The school bell rang, signaling the start of lunchtime. Kazemachi Sota made his way to the rooftop since that was the spot Aiko reserved for them. In most schools, the rooftop was usually closed off but this time, it seemed like they were allowed to go there.
As he pushed open the door, he found Aiko already there, sitting on a bench with a bento box in her lap. Her appearance was that of a dream, her hair fluttering with the wind as she smoothly brushed it whenever it meddled with her face.
Honestly, she seemed a little nervous, but the moment she caught a glimpse of Sota, her eyes sparkled and she greeted him with a cheerful wave. "Hey, Sota! Here, come sit with me. Let's talk football."
"Ah, er, sure. Let's go over the rules again. I need to make sure I have everything straight."Sota nodded and took a seat next to her, placing his bento box on his lap.
Aiko opened her bento box, revealing a variety of neatly arranged dishes. "Alright, flag football is similar to regular football, but with some key differences. First, there are only seven players on each team. Instead of tackling, you pull the flag from the ball carrier's belt. The field is smaller, usually 80 yards long and 40 yards wide. There are no kickoffs, and the game starts at the 5-yard line. You have four downs to get a first down or score a touchdown. Sound good so far?"
Sota nodded as he opened his bento box, revealing a beautifully prepared meal. "Yeah, that makes sense. So, no tackling, just flag-pulling. What about the positions?"
Waving her fork, Aiko took a bite of her food and continued. "Each team has a quarterback, running back, wide receivers, and a center. The quarterback is the playmaker, the running back can run the ball or receive passes, and the wide receivers are primarily for catching passes. The center snaps the ball to the quarterback and can also catch passes. The defense has linebackers and defensive backs."
Sota listened intently, taking notes in his mind. "Got it. Sounds straightforward enough."
For a moment, Aiko glanced at Sota's bento and smiled. "Your lunch looks amazing. Did your mom make it?"
Sota grinned with a hint of pride in his eyes. "Yeah, she did. She always prepares the 'Sota Bento Deluxe' when there's something important."
"It's just a practice match, though." She muttered, clenching her fists. It took a lot of persuasion for Kogane High to hold a practice match. It was all for her goals, and now that everything's fallen into place, she couldn't help but feel that the team wasn't ready.
And yet, it was the only thing that would spur their confidence. She had done her part.
Sota's expression turned serious. "It's important to me," he said softly, avoiding her gaze. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that this might be the last time he played football before giving it up for good.
Aiko seemed to sense his unspoken thoughts and decided not to press further. At the very least, she was glad that Sota was taking it seriously. "Well, I'm glad you have a special bento for today. Let's make sure we give it our all." She said, grinning at Sota as she continued eating.
—
After lunch, the atmosphere at Seiryuu High School grew increasingly tense. Word had spread quickly that Kogane High School, a well-known team, was visiting for a practice match. Students whispered among themselves, curious and excited.
"Why is Kogane High here?" one student asked.
"They must be really good," another replied. "Seiryuu doesn't stand a chance."
Sota and Aiko made their way to the football field, finding the rest of the team already gathering. The sight of so many students watching from the sidelines made Sota's heart race. He knew the pressure was on.
Aiko whispered to Sota, "We're missing some teammates. We had to recruit people from other clubs to fill in."
Sota glanced at the makeshift team and nodded. "We can do this," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "Just stick to the basics and play smart."
As they finished their warm-ups, the sound of an approaching bus drew everyone's attention. Stepping off the bus, the Kogane High team was led by their star players, Takeru Hayashi and Renji Takahashi. Their presence commanded respect, and the murmurs among the Seiryuu students grew louder.
"That's Takeru Hayashi," someone whispered. "And Renji Takahashi. They're incredible."
Sota took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. This was it—the moment he'd been dreading and anticipating. He glanced at Aiko, who gave him an encouraging nod, feeling a surge of determination.
"We've got this," she said firmly. "Let's show them what Seiryuu is made of."
—
The bus ride from Kogane High School was filled with anticipation. The star players, Takeru Hayashi and Renji Takahashi, sat at the front, discussing strategies. As third years, they had seen their share of intense matches and were eager to gauge Seiryuu's potential.
"Do you think Seiryuu has any chance of putting up a fight?" Takeru asked, his eyes scanning the game plan.
Renji shrugged. "They haven't had a decent standing in years, but we can't underestimate them. Anything can happen."
Conversations shifted to their upcoming practice match. The players discussed Seiryuu's past performances, speculating on whether they might finally rise to the challenge.
Takeru said, "We'll know soon enough. Let's see what they've got."
The bus rumbled on, and as they arrived at Seiryuu High School, the players filed off, their expressions a mix of curiosity and confidence. Leading the team to the field, Takeru and Renji prepared for the match.
Seiryuu and Kogane lined up to greet each other, the tension palpable. Sota and his teammates felt the weight of the moment. Despite the odds, despite his doubts, Sota was here to give it his all. This practice match was more than just a game—it was a chance to prove himself one last time.