Sota's heart was still pounding from the confrontation earlier. As he and Ouji walked away from the gym, the adrenaline that had surged through him in the moment began to fade, leaving him feeling oddly lightheaded. The old man who had intervened had an air of authority about him, something that was hard to ignore.
As they reached the edge of the school grounds, the man called out, "Hey, kid!"
Sota turned, noticing that the man was motioning him over. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what the man wanted, but then nodded to Ouji, indicating that he should go on ahead. Sota walked back to where the man stood, feeling a strange mixture of curiosity and unease.
"You were pretty quick on your feet back there," the man said, his voice deep and gravelly. He had a full beard, dark brown hair that was slightly disheveled, and light skin that contrasted with his rugged appearance. He looked like someone who had seen a lot of the world and wasn't easily impressed. "But I noticed something about your legs."
Sota tensed. His legs. Of course, it always came back to his legs. The injury that had stolen his future, the weakness that haunted him every time he thought about playing again. He tried to push the thoughts away, but they clung to him like shadows.
"You've got a good foundation," the man continued, his tone casual but with an underlying seriousness. "But your muscles are compensating for something. Let me guess—you've got some old injury that never quite healed right."
Sota's eyes widened. How could this man possibly know that? He clenched his fists, not sure how to respond. "It's none of your business," he muttered, turning to leave.
"Hold up, kid," the man said, his voice stopping Sota in his tracks. "I'm not trying to pry into your life. I'm offering to help you. If the bones are weak, then we work on making the muscles strong enough to handle the load. You can't change the past, but you can make sure it doesn't control your future."
Sota bit his lip. The man's words struck a chord in him, echoing something deep within that he had tried to bury. But he couldn't just go along with this. He had already made his decision—he wasn't going back to football. Not after what had happened.
"I'm not interested," Sota said firmly, shaking his head. "Thanks, but no thanks."
The man looked at him, his piercing eyes searching Sota's face as if trying to understand his resolve. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled—a knowing, almost proud smile. "I get it. You're stubborn. But before you walk away, let me introduce myself."
Sota raised an eyebrow, puzzled. The man didn't seem like someone who would normally bother with formalities. "Who are you?"
The man extended his hand. "Name's Jack Mercer."
Sota's breath caught in his throat. The name sounded familiar—too familiar. He stared at the man, trying to place him. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Jack Mercer was a name he had heard before, back when he was still dreaming of making it big. Jack Mercer was a renowned football coach from the United States, someone who had trained athletes who went on to become legends.
"You… you're Jack Mercer?" Sota stammered, disbelief coloring his voice.
Jack nodded, still smiling that calm, confident smile. "In the flesh. Now, I know what you're thinking—why is a guy like me in Japan, and why am I offering to help you? Well, that's a long story for another time."
Sota couldn't even begin to answer that. His mind was reeling. He had never expected to meet someone like Jack Mercer, let alone have him offer to train him. But something still didn't sit right. "I'm just a student," Sota said slowly, trying to regain his composure. "I don't have enough money to pay for a coach like you. I'd have to ask my mom about it, and even then…"
Jack chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about the money. I won't charge you that much."
Sota didn't know how to respond to that. The whole situation felt surreal, like he had stepped into a dream. But before he could say anything, Jack patted him on the shoulder. "Think about it, okay? You don't have to decide right now. But I want you to know that the offer's on the table."
He then jerked his thumb towards the gym. "I go here everyday, around after school hours. Will be waiting."
With that, Jack turned and started to walk away, leaving Sota standing there, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He watched Jack's retreating figure, still trying to process everything that had just happened.
"Hey," Sota called out, almost on instinct. Jack paused and glanced back over his shoulder.
"I'll… I'll talk to my mom about it," Sota said, though the words felt uncertain even as he spoke them.
Jack nodded, a look of approval in his eyes. "Do that. And remember, kid, you're stronger than you think. Now let me see your resolve."
With a final wave, Jack Mercer walked away, leaving Sota standing there with a mix of awe and confusion. He heaved a deep sigh, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. It wasn't just about football anymore. It was about whether he was ready to face his fears, to confront the past that still haunted him.
As Sota slowly made his way home, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life had just taken a turn he hadn't expected. Meeting Jack Mercer—of all people—in his small town felt like some kind of sign, but what it meant, he wasn't sure.
From a distance, Jack Mercer watched as Sota disappeared into the evening haze. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Finally found you," he murmured to himself, his eyes narrowing in determination.
The journey that had brought him here had been long and winding, filled with twists and turns he hadn't anticipated. But now that he was here, standing in the same town as Sota, he felt a sense of purpose that had been missing for a long time.
"Let's see what you're made of, kid," Jack said softly, his voice barely audible as the wind carried it away. "You've got more fight in you than you know. And I'm going to help you find it."
As he turned to leave, the setting sun cast a long shadow behind him, stretching out across the empty streets. The world was changing, and Jack Mercer was ready to play his part in it. The next chapter of Sota's life was about to begin, whether he was ready for it or not. And Jack would make sure that when the time came, Sota would be prepared to face whatever lay ahead.