"Pass here, Akatsuki-San." Yusuke called as Akatsuki passed to him.
"Guys, they're coming through." Koenji said as we fell back.
Training had already begun and we were playing six against six.
"GOAL." Akatsuki said smiling as he and Yusuke exchanged hand shakes.
"Okay, now look..." the coach started as we all turned to him.
"The defence isn't too strong. It's the girls alright but don't be too relaxed boys, you should all strive to protect the girls." He said.
*Huh?!*
"What I meant is that you guys should help them defend too. Atleast try to avoid the other team from reaching your box." He said.
"Oh."
"Yeah so, let's get back to practice." He said as we all nodded before the practice match continued.
"Ah, that's a total win for us." Koenji said smiling as we got into the dorm.
"We'll get you guys soon." Watabe said.
"In your dreams, we're the perfect team."
"The girls did better than usual this time around." Akaji said holding his leg.
"Yeah, they sure did." I said holding my leg too.
"Haha, it was you two this time around." Akatsuki said laughing.
"They attacked the main strikers this time around." Watabe said.
"They seriously didn't want you guys in the box." Nakamura said laughing.
"Tchh."
"Pass to me, Atsushi." Nakamura said as I passed a high ball to him.
"Nice." He said, the ball hitting his chest and then falling.
"Here." He said to Akaji as he passed to him.
We were just passing the ball to each other, no serious training for that day.
"These guys seriously won't tell us the groups playing tomorrow." Akaji said heading the ball to Akatsuki who juggled the ball before passing to Kimishita.
"Maybe they don't want us getting any ideas for any game." I said.
"But still, if we are to have a match tomorrow I'd be really nervous, since we weren't made aware of it." Watabe said.
"Kids!" The coach called walking into the field.
"Yes sir." We answered leaving the ball and running towards him.
"Okay, it's good that you guys were training while I was away for the day, I hope you guys would continue this way." He said.
*Huh? What's going on?* I thought.
"What's the matter coach?" Tamura asked as the girls walked into the field.
"Well, it's kind of a personal matter but I won't be training you guys for a while, buy don't worry. I'll tell you guys what to do." He said.
*He looks worried about something.* I thought.
"Well, either way, you guys have to prepare for whatever matches you'll be playing."
"Are you travelling?"
"Something like that, but it's not like am going far away, just few blocks away. I'll be checking on you guys once in a while mind you. And I'll be back before the tournament phase. Don't worry, I believe in you guys." He said.
"So, how would we know about our matches now."
"Oh, before I forget, you guys would be playing in the evening. So your having the second match, make sure you play well."
"Huh?!"
"Seriously, I became more nervous now." Watabe said.
"For reals, and the coach says he'll be out for some days, what the hell?" Akatsuki asked.
"Don't worry, I'll be there for your first match." Was what the coach said before leaving.
"Atleast we have a captain now." Kimishita said as the others smiled at me.
"Good job taking care of us, captain." Akatsuki said smiling.
"Get lost."
"And Misaki's now our manager, things are looking pretty safe." Nakamura said resting his head on his palm.
"Yeah, she looks like a decent girl, I know she can handle it." Akaji said smiling.
*This captain stuff doesn't sit well with me, at all.* I thought looking at Akaji.
*He's probably tryna hide how annoyed he feels.* I thought standing up.
"Guys, want some deserts?" I asked.
"Hell yeah." Kimishita said suddenly getting all excited.
"We'll be taking some too." Hayashi said sticking her head out of her room door.
"What should I prepare?"
"Cookies!"
"Chocolates!"
"Cake!" Akatsuki shouted.
"Huh?!"
Early the next day, the coach called us all out for a little briefing.
"So, um... I'll be telling you guys the line-up and the tactic we'll be using for this match."
"Captain, would you mind stepping up and taking this up, how we discussed yesterday?" He asked as I stepped forward picking up a chalk.
"Okay. We'll be using a different formation from the previous one. A 4-3-2-1 formation. In defence we'll have Kimishita as the RB, Tamura Hinami and Ueta Suzune as the CB, Watabe as the Yusuke and Hayashi as the CMF, Yamazake as the DMF, Tanaka and Akatsuki as the AMFs and I as the CF, that's all." I said putting down the chalk. "Oh, and Koenji, you stay at GK."
"Sure." He said smiling.
"Any thing else?"
"No, you did... Good."
"Would you hesitate if I did well?" I asked.
"Hahaha, you did well for someone who hasn't seen a captain in action before." He said tapping me.
"You guys remember, do your best to protect the girls and also your best to support the captain, that's all I ask for, do your best out there, I'll be watching."
"Who'll speak to us during half-time?"
"The captain, of course. Of told him what to do and what not to do. I believe he is decent enough to guide you guys."
"And don't worry, if everything goes well, I'll be back next week." He said before waving at us. "Make sure you have breakfast but don't eat too much."
"Yes sir." We answered before he left.