The Dreamers
Counting stars

In life, there is always someone better than yourself. No one knows when and where that person will come and make our lives more difficult. Life will throw us into another path when we feel comfortable on this path.

...

...

Japan's 2nd League remains the last two matches. Akihabara FC has done a phenomenal season. They were currently ranked 4th in the interim ranking, 4 points away from the third rank. With 2 games remaining in the season, Akihabara FC must win both matches, starting from against Fukuoka Football (ranked 14), and lastly against Osaka Steels (ranked 3). The match against Osaka will be crucial for Akihabara for the smooth running of their mission to the top 3. However, the match against Fukuoka is also no less important.

...

...

Today, is the day the match between Akihabara FC against Fukuoka begins. Seeing that Fukuoka is an easy opponent, Seichi as a coach also dared to bring down his reserve players like Ryota. He was given the opportunity to play from the beginning by the coach when he played against Fukuoka. Seichi decided to reserve his main players and preferred to play second-tier players like Ryota as well as some other players. Hiro and the rest of the core players will have to wait for an opportunity from the bench.

"So this is what it feels like to suggest," Inner Hiro.

Hiro was never suggested by Seichi this season. Just this time Seichi dared to suggest Hiro. Not without reason, Hiro's contribution is indeed very big to the team. He has scored 12 goals and 7 assists from 34 league games making him the second-highest scorer at Akihabara FC after Aaron Carletty, an English foreign striker who has scored 17 goals for the team. Aaron Carletty is also a new recruit of Akihabara FC this season which also helped boost the team's performance so far. Hiro and Aaron were both not revealed at the beginning of this game.

...

Before the game, Seichi as a coach gives encouragement to players who will play first.

"Even though Fukuoka is falling, but do not let your guard down! Players from Fukuoka will definitely play more loose and have no burden on their shoulders! we need to stay alert!" Said Seichi cheering his players before the game.

"Yoooo!!!" Shout the spirit of Akihabara's players before the game, Ryota is no exception.

When the game starts, both teams play in balance. Fukuoka play loose, while Akihabara still have difficulty penetrating the opponent's defense with their second-tier team.

Until the first half ended, the score was still a 0-0 draw. Seichi begins to worry about this situation. He does not want to make a mistake in making a decision. Finally in the second half, Seichi included Akihabara's core players like Hiro, and Aaron. As a result, in the 62nd minute, Akihabara FC managed to make a goal for their 1-0 lead over Fukuoka through Aaron's goal using Hiro's assist. Eight minutes later, Akihabara FC doubled the lead to 2-0 with a Ryota header. This is Ryota's first goal for Akihabara FC as well as being the goal that locked this victory belongs to Akihabara FC.

Until the game is 2-0. Akihabara FC players have fun on the pitch. They celebrated this victory with joy. With an additional 3 points in this match, Akihabara FC is still stuck in the ranking to position 4. They stay at odds of 1 point with a rank of 3(Osaka). If Akihabara FC managed to win in the last game against Osaka, then their dream to finish in the top three is not just a fantasy anymore.

...

Darwin Benjiro as the owner of Akihabara FC club is also happy when he said his team bravely gave everything to be able to achieve their goals in the top three.

...

...

"Good work everyone! you all deserve this victory!" Praise Seichi.

The Akihabara FC players look happy. They also say that they will keep trying until they reach their true goal, which is the top three!

...

Hiro and Ryota hugged each other. They can finally feel playing together in a team. For a long time the two of them did not play simultaneously, and once they played together, immediately gave a meaningful victory for their team.

"Haha, congratulations on Ryo's goal! Your header is good too!" Hiro.

"Thank you! do you think I can play in the first team?" Ask Ryota.

"Well, if it depends on the coach, I can't answer your question, hehe,"

"-_-," Ryota could only accept the fact that he had to try harder for the main venue. "Well, it does seem like I need to keep improving my abilities..,"

...

...

One week from now, Akihabara FC will have to win the game again against Osaka Steels if it is to keep up the hopes of getting into the top three. But it won't be easy.

At the first meeting of the season, Osaka Steels managed to beat Akihabara FC with a score of 4-0. Now is a good time for Hiro and his comrades to take revenge on Osaka who had humiliated them before.

"Osaka..," Desis Hiro while daydreaming.

"Hmm? what were you talking about?" Ask Ryota.

"uh? why...why do you doubt it?"

Hiro turned towards Ryota with a serious face. "Osaka has a lot of good players.., even better than me now." replied Hiro.

"Yes too.., what else is their very dangerous striker..., eee? I forgot,"

"You're so forgetful, he broke into our net three times in the first meeting!" Hiro.

"Hehe, yes, too,"

Hiro shook his head as he recalled the extremely dangerous figure from the Osaka team. "Kyuzu Morita.., his name is Kyuzu Morita,"

"Gee! is true! that's her name!" Ryota finally remembered the name. "Yes, he is very dangerous. This season he became the top scorer in the League with 25 goals!"

"Yes..," said Hiro.

Ryota glanced at Hiro while slightly chuckling. "If compared to you who just scored 12 goals, it feels Kyuzu is better than kam-,"

"Yes," Hiro said without letting Ryota finish his words. "I know that, so I'm very pessimistic about our next fight against Osaka."

...

"Aaahh.., why are you so pessimistic??!" Suddenly there was the sound of someone approaching Hiro and Ryota.

"This isn't the Hiro I know..," continued the man.

Hiro and Ryota looked back and saw Aaron coming towards them. "Aaron?"

"Hmm.., I've been watching you guys talk.., hehe sorry to eavesdrop on the conversation," Aaron scratched his bald head.

"Yes, it's okay" Hiro said.

"It seems you're getting fluent in Japanese huh, Aaron?!" Ryota. "Typically you mix English with Japanese.it's weird, hehe."

"Of course.., can't you? haha. It's been a year in Japan anyway" Aaron said. "Hey.., by the way, about the next match.., I just want to say something,"

"What?" Hiro.

"I promise.., we will win!!!" Aaron was determined. "It doesn't matter who we're going to face, but we have to stay confident and play hard!"

"I-Yes," Sahut Hiro and Ryota with doubtful faces.

...

I don't know where Aaron came from, but he was a very confident person. The 32-year-old England striker is like a mentor to the rest of the players because of his immense confidence.

"I heard earlier, you guys are scared of that Osaka striker named Kyuzu huh?" Ask Aaron.

"True..," replied Hiro and Ryota.

"Hahaha," Aaron laughed. "Kyuzu is just an ordinary person. After all, Kyuzu is my friend.., as far as I'm concerned he doesn't bite..,"

Aaron then steps closer to Hiro and Ryota and embraces him. Aaron said, "We are a team, and as a team we have to keep working together."

"Whatever the outcome?"

"Whatever.the result..," said Aaron.

Hiro knew the reason why Aaron had said this to him was to calm himself from the pessimism. But in Hiro's heart, he was still thought of by the name of someone from Osaka Steels, namely 'Kyuzu Morita'. Hiro was very surprised because there are still many players who are better than him. Aaron Carletty, Kyuzu Morita, and there may still be hundreds or even thousands.

This is what is called 'Counting the Stars' where Hiro is aware that he has to compete with other stars in football. Hiro is still not sure if he can be what he wants. Especially to match the achievements of his main rival when in the previous Zekka academy. Hiro still remembers the name of the boy who became his heavy competitor 7 years ago 'Daichi Furuoka'.

"Daichi..., can I surpass you?"