Friends

Break Time After Self-Introductions

"Your Highness, it's an honor to meet you. I am the eldest son of Count ○○, △△. I will devote my entire being to becoming a loyal retainer to Your Highness. I humbly ask for your favor."

One by one, the students greeted the Imperial Grandson.

Then, it was Takashiro Soryu's turn.

"My name is Takashiro Soryu. I have a request for Your Highness. Please allow me to be your friend."

With that, he extended his right hand.

"This is...?"

"Yes, Your Highness. This is called a handshake. It's a British custom to symbolize friendship."

The classmates began to murmur.

"T-Takashiro-kun! How disrespectful to His Highness!"

"That's right! We are his subjects! Calling ourselves friends is presumptuous!"

They criticized Soryu, but of course, he wasn't fazed. Mentally, he was already approaching middle age, so the criticisms of elementary schoolers were like a breeze to him.

"Your Highness, please let me be your friend!"

"Friend...?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Your friend!"

Hesitantly, the Imperial Grandson took Soryu's outstretched hand and shook it. The gesture was awkward and endearing.

'So... cute!!!'

The gesture was so adorable that Soryu felt his heart flutter.

"Takashiro-kun, does this mean you and I are friends now?"

"Yes, Your Highness. You and I are now friends! Thank you so much for becoming my first friend!"

"I see, I'm your first friend. And you're my first friend too, Takashiro-kun."

"Yes, Your Highness. Thank you. The bond of friendship is eternal. No matter what happens, even if barbarians attack and we face any crisis, the bond of friendship will always shine and give us the strength to defeat them. And I humbly ask that you make everyone in this classroom your friends as well."

"That's right! Everyone, let's all be friends!"

The Imperial Grandson took everyone's hands, exchanging the proof of friendship.

'This is so heartwarming. I feel like I've become the homeroom teacher.'

Soryu also exchanged the proof of friendship with everyone in the classroom.

Then, he turned to Ōmisaki-kun.

"Ōmisaki-kun, you like soccer, right? I love it too! Let's aim for the world together!"

"The world... You mean defeating Britain? Let's do it! Let's do it, Takashiro-kun! Let's beat Britain and become the best in the world!"

"Then, how about we kick the ball around during lunch? I heard there's a ball just the right size for playing!"

Ōmisaki-kun knew the word "ball," but the others seemed confused, muttering, "Booru?" In the Meiji era, when English was hardly widespread, it was natural for elementary schoolers not to know the word.

'I keep slipping in English words. Well, they'll get used to it.'

Schoolyard During Lunch Break

"Alright, here's the pass!"

With that, Soryu passed the ball to Ōmisaki-kun. It was a straightforward, ground-level pass.

Ōmisaki-kun received the pass with the inside of his right foot, stopping its momentum and trapping it neatly at his feet.

'Amazing! His fundamentals are solid!'

Then, Ōmisaki-kun sent a sharp pass back. Soryu received it and immediately started running sideways, dribbling before passing back to Ōmisaki-kun. Ōmisaki-kun also ran in the same direction, received the pass, dribbled, and returned it. There was no need for words. The two were conversing through the ball.

As they approached the schoolyard wall, Soryu sent in a cross—a perfectly timed cross for a volley shot.

Ōmisaki-kun understood the intention and unleashed a volley. The ball struck the schoolyard wall with a loud thud.

"Amazing! That's amazing, Misaki-kun! I mean, Ōmisaki-kun!"

"Takashiro-kun, you're amazing too! There aren't many people at Tokyo Higher Normal School who can play soccer like that!"

Ōmisaki-kun had learned soccer techniques from his father since childhood and occasionally participated in practices with the Tokyo Higher Normal School soccer team.

'Truly elite training.'

And so, on this day, the two began their long journey toward the World Cup...

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T/N: If you like it please vote with power stone please. More stones equals faster release.

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A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 10!

"Friendship" is such a wonderful thing, isn't it? Even though it might sound naive, I absolutely love this keyword.

I'll continue working hard to bring this story to its conclusion, so if you thought, "This is interesting!" or "I want to read more!" I'd be thrilled if you could bookmark and rate the story!

If you didn't find it interesting, feel free to rate it "★☆☆☆☆"! I'll use it to improve!

Your feedback is incredibly helpful for my writing!

Criticism like "The pacing is slow," "I don't understand," or "This feels derivative" is also very welcome!

When my motivation is high, I'll even sacrifice sleep to keep writing!

Thank you for your continued support!