[89:52]
Akaji
We were already nearing the end of the match. In fact, we've reached the end, and we were two goals behind our opponents.
To be frank, I never expected that we'll score 2 goals after the first three goals of the match.
As the match continued, it slowly dawned on me that Atsushi was slowly bringing the team together.
When the match started, no one wanted to pass to him, but after Ryuto's failed attempt and then suddenly Ryuto's assist, it seemed like everyone began to follow his lead. It was as if that was the outcome he had in mind from the start.
Anyway, we were already losing, and no goal could change our fates, Atsushi was destined to lose.
"Akaji!" I heard him call and immediately struck the ball without even knowing when it reached my feet.
I turned to the post, but the ball didn't go in. Instead, the keeper slapped it back into the box.
"It's a loose ball!" The commentator shouted.
I caught a glimpse of Atsushi, running before the keeper even hit the ball away.
And there he was rushing to the ball, which bounced once against the grass. He swiftly turned back to the post and struck the ball, which curved its way into the net.
[WHISTLE]
"GOOAAL!!!"
Due to the amount of force he used both in turning and striking the ball, he was pushed out of the field, and he crashed his back against the board.
"Atsushi!!" Aira shouted as everyone rushed to him.
"Atsu, are you alright?" Ryuto asked, trying to help him sit up.
He coughed, "Chill out, guys. It was just a slight crash. I'm fine."
"Really? That looks like it hurt." Kimishita patted his shoulder.
"Ha..." Atsushi sighed. "I'm sorry guys, I couldn't help us win the match. I'm sorry..." He mumbled.
No one said anything for a moment.
"What are you saying?" Ryuto asked.
"Eh?"
"We weren't sure we'd even score a goal, let alone win the match, but you showed us the way. If we'd followed this form from the beginning, we might've snagged the win." Yui winked.
"Yeah. And like you said, the match hasn't ended till we hear the final whistle. So let's get back in there and end the match." I smiled, stretching my arm out.
He looked up at me, surprised, "Yeah, of course."
He smiled while grabbing my arm, "Thanks."
"Come on, let's get back in."
Well, we still lost the game, so no matter how good his captaincy was for that match, it was a subject to be forgotten eventually.
That's how smug I felt until he was named MOTM [Man of the Match].
---
"Nice game, dude." Hiro stretched out his hand for a handshake.
"Yeah, you were great out there, too." Atsushi smiled.
"Hey, great job winning." Shoichi said to Slime.
"I'd say that was lucky. I'd love to play against you guys some other time."
Chiyoda Fc walked towards Misaki, who stood in the middle of the pitch.
"That was a nice game, but you guys have a lot to improve in. You'll be resting today, but from tomorrow, training starts again. More gruelling than the previous ones..." She adjusted her glasses.
"... was what the coach said before hurriedly leaving." She continued.
"Wha-?!" They all asked.
"Anyway, congrats on your... almost victory?" She asked, her tone sarcastic.
"Ugh..."
"Since you've brought shame to our home, you'll be given due punishment when he returns. I'm glad I'm not in the squad." She chuckled before walking out.
They all sighed, then began laughing.
It might've been their loss, but they were all relieved that they fought to the end.
Everyone learnt something from the match. Their various weaknesses, their strengths, the value of teamwork, and the fact that their coach leaves without any shred of remorse for them. That last part was already kind of obvious from the start, though.
"Oh God, I'm so damn tired."
"Let's go back to the dormitory before Atsushi faints out here."
---
After the matchday, everyone stayed back in their rooms and medical centre to rest their minds and recover.
"Open wide..." Aira parted her lips slightly, raising a spoon to Atsushi's lips.
Atsushi looked away, pressing his lips tightly.
"Come on, don't be stubborn."
She kept trying to feed him, but he refused to open his mouth.
"Why are you doing this?" She asked, placing the spoon back in the bowl.
"I can feed myself. I'm not even sick." He answered, taking the bowl from her.
She pouted as he drank the soup.
"I baked you some cookies."
She took out a box and placed it on the bed.
He glanced from the cookies to her, "Thanks, you didn't have to."
"The others wanted to drop a message for you too. They said they're training well, so get better soon." She said, standing from the bed.
"Ah... I will." He smiled.
'I've said it's nothing serious over and over again. I'll be out by evening.'
"Well then, see you later." She waved before walking out.
He stared at the door for a while, and when there was no sign of her coming back, he sighed.
'I've not been able to check my progress from the match. I'm finally allowed to do that.'
He took out his phone and tapped his SW app.
— PLAYER DATA FROM LAST FIVE GAMES.
MINUTES PLAYED: 90, GOALS SCORED: 2, ASSISTS:1, KEY PASSES: 1, CHANCES CREATED:4, MVP'S:1, AVERAGE RATING: 4.5.
He stared at his rating longer than he should have.
"4.5? Wow, I expected a 3.5 or something below." He released a sigh of relief.
Then he checked his stats and their developments. Everything had increased drastically.
His points had increased by 400, Ap by 5, and Sp by 70 just from the match.
And then, from the quests, he received 200 points for having more than 2 goal contributions, 100 for being named man of the match, three skills slots for having a 100% passing efficency, and more than 2 chances created.
'Skill slots, huh? I'll need to train harder to fill in those slots.' He nodded in satisfaction.
"This is just the beginning. The main things are yet to start, so I refuse to give until the very end." He clenched his fists tightly.