The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the sprawling estate of the Takeda family. The mansion, a modern marvel of glass and steel, stood proudly amidst meticulously manicured gardens. Inside, in a room filled with the soft glow of LED lights and the hum of gaming consoles, sat a young boy named Haruto Takeda. At just twelve years old, Haruto was already a prodigy in the world of virtual management.
His fingers danced across the controller as he navigated the intricate menus of his favorite game, "Global Football Manager 2050".
Haruto's parents, successful entrepreneurs in the tech industry, had always encouraged his passion for gaming. They saw it as more than just a hobby; to them, it was a gateway to strategic thinking and leadership. Haruto, however, saw it as something far more personal.
To him, the game was a canvas where he could paint his dreams of building a team, guiding them to victory, and becoming the greatest manager the world had ever seen.
But tonight, something felt different. As Haruto scrolled through the game's roster of players, assigning tactics and analyzing stats, a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Why should I limit myself to a virtual world? Why not create a real team?
The idea was audacious, almost laughable for a boy his age. Yet, Haruto couldn't shake it. He had spent countless hours mastering the art of management in the game, studying formations, player psychology, and even the economics of running a team. He knew the theory inside out. But theory alone wasn't enough. He needed to see real people, real players, in action.
The next morning, Haruto woke up with a sense of purpose. He dressed quickly, slipping into a casual hoodie and sneakers, and grabbed his notebook. He had heard rumors of a nearby village where locals gathered to play football every weekend. It wasn't much—just a dusty field and a makeshift goalpost—but it was a start.
The village of Hanamura was a stark contrast to Haruto's luxurious neighborhood. Narrow streets lined with traditional wooden houses led to a small clearing where a group of teenagers and adults were already engaged in a spirited game of football. Haruto stood at the edge of the field, his notebook clutched tightly, watching intently.
The players were raw, their skills unpolished, but there was something electric about the way they moved. A lanky teenager with messy hair dribbled past two defenders with surprising agility, while a burly man with a beard shouted instructions from the sidelines.
Haruto's eyes darted across the field, analyzing every pass, every tackle, every shot.
"Hey, kid! You just gonna stand there, or are you gonna play?" one of the players called out, noticing Haruto.
Haruto hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. "I'm not here to play," he said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. "I'm here to watch. And maybe… to help."
The players exchanged puzzled glances. "Help? How?" asked the lanky teenager, who seemed to be the de facto leader of the group.
Haruto took a deep breath. "I've been studying football management for years. I know how to build a team, how to strategize, and how to win. If you let me, I can help you become better."
The group erupted into laughter. "You? A kid? Managing us?" the bearded man scoffed. "What do you know about real football?"
Haruto's cheeks flushed, but he stood his ground. "I know enough. And I'm willing to prove it. Give me a chance."
The lanky teenager, whose name was Riku, raised an eyebrow. "Alright, kid. Let's see what you've got. But if you're wasting our time, you're out."
Haruto nodded, his heart pounding with excitement. This was his chance. He spent the next hour observing the players, jotting down notes about their strengths and weaknesses.
Riku was fast but lacked precision in his passes. The bearded man, Daichi, had a powerful shot but was slow on his feet. A quiet boy named Sora had incredible ball control but rarely took risks.
When the game ended, Haruto gathered the players around. "Here's what I noticed," he began, his voice gaining confidence. "You're all talented, but you're not playing as a team. You're individuals trying to outshine each other. If you want to win, you need to work together."
The players exchanged skeptical looks, but Riku nodded slowly. "Alright, kid. What do you suggest?"
Haruto opened his notebook, revealing a hastily drawn formation. "We'll start with a 4-3-3. Riku, you'll be our striker. Daichi, you're in midfield. Sora, I want you on the wing. And here's how we'll move the ball…"
As Haruto explained his plan, the players listened, their initial skepticism giving way to curiosity. By the time they stepped back onto the field, there was a newfound sense of purpose in their movements.
The game that followed was far from perfect, but it was a start. Passes were crisper, movements more coordinated, and for the first time, the players began to trust each other.
When Riku scored the winning goal, the entire team erupted into cheers, lifting Haruto onto their shoulders.
"Alright, kid," Riku said with a grin. "You've got our attention. What's next?"
Haruto smiled, his mind already racing with ideas. "Next, we build a team. A real team. And we show the world what we're capable of."
As the sun set over Hanamura, Haruto felt a surge of excitement. This was just the beginning.
The road ahead would be challenging, but for the first time, he felt like he was on the right path. Together, they would create something extraordinary. Together, they would team up.
A/n: Readers please me to make the young Japanese boy; Haruto the world's best manager. I took inspiration from the Coaching system and other novels that talk about sports