The Dreamers
1 Points

One point, that is all that is needed by Hiro and his friends to be able to secure their position in the top three of the Japanese League 2. Even so, the opponent they had to face was also not an easy opponent. Osaka Steels is also ambitious to maintain their position in third place. Osaka also had to beat Akihabara's resistance in order to be promoted to the Japanese 1st League.

Every day, Hiro, Ryota, and his colleagues always train as if the last match against Osaka was their life and death. Seichi has given everything as a coach. Now there are only the foster children who prove that they have understood the tactics given clearly.

"hiro! you have to pick up the ball!!"

"Tomos! don't be afraid to hold the ball! take it easy, look at your friends!"

"Come Aaron! you are an attacker! don't waste a second chance!"

Seichi constantly trains his players with all his heart.

...

Every day that passes, the closer is also the day of Akihabara's match against Osaka. Hiro and Ryota exchanged important information about the Osaka players.

This afternoon, is the last day of training before tomorrow night will be a match against Osaka. A twilight that lightens the burden of every player. All Akihabara players including Hiro and Ryota also take advantage of this leisure time to calm their minds.

"Huaahhhh!!!" Ryota shouted while stretching his hands upwards. "HOW COULD WE POSSIBLY DEFEAT OSAKA?!" A tinge of despair rang out from Ryota's grievance.

Hiro laughed at his friend's behavior. "Hehe, you're so excited."

"Hahaha, sorry. I just want to enjoy this while I can. Maybe next season my contract will not be extended again by the management of Akihabara FC," Ryota said.

Hiro tilted his head. "Why? you're afraid the coach doesn't want you anymore?"

"Yes," Ryota replied briefly.

"Heehhh, you are.., it's easy to get desperate.., hihi," Hiro patted Ryota on the back. "Where is your confidence? is it lost in the past? hehe,"

"Hmm.., you can say this because your position in the first team is safe. Your contract will definitely be extended again by management" Ryota said. "Just try to be in my position, you will think the same as me."

"..?"

Hiro just shut up. He was still cool with the ball he was playing in his hand.

"Your position?" Ask Hiro. "Aren't I always in your position?"

"Huh?" Ryota's confused.

"You didn't forget, did you? When I couldn't play ball as a kid?"

"Hmm?"

Ryota is still unconscious.

"At that time, I could only see you playing from the sidelines. I never played, until you finally came Ryo!" Hiro.

"Me?"

"Yes! long ago, long before this, you were the one who helped me when I was nobody!"

"You sure you are?" Hiro's words reopen Ryota's spirit door. "You're right" murmured Ryota.

"This time, it's my turn to help you in these difficult times, huh? can't you?"

Hearing Hiro's voice that cared about her, Ryota's eyes glazed over. "Chiro..,"

"Hows it? think of it as my gratitude from 10 years ago" Hiro said.

"From now on, I will teach you special tricks to deal with an opponent attacker as great as myself! hehe sorry I didn't mean to be arrogant,"

As usual, without a second thought Ryota immediately agreed. "Yes! please help!!" Ryota smiled very widely.

Hiro starts teaching Ryota how to deal with the opponent's attack that afternoon, right then and there. Whenever he finishes training Ryota, Hiro always asks Ryota for a one-on-one duel and stops him before he passes Ryota. But in the first attempt, Ryota fails miserably to repel Hiro's attack. Hiro is still too agile for Ryota.

"Hahaha, yes already, tomorrow morning we continue, now we go back first to the dorm," Take Hiro after Ryota failed to stop him in a one-on-one duel.

Ryota looks riled up. His face flushed red, either because of the heightened emotions of being passed over by Hiro just like that, or out of embarrassment? Ryota must keep trying.

"Yes, tomorrow again" Ryota said.

...

...

The next day, Ryota and Hiro do not get to see each other. Hiro and other players who are often top picks for the team are being collected on a special training pitch by Seichi this morning. This was done for tonight's game against Osaka.

"Damn it, I almost forgot the important match today," In Hiro's heart.

...

This morning, Hiro and Ryota will continue their own training. But because it was first called by the coach, Hiro could not do anything. Ryota does not know that Hiro is training on the training field.

"hiro's? where are you?" Ryota said as he knocked on the door of Hiro's dorm room.

"Where is he?" Thought Ryota.

"Sorry.., Ryota?"

"Huh?" Ryota turned his head towards the direction the voice came from. "Oh.., you..,"

"Anu.., just before sunrise, Hiro and Akihabara FC core players were called coaches for special training.", said one of Akihabara FC players who was also still in the dormitory.

"So morning?"

"Yes..,"

"Oh so,"

"Yes, then, come with me out of the dorm with the others,"

...

Ryota also decided to leave his dorm and do activities with the reserve players who did not receive a call from Seichi this morning.

Ryota was a little disappointed, but he still understood the circumstances. "Yes, hopefully tonight we can win the game..,"

...

And night came. Hiro's hard training and others will be tested in this match. All players from both teams started to enter the field. Standing in line with Hiro, there is a name that he fears from the Osaka team squad, namely Kyuzu. They walked side by side towards the main square.

Tens of thousands of fans from both teams have arrived. There's Darwin Benjiro who saw the match from the VVIP stands, while Saki saw Hiro's last game of the season off the screen. Saki has always supported Hiro wherever and whenever. On the bench, Ryota also always prays his best for his team. That's all they can do, the rest depends on the players who play.

"Hey, you're Hiro, right?"

"Eh-, eee.., I-Yes," replied Hiro.

Hiro was so tense because the one who asked his name was Kyuzu.

"Oh so, nice to see you again. Hopefully this time your team doesn't get slaughtered 4-0 anymore,"

...

Hiro paid no heed to the taunts Kyuzu made to his team. The most important thing is how Akihabara can win.

"Focus focus focus!!"

That was all Hiro had in mind at the moment.

...

All the players are ready in the middle of the field. A fierce duel of top teams contesting one last ticket to the highest caste of Japanese football begins.

"Focus focus focus!!" Hiro constantly reassures himself and prepares mentally for whatever final result will be obtained.

...

PRRIIIITT!!!...Kick off first round.

Osaka Steels who acted as the host played more attacking. They apply high pressing tactics to Akihabara FC players. Often Hiro, Aaron, and others lose possession so that it can be captured and used as an attack by Osaka players.

Finally in the '40th minute, Osaka managed to excel over their guest, Akihabara through Kyuzu's hard kick from outside the penalty box. Akihabara's players including Hiro were stunned to see Kyuzu's goal.

"K-It's so hard..!" In Hiro's heart after seeing that goal.

The whole stadium rumbled to welcome Kyuzu's goal. This is his 26th goal of the season. Established Kyuzu as the top scorer in Liga 2 this season.

Until the first half ended, the score was still 1-0. Akihabara's players are already overwhelmed against Osaka. They looked desperate for an opportunity.

...

Seichi is not his name if he cannot keep his players excited. As a coach, Seichi gave the results of the analysis in the first half. He points out the weak points of Osaka's defense. Not to forget, he also gave a speech in the player's dressing room.

"Come on! defeating Osaka is not impossible! because we're a team that doesn't know the word impossible!" Seichi said excitedly. "Keep running! Keep passing! don't hold the ball too long! Focus up! you can do this!"

...

15 Minutes later, the players of both teams were back on the pitch for 45 minutes of the second half.

"Come Hiro!"

"Passion Hiro!"

"Please, win this game Hiro!"

Darwin.., Saki.., Ryota.., and the thousands of Akihabara supporters present at the stadium also expect the same for their pride team.

...

The second round began. The game of Akihabara is different from before. Akihabara games are more dynamic and creative.

Akihabara FC had equalized to 1-1 in the '55th minute. It even turned things around to 2-1 for Akihabara FC's lead in the '60th minute. Both goals were scored by an Osaka player's own goal as well as Aaron's penalty.

"Yyahoo....!!!" Shouted Hiro excitedly.

After this advantage, Akihabara's game continued to persist. They want to maintain this advantage. Even in the '70th minute Hiro was pulled out by Seichi and replaced by Ryota as a defender. Seichi wants to strengthen his team's defense.

Instead of maintaining the lead, Akihabara FC conceded a goal in the '89th minute. Kyuzu is the second goalscorer.

Score 2-2.

...

When the match was like going to end in a draw, but in the minute 90+3 Akihabara FC conceded a goal through a free kick Osaka player who sealed a 3-2 victory over Akihabara.

...

On the bench, Hiro almost burst into tears after his side had taken the lead, now on the verge of defeat.

Priiit..priitt!!.. Full time's. Match over.

With this defeat, Akihabara FC failed to secure third place and failed to promote to Liga 1.

Hiro moved from his seat and cheered his teammates on the field. Ryota was crying the most.

"M-Sorry Hiro..," Ryota said, wiping away tears.

"That's it, it's okay," Hiro calms down his best friend. "You've done a lot,"

From behind, Kyuzu approached Hiro while running. "Hey Hiro!"

Hiro looked towards him. He saw a strange smile on Kyuzu's face.

"Good business" said Kyuzu cynically. "Try again next year huh.., haha." Kyuzu immediately ran away leaving Hiro back. I don't know what Kyuzu meant to say to Hiro.

"Let him go" Ryota said.

Hiro could only sigh.

...

Kyuzu and his teammates ran towards the sidelines and celebrated this victory with their supporters.

From the middle of the field, Hiro could only see them partying, singing, jumping together, while Hiro could only see while on his waist.

Hiro and Ryota then walked together towards the exit of the field with their faces down in shame. There was no mask of any thickness in this world that could cover the disappointment mixed with that shame.

...

No more comments. The struggles of Hiro, Ryota, and his teammates this season have come to an end. Their goal has not been achieved perfectly.

There are some challenges that can be passed, there are also obstacles that cannot be passed.

A valuable point. One point that determines fate. One point that became history two hours ago. Now everyone has to look ahead. Right now, there was only a sense of disappointment towards himself that continued to cling to Hiro's heart.