Chapter 45: Training Before the Qualifiers

After classes, the atmosphere at Seiryuu High felt charged with a newfound sense of purpose. The flag football team, now consisting of seven members, had finally gathered together for the first time. Alongside the original members—Sota, Kaminari, Koenji, Ouji, Daichi, and Ryuji—stood the newest recruits, Kazuma Takeda and Daigo Watanabe.

Their faces still bore the faint bruises from the previous night, but their expressions had changed drastically. Gone were the arrogant smirks and hardened glares that had once defined them. Now, there was a sense of respect, even humility, in the way they carried themselves.

Ryuji, standing off to the side, seemed satisfied with himself, but he didn't flaunt his dominance. He knew better than to draw attention to the events that had led to Kazuma and Daigo's sudden change of heart. Instead, he allowed them to fall into line, treating him with the respect he had earned through sheer force of will. To the rest of the team, Ryuji was the same as he'd always been—focused, driven, and ready to do whatever it took to win.

As they gathered on the muddy field, the rain-soaked ground squelching beneath their feet, a quiet determination settled over the group. There were only three weeks left before the qualifiers, and they all understood the gravity of the situation. This wasn't just about playing a game; it was about proving something—to themselves, to their school, and to everyone who had ever doubted them.

However, as they looked around at each other, the realization hit them that something was missing. They had a full team now, but they still lacked one crucial element—a coach. Without a guiding hand, their efforts would be scattered, their potential unrealized.

Aiko stood at the center of the group, her eyes more determined than ever. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still wet, the cool air carrying a faint chill that made her shiver. Despite the challenges ahead, she refused to let doubt creep into her mind. She had come too far, fought too hard to let anything derail their progress now.

With a determined smile, Aiko pointed at Sota. "Sota, you're going to coach the team," she announced, her voice steady and confident.

Sota blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard. "Me? Coach?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Aiko nodded, her expression unwavering. "Yes. You've got the most experience, and the team looks up to you. We need someone who can guide us, who understands the game inside and out. I know it's a lot to ask, but I believe in you."

Sota hesitated, the weight of the responsibility sinking in. He had never imagined himself in the role of a coach—he was a player, first and foremost. But as he looked around at his teammates, saw the hope and trust in their eyes, he realized that this was about more than just him. This was about the team, about the dream they all shared.

Aiko, sensing his hesitation, stepped closer, her voice softening. "I'll do my best to arrange practice matches with other schools. But for now, we need to focus on becoming a well-oiled machine. We can't afford to waste any more time."

Sota took a deep breath, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing. He knew what was at stake—he knew that if he was going to commit to this team, he couldn't do it halfway. If they were going to win, they needed to be united, and that meant taking on whatever role was necessary.

Finally, Sota nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Alright," he said, his voice filled with newfound determination. "I look forward to working with everyone. But don't expect me to know everything. As far as I know, flag football is different from football."

As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with anticipation and sincere passion for the game. The uncertainty that had plagued him earlier was gone, replaced by a burning desire to succeed. He would give it his all, not just for himself, but for his teammates, for Aiko, and for the dream they were all chasing.

The team responded with nods and murmurs of agreement, a collective sense of purpose taking hold. They were still rough around the edges, still a ragtag bunch in many ways, but with Sota leading the charge, they felt a renewed sense of hope.

Ryuji watched the exchange with a quiet intensity. He knew that this was just the beginning, that the real work was still ahead of them. But as he looked at Sota, at the fire in his eyes, he felt a flicker of confidence. Sota had the potential to be a great leader, and under his guidance, the team could become something formidable.

The practice began in earnest, with Sota quickly falling into the rhythm of his new role. He directed drills, offered advice, and pushed the team to work harder, faster, more cohesively. There was no time to waste, no room for complacency. The qualifiers were looming, and they needed to be ready.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the field, the team continued to practice, their resolve unshaken. They were tired, their muscles aching from the relentless drills, but they pushed through, driven by a shared goal.

Finally, as the last light faded and the field was bathed in twilight, Aiko called for a break. The team gathered around, breathing heavily, sweat glistening on their foreheads. Sota looked at each of them in turn, his gaze steady and resolute.

"A couple of weeks more before the qualifiers. We've been through a lot, and I know that we're just getting started with all this teamwork. Still, I'm sure we're going to make it." Sota said, clapping his hands to dismiss the team.

Kazuma and Daigo, who had remained quiet throughout the practice, exchanged a glance. For the first time in a long time, they felt something other than anger or bitterness—they felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was their chance to change, to be part of something bigger than themselves.

As the team dispersed, heading home for the night, Aiko lingered for a moment, watching them go. She felt a sense of pride swelling in her chest. They had come so far, and though there were still challenges ahead, she knew they had the potential to achieve something great.

And in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if Jack Mercer would eventually come around. But for now, she was content knowing that they were on the right path, with Sota leading the way.

"Dad, I hope you see this." Aiko told herself as she headed back to the clubroom before heading home.