Feeling the grass underneath his boots felt amazing. He hasn't properly played football since he came to Japan. It was probably the longest time without playing since he was a child.
[I'm back. Even if it's just a match at school.]
Masao introduced Ju to the other club members. Most of them looked pretty unremarkable. Just normal Japanese high schoolers. The first years looked even smaller, especially compared to Ju.
But there was one guy who caught Ju's attention, even though he wasn't even on the pitch. He stood next to the field, watching the football club. The boy was a bit taller and more athletic than even Ju, and he clearly stood out from the rest.
The captain of the club, a boy named Yūya Tani, decided that the first years would play against the second and third years. Since the freshmen team lacked a few players, some of the weaker-looking second years were to join them. The teams were definitely not fair.
[I guess the seniors want to show off.]
It was decided that Ju would join the juniors.
One of the second-year players who joined the junior team assumed the role of captain.
"I know the teams aren't fair. But they are doing this to test you. And probably to show off in front of the girls, but mainly to test you,", he said.
Afterward, they decided on which positions everyone would play. Ju was relieved when he was chosen to be a striker. His favorite position
[There is no better feeling than making a goal.]
After the senior team won rock, paper, scissors to decide who would have the ball, the match started.
Yūya, the captain of the football club, kicked the ball to one of his teammates. As a striker, it was Ju's responsibility to be the first defender. So he attacked the player with the ball, who just kicked the forward past the blonde striker. Usually passes like these would easily be caught by a defender, but not in this case. Since the junior team defense was completely disorganized, the senior team striker was able to take the ball and make a run towards the junior team goal. The striker easily ran past his opponents and shot the ball into the net.
0:1
The students around the field clapped to applaud the senior team. The tall guy didn't. He just stood there, smiling. Ju knew why. The goal wasn't the product of a great offensive play. It was the child of a horrific defense.
The freshman team had the kickoff. After a few small passes around the midfield, Ju got the ball. He quickly looked around him and saw an opening. The right-back of the senior team was standing way too far up front. He quickly passed the ball behind his opponent, allowing Ju's teammate to make a run past the defender.
But it didn't work. Not because another opponent intercepted the pass. The junior team left winger, who should have run for the ball, just stood there watching the ball leave the field.
[I guess I shouldn't expect too much from my teammates. They are just playing football as a hobby after all.]
The game continued like this, and the score was now 0:3. The morale of the freshman team was obviously bad. But the winning team was having the time of their lives, crushing their juniors.
[They are having fun, huh? I guess I should have a bit of fun as well.]
Ju got the ball at the halfway line. But instead of paaing to his teammates, he suddenly started spriting past his opponent, who tried to keep up. But he never stood a chance against Ju's superior athleticism. Masao and another defender of the senior team tried to defend against the oncoming stiker, but to no avail. Ju suddenly changed his direction, making Masao run into his own teammate.
Only the goalkeeper was in Ju's way of scoring his first goal in Japan. But the striker didn't hesitate and smashed the ball into the net.
1:3
Everyone on and off the pitch was stunned. Even the tall guy seemed impressed by the transfer students skills.
But the transfer student didn't have enough. He hasn't been able to properly play football in a long time.
After gaining possession, Ju once again ran across the whole field. This time, he finished by lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper. The defense didn't stand a chance.
2:3
"Holy shit. Have you been holding back the entire time?", Masao asked the goalscorer. Masao was completely out of breath after chasing Ju across the field.
Ju didn't say anything. He just smiled at his classmate. A smile, which was an answer in itself,
They continued like this until halftime. Since they only played 40 minutes, it has only been 20 minutes. But the score was now 4:3 for the juniors, who were celebrating their star striker. No surprise there, since he scored all of their goals.
Masao put his arm around Ju's shoulders. "Come on, man. You never told me you were THAT good. This match is supposed to give the seniors the opportunity to show off in front of the girls,", the energetic student told his classmate.
[Yeah, I already figured it was something like that.]
"I told you I was trying to go pro", Ju responded firmly. Masao laughed. "I thought you were joking, but after seeing you play, I got to admit you might have potential", he then said. Ju wanted to answer but was interrupted by a sound.
Clap...Clap...Clap.
The tall guy was walking in Ju's direction while clapping slowly.
"You really showed these guys. I have to admit you really impressed me," he said, holding out his hand.
"I'm Keisuke Akino", he introduced himself while shaking Ju's hand.
"How about you play against someone in your league", he proposed while having a smirk on his face.