The Dreamers
Long time no see

✈....✈....✈....

...

It had been more than ten hours that Hiro had been sitting in an airplane that had taken him from the Netherlands to Japan. Shocks when the plane was about to land made him wake up from his deep sleep.

Hiro got up and opened the window of the plane. But Hiro only saw the reflection of his face that was still sweet because of sleepy at the window. "It turns out it's still dark" murmured Hiro.

So Hiro checked his watch and saw that there was still no four o'clock in the morning Japanese time. When Hiro looked at his phone he could see that the day had also changed and it was now March 16. Hiro let out a long sigh as he recalled that on March 18, he and the players called up by the national team had to start gathering and start training for FIFA's friendly matches against Chile and Honduras.

"I'm still tired.., "Inner Hiro stretched his legs.

...

...

When the plane had stopped perfectly, Hiro went down to breathe fresh air that he had not felt for four months.

...

While Hiro was waiting for his luggage to be taken off the plane, Hiro got a call from Ryota.

"Hello, Ryo..,"

"Hello Hiro.., have you arrived in Tokyo?"

"Yes, how do you know? I haven't told you yet..,"

"You know, it's just your plane that came from the Netherlands this morning,"

"Oh so. So Ryo? why call me?"

Hiro could hear Ryota sighing from his phone. "Don't I tell you I'll pick you up when I get to Tokyo?"

"Oh yes! i forgot! hehe," All the things that happened made Hiro tired and forget.

"Yes, I'm waiting in the car. There'll be my maid coming to pick me up by the door."

"Oh, okay,"

...

Hiro hung up the phone just as his belongings had already been taken off the plane. Hiro picked up and arranged his things. Hiro walked to the exit.

Sure enough, at the exit there was already a man holding a board bearing the name 'MIYOKO, TAKEHIRO'. Hiro immediately approached the man and said that he was the one he was waiting for while showing the identification card to the man.

After nodding, the man escorted Hiro to a familiar car. Hiro is greeted by Ryota who greets him from the car.

"Hello Hiro!" Call Ryota.

Hiro approached the car and waved his hand at Ryota.

Hiro put his things in the trunk of the car. After that he got into the car and sat down with Ryota in the second row seat.

...

05.13 Morning Tokyo time.

Hiro is on his way to Sapporo City with Ryota. In the car, Hiro does nothing but talk to Ryota. Hiro asked, Ryota replied. Ryota asked, Hiro replied.

Ryota asked Hiro about how the atmosphere in the Netherlands is comfortable, and what are the challenges to becoming a footballer in Europe?

"Well, it's really comfortable there, Ryo! residents well. If asked for help do not use excuses," said Hiro. "Continue.., when I play football in their league, there is actually no special challenge anyway. It's just, you have to work hard so that the coach appreciates your efforts."

Ryota nodded slowly as if agreeing with all the explanations from Hiro. Now it was Hiro's turn to ask Ryota. "How are you? still in the world of football, right?"

Ryota sighed. "Yes still. It's just that my progress is very slow."

"Slowly how?"

"Yes.slow. Even after I left Akihabara FC four months ago, now I only play for Japanese League 3 club. My parents are currently still busy with their company, and still rarely pay attention to me."

Hiro patted his friend on the shoulder and could only give encouragement. "Hhhh.., Okay-okay. Even so, you have to stay excited! Inget, there are many people out there whose fate is not as lucky as yours!"

Ryota could only smile.

...

...

🚗...🚗...🚗...

A few hours passed. Hiro and Ryota have arrived in Sapporo, their hometown and home to Hiro.

Hiro got off Ryota's car when he got near his house. Hiro thanks Ryota for picking him up so early.

"Hehe, no problem, you're my friend" Ryota smiled. "Tomorrow during the game against Chile and Honduras, I will come to the stadium! hehe."

That way, Hiro closes Ryota's car door and stares at Ryota's car leaving him. Now Hiro's gaze turned to the side looking at the portrait of his house that had faded inedible age.

...

Hiro knocked on his door and called his father. "Dad.., I'm home..,"

Hiro could only sit in front of the house waiting for his father to open the door for him.

...

...

08.33

Finally the door opened after Hiro heard footsteps being dragged from inside the house.

ckleeks...

Hiro was already standing when his father opened the door. Hiro smiled and gave a warm hug to the father.

"Hehe, I forgot that today you're coming." Said the father while scratching the back of his head. "When did you come?" Ask Dad.

"Oh, just now" replied Hiro.

"Thank God, let's go in first,"

...

...

Hiro spent the rest of the day at home with his father, who was already starting to look weaker than four months ago before Hiro left for the Netherlands. Hiro did all the housework until his father was happy, to drink green tea on the porch in the afternoon while talking casually.

...

Hiro's father is proud of his son, who is now part of Japan's senior national team, although Hiro will not necessarily be an important part of the team.

...

...

The next day, Hiro wanted to repay all the kindness his parents had given him. He took his father away to the largest indoor aquarium in Japan. They saw all kinds of amazing fish. Hiro's father is very happy.

Then at night, Hiro and his father were at a five-star meat restaurant and bought the best menu for the two of them.

...

"Dad.., Daddy still remember not when I said I would one day take good food with Dad?" Hiro smiled, trying to make his father remember his promise first.

"Now I made that promise,"

"Thank you, son. Today I am really happy. It's not been a long time to go to a fancy place like this." Dad's eyes are glazed.

...

...

Two days have passed in Sapporo.

...

It's now March 18, and Hiro has to head to Tokyo to train with the national team. Hiro was so excited at once tense.

Before leaving this morning, Hiro gave his embrace to the father, and advised to always maintain health.

"Hiro leave first. If you're sick again just call the number I gave ya..,"

"Yes-yes, I know,"

...

...

Hiro took a taxi to the fast train station. Hiro gets to the station in an hour, and takes the fast train to Tokyo in less than an hour.

...

It's 10:50 now. Hiro had arrived earlier than the schedule set by Hajime, the Japanese coach, at 12:30.

Before noon, Hiro was already on the field where the training center was held. Hiro himself is now on the field. No word from the others. But there are already several tool men who are seen carrying training tools, goal nets, and training jersey of the players.

Hiro put his bag on the sidelines and changed his clothes with a training jersey.

Hiro started the self-heating and ran around the field several times. After some time, Hiro saw one by one of the national team players had come to the field to join the warm-up with him. But there was no sign of the coach, Hajime.

It was already 12:12 when Hiro checked the clock on his phone. This sat he was pulling over for a short break. Hiro sees a notification from his phone that he has been put into a conversation group of Japanese players and officials, and gets direct info from Hajime that he will be coming soon.

...

Hiro puts the phone in his bag and prepares to return to the field. But just as he was about to stand up, Hiro heard the voice of someone calling out to him from the field.

...

"Wahh, now you're back, huh, Hiro? Even to get a national team call? It's great!"

Hiro turned to the origin of the voice, but Hiro could not answer anything when he knew who the person who called him was.

The man continued, "How have you been since you left the Academy, Hiro?? Long time no see!"