A New Horizon

The next few days passed in a blur for Takumi. The victory against Fujiyama United had been celebrated, but it didn't feel like a normal win. Every conversation, every glance from his teammates, carried a weight he couldn't ignore. It was as though something had shifted, something intangible, but undeniable.

The locker room after the match had been a riot of high-fives and laughter, yet Takumi's thoughts kept drifting back to the moment he had seen the scout. He replayed it over and over in his mind, trying to dissect every detail of that encounter. Who was the scout? Which team was he from? Why had he looked at Takumi like that?

On the surface, Takumi tried to act like everything was normal. He joked around with Atsushi and Shinji, gave his usual post-game interview, and even shared a few laughs with Coach Sora. But inside, his mind was racing.

"Yo, Takumi! You okay?" Atsushi asked one evening after practice, noticing Takumi's distracted demeanor.

Takumi forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."

Atsushi gave him a skeptical look. "Thinking? You've been 'thinking' since the game ended. You're telling me you're not still stuck on that penalty?"

Takumi shook his head, brushing it off. "No, I'm fine with that. Ryuji saved it, and Haruto cleared it. We did what we had to do." He paused, his gaze drifting to the ground. "It's just... something else."

Atsushi raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, whatever it is, you better snap out of it. We've got a tough game next week, and I know Coach is counting on you to be sharp."

Takumi nodded absentmindedly, though he knew Atsushi was right. The next match was against one of the toughest teams in the league, and Skyline FC needed every bit of focus they could muster to stay competitive. But no matter how hard he tried to put it out of his mind, that encounter with the scout haunted him.

—

The following day, Takumi received a message that would change everything.

It was an email from Coach Sora, subject line: Important. Come to my office.

Takumi felt his stomach twist as he clicked open the message. Coach Sora had never contacted him directly after a match like this before, and the sudden urgency in his tone was unsettling.

He made his way to Coach Sora's office after practice, his steps heavy, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't sure what to expect, but deep down, he felt like he already knew.

"Come in, Takumi," Coach Sora's voice called from inside.

Takumi pushed open the door and stepped into the small, cluttered office. The room smelled of coffee and chalk dust, and the walls were lined with tactical boards and player stats. Coach Sora sat at his desk, a serious expression on his face. He motioned for Takumi to sit.

"Take a seat," Coach Sora said, his tone low and deliberate.

Takumi sat down slowly, trying to hide the nervous energy pulsing through his veins. He tried to steady his breathing, but it wasn't easy. The look on Coach Sora's face made it clear that this wasn't just a routine meeting.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush, Takumi," Coach Sora began. "I've got some news. It's about that scout you saw after the game."

Takumi's heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened, but he quickly tried to control his reaction.

"You saw him too, didn't you?" Coach Sora said, leaning forward slightly. "He was from a team that's been keeping a close eye on you for a while now."

Takumi blinked, unsure of what to say. "A team? Which team?"

Coach Sora's eyes narrowed as if weighing how much to reveal. "I can't give you all the details yet, but it's a scout from the Japanese u-16. They've been scouting you for some time now. They've seen your growth, your potential. That penalty save—" He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "—wasn't just a fluke. They noticed that moment. And they liked what they saw."

Takumi felt like the room was closing in around him. His mind raced. "But... why me? I'm just a midfielder. I've never been a standout player. There are bigger stars out there."

Coach Sora smiled, though it was a tight, knowing smile. "You may not be the flashiest player, Takumi. But what you bring to the table—your vision, your decision-making, your ability to read the game—it's rare. There are few players who have the same combination of intelligence and skill. And that's what makes you special."

Takumi's hands trembled slightly in his lap. He had always believed in his abilities, but hearing it from Coach Sora, someone he respected deeply, made it feel real in a way it never had before.

"So, what now?" Takumi asked, his voice quiet. "Do I... do I have to go? Am i ready?

Takumi's breath caught in his throat. Call up the the national team

He wanted to shout, to say "Yes, of course, I'll go! I've worked my whole life for this!" 

"I... I don't know what to say, Coach," Takumi admitted, his voice cracking slightly. "I've only ever played for Skyline and other academy clubs, i'm not sure if i am ready"

Coach Sora nodded, his gaze softening. "I understand. But you need to think carefully, Takumi. This isn't just about football. It's about what kind of player, and what kind of person, you want to be. This decision will define you, whether you stay or go."

Takumi sat in silence for a long moment, the weight of the decision sinking in. He thought of his teammates, of the camaraderie they had shared. He thought of Shinji, Atsushi, Haruto—his brothers on the field. But then, he remembered the scout's gaze, the silent promise in that nod.

He knew what he had to do. The path ahead was uncertain, but it was his to choose.

"I'll think about it, Coach," Takumi said quietly, looking up with a newfound resolve. "But I need to do what's best for me. For my future."

Coach Sora nodded, a proud gleam in his eyes. "I knew you'd say that. Take your time. This is a big decision."

Takumi stood, his mind already racing with possibilities. As he left the office, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, but also the thrill of something new, something exciting. His future was wide open.

And whatever came next, Takumi knew one thing for certain: it was his time to shine.