Aoi received another Ego Point from the system, and he knew the reason why.
After all, he acted like a self-centered person, expecting special treatment.
He applied for the football club when the recruitment should have ended days ago if he had not been wrong.
He might have also disrupted Nakahara's Sensei preparation due to his actions.
It was not only a single point, but three points, at that.
Previously, to gain three points, he gained the hostility of an individual.
Since he received the same amount, does that mean he obtained hatred from Nakahara Sensei, too?
"Aoi…"
His tone betrayed the hint of vexation, proving Aoi's horrifying assumption.
"You are making fun of me, right?"
Nakahara stared at Aoi as thick, black smoke roared from his nostrils…
Or maybe it was only Aoi's imagination.
Regardless, he was pretty sure Nakahara was completely incensed.
Even so, Aoi did not back down.
Despite his heart reverberating a fast palpitation, it did not completely hinder his line of thoughts.
He was totally dead set on becoming a football player, and he would not retreat from the mere adversity he caused upon himself.
He initiated a staring contest with Nakahara Sensei, adding a point to his Ego Points.
His long hair fluttered against the sudden thwack of the cold breeze, causing his eyes to squint in defense.
Yet, he did not blink.
Seconds later, he opened his mouth, now calming his chaotic mind and racing heartbeat, and continued with a solemn tone, "I am not kidding Nakahara Sensei…"
He had contemplated earlier how to convince Nakahara Sensei, and now that he was about to drop it like a bomb filled with fabrication chemicals, he did not hesitate to continue.
"I have thought about it before, especially yesterday night. I did not play games as a result.
I have been wanting to become the number 1 striker.
Just seeing the clips of many strikers scoring a goal rage a burning desire in my heart to do the same thing.
Imagine this…"
He closed his eyes and continued, "The stadium was full of crowds, and the score of the two teams was tied to two points, with me nearing the hat trick… There were only five seconds left. I was carrying the ball, I passed through the defense, and there was only me and the goalkeeper…
My teammate was running on the other side, but instead of passing it to him, I kicked the ball and successfully scored the goal… Making it a hat trick!"
At this moment, Aoi suddenly smiled, and it was the first time Nakahara saw him beam a smile – he always saw Aoi had a frown on his face, sometimes so serious that it inevitably isolated him from the rest of his classmates.
If he always wore that smile, he would have lots of friends… even have a girlfriend with that face of his.
He was lost in thoughts, both Aoi's reaction and his words.
"The crowd erupted with cheers. I raised my arm in exhilaration… I ran across the field, meeting the thousands of voices clamoring in the field. The referee whistled to end the match. At that moment, we finally won. We won a cup!
And I received an award, proving myself as the best striker in the season.
I stand on the stage, gazing at the hundreds of strikers below. Jealousy could be seen in their eyes…"
Aoi slowly opened his eyes, still maintaining the smile on his face, widening it even more.
"Just imagining it… makes me tremble in excitement. What's more, if it happens in reality?
Furthermore, I just don't want to be the best striker in this prefecture or the country…
I want to become the best striker in the world!"
He said it in a normal voice, but a hint of excitement trembled in his tone.
Nakahara peered through Aoi's pupils and saw the flame burning inside.
Aoi was not kidding. He was not playing with him.
At this moment, Nakahara was convinced.
He was now assured Aoi was serious when he announced he wanted to become a football player.
It was a striker, at that!
Every aspiring player desired to become a striker, but when they soon discovered another role that suited them the most, they settled for it.
It appeared Aoi was one of the aspirants.
'It's not that surprising. However, will he remain as a football player when he realizes what he is seeing on the internet is not the same in real life?'
Nakahara was intrigued.
He could not refuse Aoi since it was a good chance to exploit his sudden ambition.
At the very least, he would find a sense of accomplishment in turning a lazy student to become proactive in physical activities even when he failed to become the striker he wanted to become.
After all, being a striker was a very special position, and becoming one required talent.
Who knows what Nakahara meant by talent? He must have his own definition.
Since Aoi was determined, Nakahara would not disappoint his students.
He glanced at the field – all the players were staring at him, their gazes filled with curiosity.
He looked at Oka, the latter's eyes and mouth agape, staring at Aoi instead of him.
He knew the friendship between Oka and Aoi.
He would ask Oka what made Aoi change his mind.
Oka and Kaga were facing each other – both had been voted to become the captain for now since the Coach would not teach them strategy as they had to play by themselves.
Nakahara sent a signal for them to start, which they did, and then focused on Aoi.
Aoi's eyes did not change, still burning with the desire to become a football player.
Nakahara was internally delighted.
However, he maintained his solemn countenance as he asked, "You said earlier you had a teammate on the other side of the field, free to score a goal since the goalkeeper had its eyes on you since you were carrying the ball.
Why did you not pass the ball?
For the hatrick?
To become a hero?"
"Yes," Aoi nodded, instantly echoing his reply.
He received two ego points, which he ignored.
He did not even know how many Ego Points he collected.
Nakahara was taken aback by Aoi's response.
He instantly guessed what type of striker Aoi would become.
'Egoist… What I dislike the most.'
Nakahara deeply disliked such a striker.
Aoi's response definitely displeased him.
"So, what if you missed?" Nakahara asked in a somber tone.
Aoi gazed at Nakahara and replied without changing his expression,
"That's not an option. I won't miss."