The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting thin stripes of light across Kazemachi Sota's face. The alarm clock on his bedside table buzzed incessantly, its digital display flashing 6:30 AM.
With a groggy groan, Sota reached out and smacked the snooze button, savoring those precious extra minutes of rest. His body was sore from the relentless training sessions, but he knew there was no room for complaints—not with the qualifiers just around the corner.
"Sigh..." Sota exhaled heavily, forcing himself to sit up. The room was quiet, the only sound being the rustling of the sheets as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. His brother, Riku, was still fast asleep in the bed across the room, his breathing slow and steady.
Sota glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Riku had always been a deep sleeper, the kind who could sleep through a thunderstorm. Today, however, Sota couldn't afford to let himself be lulled back into slumber.
His thoughts drifted to the flag football team. They had come a long way since they first started practicing together. The ragtag group of players, some barely familiar with the game, had slowly begun to mold into a cohesive unit.
But there was still so much to do. Sota knew that his role as quarterback was pivotal, and he couldn't afford to falter. The pressure weighed heavily on him, but he couldn't let it show—not to his teammates, not to Aiko, and definitely not to himself.
With a resigned sigh, Sota stood up, stretching his arms over his head. His muscles protested, a dull ache spreading through his limbs.
But instead of giving in to the discomfort, he welcomed it. It was a reminder of the effort he was putting in, and the sacrifices he was making for the team. He grabbed his workout clothes from the chair by the window and quickly changed, ready to start his morning run.
Outside, the air was crisp and cool, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of his room. The neighborhood was still waking up, and the streets were quiet except for the occasional birds chirping.
Sota set off at a steady pace, his breath forming small clouds in the chilly morning air. His mind was focused on the rhythm of his footsteps, the steady thump-thump-thump that echoed in the stillness.
As he ran, he couldn't help but think about the qualifiers. The stakes were high, and the pressure to perform was immense.
But despite the weight on his shoulders, Sota felt a spark of excitement. This was what he had been waiting for—the chance to prove himself, to show everyone that he was more than just a washed-up junior quarterback who had given up on his dream.
By the time he returned home, the sun had risen higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over the neighborhood. Sota wiped the sweat from his brow as he slowed to a stop in front of his house.
He could hear the faint sound of the television from inside, probably his father catching up on the morning news. Sota smiled to himself as he walked up the steps, the familiar creak of the porch wood under his feet bringing a sense of comfort.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of routine—breakfast with his younger brother. Riku grumbled about school, had a quick shower, and then rushed to catch up on their morning training.
As for Sota, thoughts drifted to the day ahead, the classes he had to endure before he could get back on the field. School was important, of course, but his mind was always on the game, on the team, on the looming qualifiers.
"Oi, Sota!" A voice snapped him out of his reverie. It was Kaminari, the wide receiver, who had plopped down in the seat next to him. The guy was always full of energy, even this early in the morning. "You ready for practice later?"
Sota chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You know it, Kaminari. We've gotta make sure we're in sync if we're going to dominate in the qualifiers."
"That's what I like to hear!" Kaminari grinned, flashing a thumbs-up. His enthusiasm was infectious, and Sota couldn't help but feel a little more pumped up. "By the way, I heard Aiko's been working on getting us a practice match with another school. She's really going all out, huh?"
"Yeah, she is..." Sota's voice trailed off as he thought about Aiko. She had been putting in so much effort for the team, more than anyone else. He admired her dedication, and her unwavering determination to see the team succeed. It was hard not to feel motivated when someone like her was leading the charge.
The school day went by quickly, classes feeling more like a formality than anything else. Sota's mind was on the afternoon practice, running through plays and strategies in his head. When the final bell rang, he was the first one out of the classroom, eager to get to the field.
The team gathered in their usual spot, the grassy area behind the school where they had been practicing for weeks. Sota took his position at the front, scanning the faces of his teammates.
Ryuji, Daichi, Kaminari, Koenji—everyone was here, ready and waiting. But there was something different in the air today, a sense of urgency that hadn't been there before. The qualifiers were so close now, and they all knew it.
Aiko stood off to the side, clipboard in hand, her eyes sharp as she observed the team. Sota could see the determination etched into her features, the way her brows furrowed in concentration. She caught his eye and gave him a nod, a silent signal that they were on the same page.
"Alright, let's get started!" Sota clapped his hands together, bringing everyone's attention to him. "We're going to run through our plays today, focusing on timing. We need to be a well-oiled machine out there, got it?"
"Got it!" The team responded in unison, their voices strong and confident.
The afternoon practice was intense, with each player pushing themselves to their limits. Sota led the charge, his voice ringing out as he called the plays, his body moving with precision and purpose. But it wasn't just about physical strength—it was about trust, about knowing that each of his teammates would be exactly where they needed to be at the right moment.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the field, Sota called for a break. The team gathered around him, panting and sweaty but still full of energy. Sota looked at each of them, feeling a swell of pride. They had come so far, and now they were almost ready.
"We're almost there, guys," Sota said, his voice steady. "The qualifiers are just around the corner. We've put in the work, and now it's time to show everyone what we're made of."
There was a murmur of agreement, and Sota could see the determination in their eyes. They were ready. They had to be.
After practice, as the team dispersed, Sota lingered on the field, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of the game. Aiko approached him, her steps light but purposeful.
"Sota, you did great out there today," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "I know you've been putting in a lot of extra effort."
"Thanks, Aiko." Sota smiled, feeling a warm sense of accomplishment.
Aiko nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Here you go, a small reward." She giggled, handing her an ice-cold soda from the vending machine.
Sota looked at her, seeing the fire in her eyes. She believed in them, in him, and that was all he needed.
"Thanks," Sota let out, his lips curving into a warm smile.
As he walked home that evening, the cool breeze ruffling his hair, Sota felt a sense of calm settle over him. The day had been long, the challenges many, but he was ready for whatever came next. The qualifiers were looming, but he wasn't afraid. He had his team, and they had each other.
And that was all that mattered.