Chap8: Qualifiers

It was the first day of the National Tournament.

Across the country, the preliminary rounds were officially underway. In every prefecture of Japan, the selected teams had gathered, each chasing the same goal, to become national champions.

In Osaka, all the qualifying teams were assembled in a packed stadium. Just like in every other region, teams stood proudly in formation, lined up across the field facing the stands. The air was thick with tension and excitement.

Soon after the opening ceremony, the first round of prefectural matches began.

"Next match!"

It was finally our turn — Azumaichi's first game in the Osaka qualifiers of the National Tournament, against Egashira.

We stepped onto the pitch with focused minds. The referee blew the whistle. Game on.

Barely a few minutes into the match, we took control. After a quick one-two in midfield, I received the ball at the edge of the box. Without hesitation, I faked a shot to freeze the defender, then curled the ball from the right foot with precision into the bottom corner.

1-0. The perfect start.

Egashira tried to press higher afterward, but our team was solid. Our passing game flowed well, and we were winning every duel.

Later in the half, I found myself pinned near the sideline by three defenders. No space, nowhere to turn.

I let the ball bounce just right, then flicked it over the first player's head with a sombrero. The ball landed behind him, I gave him a little physics to pass, and I squeezed between the other two, my foot barely brushing the ball to poke it forward.

The crowd erupted.

Now free, I cut back toward the center of the field, eyes scanning. I didn't think twice. From outside the box, I struck the ball with the outside of my left foot, one of my signature curved shots. The ball spun tightly, slicing through the air, past the outstretched keeper.

2-0.

From there, we never looked back. Our team kept the pressure on. Mihashi added another thanks to one of my passes. Ide scored off a rebound. By the middle of the second half, the score was 5-0.

With victory guaranteed, Coach Ikeda called me off the pitch early to rest for the next round. I walked off to cheers, satisfied but hungry for more.

We were officially through to the second round of the Osaka qualifiers.

The competition days went by, and the results spoke for themselves: 6–1, 3–0, 4–1… We had dominated every round. The team was solid and focused.

Now, we were here in the departmental final. One last win, and we'd officially qualify for the national tournament.

As I finished getting ready in my room, my grandfather called from downstairs.

"Shin, are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm good. We can go." I replied tying my hair, heading down with my bag and getting into the back seat of the car.

My grandfather, already in the driver's seat, glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

"After the final, it's straight on to the national tournament."

I nodded. "That's when the real challenge begins."

My grandmother, sitting in the passenger seat up front, turned slightly with a gentle smile.

"You'll do great, Shin."

I smiled without saying a word.

Later...

They dropped me off at the meeting point.

"See you later." I told them before heading over to join the rest of the team.

"Ready for the final?" Soda asked.

"Of course, Makoto." I answered.

We kept talking with the others until Coach Ikeda interrupted us.

"Let's head to the locker room."

We followed him without a word. Once inside, I changed into my uniform and sat down at my spot.

"Alright, is everyone ready?" the coach asked, scanning the room.

Then came the unexpected.

"Orochi won't be starting this match."

The whole room froze.

"Onodera, you're starting."

A wave of surprise swept through the team. Even Onodera looked unsure.

"But why?" I asked, confused.

Coach Ikeda looked around, his tone calm but firm.

"You've been relying too much on Orochi. It's time to show what each of you can do on your own. We'll need everyone at their best for the nationals."

He let that sink in.

Then he motioned for us to head out, the match was about to begin. Seiseisha's player had already taken the field.

Unlike usual, I found myself sitting on the bench.

"Orochi Shin, Osaka's prefecture top scorer, will not be starting in this final." I heard the commentator say briefly during the team introductions.

The referee's whistle blew, and the match began.

Seiseisha's number 10 broke through and found himself inside our penalty box, poised to strike. But just before he could complete his movement, Soda stepped in with a perfectly timed interception, cleanly taking the ball off his feet. Without wasting a second, he launched a sharp pass forward, igniting a counterattack.

The ball moved quickly through our midfielders, Hayashi, then Yoshida, each touch keeping the rhythm alive. Eventually, the play shifted out to Mihashi on the left wing. He tried to maintain the momentum but, opting for a back pass under pressure, he misjudged the distance. The ball was intercepted, and Seiseisha took back possession.

For several minutes, the match turned into a series of intense back-and-forth exchanges. Both teams battled fiercely in the midfield, pressing high and creating moments of danger, but neither side managed to break the deadlock. The scoreboard remained untouched.

Then, just before the halftime whistle, we earned a corner kick. Nakai stepped up to take it. He raised his hand, signaling the play, then whipped the ball into the box, Soda broke away from his marker with impeccable timing and rose into the air. With a powerful header, he connected with the ball, sending it crashing into the net.

"GOAL! Soda scores just before halftime!" the commentator roared as the crowd erupted.

We had taken the lead, 1–0, right before the break.

The opposing players rushed to take position and restart the game quickly, clearly eager to respond. But just as they kicked off, the referee blew his whistle, signaling halftime.

We headed off the field and made our way back to the locker room.

"You see?" Coach Ikeda said, looking around the room. Then he added. "But you've done well out there. Orochi, you'll come in for the second half."