Cap 3

"Principal, Fuyukai-sensei, Natsumi-chan." I greeted the three of them in the room—something I've gotten used to by now.

"Endou-kun, I'm truly grateful for what you've done for our school's clubs over the past year, but I still don't understand why you insist on staying in the soccer club." Natsumi-chan, who had been gazing out the window, turned to look at me.

Natsumi-chan is a beautiful girl with long wavy hair and sharp eyes.

When I first entered the school, the Raimon soccer club was about to be disbanded. I turned to the student council for help, and they gave me a deadline to find enough students to keep the club alive.

Well, I'm already in my second year, and we still don't have enough players for a full team. Half of that is my fault… even if I refuse to admit it.

Technically, the club should've been shut down by now. But thanks to a deal I made with Natsumi-chan, it still exists. I basically joined half the school's sports clubs, helping them with training and even competing with some of them.

I didn't mind—it was great training for me.

"Well, you know, Natsumi-chan... my grandfather used to coach this team. As the rightful protagonist, it's my duty to take charge and lead it to greatness!" I said while brushing my hair back. Maybe it's time I started wearing my grandfather's headband?

"Chuunibyou..." I heard the principal and Fuyukai-sensei sigh in unison. The only one who didn't seem to care was Natsumi-chan—she's probably used to me by now.

"I understand your desire to help the team grow, Endou-kun, but you still haven't found enough players."

"Well, you know, I've helped a lot of school teams… but not everyone wants to join the soccer club."

"Of course not. You scared most of them off with your crazy training sessions and speeches like 'This training will unlock your special technique in a moment of crisis.' Even if your training showed results, none of the teams lasted more than a month before asking for you to leave." The principal sighed mid-conversation.

I just glanced at Natsumi-chan, who was smiling mischievously, clearly enjoying the situation.

"Let's leave that subject for another time, Endou-kun. I called you today because Teikoku Academy's soccer team has officially challenged Raimon to a match." said Natsumi-chan.

A soccer match. Yes, yes—it's all coming together. I can feel it!

"Natsumi-chan, I accept the challenge! Thank you for this opportunity!" I looked straight at her. I could feel my eyes glowing with excitement.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Endou-kun. Your team still doesn't have enough players. If you don't fill all eleven positions, the match will be canceled." Natsumi sighed.

"Well, it's not like it's the first time... haha." I laughed awkwardly, averting my gaze.

I mean, Natsumi-chan had already scheduled a few matches for us, but they had to be canceled due to lack of players.

She's very patient with me. A really good friend, honestly.

"This time, I hope you're serious about completing the team, Endou-kun. I think you'll really want to play this one." said Fuyukai-sensei suddenly, sparking my curiosity.

"He's right, Endou-kun. Teikoku Academy has won the Football Frontier for forty consecutive years. If anyone has mastered a special technique, it's them." Natsumi-chan added.

If I was excited before, now I was dead serious—my heart pounding like a drum.

"Natsumi-chan... you've finally brought me a worthy opponent. I'm definitely playing this game!" I smiled confidently, and my eyes briefly gleamed a golden orange.

Not long after leaving the principal's office, I returned to the Raimon soccer club.

And as expected, chaos broke out the moment I shared the news.

"I know you're all excited, but first we need to find enough players!" I said while scribbling on a recruitment poster.

"Excited, my foot! You know we're gonna get crushed out there, Endou!" Someoka groaned, clearly not thrilled.

"We're facing Teikoku! Do you even know who our opponents are, Captain?" Shourinji asked in a panic.

"Of course I know—they've won the Football Frontier for forty years straight!" Thanks, Natsumi-chan. At least I didn't embarrass myself this time.

"Come on, guys, don't be so tense. A team like that has to have someone who can use a special technique! Don't you feel excited just thinking about seeing one in action?" I asked, and silence fell over the room.

"That's true, but Captain… you're really okay with losing just to see a special move?" Kurimatsu asked.

Hearing his question, I paused. Everyone was waiting for my answer.

"Kurimatsu... it's going to be a tough match. But I don't think we'll lose. Sure, a special move might be hard to block… but as long as I'm the goalkeeper, I'll do everything I can to protect the goal." I looked around at each of them. "Don't forget all the training we went through. You endured all of it—even when it seemed ridiculous. You put up with me as captain, even with all my weird ideas. We're a team. And I believe each of you has the potential to awaken a special technique."

"This is our first match—our moment. And I believe we can win."

With that, I grabbed the sign and left the room. My priority now was to complete the team.

------------------------------------------

"It's been a while since I saw the captain that serious." Shishido muttered.

"Yeah. He's always talking about unlocking his special technique, so people don't take him seriously anymore." Handa replied with a grin.

"When Endou gets serious, it's hard to say no to him." Someoka said, sitting down in his chair.

"We're talking about the captain here. He's the only one who could get us this fired up." Kurimatsu sighed.

"I think he's amazing… It's thanks to him that I joined this team." Kageyama added quietly.

"If we believe in the captain, I'm sure we'll play a great match." Shourinji said firmly, full of belief.

-------------------------------------------

"Endou-kun!" While I searched the school for new players, someone called out to me.

"Haruna-chan!" A girl with short hair, a notebook, and a pencil in hand approached me.

That's Otonashi Haruna. She's the school's reporter.

"Endou-kun, so this time you're really looking for teammates?" she asked curiously, glancing at the poster I held.

"Yeah. We're facing an opponent I've been dying to play against." I replied naturally. It's not the first time I've run into Haruna-chan. She's interviewed me several times—especially when I was helping other clubs.

"You're facing Teikoku Academy, right? The ones who've been champions for forty straight years?" she asked as she jotted notes down.

"Yup. They're a strong team. I have a feeling someone will finally awaken a special technique this time."

"Aren't you afraid of losing, Endou-kun?"

"Nope. I'm excited to face them. Actually, Haruna-chan, if you could mention in the school paper that Raimon's soccer team is recruiting players, it'd help a lot." I added. Counting Kazemaru's promise, we've got 8 players. We still need at least 3 more.

Besides, every time I approach someone to recruit, they act like they've seen a ghost! I mean, I'm not a narcissist, but I'm handsome. A ghost? Really?

"Thanks for the answers, Endou-kun. I'll be watching your match! Every time you play, it's always exciting." Haruna-chan finished her notes and walked off. I hope she remembers to publish the ad...

I spent the rest of the day trying to recruit players—and found no one. Not from lack of trying… I just couldn't run into anyone.

After school, I went to my secret training ground. It's near a tower on a hill behind the school.

My training routine comes straight from my grandfather's notebook.

The first drill? Tie a tire to a tree and throw it straight at myself.

Simple, right? But no one in my past life ever trained like this.

To make it harder, I carry another tire on my back. Still… I feel like I've hit the limit of this drill. Maybe I should switch to truck tires...

I need to train harder. This match against Teikoku feels like the true beginning.

When I arrived at the training ground, I didn't expect to see the new transfer student—Gouenji.

"It's you again." Gouenji greeted me briefly before turning his gaze back to the city.

"It's a surprise to see you here. Not many people know about this place. That's why I use it as my secret training ground." I said as I pulled my gear from my bag and started prepping the ropes to tie up the tires.

Gouenji looked on with mild curiosity.

"Did you hear? We've got a match against Teikoku." My words triggered a visible reaction in him. He loves soccer more than he lets on.

"There's just one problem—we don't have enough players. I'd be really happy if you joined our team." I finished tying up the tires and slung one onto my back.

"I already told you, I don't play soccer anymore." Gouenji stopped watching me and spoke in a cold tone.

"That's what you say. But I can feel it—you still want to play. The shot you made yesterday to protect that kid isn't something just anyone can pull off. And even if you seem empty… when we talk about soccer, you listen." I said as I finished tying the rope around the tree.

"I don't know what drove you away from soccer, Gouenji. But I still feel your love for the game. Is quitting really what you want for your future?" I asked, raising my voice slightly as I hurled the tire with all my strength.

The tire came flying back at me with full force. I stopped talking and focused completely.

I adjusted my stance and caught the tire with both hands. A loud sound echoed from the impact. My feet shifted slightly, but I managed to stop it.

Yeah... I definitely need a heavier tire.

"Gouenji, I truly hope you'll join our team. I feel like this match is going to be something special." I turned toward him, and he looked back at me, somewhat puzzled.

And right then, climbing up the hill behind me… was the Raimon soccer team—along with Kazemaru.

Guess this place isn't that secret after all.