The sun cast its warm rays upon Raimon Jr. High, illuminating the vibrant orange lightning bolt logo that adorned the school's entrance. Akira Matsumoto, a young boy with black-brown spiky hair, stood before the logo, his eyes shining with determination. He took a deep breath, the scent of freshly cut grass and the sound of chirping birds filling his senses.
"This is it," Akira whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the gentle breeze. "Raimon Jr. High! The beginning of my soccer journey! I promise to establish your glory!"
With a resolute smile, Akira stepped into the school, his sneakers squeaking on the polished floor. The hallway bustled with students rushing to their next class, their chatter and laughter filling the air. Akira navigated through the crowd, his eyes scanning for any sign of the football club.
He approached a group of students gathered near their lockers. "Excuse me," Akira asked, "do you know where the football club is?"
One student shrugged, "No idea."
Another student ignored him, continuing their conversation.
Akira's frustration grew. He repeated his question to several other students, but none seemed to know anything about the football club. The rejection stung, but Akira refused to give up.
As he turned a corner, he collided with a young woman carrying a stack of files. Papers scattered across the floor.
"Uh.. sorry!" Akira exclaimed, apologetic.
The woman, Inoue Hatase, with shoulder-length brown hair, smiled warmly. "Oh, no problem. Are you hurt?"
Akira's nervousness dissipated as he took in Inoue's kind demeanor. "N-no ma'am. Actually, I've been asking around. It seems that no one knows the location of the soccer club!"
Inoue's laughter echoed through the hallway, drawing attention from passing students. "The socc- Ah, oh sorry! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Inoue Hatase, the assistant manager to the Raimon IX. As I was saying, the soccer club is, well, there isn't really a soccer club at the moment, hehe."
Akira's eyes widened in shock. "Wh-WHAAAAT!" His outburst echoed through the hallway, causing students to stare.
Akira's face flushed with embarrassment. "Ah, sorry. I mean, what?"
Inoue's smile softened. "Well, I mean, we do have a team, but we currently don't have a formal meeting place."
Akira's curiosity piqued. "Oh, I see. Why is that exactly?"
Inoue shrugged. "Even I am not sure. Only the higher-ups know why."
Akira's mind whirled with questions. "Huh. Then wh-"
Before he could finish, a commotion erupted nearby. A bruised and limping student, Takeshi, wearing a yellow jersey with blue streaks, approached Inoue.
"Takeshi! What happened to you?" Inoue's concern was palpable.
Takeshi exhaled, wincing in pain. "Inoue-san, the eleven of us, we were challenged by Okawa Jr. High!"
Inoue's alarm was evident. "Okawa?! Why would they challenge us to a practice match?"
Takeshi's pained expression deepened. "Both I and Shinji were badly injured. That's why there are bruises all over me."
Akira's determination ignited. "No way! Raimon are playing right now?! We have to go and watch!"
Inoue nodded resolutely. "Akira, you're right. Let's go! You too, Takeshi!"
Takeshi's resolve mirrored Akira's. "Right!"
As the trio hastened toward the exit, the school's atmosphere shifted. The once-ignored Raimon Jr. High soccer team had suddenly become the focal point. Akira's enthusiasm was contagious, spreading like wildfire through the corridors.