As yugen made his way into the meeting room he took his seat next to sosei , a door suddenly opens behind them where they are seated with Mika in the flesh coming out with the green eyes girl coming out 「Hojo」
Yugen turns his head " isn't that the girl from before " yugen remembering their encounter , hojo ignores yugen and makes her way with Mika to the stage .
Hojo - So I'm going to explain everything about the system
There will be 20 teams from each region in Japan in a league the winner of the League
The 16 winners from each region would now be in a knockout system that will choose who will become the U20 and represent Japan in the world cup .
Makes it interesting right "Mika chuckled"
Being the world's best doesn't seem like a fantasy the only thing that matters here are results now ( Mika said spreading her arms out wide ) Inyo " hah obviously " ," yugen being the world's best now feels more realistic now that I'm here ( looking determined ) but if I can't make it a reality my dream is fucking trash "
Yugen opens the door in the hot string in the kelshea facility having a bath and meets
Kou , Jin , inyo, iori ( sitting outside the hot spring) yugen enters the water immediately jumping out cause it is too hot , he had never felt anything like this because he uses cold water every time
Yugen entering the other one
There is an awkward silence in the room and iori feeling the pressure to break it .
Awkwardly saying " so we will have a chance to play with the " " Kou's face expression turns even colder than before
Yugen "Who's are those people" everyone looks at yugen with surprise "what"
Inyo " what a fool "
Jin"..."
Akane's eyes gleamed with excitement as he gazed at Yugen. "Haha, so you know none of them?" He leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "They're the top eight players from Japan's national football team. Each of them has skills and techniques that are simply unmatched. They're like gods on the pitch, Yugen."
Yugen's eyes widened in awe, his gaze locked onto Akane's. "Wow, they're amazing," he breathed.
His smile faded into a serious expression " so those are the people I must be at for me to become the best "
The moment Yugen spoke, Kou's demeanor shifted. His eyes, which had been fixed intently on Akane, flashed with a hint of irritation. Without a word, he rose from his seat, his movements fluid and deliberate.
Akane's gaze flicked to Kou, a hint of surprise dancing in his eyes. "Kou, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Kou's response was a curt nod, his eyes never leaving Akane's face. "I need some air," he muttered, before turning getting out of the water and striding away.
The sudden departure left an awkward silence in its wake. Yugen's eyes darted between Akane and Kou's retreating back, a look of confusion etched on his face. "What's his deal ?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Akane's expression softened, and he reached out to place a reassuring hand on Yugen's arm. "No, Yugen, it's not you," he said, his voice gentle. "Kou's just... intense. He's got high standards for himself and others, and sometimes his expectations can be a bit... overwhelming."
Yugen's eyes narrowed, his gaze still fixed on Kou's disappearing form. "I see," he said, his voice measured. "Well, I hope he's okay."
Akane's grin returned, and he leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone once more. "Don't worry about Kou, Yugen. He'll be fine. He's probably just in his rebellious years lol .
Yugen emerged from the steaming bath, a warm glow radiating from his skin as he wrapped himself in a plush towel. He glanced over his shoulder, a hint of amusement dancing on his lips as he took in the scene behind him.
Inyo and Sosei were still immersed in the bath, their eyes locked in a fierce stare as they engaged in a ridiculous contest. Inyo's voice dripped with mock concern as he taunted Sosei, "Why don't you get out of the water? It's probably too hot for you."
Sosei's eyes flashed with indignation, and for a moment, his gaze seemed to bore into Inyo's very soul. Inyo's eyes twitched ever so slightly due to how hot it was , a tiny betrayal of his composure.
Sosei's response was laced with sarcasm, "Oh, is this a hot spring? I thought this was a cold bath." He snorted, a tiny droplet of water escaping his nose as he scoffed, "You're the one who's always complaining about the temperature. Maybe you're just too delicate for a real bath?"
Inyo's face darkened, his eyes narrowing into slits as he growled, "I'll have you know, I'm perfectly comfortable in this water. It's just... strategically warm." He emphasized the last two words, his tone dripping with condescension.
Sosei let out a derisive snort, "Strategically warm? You mean 'scaldingly hot'?" He chuckled, a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the air.
Just then, the bath's heating system kicked in, sending a wave of scorching hot water through the tub. Inyo and Sosei yelped in unison, their eyes widening in surprise as they frantically scrambled to adjust to the sudden change in temperature.
"Ah... ah, I think it's getting a bit... warm," Inyo stuttered, his face reddening as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Sosei's response was more... creative. "SON OF A—!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls as he leapt out of the bath, sending water flying everywhere.
Yugen chuckled, shaking his head as he turned away from the pair. "You two are something else," he muttered, grinning to himself as he padded away, leaving Inyo and Sosei
Yugen strolled out of the facility, seeking a refreshing break from the confines of the building. The moon cast an ethereal glow over the landscape, illuminating the path ahead. As he walked, he kept his head down, lost in thought. The soft rustle of leaves and chirping of birds filled the air, blending with the distant hum of the city.
Suddenly, he raised his head, and his gaze fell upon Kou, who was resting on the street rim, his eyes closed. A faint smile played on Kou's lips, and his chest rose and fell with each gentle breath. The moonlight cast an otherworldly glow on Kou's skin, making him seem almost surreal.
Yugen's footsteps slowed, and he stood there, taking in the peaceful scene before him. The world seemed to have melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in this moment of tranquility.
Yugen ambled over to Kou, his footsteps quiet on the pavement. He settled in beside Kou on the street rim, their shoulders almost touching. For a few moments, they simply stood here, basking in the peacefulness of the night.
The silence between them was palpable, yet comfortable. The only sounds were the distant hum of the city, the chirping of crickets, and the occasional hoot of an owl. Yugen closed his eyes, feeling the gentle breeze rustle his hair.
As the moments ticked by, Yugen's eyes snapped open, and he turned to Kou with a mischievous glint in his eye. A slow grin spread across his face, and he said, "You... are amazing, Kou."
Kou's eyes flickered open, and he regarded Yugen with a hint of curiosity. But before he could respond, Yugen's grin grew wider, and he declared, "But I am going to be the best striker in the world! You can enjoy your position now."
Yugen's words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise all at once. Kou's expression remained inscrutable, but a tiny spark of interest flickered in his eyes.
With a final nod, Yugen pushed off from the street rim and began to walk away. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the night, growing fainter with each passing moment.
As Yugen disappeared into the darkness, Kou's gaze lingered on the spot where Yugen had vanished. A small, cold smile played on his lips, and he whispered to himself, "We'll see about that
CHAPTER END