DREAM OR REALITY?

The morning after the match, Osiko returned to the academy field early. His feet were heavy, and he was replaying the match over and over in his mind. The moments he had played against Setoshi kept replaying in his mind. "Setoshi... I knew he was talented, but I didn't expect him to improve this much," he thought. However, this thought gave his a different energy. "He trained just like me. Maybe even more than me. But I won't fall behind in this race." Then he realized that he was now seeing Setoshi, who used to be his best friend, as a rival, but he didn't know what that meant.

Kojima was silently watching his from the sidelines. He was secretly pleased to see Osiko's determination. However, he also knew that Osiko's skills were not sharp enough. He muttered to himself, "This kid has potential, but what really makes the difference is discipline. I know how to teach him that."

Kojima walked over to Osiko and after watching his for a while, he said, "Today, we'll be working one-on-one." Osiko looked at him in surprise. "Kojima-san, one-on-one, one-on-one with you?" he asked. Kojima said with a slight smile, "Yes, one-on-one. But this won't be an ordinary training. Today, we'll be addressing your mistakes. If you don't accept them, you won't be able to progress."

Setoshi was reviewing Nakamu-san's training program. However, something was bothering him. After yesterday's match, Osiko's play and the last-minute goal kept coming to mind. "Osiko is really starting to show himself. But I feel like I'm not as focused and hard-working as him," he thought.

When Nakamu came onto the field, he looked at Setoshi and said seriously, "Yesterday's match was just the beginning for you. But you didn't show me that you were playing for your team. When the ball was in your hands, all you had in mind was the opponent. That won't help you improve. Today, I'll give you a new role."

Setoshi was surprised. "A new role? Won't I continue playing as a forward?" Nakamu shook his head. "From today on, you'll play as a midfielder. Learn to lead the team. Otherwise, you won't be a real leader on the field," he said.

Setoshi couldn't accept Nakamu's decision right away. However, this situation made him think of something else: "Osiko's passing skills, his ability to read the game... Maybe Nakamu-san is doing this on purpose. He wants to strengthen me against his strengths. Did he find out that my father's team chose Osiko over me?"

Osiko sat down on the field, exhausted after him one-on-one training session with Kojima. He was covered in sweat, but there was a look of satisfaction on his face. Kojima scribbled something on his notebook before turning to him. "You had a good day. But you have to be one step ahead not only with physical ability, but also with mental preparation," he said. Osiko asked curiously, "Mental preparation?" Kojima replied, "When you face opponents like Setoshi, you can't beat them with just skill. You have to understand what they're thinking, what their next move is. Football is a game of strategy, Osiko."

That night, Osiko's mind was filled with Kojima's words. He promised himself, "I will surpass Setoshi not only physically, but also mentally."

On the other hand, Setoshi felt the change within himself as he practiced the new role Nakamu had given him. "Maybe Nakamu is right. If I want to be a leader, I have to learn to play for the whole team, not just for myself. Maybe I'm actually a midfielder."

Kojima made a new announcement at the academy: "Next week, some of you will join the Hajita A team. For 1 or 2 weeks. Due to injuries, the Hajita A team cannot fill the reserves and they asked me to choose 2 names from the academy and send them." Osiko was both excited and a little nervous with this announcement. Setoshi was focusing on his training at Yuto FC. However, a new news from Nakamu surprised him: "Next week, as part of the Europe-Asia Sports Summit project, the U-18 teams from both Europe and Asia will be paired up in Norway and play a friendly match. We were chosen as the champions of last year's Super Cup from Japan." All the players suddenly looked at each other and started to rejoice. Most of them had never even been outside of Japan before, but they were going to Europe, and this was great news. Nakamu called out to draw attention: "However, I have good and bad news for you. Norway will only be coming to a team of 18 players, consisting of the first 11 and the reserves. And this selection will be made by the President of the Japan Football Association, Kakori Mitashi. So you will have a chance to impress the Japanese U-18 team, I suggest you use it well." Everyone looked at each other for a moment. 12 of the 30-person academy would not be able to come to Norway. In addition, this was an important chance to take themselves to the next level. Since the matches would be at different times, most of the scouts and technical directors would be watching the match in Norway. This It was a chance not to be missed.

Both Osiko and Setoshi had the opportunity to advance their careers. Osiko planned to first impress Kajima and advance to the Hajita A team, then impress the Hajita A team coach and earn a permanent place on the team. Setoshi, on the other hand, would aim to find a place in the delegation that went to Norway and impress European clubs and the Japanese U-18 National Team. Although both of their dreams seemed unrealistic, it was obvious that they had talent...