Cap 6

One day after the match, in the Raimon soccer club room.

"The match against Teikoku revealed our weaknesses." Endou stood in front of a blank whiteboard while the rest of the team sat and listened closely.

"Our physical conditioning is far below theirs. We also lack technical skills and Hissatsu techniques. We have a lot of room for improvement." He marked the board while speaking.

"We also learned that Hissatsu techniques aren't just for attacking. 'Cyclone,' for example, was used to steal the ball. That makes me think there may be even more types of Hissatsu out there." He pointed to a few diagrams on the board: "Heavenly Hand" as a defensive technique, "Cyclone" as a steal-type, and "Death Zone," "Hundred Extreme Shot," and "Fire Tornado" as offensive techniques.

"Of course, to win a soccer match, scoring goals is what matters most. Thanks to Gouenji, we managed to score against Teikoku, but he isn't officially on the team. So, we should focus on the player with the most offensive potential: Someoka." He pointed the chalk toward Someoka, who visibly tensed up.

"I… I'll do my best." Someoka replied, trying to stay composed despite the pressure.

"No need to be so nervous. Soccer is a team sport. You may have the best offensive power, but that doesn't mean the whole attack depends only on you. A lone striker is easy for defenders to mark." Endou explained with a calm tone.

"We're changing the formation. We'll have Someoka in the center, Handa on the left, and Shourinji on the right. In midfield, Kazemaru will be on the left, Megane in the center, and Max on the right. The defense stays the same. This setup should slightly boost our offensive power." He drew the new formation on the board with chalk.

"But to score for real, we'll need an offensive Hissatsu. So, our training focus will be on you three: Handa, Someoka, and Shourinji." Endou concluded, putting the chalk down.

"Captain, that was a pretty detailed plan." Kazemaru said, sounding impressed by Endou's sudden seriousness.

"I got the idea from my grandfather's secret book. It has tons of tactical formations written down. I can't wait to try them." Endou admitted with a bit of embarrassment.

Before they could continue, the clubroom door swung open.

"Guys, we have a guest!" Aki stood at the door—accompanied by none other than Natsumi.

"What a surprise, Natsumi-chan! I didn't expect you to come here." Endou said, clearly surprised.

"Endou-kun, you really need to improve the ventilation in this room. It reeks of mold." Natsumi said, covering her nose.

"Well, the student council didn't give us any funding since the club was nearly shut down. So we haven't been able to improve anything. But what brings you here, Natsumi-chan?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Your club finally has eleven players. After the match against Teikoku, many schools challenged Raimon's team. I filtered through them and picked one I think will catch your interest." She handed a folder to Endou.

"In one week, Raimon will face Okaruto School. There are some strange rumors about their team. I'm sure it'll get you excited." Natsumi added with a teasing smile.

"A match?" The whole team gasped.

"Congrats, Captain. Looks like our team is finally getting recognized." Handa said, patting Endou's back.

"Okaruto… isn't that the cursed school?" A new voice spoke from the hall.

"Haruna-chan!" Endou greeted her with surprise.

"Endou-kun. Senpai." Haruna waved to them.

"Otonashi-san, what do you mean by 'cursed team'?" Aki asked. Some players visibly shivered at the word.

"Well, I've heard some rumors. They say that when Okaruto is about to lose, strange things happen. Three days after the match, the opposing players fall sick with high fevers. And whenever someone tries to shoot at their goal, their foot freezes."

"Ohhh… maybe that's the effect of a Hissatsu?" Endou's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I can bring some videos of their past matches. I hope that helps, Endou-kun." Haruna offered cheerfully.

"Hoohhh, thank you, Otonashi-san!" a chorus of gratitude echoed through the room.

Only the two girls near the entrance seemed uncomfortable as they noticed the admiration in Haruna's eyes when looking at Endou.

Endou noticed Natsumi staring at him. "Thanks for arranging the match, Natsumi-chan. If it weren't for you, this club would've been shut down long ago."

Natsumi scoffed and looked away, but those who knew her could see the small smile of satisfaction on her face.

"Good luck preparing for the match, Endou-kun. If you win, there'll be a very interesting surprise waiting." she added before leaving the clubroom.

"A surprise?" Endou repeated under his breath.

"Aki… chan?" When he turned to ask her if she knew what it was, he noticed her cheeks puffed out in frustration as she looked at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, worried. But she just turned away and walked toward the water bottles.

He glanced at the others for answers, but they all shrugged.

The Next Day

The team gathered at the soccer field under the bridge.

Since the school field was being used by another club, they had no choice but to train here.

That day's training focused on Handa, Shourinji, and Someoka trying to score against the defense and goalkeeper.

But things didn't go as smoothly as planned.

Handa and Shourinji had good ball control but weak dribbling. Someoka had decent dribbling, but couldn't find a good angle to shoot.

"Someoka's strength is direct shots. His best chance to score is in this zone when no one's blocking him." Endou drew a field in the sand and circled the danger zone.

"Our goal is to create that golden opportunity for him. If we do, the chances of scoring go way up." he explained to Aki, Kazemaru, Handa, Megane, and Max—the team's main strategists.

From afar, Someoka was kicking the ball with all his strength. Endou could feel a faint pulse of energy. Maybe witnessing or experiencing a Hissatsu up close really was the key to awakening one.

After all, despite all his training, Endou had only awakened his technique after facing the real power of a Hissatsu.

Having witnessed one firsthand, Someoka seemed close to reaching that breakthrough too.

"To open up that space, passing is going to be crucial." Kazemaru murmured.

"I wish Gouenji-san were officially on the team." Megane sighed.

"We shouldn't rely on Gouenji. Once Someoka finishes his training, he'll be just as good a striker." Handa replied, defending his friend.

"Handa's right, Megane. Gouenji is amazing, but we can't count on someone who might not be with us. Someoka is just as incredible—he just hasn't awakened his Hissatsu yet." Endou added.

After the brief break, training resumed.

But Endou remained on the bench, watching Someoka with concern.

"Aki-chan, am I putting too much pressure on Someoka?" he asked.

"Maybe… but you know him. He's not someone who breaks under pressure that easily." Aki sat beside him, handing him a towel.

Endou accepted it, reflecting in silence. "Our team is relying too much on Gouenji. That mindset—that as long as he's here, we'll win—kills motivation. Putting the spotlight on Someoka was the only way I could think of to shift the team's focus. If I could, I'd take all that pressure on myself instead."

"You're such an idiot, Endou-kun." Aki smiled softly. "Soccer is played with eleven people. Don't think you have to carry everything on your own. Do you know how frustrated everyone was during the match against Teikoku? They felt useless... they couldn't stop a single attack. All the pressure fell on you."

"But don't fool yourself into thinking they'll let you carry it all, Endou-kun. Look at Someoka. Even with the pressure and all this training, he's still smiling." She pointed toward the field.

Despite the sweat and exhaustion, everyone was giving their all. Endou's heart warmed at the sight.

He didn't regret coming to Raimon.

"Thanks, Aki-chan. Talking to you always makes me feel better." He gently patted her head.

"Go on, get back to training, Endou-kun!" she said, laughing as she pushed him toward the field.

"Geez… Endou really is an idiot." Aki muttered to herself, hiding her red cheeks. Maybe she wasn't mad about yesterday anymore.