Chapter 8 - Pre-game pep talk

The sun was setting as the three of them walked home from school, the cool evening breeze brushing past. Sena's feet dragged a little, his nerves still a bit rattled from everything that had happened at school. He kept glancing at TJ, still processing how his life had been thrown into this unexpected mess of football.

"So, TJ," Sena started, voice still hesitant, "I still don't really get why you joined the football team. I mean, I thought it was just supposed to be some fun club, but now there's an actual game tomorrow? I didn't want to play—I just wanted to help out and be the manager. But now I'm stuck with... this."

TJ chuckled lightly, his hands casually in his jacket pockets. "Football's not just about sitting around. You've got to give it a shot to see if it's really for you. I mean, if you don't try, you'll never know how good you can be."

Sena shook his head, looking more uncertain. "I didn't sign up for this kind of challenge. I just wanted to help out behind the scenes. Now Hiruma's dragging me into everything, and we have a game tomorrow! I don't even know if I can handle that."

Mamori, walking beside them, looked over at Sena with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Sena. We'll figure this out together. You've been doing fine so far, right?"

Sena frowned, kicking a small pebble down the sidewalk. "Yeah, but I didn't expect it to get so serious. I thought being the manager meant I wouldn't have to do... actual football stuff. And now it's like... real football, and I'm just not sure I'm cut out for it."

TJ gave Sena an encouraging grin, his tone light and reassuring. "I get it, but trust me—you'll be fine. You can't know unless you try. You've got the heart for it, Sena. I bet you'll surprise yourself out there."

Sena sighed and kept walking, his mind racing. "I don't know... I thought I could just sit on the sidelines, but now everything feels like it's going to fall apart."

Mamori, still not aware that Sena might be playing in the game, gave him a sympathetic look. "You'll do great. We all believe in you."

TJ then decided to drop a little hint about his own background. "I know what you mean. I used to be in your shoes, just joining something for the fun of it. Back in the States, I was a five-star recruit. But honestly, it's about the game, not the hype."

Sena blinked, unsure of what a "five-star recruit" was. It sounded impressive, though. "Wait... what's a five-star recruit? That sounds... big."

TJ shrugged casually. "It means I was one of the top players in my country, a real standout. But I'm not here to talk about that. I'm here to have fun and learn with the team. I've got a lot of experience, but that doesn't mean I'm too good to get better."

Sena nodded, clearly impressed by TJ's words, even if he didn't fully understand what "five-star recruit" meant. "That sounds... really impressive. I guess if someone like you's telling me to try my best, maybe I can do it."

Mamori smiled at Sena, still believing he was just going to be managing. "You'll do fine, Sena. You've got this."

Sena's face turned a little red. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be the best manager they've ever had."

TJ laughed lightly. "I don't know, Sena. Something tells me you might end up doing more than just managing tomorrow."

Sena gulped, hoping he was wrong but knowing deep down that Hiruma would probably drag him into playing one way or another.