The Dreamers
A lesson

Don't trust others too much. That's what Hiro got today as a lesson. All of this happened because he was too sure that Daichi who had just insulted him yesterday, had now suddenly turned good and respected him. But actually, it's not their true nature.

...

It is currently a break before the final match between Hiro's 12-14 age group team, and Daichi's 15-16 age group team in the Zekka tournament. This final is called the ideal final because the quality of both teams is not so far away.

After being visited by Daichi who gave encouragement to Hiro and his friends, Hiro did not feel suspicious of him. Hiro really threw away the bad feeling of thinking that. However, Ryota instead takes a suspicious look at Daichi by saying that they must be planning something sneaky.

"Isn't he?" Hiro is shocked to hear Ryota say that Daichi and his friends' kindness is a fake.

"Yes. Daichi is an ambitious person and does not want to lose! from the past it must have gotten rid of everyone who was willing to stand in his way in the Academy!" Ryota.

"Where do you know that?" Ask Hiro.

"Huuhh.Everybody here knows that" Ryota said.

Hiro was very upset, but Ryota had not finished speaking. "hiro! you're a heavy competitor to Daichi! then you should be careful with Daichi. He doesn't like to see other people being compared to him, and you're that person!"

"Then what should I do Ryo?"

"Hmm..," Ryota then thought. "You better not get too close to Daichi in the game."

"Just like that? all right," Hiro said. He feels ready for the final.

...

The rest time is over. Takashi has re-assembled all of his foster children including Hiro. Takashi had already gathered all the data about his opponent. He was concocting the right strategy such as, replacing the main goalkeeper with a backup goalkeeper, playing a high-bodied defender, to keep Hiro on the bench.

"We will play defensively in the first half" said the coach. "In the second half, we will appear more attacking and more pressing when the opponent begins to fatigue, understand?!"

"understand!!"

"Well, now it's time to go to the field. Hurry up, and bring back the cup of this tournament!" Takashi provides motivation.

...

The ranks of young talent scouting agents began to note something on their paper. All players who play in this final must get the full spotlight, especially for Hiro and Daichi who are candidates to win the title of top scorer in the tournament (top scorer).

While on the field, all the players and coaches of the 15-15 age group team were very surprised to know that their opponents, the 12-14-year-old team, even save most of their core players, like Hiro.

Daichi himself was very disappointed after finding out Hiro had been suggested. "Cih.., Why did Hiro not even play directly? then my plans can change" Daichi murmured.

...

The game started, and players from the 12-14 age group were very well following Takashi's orders. They played defensive tactics until the opponent was frustrated because they could not make chances.

"Ohhhh!!!" Gerang Daichi when throwing away an opportunity to score.

The defense of the 12-14 team that was launched by Ryota as a central defender is very solid. He repeatedly decided on the opponent's attack.

It seems that Ryota's slick performance impressed young talent scouts. Maybe Ryota has been monitored by some people. From the bench, Hiro was also impressed to see his friend play so well in defence. "Come Ryo! stay focused!" Hiro cheers Ryota and all his colleagues. "Come on! don't let your guard down either!"

...

Until the first half ended, the salty score of 0-0 was equally strong. The 12-14-year-old team that had survived, making all the players very tired, even Ryota.

"The game is good! as I wanted," Takashi applauded. "After this in the second half, I will include the core players. After that we will play attacking and keep pressing until the end of the game."

When the second half began, Takashi immediately put in three fresh players at once. Hiro, Yuki, and Sato are the three core players in the 12-14-year-old team.

The opposing coach who saw it, also immediately made changes to his team. There are a lot of changes happening too.

...

Due to lack of focus on defense, the team 12-14 first conceded through Daichi's head header. The score changed 1-0 to a team advantage of 15-16. Moments later, the team 15-16 managed to double the lead to 2-0.

Under these conditions, a 12-14-year-old team who are still not mentally trained, they become play all wrong and do not hear Takashi's words. Luckily they managed to reduce the lag to 2-1 thanks to Hiro's goal from distance.

This final match continues. And when it was halfway through the second half. Players from 12-14-year-old teams began to drain his energy.

"Oh.., it seems like the kids are getting tired," Takashi thought. "If this can be dangerous if hit by an enemy counterattack,"

In the middle of the field, the conditions are the same. "Is there still Ryo's stamina?" Hiro asks Ryota who seems to be breathing irregularly.

"No. It's okay" replied Ryota.

Ryota's been playing the fight for over an hour. He also ran too much throughout the game to keep the defense. You could say, Ryota is very forcing himself to continue playing.

...

Time was still quite long, and the thing that Takashi feared happened. Ryota made a mistake in passing the ball. The ball was captured by the enemy and counterattacked. From the counter-attack, the team's 3rd goal 15-16 was created. Again Daichi who scored a goal that made the team hope 12-14 years for the champion to be lost. Until now he has collected 6 goals in this tournament, leaving Hiro as a rival with 4 goals only.

The score was 3-1 until the end of the game. All players 15-16 years so happy and happy. They won this cup twice in a row after previously they were also champions.

Hiro can only be sprawled on the grass when he sees a 15-16-year-old team lift the cup this tournament. Hiro, who was still disappointed, still gave applause to his champion opponent.

Moments later the entire team is called by Takashi. The coach looked riled up and a little upset.

"Don't force play!" Takashi said in a high tone. "Even if you play well but you're exhausted, what is your contribution to the team? uh?" Takashi's reprimand goes to Ryota.

"Sorry coach." Ryota said.

Because this is also a lot of talent scouts who remove the name 'Ryota' from the list of recommendations. Ryota's main problem is fitness.

"Kay has to improve your body fitness Ryota!" Takashi Message. "Not just Ryota, it's all the same!"

The whole team became very disappointed. Even after returning home, Ryota lost his cheerful character due to sadness and embarrassment.

"I went home by myself first Hiro. Next week we will be back together again" Ryota said with a flat face.

"Yes" Hiro said.

Ryota got into his car quickly. He dies Hiro alone waiting for a bus at a stop near the Academy.

When Hiro was waiting for the bus at the stop. He is approached by Daichi who carries a golden shoe trophy in his right hand. The golden boot cup meant he earned the title of top scorer in this Zekka tournament.

"What else do you want?" In Hiro's heart.

"Hey! look what I got! I am the top scorer in the tournament! ahaha!" Daichi laughed, then he asked Hiro, "In the meantime? where's your cup? Oh yes, I forgot! you won't win anything, ahaha!!"

Exactly, Daichi just wants to heat up Hiro.

"Can you get out of here, quick," Hiro's mood is bad. He asked Daichi to leave from before him immediately.

"Oohs? whatisthis? you are offended, champion 2 and top scorer number 2.., haha! You can't be better than me!"

"QUICK GO!" Hiro will not repeat his words again.

"Alright.., okay, hahah," Daichi immediately walked past the sitting Hiro.

"See you losers!" Daichi said arrogantly, walking away from Hiro.

But the desire of the heart can not be deceived. From afar, Hiro's eyes continued to look at the gold medal on Daichi's neck while thinking. "When can I get that?"