The Dreamers
Wrong decision

Today's afternoon will probably be a day Ryota always remembers. The day his best friend gave up on his dream.

"I want to stop playing ball." Hiro.

Although very short, but it leaves a lot of questions for Ryota. "K-Why? what's going on?"

Hiro exhaled. "You're not conscious yet? soon we will graduate from High School. I need to study harder to find a scholarship to keep going to university."

"T-But? why stop playing ball?" Ryota is still unsure of Hiro's decision.

"Didn't you see it? I have nothing more to accomplish here. Everything felt so easy to get through. There are no challenges I have to face right now. You understand how I feel, don't you?"

Ryota began to notice. "Is all this because Daichi has left?" Ryota asked even though he already knew the answer.

...

"Yes" replied Hiro. "I feel like I've played enough football. Now I have to think about my future immediately" Hiro continued.

"But what about our dreams?? Ha??!! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN!!" Ryota was pressing Hiro.

"I still remember it. But the dream must end now. On the other hand, I also need a good job so that my father no longer needs to work hard. I'm also-,"

"You're a liar," Ryota interrupted Hiro's remark. "You've been lying! you said you wanted to really practice! you said you wanted to be a star football player! And where is everything at this time??! Are all your dreams just flying in the wind!"

"Yes, it just goes like that" Hiro said.

"What?!" Ryota.

"A long time ago, I wanted to have football boots, but after having them I no longer felt that desire. Then, I wanted to have a lot of friends, but after I got them, nothing changed. And lastly, when I got the trophies and the awards, I felt like my goal had been achieved." Mumbled Hiro. From earlier his gaze was just daydreaming ahead looking at the sunset.

Hiro's mind was mixed. He just decided on something that made the most sense at the moment. He decided to stop playing football and focus on pursuing education. Although it looks sad, but actually Hiro still has the desire to continue playing ball. But due to the state of the family, as well as the lack of motivation that he received, Hiro became more logical thinking and decided something that was best for him at the moment.

...

"If you're done asking.., can I go for a minute? I want to say this to Takashi, too,"

"Eh? you want to back off right now??!"

"Yes," Hiro stood up, then walked limply towards where Takashi was. "From next Sunday, I will not be training here again, thanks Ryota for the 5 years of cooperation. I hope you can continue until you graduate from this academy."

Hiro leaves Ryota who is still sitting with a blank look. He did not expect that Hiro meant to stop playing football.

Although she was daydreaming, Ryota could still hear Hiro's voice when he said, "I hope I can get back to playing ball with you Ryo, no matter when, no matter when, but I still hope something brings my spirit back, wait."

In his daydreams, Ryota remembers when he and Hiro were still Junior High, when they were still very excited to be a star player in the future. But now, everything has changed. Sadness and disappointment filled Ryota's eyes that afternoon. He let tears flow from the eyelids that could not be closed.

Takehiro Miyoko, from the age of 12 to 17. He is one of the best players in the academy. Players who are being monitored by various professional and amateur clubs. Great players who started everything from the worst of starts. But now the adventure is over. Or it could be said, just stop.

...

...

And from now on, until the following weeks, Hiro was no longer a player from Zekka's academy. He also no longer sells drinks. On the day that Hiro resigned from the academy, Takashi, a coach who has known Hiro since the age of 12, deeply regretted Hiro's decision.

"When you have great potential, but you just throw it away" Takashi told Hiro before he left the academy for the last time.

...

Recently, Hiro and Ryota have rarely met. Even at school, Hiro spends more time in the school library than exchanging stories with his friends.

...

Several full moons have been through. Hiro gets the scholarship he wants. After so many sacrifices made, Hiro finally got it.

"I finally got it" muttered Hiro.

After graduating from High School, Hiro can apply to universities wherever he wants. Hiro's father who knew this must be very proud of this son.

...

"Dad! lookie! Hiro got a scholarship!" Hiro was excited at night when his father got home.

Hiro's father, who was still tired after work, became smiling again to see his son who had achieved something in his life.

"Daddy proud of you, son. Congratulations, yeah..,"

"Yes dad,"

...

"By the way, since you've already earned a scholarship, what about the football? are you going back to Zekka's academy? Father was always asked by Ryota's parents about this," Hiro's father's topic suddenly changed in an unwelcome direction.

The look on Hiro's face that was originally flat became flat. "Hiro looks like he's gonna stop playing ball forever Well,"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yeah, I'm sure. I don't want to be selfish. I'd rather have a family than my dreams" Hiro said.

"Yes already then," Hiro's father said with a smile holding Hiro's head. "Just, I'm a little disappointed, man,"

"uh? why Yah? what's disappointing you?" Ask Hiro.

"Dad just thought, why have you been chasing your dreams if in the end only to be left behind? It's a waste of time,"

...

His father's words this time really make Hiro's heart messed up. Although with a flat facial expression, but Hiro knew if his father was a little upset with his decision to stop playing ball. But how else, the economic situation forced Hiro to do this. Hiro's little heart was crying because actually, the dream was still there.

...

"Yes, son, if you have nothing else to say, I want to go to sleep immediately, Dad is sleepy," Hiro's father said as he passed Hiro's body still fixated on the doorstep.

"You better not be disappointed next day, son, think well, it's not too late" Hiro's father said good night.

...

Hiro who was still standing quietly in front of the door, had all sorts of feelings raging in his heart.

"A-I think, by getting this scholarship, my dad is becoming happier,"

"What am I doing? did I make the wrong decision?"

"If it's like this? what's my next move? Oh my god, please help me..!"