"Well, what a game we have today, Hisashi-senpai." Keisuke Hori spoke, wiping the sweat on his face after taking a bottle of water from aside. "An impressive performance by Kobayashi-kun in the second set, what do you think about him?" He still provided an after-the-game analysis from the microphone for those who wanted to hear it.
"He is an amazing player." Hisashi didn't shy away from praising Yuki. "Even if he went to a top team like Konan or Matsukita High, he would have a spot on the team with his ability."
"Wow, for such sky-high praise coming from you, you must be very impressed with his performance, right?"
"Indeed." Hisashi nodded. "Still, I also want to comment about the senior team, the team that I left last year. Honestly, I am disappointed. The fate of the game had already been sealed the moment they lost the first set. You can see how they approached the game. No seriousness, no willingness, it is as if they don't want to be here in the first place. I am glad they lost today."
Hisashi didn't mince his words at all, making several students cringe while trying to see the reaction from the senior team's players. Some players like Yori, Kaede, and Ren had the decency to look embarrassed after being called out like that, while some turned their heads away as if they didn't care about Hisashi's words at all. However, two people couldn't be found there, and those were the most important ones for the next part of the event, Yoshi and Noriyuki.
Akira also noticed that too and sighed tiredly, disappointed with his players' attitude. Seeing the coach's expression, Keisuke Hori didn't dare to ask him anything, so he turned his attention to the Silvestri family.
"Mattheo-san, what do you think about today's game? Is there anything you want to share with us?"He went through the crowds that surrounded the Italian man before asking the question in English with a thick Japanese accent.
"Oh, are you the commentator boy? You did a good job guiding the atmosphere of the game."Mattheo gave a thumb up at him. Even though Keisuke Hori had a hard time understanding his words since Mattheo said it so quickly, he knew by the gesture that the Italian man praised him, so he blushed a bit in embarrassment. "As for today's game, it is amazing! As expected of Sensei's homeland! Even such a schoolyard fight like this could gather so many crowds. Now, I am curious about what the national tournament Sensei kept talking about would look like."
"What about your teammates? Any opinion about Kobayashi-kun and Agostini-kun?" Keisuke Hori asked.
"He is good. Extremely good."Mattheo said seriously. "His reflex is insane, and his ability to read the game is second to none today. He is unstoppable!" He grinned.
Keisuke Hori could only nod, pretending to understand his words. In hindsight, he had a headache talking to Mattheo since the Italian man had a tendency to speak fast. Fortunately, he recorded all of this so he could just listen to it again later.
After the short interview with Mattheo, he turned his attention to the female members of the family. However, Maria shook her head at him even from afar while protecting her daughters from the crowds, signaling Keisuke Hori to skip the interview with them. Even though a bit reluctant, he still did that, respecting their privacy.
Then, he wandered around for a moment before his eyes met Akira's and even though he was a bit afraid, Keisuke Hori knew it was his chance to speak with the head coach of the team.
"Akira-sensei, what do you think about this game? Especially about the players you trained for so many years. Can you give us a word or two here?"
All the people there gasped for the straight-to-the-point question, and now, all the attention was on Akira. They wanted to hear what the coach would say, especially since Yoshi and Noriyuki were not here, it nullified all the agreements before the game for whoever lost would have to apologize publicly.
"I am disappointed," Akira spoke truthfully, not mincing his words. "Not because of the defeat, since I know we cannot win forever. We lose and we learn, that is my principle. What I am disappointed with is their attitude after losing the game, especially my captain and vice-captain. They didn't even greet their opponents, not showing enough respect for the game. I would have a word or two with them."
Everyone winced at the harsh critique Akira sent to his two players. To receive such a word publicly, that could kill the students' reputation completely. Even if not among the students, at least, they were already labeled as delinquents by the teachers at the very least.
"What about the performance of the two freshmen on the team? Are you satisfied with them?" Keisuke Hori asked, trying to soothe the tension.
"I am more than satisfied with them." Akira nodded, a small smile finally curled on his mouth.
"Then, can we expect their performance in the next tournament?"
"Yes." The head coach nodded once again, now looking firmer than before. "They are already in my plan for the preliminary tournament in the next month. You will see them shine soon." He said confidently.
Poor Akira, didn't know that Yuki was ready to announce something outrageous.
After exchanging more pleasantry with the head coach, Keisuke Hori turned his attention to Yuki before smiling. "Here we are! The main protagonist of the game, Kobayashi Yuki!"
Cheers exploded from the crowds when they heard his name was called. Even if he was the villain in the beginning, at the end of the day, it was always the winner who would steal the limelight. It didn't help that the other focus of the game, Yoshi violated the agreement of the game by storming out immediately after his team was defeated, pushing Yuki into a good light.
"So, tell me, how do you feel after winning the game?" Keisuke Hori asked the basic question.
"Ecstatic," Yuki answered shortly. "Even though in the end, this game didn't mean anything since anyone who believed I was wrong would not change their mind at all, at least I prove that even if the odds are against me, I can still come out as the winner."
Cheers exploded one more time, and now, even some of the players from the senior team also gave him his flowers. This kind of domineering speech was something needed to raise the morale of the team, after all.
"What about the agreement before the game? What do you feel for Aoba Yoshi who violated the agreement right now and Noriyuki Hanji who also stormed out before shaking hands with you?"
"I will just let Akira-sensei deal with them."
Akira's face beamed, appreciating Yuki's diplomatic answer. If the freshman said anything other than that, he had no doubt the crack on the team wouldn't heal even after all of this. But by saying he would hand this matter to Akira, Yuki basically said he still trusted the coach and respected the team to say anything bad about the players there.
"Before everyone goes, I want to say one more thing." Yuki suddenly spoke on the mic, stopping everyone from leaving the gymnasium. Having all the attention here, he took a deep breath before bowing deeply. "I want to apologize to everyone here for the commotion I created. While the rumors are something I am unhappy with, I know there would be no smoke existing without a fire. This will be a good opportunity for me to reflect on whether I am too casual when talking to my senpai, making them think I am disrespecting them or not. But still, it would be a discussion for another day. For now, I am sorry."
This was his last attempt to fix his reputation. While Yuki knew the peaceful school life he wanted was gone, at least he could make it pleasant by giving everyone here a 'good student' persona.
The crowds applauded him one more time, their impression of Yuki turned drastically. By apologizing, this made him look like the bigger man, brave enough to acknowledge his mistake. Now, he threw the hot potato to Yoshi and Noriyuki, and for the next few days, it would be them who were under everyone's scrutiny.
"Also, I want to make one more announcement." Yuki took a deep breath as all the eyes turned to him once again. "Due to personal circumstances, after today, I will leave the team permanently. So, except if something drastic happened, I am sorry, everyone, but you won't be able to see me playing for the school."
"Eh?!"
All the eyes widened in shock. Even Riku who already knew his decision was stunned, couldn't believe his friend would announce it like this. And poor Akira, he was too stunned to say anything, yet his face grew paler in a second. It was as if he was about to pass out on the spot.
"Well, except for sorry, what can I say in this position?" Yuki shrugged nonchalantly, ignoring the disbelief stares he received. "I hope that you can still support the team even if I am not here. Until then, bye! Thank you! Kobayashi, out!"