The Dawn of a New Partnership

The crisp morning air carried the sounds of cleats thudding against the field and the sharp echoes of passes. Nankatsu's players gathered under Roberto's watchful eye, ready for another intense training session. Roberto stood by the sidelines, his usual flask tucked in his jacket, observing the players with a critical gaze.

"You guys did well against Shutetsu," Roberto began, his voice calm yet firm. "But if you want to become champions, raw talent isn't enough. You need roles—and chemistry."

His eyes shifted to Tsubasa and Kaito, both standing at attention. "Tsubasa, you're the brain. The playmaker. Your job is to read the game, dictate its rhythm, and create chances."

Tsubasa nodded confidently.

"And Kaito," Roberto continued, his voice sharper, "you're the finisher. The striker who turns those chances into goals. I want you to develop instincts as sharp as your shots."

Kaito's crimson eyes flickered with determination.

The other players, including Ishizaki, Misaki, and Nitta, exchanged glances, sensing the weight of Roberto's words.

"We'll start with scrimmages," Roberto announced. "Tsubasa and Kaito versus Ishizaki, Misaki, and Nitta. Show me what you've got."

The whistle blew, and Tsubasa immediately took control of the ball. His dribbling was fluid, weaving past Ishizaki with ease. Misaki closed in, but Tsubasa's sharp pass found Kaito.

"Watch out, Kaito!" Ishizaki yelled, charging at him.

Kaito's eyes narrowed as he attempted to dribble past Ishizaki. His footwork, though still rough, was noticeably more agile than before. Ishizaki lunged, but Kaito feinted left and darted right, leaving Ishizaki stumbling.

"You're getting cocky!" Ishizaki grumbled, scrambling to recover.

Kaito pushed forward, his instincts guiding him toward the goal. Tsubasa sprinted alongside him, reading the defense like a chessboard.

"Cross it!" Tsubasa commanded.

Kaito hesitated for a split second but trusted Tsubasa's judgment. He delivered a sharp pass back to him. Tsubasa, without missing a beat, flicked the ball perfectly into Kaito's path.

Kaito's shot was a bullet, slamming into the back of the net with a resounding thud.

"Goal!" Roberto called, a hint of approval in his voice.

Ishizaki panted, grinning despite himself. "Man, you two are starting to click. That's dangerous."

As the players reset, Yuko walked up to Roberto, her eyes sharp. "You're shaping them into quite the pair."

Roberto smirked faintly. "They remind me of… someone."

"Someone?" Yuko pressed.

Roberto's gaze softened briefly as he watched Kaito and Tsubasa strategize together. "Back when I played, I had a partner like that—a genius playmaker who made everything on the field feel effortless. You never forget a connection like that."

Yuko's eyes widened slightly. "Sounds like there's more to your story than you let on."

Roberto chuckled. "Maybe someday I'll tell them."

The rest of the Nankatsu players couldn't help but watch in awe as Kaito and Tsubasa continued their drills. Their growing partnership was undeniable.

"That's what we need to aim for," Misaki said, eyes gleaming with determination.

"Yeah," Nitta added. "They're raising the bar for all of us."

Even Ishizaki, despite his usual antics, nodded. "Guess we gotta step up too."

The whistle blew again, signaling the end of the session. Roberto clapped his hands together. "Good work, everyone. But this is just the beginning."

Kaito wiped sweat from his brow, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment. Tsubasa patted his shoulder, grinning. "We're just getting started."

Kaito nodded silently, but a faint smile tugged at his lips—one that didn't go unnoticed by Yuko.

As the team jogged off the field, Roberto watched them with a thoughtful expression. "Yeah," he muttered to himself. "Just getting started."