A week passed since we were forced into SW East. Still don't get why I'm here and how I got here, but one thing's for sure, there's no other option than to win.
Ah… after a week, I began sleeping in the exercise room.
"Why do you sleep here every day? Do you have a problem with girls?" Tanaka asked, smiling at me while walking into the room.
"N-no, not at all." I answered, looking away.
It wasn't a lie, though. I didn't have a phobia, but I indeed had one problem.
I haven't slept in the same room with a female for months, especially one who isn't blood related.
Two days after we came to SW East:
I had taken my bath with the guys in the mens bath. It's obviously ours. I changed and went straight to my room when Nakamura and Kimishita started arguing.
When I got back, Ueta wasn't in the room, so I just laid on my bed, waiting for sleep to take me.
I laid on the matress, enjoying it's softness and before long, I was out.
The next morning, when I woke up...
"Hmmm? What's with the extra weight?" I asked, looking at my right hand.
"HUH?!"
Ueta yawned as I looked at her. She laid on my bed.
*Wh-wh-what do I do?!*
After contemplating for a while, I decided to slowly remove her head from my arm to avoid any misunderstandings. After that, I left the room and went to prepare breakfast.
Phew…
*Good thing I always wake up on time.* I thought.
The next day, something worse happened, and then I decided to stop staying in the room for a while. I couldn't confront her about it since it might be embarrassing for her.
NOW:
"Well, do you guys have any suggestions for now? What do you guys think we should do?" Tanaka asked as we all sat in the sitting room.
"Yeah, we haven't received any messages about any match."
"And the coach is gone."
"My points are almost finished."
*Well, yeah, that's a problem. I mean, we still need points to buy foodstuffs and all.* I thought.
It's not like it was meant to be something easy. We weren't brought here to chill and have a nice break.
"I met some other team that had already begun training in their field." Tanaka said.
"Whoa, I wonder how we'll survive here." Ryuto said.
*They've started training? Dammit, how are we supposed to train when we have no clue about the game. Only three guys from here were in the soccer team.*
*But at least they've started giving it some thought.*
"The coach isn't even back yet. We don't know the drills he'll teach." Nakamura said.
*So he intends to wait, huh?*
"Yeah, he isn't back yet, but when would he be back?" Hayashi Chika asked.
"Well, at least we can start with any drill we know. At least some guys here were in their school soccer club." Tanaka said, referring to Nakamura, Kimishita, and Saitō.
"Yeah." They said in unison.
Apparently, the both of them attended the same junior high and senior high, where they played for their soccer teams as midfielders.
"So we just have to make time for it." Tanaka said, smiling.
And that was all. The boys kept playing games with the steam deck they had bought, and the girls kept going out to have some fun.
*Ugh… just when I had a glimpse of hope.* I thought kicking a ball.
"Not like I have the right to speak, though. Who knows, they may be better at learning stuff than I am." I said.
I only learnt the basics from my uncle, which included ball control, passing, dribbling, and tackling. Not like I was perfect in any of them.
The reason I was determined to train was because I had to make up for lost skills, even though I was well aware that I'd never be better if I had no one coaching me.
I just didn't want to hold back the team, so I decided that I would train on my own for a while. At least to remember the basics that I was taught.
I kept kicking the ball into the net till I was tired.
*Guess I'll focus on growing some muscles first* I thought, walking out of the field and into the exercise room.
The equipment all looked new to me. I had never been to a gym all my life, so the only things I've ever seen were the skipping ropes and dumbells.
*Seems kinda fun.* I thought, mounting the electrical bike.
"Hm…? I didn't expect to see someone here. Looks like you're training hard." I heard someone say before shutting the door behind him.
"Not really. I have no idea what I'm doing anyway." I said, turning to look at the person.
It was the coach, and he kept staring at me with a serious face.
"Is there something on my face? You've been staring." I said.
"Oh, my bad." He said, looking away.
*I wonder when he got back.* I thought.
"We've been waiting for you. Apparently, we can't do anything since you aren't with us." I said as he laughed.
"Was that the excuse you guys came up with?" He asked.
"Excuse? I mean, what do you expect a bunch of teenagers who have no idea of soccer training?" I said as he laughed again.
"Oh... that's nice to hear, but it doesn't look like you guys are ready yet." He said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It's not time yet. Why don't you have fun for a while. Get to know your teammates more and make friends for the first time in your life." He said.
"What do you mean?" I grimaced as he snickered.
"Okay, I'll be off. I actually have really important business."
"So, don't tell them I'm back." He said, walking out.
"…"
"And…"
"Hm?"
"You should probably increase the difficulty of that bike." He said before finally walking out.
"Thanks… I guess." I said as he left the room.
"Ha… just when I thought he was back."