Chapter 11: Resolve For The Last Game

In the heart of Kogane High School, the flag football team gathered in the gym. The air was thick with anticipation as the players assembled around their leader, Takeru Hayashi.

"Listen up, team," Takeru started, his voice firm and commanding. "Today, we've got a practice match against Seiryuu High School. Now, I know what you're thinking. Seiryuu hasn't had a decent standing in the past few years, but I don't want any of you to underestimate them. Every team is a potential threat if you don't take them seriously."

The players nodded as their expressions mixed with determination and focus. Among them were two standout athletes who had become the backbone of Kogane's flag football success.

First was Takeru himself, the quarterback. Takeru was tall and lean, with short black hair that framed his angular face. His eyes were a piercing blue, always sharp and calculating. Takeru was known for his precise throws and quick decision-making on the field.

He had a natural talent for reading defenses and finding the weak spots, making him a formidable opponent. As a third-year student, he brought experience and leadership to the team.

Beside him stood Renji Takahashi, the running back. Renji was shorter than Takeru but stockier, with a muscular build that spoke of hours in the gym. His sandy blonde hair was always slightly tousled, and his green eyes held a spark of mischief. Renji was explosive on the field, known for his incredible speed and agility.

Like a cockroach, he could slip through defenses with ease, making him a crucial player in Kogane's offensive strategy. Like Takeru, Renji was also a third-year, bringing his own brand of seniority and skill to the team.

Takeru continued, "Renji, let's make an example out of Seiryuu today. Let's show them what Kogane is made of.

Renji grinned back. "Always. Let's give them a match they won't forget."

—

Meanwhile,

It's as if Sota was hiding something in his sling bag as he hugged it tightly, hoping that no one would notice. His brother already had rising suspicion that something was wrong with how he acted last night, and he didn't want it to escalate any further.

After a quick lunch, he immediately prepped for a bit before heading outside, wearing his school shoes and grabbing his uniform and kleats at the back of the shoe drawers beside the door. This was where he had hidden his football uniform as well as his kleats.

"I might need it later on. It's not like I could play with my school uniform on... or should I just use my PE uniform?" He asked himself.

He didn't think twice about it. The simpler and the faster he got out of the house, the better.

"You're already going out? How about your lunch?" His mother asked, preparing a bento for him.

It's not all the time that his mother prepares a meal for lunch. Even in the past, he remembered eating in the cafeteria most of his school days.

But now, for some reason, his mom decided to prepare a bento for him. Moreover, based on how big the bento was, Sota realized that she had prepared a Sota bento deluxe!

"Today of all days?" He mumbled to himself as a smile appeared on his face. Every time there was a football game back then, he would always look forward to his mom's bento. She's a good cook, after all.

"Thanks, mom, you didn't have to." He said as his face reddened a little bit, grabbing the bento from his mom as he opened the door. "I'm heading out." He continued.

Had he looked back, he would've noticed his mom shedding a tear as her lips quietly curved upward. The moment Sota stepped downstairs, she had already noticed the sling bag he was carrying.

"You're finally stepping forward, my dear son." She said to herself, sniffling.

With a sigh of relief, Sota jogged all the way to school, his mind still reeling from the events of the past few days. He couldn't shake off the regret of accepting the challenge, but there was no turning back now. As he approached the school gates, he spotted Koenji and Aiko waiting for him.

Koenji was pacing back and forth, his red hair catching the morning sun. When he saw Sota, he stopped and crossed his arms. "Kazemachi, you're late."

Glaring, Sota's eyes turned into slits as he responded. "I'm here, aren't I?"

"Morning, Sota. Ready for the practice match?" Aiko stepped forward, her usual cheerful demeanor tempered by a hint of nervousness.

A tinge of red appeared on Sota's face as he turned away. This was the first time a girl called him by his first name. 'Wait, now that I think about it... since when did she begin calling me by my first name?! Eh?!' He screamed in his mind.

"Morning, Aiko..." He trailed off, taking his chance since it was now or never. He figured this was the best time to risk calling her by her first name. She was the one who initiated doing so after all.

"E-ehhh~ I guess you're prepared." Aiko awkwardly scratched her head as she let out a couple of ha-ha's. "Well, we have the entire morning to prepare. As a manager, I'll go over the basic rules of flag football with you. Do you already know the rules?"

Although Kazuichi had already prepared beforehand, he realized that this was his chance to spend some time with Aiko. 'Besides, it's not like I know everything about flag football after cramming in one night.' He reasoned at himself.

"No, I'm not familiar. I thought it's similar to football?" He asked.

A scoff came out of Koenji's mouth. "You call that being prepared?" Koenji snickered.

"Shut it, Koenji," Aiko let out before turning back to Sota. "Let's eat lunch together, Sota, I'll give you a crash course on flag football rules! Leave it to me." She continued, the ever-reliant senpai she was.

"Ah! And also, I wanted to contact you last night for your preparation. I realized I wasn't able to get your contact info." Aiko let out, extending her hand towards Sota as she held her smartphone in hand. "Let's exchange contacts."

'Whooooaahhh~!' The scream in Sota's head got even louder as he bashfully gave her his contact number.

"Argh~ it's still morning and you're already all over each other, sheesh~" Koenji scratched his head, excusing himself as he headed to class.