The sun was setting, casting a warm golden hue over the Skyline FC training ground. The air was cool, the pitch still damp from the early morning dew. It was the last training session before Takumi's departure, and the weight of that finality seemed to hang in the air. The usual buzz of pre-training chatter was absent today. Instead, there was a tense quiet among the players as they stretched and prepared for their final drills together.
Takumi's eyes scanned the field, his heart heavy with the thought that this would be the last time he'd be part of the team. He could feel the bittersweetness in the air, the unspoken acknowledgment that everything was about to change. Skyline FC had been his team for only a while and now they already felt like family, and now he was preparing to step into a whole new world. He wasn't ready for the goodbyes, but he knew they were inevitable.
Coach Sora had been unusually quiet, his eyes fixed on the players as they warmed up. His usual intensity was still there, but there was something different today. Takumi could sense that his coach knew this was the end of an era for the team—at least for him. Skyline FC had always been a place where players came and went.
Takumi's focus drifted to his teammates. Shinji, Atsushi, Haruto—they were all here, pushing themselves in the drills as usual. They had all known about the transfer offer for a while, but no one had said much. They didn't need to. Everyone was waiting for the inevitable, and Takumi couldn't bring himself to look any of them in the eye for too long.
His thoughts were interrupted when a figure stepped onto the field—someone he hadn't expected to see today.
A tall, well-dressed man with a clipboard in his hand, accompanied by a young assistant, walked toward the sidelines. Takumi immediately recognized the man. It was the scout who had watched him during the game against Fujiyama United. The same scout who had nodded at him as if he were already part of their future.
Takumi's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected the manager of his potential new team to come to Skyline, not during his final training session. But there he was, standing in the stands, his eyes already fixed on Takumi.
Coach Sora had clearly noticed the new arrivals, too. He straightened up, his usually calm demeanor shifting to one of alertness. He walked over to the manager, shaking his hand before gesturing toward the players on the field.
Takumi's stomach churned. He felt both exposed and exhilarated, knowing that the man who held his future in his hands was now watching him in action, the last time he would train as part of Skyline FC. The thought was overwhelming.
"Focus, Takumi," he muttered to himself. "Don't let this throw you off."
But it was hard not to. Every movement, every pass, felt like it was being scrutinized. He tried to push the anxiety out of his mind, forcing himself to concentrate on the task at hand. He could feel his teammates' glances as they too noticed the scout. Atsushi, ever the supportive friend, offered a slight smile from across the field, as if to say we've got your back.
As the session continued, Takumi couldn't help but notice the manager's gaze. It was sharp, analytical, but not cold. He was watching every move, taking mental notes on what was unfolding on the pitch. Takumi knew that, while the training session wasn't exactly a tryout, it was still a moment of judgment. Every touch, every sprint, every pass, mattered.
The drills started with passing exercises, the ball moving fluidly between the players as they worked on quick exchanges. Takumi found himself in the middle of the action, as always, his feet light and swift. His mind was clear for the most part, but there was still a part of him that was hyper-aware of the manager's watchful eyes.
Then came the small-sided scrimmage. Takumi could feel the intensity heighten as the players formed two teams, splitting into their usual groups. He was on the team with Haruto, Shinji, and Atsushi—his closest friends on the pitch. They were all working seamlessly together, as they always had, but today felt different. Every pass felt heavier, every decision more significant.
Takumi darted past an opposing defender, his feet moving in quick, precise motions. He felt the weight of the ball at his feet, the pressure building as he neared the goal. His mind raced with the possibilities—should he shoot? Should he pass?
Shinji was in perfect position to his left, and without thinking, Takumi played the ball to him with perfect timing.
Shinji took it in stride, his eyes locked on the goal. The goalkeeper rushed out, but Shinji was too quick. A subtle feint, a quick movement, and the ball was in the back of the net.
Goal.
Takumi's teammates erupted in cheers, their laughter filling the air as they celebrated the smooth, clinical move. Takumi felt a rush of pride, his heart swelling at the sight of his team working so well together.
But amidst the celebration, Takumi caught a glimpse of the manager, who stood leaning against the railing, scribbling something in his notebook. He hadn't flinched during the play. He had simply observed, like a man who had already made his judgment.
For a moment, Takumi's breath caught in his throat. What did it mean? Was that just one more play, one more small moment in a long series of decisions? Or had it been enough?
The rest of the session passed in a blur. Takumi gave everything he had left—his feet moving faster, his mind sharper, his determination stronger. He wanted to prove himself, not just for the manager, but for the team, for Skyline FC, and for everything he had built here. He knew his time was almost up, but he wasn't ready to let it go just yet.
Finally, the whistle blew, signaling the end of the session. Takumi's body ached from the intensity of the training, but his mind was still buzzing with questions.
Coach Sora blew his whistle again and gathered the players for a final huddle. The manager of the new team was already making his way off the pitch, shaking hands with Coach Sora. Takumi stood in the middle of the circle, his gaze fixed on the ground. He didn't know what the manager had thought, but he felt like the air had shifted in a way that couldn't be ignored.
Coach Sora clapped his hands once, getting everyone's attention. "Great session today, guys. You've all worked hard. Takumi, especially, good luck with whatever comes next."
Takumi looked up, his heart skipping. He hadn't expected such an open acknowledgment from Coach Sora. The words were simple, but they carried so much weight. Whatever comes next.
"I'll miss this," Takumi said softly, his voice carrying a hint of emotion that he couldn't hide.
Shinji gave him a quick nod. "We're all behind you, Takumi. Whatever happens next, you'll always be part of Skyline FC."
A wave of gratitude washed over him as he turned to his friends. Their support was the only thing that kept him grounded in this moment.
As Takumi walked off the pitch, he saw the manager briefly glance back at him from the sidelines, his expression unreadable. Takumi didn't know what the future held, but he had faith that every thing would turn out well