The next day, we were all getting ready for school. I dreaded this day would come.I internally sighed.

I heard Asuto and Mansaku yawn beside me." What's wrong you two, didn't sleep much last night?"Norika asked

"I couldn't sleep thinking about the semifinals and stuff.."Asuto replied

We saw the town's people were putting up banners and signs, congratulating our victory

"If it isn't the Raimon Eleven, what do you think?"A man asked, he was helping up putting on the banners

"So cool.."I muttered it seemed the man heard me and chuckled.This was a first for me and it was amazing

"I'm sending this to mom!"Norika said taking out her phone

"Send it to me too!"I smiled

"Okay!"Norika replied

"Do your best we're cheering for you"said another man helping out with the banner

We were then called by the headmaster of the academy, our sponsor told us that if we win the championship there would be a tour in Inakunijima with merch that comes along with it

We were on our way to class when we saw..the student council?Not this again..I sighed already preparing for the worst

"Congratulations!"They all cheered

Eh?..I thought

"What?.."Everyone in the team were just as confused as me

"We've completely become your fans"The one with the glasses spoke

A student council gives a love letter to Hiyori while Goujin was given a gift by them.Hiura also seemed to gain a fan from the student council

"Yosano san.."A shy voice spoke, they gave me a box of chocolates as a gift."Y-you were pretty cool back then..and I thought you'd l-like these.."

If they think I could easily be swayed by mere sweets then...they're right

"Thank you"I replied with a smile it seemed to fluster the girl and hide behind Anna.I chuckled by her response

The student council then proceeded to apologize about their behaviour and how they mistreated us on the first day.There's no point in holding grudges so we accepted their apology

"Keep it up and we're confident that you will win the tournament!!The student council will be preparing an extravagant victory party for you!"The girl with glasses said.They cheered for us before they began to leave

"They only said mean stuff to us until now.."Mansaku said

"Well I suppose it's a case of continue to work hard and one day you'll be recognized.."Anna said

Let's just hope we win this whole thing but after that last match.It'll get tougher here.We'll need to train more to get stronger

--

We were all gathered in the clubroom.Coach appears and announces our next match will be..

"Your next opponent is Tonegawa Tousen!"Ootani spoke

"The same school where the legendary goalkeeper, Endou Mamori, acts as their reinforcement committee member!"Coach further explains

Now I'm excited and nervous..I didn't expect our opponent would be him.I mean we've come so far but I didn't realize this far

Goujin asked Ootani about giving one of his weaknesses and such.For one thing I learned he's not great at studies and he's a bit hot blooded.Seems to check out what Kazemaru said

But.. he was also the one who founded Raimon and was the one who lead them to victory and became national champions

And their school mascot is a..Tanuki? It's cute but it's honestly unexpected

We were then shown a clip of their previous match with Endou not letting any goal in...I mean they don't call him Legendary goalkeeper for nothing

Afterwards we were escorted in the field.We were about to ask coach for training when..

"I will actually be returning from my country!"Coach suddenly announced

"Hold on I didn't hear about this!"Trainer Kameda said.Neither did I..

"Therefore I will be unable to guide you in training from today on.."Coach continued.This further catches the team off guard.The old man then proceeds to leave us for woman named Natasha and went to vacation..If he was going to one he could've invited me

Before he could leave he gave both me and the captain a letter

While the others were on practice, I sat by the bench and opened the letter.Well it wasn't a letter more like a note, telling me to

"Be prepared for what's ahead"

I wonder what schemes the old man has this time..

--

I noticed Captain kept spacing out lately while we were eating.He did also get a letter from coach, I wonder what he said

The next morning we were all getting ready for practice.For some reason Captain called Asuto and Kozoumaru and I think the letter mentions about some hissatsu technique that could probably help us win in the upcoming match

Norika approaches me."Yosano san wanna practice with me?"She asked

"Oh sure"I replied, I took a soccer ball and we went towards the nearby goal

The others seems to went on their side of the field to practice..something's different.It felt like we were all apart and were doing practice alone

With coach gone at the moment it seemed to put a strain on some of the team members.Captain tried gathering all of us together which lead to a disagreement from a few members which then ended up to a small fight

"Hey Norika I think I'm gonna stop practice for now"I told her

"Okay rest well"She smiled

I stopped walking. "You're not coming with me?"I asked waiting for her response

"I still have a lot catching up to do, I have to get better to stop the opponent's shoot.You go ahead without me"She replied returning on her practice.I sighed

--

It was night time, a few of the members were already asleep.I can't blame them they kept training until sundown

Is coach testing us again that's why he left?..or is it something else important?..I sighed.I walked outside for some fresh air.I saw the long haired boy leaning beside the balcony

My eyes widenned."Captain?"I asked

"Yosano san?"Captain had a same expression as mine

I walked beside him and leaned my chest near the balcony.I heard him sigh."What's wrong?"

"Nothing much.."He replied

"You've been acting strange all day..is it because of coach?"I asked

"I'm sorry for worrying you"Captain showed me the letter coach gave to him."This is the next page in the letter that coach gave me a hissatsu technique" He said passing me the letter.I started to read the letter aloud

"The team has done well, but it's not enough to win the next match

Even if you lose please be there to console the others

After all Michinari you are their captain.."

That was all that was written

After reading the letter I was left shocked.Us lose..I know our opponent will be Endou but..coach might have a point..

"Coach thinks we're gonna lost our next match with the semi finals approaching and with our coach gone, this is exactly the when I'm supposed to be the one holding the team together.."Captain heavily sighed."But if all I'm capable of doing is consoling the team then I fail as captain.."

"That's not true you've always been our captain ever since we formed the team!"I shouted

"That's true but..now everything is different, everyone has changed.I'm afraid I'm the only one who didn't.I'm scared of finding my limits Yosano san..unlike you, I never felt like becoming stronger.."Captain said, I grabbed his shoulder

"I didn't just become stronger on my own.It's thanks to you all Captain that gave me the strength to keep fighting!"I exclaimed, he looked at me and smiled

"Thank you for still believing in me and calling me captain even though..I was never fit to be a captain from the start"He said walking away from the balcony

"Hold on--"I said following behind him

"I'm going now goodnight.."He bid goodbye and entered inside.I sighed looking above the starry night

So that's what you meant old man..looks like it's gonna be tougher than I thought..

--

The next day we were resumed with our usual practice.Just as I thought everyone was still on their own.I was with Norika practicing my aim when I noticed Kidou walking beside the field

"Kidou!"I called running up behind him.He noticed my presence and stopped

"Hello Yosano san"Kidou greeted

"Uhh..so how's Haizaki?I haven't heard from him for a while now.."I asked

"Don't worry about him and leave him to me"He reassured me and walked away.Now that I think about it.What is Kidou doing in our school anyway?

"Yosano san!"I heard Norika call for me back in the field.I sighed and we both resumed with our practice

--

A few days later our match with Tonegawa Tousen was about to begin.I was getting ready by my locker along with Norika

"Yosano san are you coming?"Norika asked

"Don't wait for me, I'll catch up!"I replied, she waved goodbye and left

I felt my hands were trembling, I tried shaking the nerves away but it didn't seem to work

I heard my phone suddenly ring behind my pocket.I looked up the caller, it was an unknown number.Without hesitation I answered it

"Hello?"I said, putting the phone beside my ear

"Congratulations on your matches.. you've been busy"He said, I can feel him smiling behind the screen

"Thank you..you know a text could be nice too"I smiled

"It's hard getting reception in Russia.. it's been a long time Amari"He said, I looked down the ground

"It is.."I smiled remembering the memories

"We can be like that again..all three of us"He muttered, I felt my breath hitched.

"You know why Froy... I can't"I said

"If it's about my brother we made a compromise and he'll make sure you're safe!"He reassured me

"I'm sorry I just can't..I wish we could go back to what used to be but it's too late"I sighed

There was a brief silence before he spoke again."Its alright.. you know he's coming to Japan soon"He said

"Here?..but why?"I asked

"You'll find out soon"He smiled

"Hey don't go vague on me snowflake!"I shouted

"And don't go ignoring me angel!"He shot back

A thought came to mind...should I tell him?

"You got a minute?"I suddenly asked leaning behind my locker

I heard his end become quiet."I got time"He replied

I nervously heaved a sigh, scratching the back of my nape."So my team is facing some difficulty lately and I don't know how I-..we could bring the team back together"I told him, anxiously fiddling my shirt

"Hmm.. that's a tough one..well I know how that feels.Sometimes the pressure can be too much which makes us forget what really matters.. it's just to have fun"He answered

"But this match isn't just a game.."

"Soccer is a game isn't it?If you don't enjoy playing soccer then why play it in the first place?"He asked

"But how--.. I don't know how to-"

He cuts me off."You overthink too much Amari"He chuckled from the other side of the screen

"Yosano san!"I heard Asuto called for me

"Is that your friend?"I heard him ask

"Yeah..I gotta go.It's almost time"I said

"I understand"He replied

"Hey! no wish goodluck for me?"I teased

"You want me to grovel at your feet to wish you goodluck?"He laughed

"Your words not mine"I smirked

"It's the thought that counts"He retorted

"Hey!-"I shouted

"Yosano san!"I heard Hiura call this time

"I really gotta go, thanks for the advice!"I smiled, ending our call

--

Somewhere else, stood a white haired boy looking above the sky

He held his phone gently. "I'm just glad I can talk with you again Amari.."He smiled