryout arc was far from over. There were still more challenges to face, more battles to fight. But they were ready, their spirits unyielding, their eyes fixed on the future.

The anticipation for the next part of the tryout arc hung in the air, leaving fans eager for more. The journey of Saijo and his teammates was just beginning, and the trials ahead would shape them into the players they aspired to be.

With their spirits rekindled, the first-years prepared to face whatever came next, determined to prove themselves and secure their place on the team. The road ahead was long and fraught with challenges, but they were ready to meet it head-on, their hearts burning with the desire to succeed.

And so, the tryout arc continued, each step bringing them closer to their ultimate goal.