The morning air welcomed the team as they gathered. Tension and excitement crackled in every face.
Coach Himura come with clipboard in hand, and called them into one last tactical meeting.
He drew their 4–4–2 formation on the board:
FORWARD : Hyuga kojiro , Masaki renjirou
MIDFIELDER: Jun Misugi , Misaki Taro (C)
Gen'ichiro Taira ,Shingo Aoi
DEFENDER: Makoto Soda ,Motonori Higuchi, Hiroshi Jito , Ryo Ishizaki
GOALKEEPER:Yuzo Morisaki (GK)
"Today's opponent is Nishitama Tech. Brutal defense. Compact, disciplined. They'll try to clog our center, aerial dominance, physical midfield pressure."
He locked eyes with the starters. "So our plan: stretch them wide. Use quick decoys. Masaki, Taira, Aoi and Misugi your job is to overload the flanks, drag center men wide, open space."
He tapped Masaki's name. "You start from second minute onwards, dropping into midfield, drawing the center-backs out, then bursting behind. If they collapse, you slide the ball across to Jun Misugi or Aoi cutting in or Taro from midfield."
Turning to Captain Misaki Taro: "Your leadership was instrumental in training. Today, I need you to run the midfield tempo, control things, sustain pressure, and sacrifice your body to hold shape."
Taro nodded firmly. "Understood."
Coach sealed it: "Interhigh qualifier will begin. I expect teamwork, discipline, and heart. Now go!"
⸻
On the bus ride to Nishitama Tech's field, Masaki leaned back in his seat, resting his head against the window. His heart was calm, but his fingers itched. After a moment of hesitation, he opened his chat and started typing.
Masaki → Asuka
"Yo… I got something kinda cool to tell you "
Asuka → Masaki
"If it's about you eating three servings of rice at breakfast again, I'm not impressed."
Masaki → Asuka
"wow okay. No, it's football-related this time. I'm starting today. First round of the qualifiers."
Asuka → Masaki
"Wait what?! Let's gooo 🔥🔥 I KNEW you'll start!!"
"Striker, right?"
Masaki → Asuka
"Yup. Hyuga-san and I upfront. Kinda wild."
Asuka → Masaki
"Wow, you know. I brag about you now, so don't make me look bad."
Masaki → Asuka
"Wait… you brag about me?? "
Asuka → Masaki
"Maybe. A little. Sometimes. Shut up."
Masaki → Asuka
"That's cute. Keep bragging then. I'll make sure to live up to it."
Asuka → Masaki
"You better play your heart out. Who's the opponent again?"
Masaki → Asuka
"Nishitama Tech. Real defensive team."
Asuka → Masaki
"So just dribble past everyone and score like you always do 😎 Easy."
Masaki → Asuka
"You make it sound too casual lol. I'll try. If I score, you owe me bubble tea."
Asuka → Masaki
"Fine. But only if it's a cool. No boring goal"
Masaki → Asuka
"Damn, picky much? Alright. Cool goal or nothing."
Asuka → Masaki
"Yeah. Now rest. I'll be cheering from… somewhere"
Masaki → Asuka
"Appreciate it. Seriously."
"Talk later?"
Asuka → Masaki
"Only if you win. So go win."
Masaki grinned at the screen, then tucked the phone away. His heart was definitely beating a little faster now and not because of the match.
⸻
Warm-Up & Kickoff
The field at Nishitama Tech was buzzing and more packed than anyone expected for a qualifier. Students waved flags, shouted chants, and even some rival fans were already jeering. But Masaki's eyes locked on a small section of the stand.
Candy-floss pink hair.
One girl from the stand shout:
"Go Masaki Renjirou!!"
Masaki blinked. Then blinked again.
Asuka…?
She caught his stare instantly, give a wink and mouthed, "Good luck, Ace."
Masaki tried to hide the smile creeping across his face but failed miserably.
"Okay, now that's a face I've never seen before," Taira said, suddenly appearing beside him mid-stretch. "Who is she? And why do you look like an idiot?"
Masaki elbowed him lightly. "Just someone special."
Taira squinted. "Hoho, that's something interesting come from you"
"Shut up and stretch."
"Can't. Too busy witnessing teenage romance in real time."
Before Masaki could reply, Hyuga strolled over, spinning a ball on his finger. "Oi, Casanova. You planning to score goals or hearts today?"
Masaki shrugged, smirking. "Both. Preferably at the same time."
Hyuga snorted. "Alright then, Prince Charming. Just don't pass the ball to your girlfriend in the stands."
"She's not my—"
Hyuga raised a brow.
Masaki paused. "…Yet."
Taira clutched his chest. "This guy's evolving."
"Next thing you know, he's writing poems and staring at sunsets," Hyuga added, rolling his eyes.
"Can we not do this right before kickoff?" Masaki said, face now pinker than Asuka's hair.
Just then, Captain Taro clapped his hands sharply, snapping everyone back to focus.
"Alright, everyone. huddle up!"
The team circled around.
"This is our shot. Play smart. Play fast. Play together. This is Seikan."
Everyone's voice came in unison:
"SEIKAN! OSSSS!!"
They broke the huddle.
Masaki jogged to position, his legs loose, mind focused
He crouched near the center circle.
One deep breath.
Whistle blew.
Kickoff.
⸻
Seikan kicked off. Aoi received it wide, dribbled, and quickly released to Taira. Aoi sprinted into space, dragging the right-back with him. Then Taira quick pass to Masaki
Masaki run fast into space behind the center-back at the second minute. His touch was light and deceptive. He carried the ball diagonally between two defenders.
Their defense scrambled but it was too late.
Masaki broke into the box and struck a low, curling shot across the goalkeeper's reach.
GOAL! 1–0 for Seikan.
The Field erupted. Masaki raised a fist, confidence shining. Hyuga sprinted over and embraced him.
⸻
Captain Taro took over midfield control with soft touch, shielding, tempo-dictation, passing between Taira and Misugi and make a chance for team. He never lost his calm.
When captain see something a miss, hewhispered to Aoi, "Let's slow it down on the left."
Aoi nodded and sent a precise pass. The ball shifted slowly left, drawing defenders.
That gave Taira space. He flicked a quick pass across the box edge. Misugi ghosted in, moving the defensive line again.
When Nishitama countered, Taro intercepted a pass with a perfectly timed standing tackle. He laid it off to Aoi, who sprinted forward.
Seikan's attack felt structured and intelligent, each player moving with purpose.
⸻
Nishitama tried more long balls after conceding . When One ball come toward their right and left back. Ishizaki and Soda closed it down and they tackled, blocked, and cleared it.
Back at the heart, Jito and Higuchi moved in sync closing lanes, stepping up. When Jito was pulled wide, Higuchi instinctively filled the center.
In one tense moment, Nishitama's striker tried to split them inside the box. Higuchi slid to intercept, deflecting. Jito cleared immediately.
Higuchi's confidence surged. Jito clapped his shoulder.
"You're reading the game better," whispered Jito, sweaty but proud. Higuchi nodded with his heart pounding.
⸻
Aoi made overlapping runs on the right, combining with Taira in neat one-twos. Misugi pulled wide on the left to stretch their defensive shape.
The ball that now in Aoi then go to Hyuga. Hyuga dribbled centrally inviting defenders.Show his powerful dribble then give the ball to Masaki.As Masaki left his mark and give the ball to Misugi, who struck just wide but earned a corner.
From that corner: Taro give a perfect pass then Taira just tapped in from the edge and
Goal! 2–0 for Seikan.
⸻
Whistle blew. First half ended at 2–0.
Hyuga frowned. "Next half, it's my turn."
In the locker room, Coach Himura addressed them:
"The score is great but Nishitama will adjust. They'll press faster, cross earlier, and be rougher in tackles. We must stay disciplined. Don't force a third goal prematurely. Hold our shape. If they flood midfield, we widen again.
"Taira, keep switching ball side. Masaki, no dribbling into traffic alone. When Aoi overlaps, be ready. Taro, bring calm. If they rush, slow things down."
Taro stood. "We've got it. We'll hold tempo."
Higuchi, more assured, spoke up: "I got Jito's cover if they test us with a long shot."
Coach nodded. "Good. Eyes forward. Second half will be harder. We trained for this. Stay together."
They stood, chanted softly: "Seikan!"
Misaki thought 'I need to do something!'
The door swung open. Together, they walked back onto the field the second half awaiting them.