The Dreamers
Want to be the only one
..iwao to narite..
ko. ke..
musu...
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Kimigayo's song echoed at the main stadium. This is the first time Hiro has sung his national anthem in the middle of the pitch as a player. Yesterday in the win against Chile, Hiro was only the bench warmer.
Today, tonight, precisely in Tokyo, where the friendly match between Japan and Honduras took place. The difference in ranking that is quite far makes Japan optimistic to overcome the resistance of Honduras.
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duk duk..
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Hiro's rapid heartbeat was felt as the referee prepared to blow the whistle to start the match. Hiro and the other 60,000 people were waiting for this match.
"I must seize every opportunity I am given!" Inner Hiro.
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PRIIITTS!
The match also began. Hiro played in the attacking midfield position behind the attackers in a 4-2-3-1 formation. His role is so vital to maintain the balance between the attacking side and the team's midfield.
Many times the chances are obtained by Japan, but it is not enough to penetrate the layered defense of Honduras. The supporters still hope the appearance of the Japanese troops. Ryota who is present at the Stadium also continues to provide support and hope for the best. Meanwhile, far away on European soil, Saki was also watching this match from the television at her home.
Seen on the edge of the field, Yamamoto is not satisfied with the performance of his foster children on the field. He continues to give instructions to his players especially Hiro. Yamamoto said, "Come on Hiro..! Don't let me regret for preferring you to this match over Daichi!"
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What a piercing speech. Hiro's worry about Daichi's shadow continues to haunt him. The first half is not over, but Hiro is not sure if he will still play in the second round.
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Half time
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At half-time, the score was still 0-0. Yamamoto wants to overhaul the formation by entering the names of experienced players in the second round later.
Before the game starts, Yamamoto specifically talks to Hiro. "I still want to see you play" Yamamoto said briefly.
Hiro just nodded slowly. He was eager to answer the trust the coach had placed in him.
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PRIIT!!
The second half began. Four substitutions were made by Japan, including by including famous players such as Daichi.
Hiro and Daichi played together. This is not what Hiro wants. Hiro should be the only creative midfielder in the game. What happens if there are two midfielders with the same typical playing at once?
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The answer must be only one, one of them must succumb so that the roles in midfield do not collide. One of the players has to lower their ego.
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THE GOLL!
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Audience cheering. Daichi surprisingly scored a long-range goal to break through the Honduran wall in the 54th minute. This is a hard kick that in the first half no Japanese player dared to do. 1-0 Japan lead.
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Hiro is increasingly determined to also immediately score goals. But unfortunately, the center of the attack kept coming from Daichi's feet. Hiro rarely gets a chance. This further confirms how much of a royal Daichi is to the team.
At the peak, at 75 minutes, Hiro was pulled out by the coach. Yamamoto felt that Hiro had been given a chance long enough.
When the change of players on the sidelines, Hiro bent his body as an apology to the supporters because he still could not create a beautiful debut with the national team. While on the bench, Hiro got a pat on his shoulder from the coach. "You should practice more, " Yamamoto said as he patted Hiro on the shoulder.
Hiro nodded and apologized to Yamamoto. Hiro also feels ashamed of Ryota because he knows Ryota is looking at the Stadium.
At her Dutch home, Saki turns off the television as soon as she sees Hiro being pulled out. For Saki, the presence of her lover on the field is the reason why she saw this match. If there is no Hiro, then Saki already has no reason to see this match.
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Ahead of the breakup, Japan actually managed to double the lead to 2-0 over Honduras through the penalty goal of the senior attacker, Kagawa.
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The match is over. The applause of the crowd graced Japan's perfect victory. In this match Japan dominated with 75% possession, 16 kicks, 6 of which lead to the goal, 2 goals.
Almost all Japanese players on this night will definitely sleep well, except Hiro. He was still thinking about his performance which was quite bad in the match earlier. Hiro did not shoot a single shot on goal.
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✨✨🌙
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At 01.27. Hiro is still awake. Tomorrow the day after Yamamoto will disband the team and all players will return to their respective clubs.
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The next morning, Hiro was tidying things up in his dorm room. He's preparing to head back to the Netherlands from Tokyo tonight.
While she was cleaning, someone knocked on her bedroom door. Tok..
"Come in" said Hiro.
The door is open. Someone seemed to be smiling from behind that door. "Good morning Hiro."
Hiro did not answer his greeting. He was just busy with his stuff.
"Come Hiro, don't be like that. Just admit I'm better than you...,"
Hiro still speaks a thousand languages. But actually Hiro did not want this kind of atmosphere in the national team. Hiro just wants to continue to be an important part of the national team for the foreseeable future.
"But why? why can't I get this guy out of my mind??!!" Annoyed Hiro in the Heart.
Feeling that Hiro was not being cared for, Daichi left Hiro alone in his room a few minutes later. Before leaving, Daichi said, "Oh yes, Speaking of yesterday's game, it seems like a lot of fans are not satisfied with the way you play."
Although Hiro ignored Daichi, he listened completely.
Hiro also tried to open his phone to see the social media of the Japanese football federation. In a post showing the Highlight of the match against Honduras last night, many people commented badly on Hiro.
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"Who is Takehiro? why is he called the national team?"
"It looks like Japanese League 3 players can play better than him(Hiro)"
"75 minutes playing 0 Kicks, Hahaha."
"Hopefully Yamamoto won't call him again for the Asian Cup later."
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After reading those comments, Hiro thought, "I'm the only one" muttered Hiro. "Although not now, but someday. I want all this talk to be flattery."
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And after the morning's cleanup, Hiro goes to Sapporo to say goodbye to his father and Ryota before he returns to Tokyo to fly to the Netherlands.
"Don't despair son!"
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"Even, you were unlucky last night, hehe. I know you can do more than that!"
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The advice and enthusiasm he got from the closest people in his life was at least managed to give a little relief and comfort.
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Netherlands, early April 5.
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Hiro has returned to Holland. He gets a short message from Saki, to go home and rest. In addition to messages from Saki, Hiro also gets messages from the coach and his Friends from Heerenveen, Eduardo and Matthew. They each congratulated and encouraged Hiro. Some of Hiro's friends in the Netherlands also gave him encouragement.
Hiro hung up his phone and pulled his suitcase out of the airport. Flat and cold face sharpens in the middle of a warm spring.
Although many people have shown concern for Hiro, still the sympathy is still covered by Hiro's disappointment with himself. Hiro sensed that something felt futile. No matter how much he practiced, he still could not defeat someone Daichi.
It seemed like Hiro had forgotten, if nothing was in vain in this world. And his dream, is not a wasted dream.