The celebration continued long after the match ended, and Coach Fischer, in high spirits, invited the entire team out to a BBQ place to celebrate their incredible win. They piled into cars, some driven by parents, some by older siblings, with a few even managing to cram into Coach Fischer's old van. It wasn't long before they arrived at the restaurant, the smoky scent of grilled meats filling the air. The boys were starving, and there was nothing better than the promise of juicy steaks and endless skewers of meat to satisfy them.
The restaurant was bustling, but the staff quickly arranged a large table for the FC Goldtal team. They took their seats, laughter echoing as they relived the highlights of the match. Alex sat in the middle of the group, surrounded by his friends, each of them digging into the freshly grilled food brought to their table.
Coach Fischer raised his glass of soda, his voice carrying over the chatter. "A toast, boys! To our first victory in the Bayernliga. And to many more to come! You played brilliantly today."
The team erupted in cheers, clinking their glasses together. Alex smiled, his face flushed from the excitement and heat of the restaurant. He looked around at his teammates, feeling the camaraderie that came from their hard work and dedication.
Next to Alex sat Lars, a tall and lanky midfielder with a great sense for long passes and vision on the field. Across the table was Julian, a reliable left-back with an aggressive style that made him a solid wall in defense. Beside him was Markus, the keeper, a quiet but fierce competitor who seemed to grow wings whenever a shot was fired towards their goal. The rest of the team—Kai, Jonas, Tim, and Lukas—all had their own strengths, their unique styles of play that made FC Goldtal a formidable force. Together, they laughed, talked, and ate, sharing in the joy of their victory.
As the night went on, the conversation shifted away from the game, and they talked about everything—from school drama to plans for the summer. Lars and Julian started teasing Alex about his recent record-breaking goal, playfully demanding that he treat everyone to dessert with his "newfound fame."
"Yeah, Alex, you're gonna be in the papers tomorrow. Don't let it go to your head!" Lars joked, nudging him.
"Don't worry, I'll remember you all when I'm famous," Alex shot back with a grin, causing everyone to laugh.
The food kept coming, and they ate to their heart's content, the table filled with empty plates and satisfied faces. Coach Fischer watched his players, smiling at how close-knit they had become. It was more than just soccer—they were a team, a family.
Later that night, Alex returned home, tired but happy. After saying goodnight to his parents, he went to his room, picking up a manga that had caught his interest recently. It was about soccer—of course—and he had quickly become fascinated with it. His little sister, Emma, peeked her head into his room, her eyes lighting up when she saw what he was reading.
"Onii-chan! Are you reading about soccer again?" she asked excitedly, using the Japanese word for "big brother" she'd learned from the anime they sometimes watched together.
Alex nodded, smiling at her. "Yeah, want to join me?"
Emma scrambled onto the bed next to him, her small hands pointing at the characters on the page. "That's the striker, right? He's going to score a goal, just like you did!"
Alex ruffled her hair, nodding. "Exactly, Emma. This guy is really good. Look at how he moves—he's always in the right place, and he never hesitates."
He watched as the characters on the page executed complex moves, their reflexes sharp and their thinking almost instantaneous. They seemed untouchable on the pitch, their bodies moving without thought, purely on instinct. He found himself captivated by it—this idea of moving reflexively, without hesitation. It wasn't just about speed; it was about flowing with the game, letting your body take over without second-guessing.
The next day, Alex decided to share his thoughts with his father. His father, Dr. Klaus, was a doctor specializing in human physiology, always trying to understand the limits of what the human body could do. As Alex explained his thoughts, Klaus listened intently, leaning forward with a thoughtful expression.
"So, let me get this straight," Klaus said, adjusting his glasses. "You're saying these strikers from the manga move reflexively—they're not thinking consciously, but rather allowing their bodies to act in response to the game?"
"Yeah," Alex nodded. "It's like they're in this state where everything just flows. They react before they even have to think about it. It reminded me of what you said once, about athletes reaching a state of 'flow,' where they perform at their peak without consciously thinking."
Dr. Klaus paused for a moment, considering. Usually, he dismissed things like manga and anime as fantasy, but Alex was making a good point. The concept of the "flow state" was real—athletes who reached that level could react faster, move more efficiently, and make decisions without the usual delays of conscious thought. What Alex was describing—a sort of reflexive movement, a state of heightened instinct—sounded plausible. It was like a simplified, accessible version of the flow state, something that could be trained and developed.
"It's an interesting idea," Klaus said finally. "If you can train your body to respond instinctively, to trust in your reflexes, then maybe you can achieve something similar to that flow state. It won't be easy, but I think it's worth experimenting with. We can come up with some drills to help you focus on this."
Alex's eyes lit up. "Really? You think it's possible?"
Klaus nodded. "I think it's worth a shot. It won't replace the need for regular training, but if we can add this to your routine, it might give you an edge."
And so they began working on it. Outside of team practices, Alex and his father set up drills designed to push him into that instinctual state—quick decision-making exercises, reaction drills, anything that would train his body to act before his mind could get in the way. It was difficult, and at times frustrating, but Alex was determined. He wanted to be the kind of striker that defenders couldn't predict, someone who moved like a shadow, untouchable and unstoppable.
Days passed, and before long, it was time for their next match. FC Goldtal stood on the pitch, ready to face their next opponents: SV Blauheim. The air was thick with anticipation, both teams lined up and waiting for the referee's signal.
Alex looked over at his teammates, their faces focused, their eyes filled with determination. He took a deep breath, centering himself. He could feel the tension in his muscles, the anticipation of what was to come. Today, he would put everything he had learned to the test—his skills, his instincts, his hunger.
The whistle blew, and the game began. Alex moved forward, the ball at his feet, and everything else faded away. It was just him, the ball, and the goal. This was where he belonged, and nothing would stop him.