Five.

"1 2... 1 2... 1 2..." The guys from the school soccer team ran round the school field as part of their morning training.

As their coach, Akihito said, they didn't have time to wait since they planned on winning nationals.

"You new kids should stay back for training today. You guys will have a practice match against Hidemari High School."

"Practice match?"

"Shouldn't that be for our seniors?"

"I've spoken to the seniors, and they have no problem with it. It might just be a practice match, but you guys should better get ready for some serious training." He said.

"Yes, sir!"

"Well then, the match will be held on the 27th of this month."

"That's just next tomorrow!!"

"It's just a practice match."

"I know, but..."

"Shut it, kids! Even if it's just a practice match, I won't condone failure. Losing is not an option."

"Y-yes coach!"

●●●

"Man, I'm getting pumped up for the practice match." Juro said, sitting on my desk.

"Hidemari's actually quite strong. Their club captain, Yoshiki, is actually quite good. He's very good at defence." Haryu said.

"Yeah, I've watched him play, too." Juro concurred, swinging his legs.

"Not only him, the twins Shinji and Kenji Sugawara also." Hajime said.

*Sugawara? I've heard that name before, but where?*

"Yeah, we all attended the same middle school. Their passes are so good."

*I don't think I've heard any of the names they're mentioning.* Ryunnouske thought, looking out of the window.

"You sure you can keep jogging?" Yuki asked Hime, who kept panting as they jogged around the field.

"Ha... ha... ha... I'm so tired. But I can't stop." Hime said, trying her best to keep jogging.

*That is...* Ryunnouske thought.

"Ah... Class A 's having PE now." Juro said, looking outside the window.

"I thought they had Math." Hajime said, looking out too.

"I heard their math teacher suddenly got ill. Since he's friends with the PE teacher, he decided to give his period to him." Haryu said.

"Sounds nice, I wish I was down there." Juro said.

"Doing sports or not having class? I bet that'd be nice for us, but I don't think they're liking it." Hajime said.

Ryunnouske kept looking down at them till the teacher walked into the class.

"Why isn't our 'Math' teacher ill?" Juro asked, pouting.

●●●

"This day came faster than I expected." Haryu said.

"It's been just two days, Haryu, two days." Hajime said.

"I'm so pumped up!!" Haryu shouted.

"Where's Juro? I expected him to say that, not you. You're totally out of character. Are you nervous?" Ryunnouske asked.

"He's always like that when he's nervous." Hajime answered.

"Hee... I could never outguess that."

"There was a time he tried asking a girl he really liked out in our first year of middle school he began acting so chipper." Juro said.

"For real?"

"Mm-hm. But he was turned down. The girl had a boyfriend on the Karate club, and he almost had it. Hahaha!" Hajime said laughing.

"Stop talking about that! That was a mistake on my part. But you guys asked me to go confess to her. And by the way, more girls are confessing their love to me all day." He said, feeling superior.

"You boys, they have arrived." The coach said as they turned to see Hidemari High schools students walking in with their bags.

"It's about time." Hajime said.

*Hidemari High School, I've played against their middle school, and they're good. I wonder how good their high school team is.*

After changing into their jerseys, the guys from Hidemari stood on the pitch, ready for the friendly battle.

"Huh?! What's this Akihito?! Are you kidding me?!"

"Calm down, Gojo-san." Akihito said, trying to calm the assistant coach of Hidemari down.

"Calm down?! Aren't these guys only first years?! Do you mean to say we aren't worth the time or effort of your regular players?!" Gojo asked angrily.

"Listen to me for a moment."

"We're leaving! Never ask us for a practice match again. See you in the prefectural championship." He said about to leave.

"Gojo-san! It's not what you think. We're all trying to train our first years, and I want them to play in the Cup, too. Don't get mad." Akihito said.

"Tch, I'm only staying back cause of Coach Daiji." He said, sitting back.

And with that, the practice match between Hidemori High and Shinsei High began.

◆◆◆

"Come on, let's go. Their match just started." Yuki said, grabbing Himes' wrist.

"Wait a minute, Yuki."

"What's wrong?"

"I..."

*I don't like sports, why would I want to watch their practice match?*

"It's between our first years and the guys from Hidemari. Your big brothers are from there, right?"

"Ah! Now that I remember. They told me something about it last night." Hime said.

"Then let's go." Yuki said as they walked out of the classroom.

■■■

"Ha... ha... ha..." Shide panted while resting his hands on his thigh.

The others from the team were also tired. It was already 69 minutes into the game, and one goal was already scored by the guys from Hidemari.

"Heck yeah!" The twins said high-fiving each other.

"Hmph! They are still first years, of course my boys will win." Gojo said.

"Haha, we don't know yet."

*This doesn't look too good.* Akihito thought.

"Your brothers are so good." Yuki said as Hime smiled proudly.

"Well, of course. No one can beat their teamwork." She said.

*That tall guy...* Hime thought, looking at Ryu, who looked tired.