The Dreamers
Imperfectly
Every goal.every goal.every result.every day's struggle. There are people who believe in that sentence, there are also people who always want something instantly.
But in addition to these two types of people, there is one type who believes in the process, but also wants the process to be accelerated, like ordering fast food.
...
...
At noon today, Hiro and Ryota along with Akihabara FC players came to Darwin's office to have a meeting after the League this season ended. They do not know what will be discussed until they get to the place.
In an empty multi-storey building, there was only a long table with chairs lined to the side. There was a chair facing in a different direction from the others, appearing to be on the far side of the table.
This building feels new. Still smelled of paint and wood shavings. Hiro and the others then sat in chairs that had their names on. There were only people from the Akihabara FC team in this spacious room.
"Where is Darwin?" Thought Hiro.
...
Just thinking about Darwin, but suddenly there was the sound of shoe steps coming out of the corner of the door in this room. The one who came out was Darwin. He was seen tidying up his shirt and tie as he stepped towards the meeting table.
"Sorry too late" said Darwin as he approached his different chair on the farthest side of the long table.
The people around him could only understand.
"Alright, then, let's just start the meeting this time, right away" Darwin said.
"Okay.." Reply to the others.
"Eh, for a second," Darwin folded his hands on the table. "Before, you guys knew why I called you here?" Ask Darwin. His forehead shriveled.
Everything just shut up.
...
"Oh, so no one is aware yet..?" Hiss Darwin.
Then Darwin turned on the projector and began to make presentations with a large tap screen. The people of Akihabara's team were confused. They don't understand what's going on. Why did Darwin suddenly turn on the projector?
From his laptop, Darwin displays a large diagram with the names of each Akihabara FC player in it. In the big diagram shown, there are statistics of every player who plays for Akihabara FC this season.
5 Minutes passed, Darwin was still silent while displaying a diagram presentation of his laptop.
...
"What the hell Darwin??" Hiro is also increasingly confused by Darwin who looks strange. "Don't-don't,"
Geck..
Darwin hit the table in front of him, making the people around him pay attention back. His face looks serious.
"You can see what's on the screen?" Ask Darwin.
Hiro nodded. So too with the others.
In the first page of the presentation, it is shown to everyone who is the best player of Akihabara FC this season. Showed to all the names of Hiro who became the best player and the most assists for the team, while Aaron Carletty became the top scorer in Akihabara.
...
On the sidelines of the airing, Darwin suddenly changed the topic. "Oh yes, before I get straight to the point, I want to say that I am proud to have players like you in the team I manage. I watched every fight of yours in the League game.Even in the last game, I came straight to the stadium" Darwin said with a smile that was not full.
Hearing Darwin's words, Hiro became pensive. He still clearly remembers the last game against Osaka. He was embarrassed to lose in front of Darwin who came straight to the stadium.
...
"Hmm? why are you all quiet?" As far as this meeting goes, only Darwin has spoken. "Come on.., I don't want our farewell to be pathetic like this..,"
...
...
"!!!"
"Huh?"
...
All players and coaches of Akihabara FC immediately held their breath when they heard the word 'our separation' from Darwin's speech just now.
"What did he say?" In Hiro's heart.
Everyone still looks confused. There was the sound of people whispering and muttering, echoing each other in this meeting room.
Finally Hiro tried to ask Darwin what he really wanted to say. "M-I'm sorry Darwin.., if you may know, what do you mean? what does that farewell mean?"
Darwin looked at Hiro and said, "Oh, I'm sorry I haven't told you yet" Darwin said. He folded his glasses and stood up from his seat before continuing, "The meeting this time was his goal to select the Akihabara FC players who still deserve to play, he said, and which player will leave this team because playing has not been satisfactory."
Hiro understood. "So, you called us here just to fire us?" Ask Hiro.
"Yes" said Darwin. "But not all."
Darwin sat down again. He immediately ran a presentation that was seen on the big screen behind him.
"See everything! I've done a selection with some of the experts I hired a few days ago. I get that 80% of the current squad has to be out of contract!" Darwin's tone is getting higher.
...
"!!!"
"What?"
"Why?"
"How can you?"
"It's not fair!"
Rumors of panic were heard. Many players who rarely get a chance to play look resigned, including Ryota who seems to have guessed that he will certainly be removed from the squad.
...
Darwin's sudden decision left everyone shocked and panicked. Will they all be fired?
"It can be seen on the screen that the names listed are safe names and will be part of the Akihabara FC team in the following season" said Darwin. "If there's a name that's not listed, then sorry, you'll have to find another team."
The entire player looks at the screen carefully. Merela looking for their names but there are only a few names on the screen.
Of Akihabara's total 30 players, only 6 players are confirmed to remain in the following season. Those names like Kato, Aaron, Hiro, Nakata, Mayashi, and Yui are already the core team and are irreplaceable.
Meanwhile, other names like Ryota could only accept the fact that they were no longer wanted.
"Already expected," Inner Ryota.
Many of Akihabara FC's players depend on his life for football. There are also players who are comfortable in the team because it is like a family. But Darwin just destroyed it all.
...
"W-why did you fire us?! did we make a mistake?!" Ask one of Akihabara's players in a panic for not being selected.
"Yes.., isn't your decision too hasty?!"
Leaning back in his chair Darwin replied, "Yes, I think many of you are not perfect. Few players still deserve to wear the Akihabara FC Jersey here!" Darwin Resolute.
"T-But you know that it all takes process, right?!" Hiro opposed.
Darwin breathed. He already suspected that there must be many players who disagree with his decision. "Yes, I know, that's why I fired most of you because I saw your process wasn't perfect and had to continue your process. But unfortunately you did not continue that in Akihabara" said Darwin.
"Please get out of here and find another club to process."
"T-But--,"
THE BRUAKK!!!
"BUT WHAT ELSE?!!!" Darwin kicked his desk.
"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I SPENT ON THIS CLUB!" Darwin was expressing his emotions. Darwin stood up from his chair and ruffled his hair. "I GAVE IT MY ALL! GOOD TRAINING GROUND! WHAT A NICE DORM! THE RIGHT SALARY! BUT WHAT DID YOU GIVE ME?!!"
Akihabara FC players felt the pain felt by Darwin. Everyone must have felt it. They came to understand why Darwin suddenly acted rashly in making decisions.
"KISHO! I'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON EVERY PLAYER YOU WANT! BUT WHY CAN'T YOU GIVE ME THE BIG THREE TARGETS I WANT!!"
"Sorry,"
As a coach, Seichi is also in charge. He felt guilty as if he had spent Darwin's money just like that in buying his target players.
...
A businessman who has just jumped into the big football business. Everything he has given but he does not get any advantage when no target is achieved.
Seeing that Darwin was in trouble, Hiro tried to talk to him. Hiro left his chair and approached Darwin.
"Call down Darw--,"
"Ssttt..," Not until Hiro finished speaking, Darwin had stopped him. "Already, don't talk to me Hiro, my emotions are not upset. Sorry for letting go of my emotions here,"
"Huh..? Darwin's? you all right?" Hiro's worried about Darwin.
But Darwin ignored Hiro and immediately told him to return to his seat. "Followly, this meeting I ended, thank you for your presence, thank you for the cooperation this past season. Sorry to the unselected players. Sorry for not being a good leader."