"Hey guys, I really don't think the coach would be returning for a while. Let's start practice even without him." Akaji said as everyone nodded.
A few days had passed since I met the coach, and he still didn't show up. We had nothing doing, and our points were not going any higher.
*They probably have no point left, so they've got nothing to do anymore. Now they're ready for training. Thank you, points!" I thought.
"But I wonder why we have girls on our team." Watabe said.
"Yeah."
"We actually don't want to be dragged into boys' mess." Ueta said.
"That Fujita guy did say we came here of our own accord. Maybe there was something they wanted too?" Tanaka asked.
"No way. Why would I wish to play soccer?"
"Hahaha, that aside. I think we should head over to the field. Kimishita, Yusuke, we'll be in your care from now." He said as we all walked to the field.
"Yeah!"
We went to the equipment store where we took out some balls, dummies, cones and spray.
"Can you guys explain how you are usually trained?"
"Yeah, so…"
I don't really fit in. No matter how I saw them, I still couldn't have a normal conversation with them. We did talk sometimes, but that was when they approached me for breakfast, dinner, or lunch.
Team sports weren't really my thing. I'm a bit greedy, so they might get fed up with me. I also hate the idea of my win or loss to be decided by others. The thought of losing just because of a teammate is terrifying. It'd be worse if I am the reason for their lose.
*Ugh.* I thought, looking at Tanaka as he spoke to Kiichi and Nakamura-kun.
"Hey, won't you be joining us?" Sugawara Misaki asked, smiling.
"Oh, mmn. Sorry, I guess I was spacing out." I said.
"Your bangs." She started as I looked at her.
"Hmm?"
"Can you see well with them covering your eyes that much?" She asked.
"Ah! No, no. I'm already used to it, so I see well. And I cut them when they grow out." I answered.
I cut my hair in my second year of junior high and styled it into what it was now. I was called weird because of the colour of my eyes and the length and colour of my hair.
Mom did tell me not to worry too much about it since my hair was beautiful, but I couldn't do that since they were talking about her too.
They said she made out with a foreigner and had me, a bastard. I felt sad since it was my fault that they said such things, so I decided to dye my hair and cut it.
Even my so-called friends in my first year of junior high talked behind me, too. At some point, they began avoiding me, and that was it. I never did expect anything from them, though.
*Well, it's already growing out. Maybe I'll cut it again.* I thought, walking towards the others.
☆ ☆ ☆
*Just as I thought, they won't be serious with no one to discipline them.* I thought, looking at them as they laughed.
We did train for a while, though. We ran back and forth for a while, did some stretches, and then passes.
*Ha… forget it, I'm gonna be on my bed.* I thought, walking out of the field.
I walked to the bathroom, had my bath, and walked straight to my room before jumping on my bed.
"Ha... when last did I enjoy the softness of a bed?" I asked, rolling on my bed.
*The coach really doesn't intend to help us. I wonder how our first match would be.*
The next day, the coach returned surprisingly. After we greeted him, he went up to his room and never asked for us again. The day went on like nothing was gonna happen.
*Are they being serious now?* Was what I thought each time I walked past any of them.
"Coach." I called, knocking on the door of his office.
"Hmm, Oshiba-san? Come on in." He said, looking at me with a smile.
"Sir, aren't we going to practice?" I asked.
"Seems like you're the only one concerned about the training. Surprisingly, you dont look half concerned." He said.
"I dont quite understand what you mean, sir." I said.
"You know, you remind me of someone who really pisses me off." He said with a smile.
*What's with this guy?*
"Well, if you want to learn anything, I'm here so you can rely on me, I guess." He said.
"You say that, but it looks like you don't care in the slightest." I said.
"Seems like we have the same expression, Huh?"
"So? What do you say about the training?" I asked.
"Like I care. If they don't want to train, then just lose all your matches. I mean, you can work for another team and gain points." He snickered.
"You really don't care?" I asked with a smirk.
"That's right. You can leave now. Whenever they are ready, come ask me to coach you."
"Haha, since you're acting this way, that means they've got something on you. If they've got nothing, then you'd not be here. Am I right?" I asked with a smug smile.
"Don't get so smug, little kid. What do you know?" He asked, glaring at me.
"Hey, we both want the same thing. We win, and you get what you want from them, and I get what I want. It's a win-win situation. Come on, think about it. If you don't help us, you lose too. We have no idea when we'd be leaving, but we'll still leave. But you… you won't be able to get what you want." I said.
"You… really are like him!" He said before laughing.
"I like you. Okay, I'll check out my schedule." He said, smiling at me.
"Really?!"
"Mmn! Kid, don't you go losing on me. Im quite vengeful. We've got a deal." He said.
"Yeah, I guess…"
"Hahaha! Okay, you're interesting. I'll do my best, so do your best, too, kid."
"Sure."
*Hm? Was I wrong? It looks like he's rather excited to train us.* I thought, forcing a smile.
"We'll be waiting for you, coach." I said before walking out.
The day was almost over when we received a message from the coach saying that we should all be up by 5.
*Seems like he's really getting into this.* I thought, closing my eyes before falling asleep.
I've always been the weird one, I can't remember doing anything wrong to anyone. I was weird cause I didn't get to meet my dad. I was weird cause my features were different from others. I was weird cause I had no friends by the end of my second year in junior high. I was a gloomy kid who people wanted to avoid so badly. A disease in their eyes.
Some of their parents asked them to avoid me since I had no dad, while some just felt like doing so.
It didn't bother me? Of course it did. After all, I was just a kid who was always isolated. It hurt so bad I wanted to avoid school, but I couldn't.
My mom was already gone, and I had no relatives to stay with, I was lucky to get into high school through scholarship. Being here, in this world, it feels like something's gonna change for me. I felt happier than I had ever been. I can't remember being as happy as I was here, except for my time with mom.
Sometimes I feel I have to give it my all, but how? I stopped playing soccer in junior high, so I barely had any idea how it works. I didn't have the knack for it anymore. Sometimes I just hope that everything will be fine.
*I'm not gonna flop, would I?*