Free Web NovelChapter 367: Their Next Opponent!
The news that Makino, Hiroshi, and Takaaki got scouted shifted the boys’ attention completely from the controversy that the Daily Sports kept throwing at them. No, they couldn’t care less about that bullshit right now. The next day, almost all the players came with a new spirit, eager to do more in the next game.
"Damn, Kazawa! You run like a fucking bull! What the hell did you eat beforehand?" Fujinaga panted as he couldn’t match his friend’s intensity.
Kazawa just rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, not being able to play in the last game really stressed me out, and... I know that I am not as good as the others, but if I could show something different, maybe I will receive the same attention from the pros..." The last sentence was spoken with a weak voice, as if he wasn’t so sure that it was possible.
Well, this was also the same for some ambitious players here. They didn’t dare to say it out loud, only being brave enough to show it in their attitude during their training session. This was enough to light up the mood, especially when everyone followed along, doing their training session harder than ever.
Even Kumiko herself was slightly worried here. After all, the schedule was quite tight, and if they were over-practicing, the consequence would be severe. It was a heartbreaking moment for her when the girl saw the boys’ crestfallen expression once she told them to stop, but she gritted her teeth secretly for that. It was always the head coach’s role to play as the villain here, stopping the emotional players from destroying themselves.
Then, after taking a rest for two days, all the players finally gathered once again in the meeting room. This time, their expression was so solemn as their next opponent had already been determined.
"Top 8," Kumiko spoke with a soft, solemn tone. "This is not the stage that any team could enter casually. No, in this stage, all the teams here are the top of the country, the true powerhouse that comes with the mission to win it all."
Some gulped nervously when they heard that. They all felt like they were entering the wrong room here, thinking that this was not the level they could afford. Kumiko could see that expression clearly, and her gaze softened.
"I know it is intimidating, so I will ask you this." She spoke again. "Right from this day, I forbid you guys to go to the official tournament’s website. All the information about our next opponent will only come from me. You guys just need to focus on your training; don’t think too much about the rest of the teams here."
It was always easy to get overwhelmed by the information on the official website, especially when they discussed the tactics and brilliance of the other teams. This was enough to give them a dose of insecurity, making them think that they were not good enough. freewёbnoνel.com
Rather than letting them drown in that hellish circle, it would be better if they just focused on what was in front of them first. They just needed to train, and the analysis work would be handled by Kumiko, who was the professional here.
It was a great idea, if not for...
"How are you going to make sure that we all will follow the order, Senpai?" Takaaki asked. It was a logical question, since there was no way she would check their phones one by one.
"I cannot really do that. But I make this rule not for me, you know, but for your peace of mind." Kumiko shrugged. "You have to know that there is a reason a rule is made, and this time, I really do it for you."
Well, that settled it. They might still be curious from time to time, but without Kumiko’s approval, they wouldn’t actively open the official website anymore.
"Then, let’s talk about the meat of the meeting, our next opponent." Kumiko’s voice spread through the entire room, enough to bring silence there. Everyone straightened their back unconsciously, inwardly praying that their next opponent wouldn’t be that good.
"Well, I don’t know if our luck is considered to be good or not, because we are quite familiar with our next opponent." Kumiko’s gaze scanned throughout the room as she spoke with a somber tone. Some perked up for a moment, seeming to realize what she wanted to say. "Yeah, our next opponent is a team that beat us in Niigata a few months ago, Shimizu Higashi High from Shizuoka."
Hearing the school’s name, some let out a relieved sigh.
"Oh, an old enemy, huh?"
"Not bad... Not bad..."
"Shit! Does that mean we are going to have a chance to go to the semifinal?"
Excitement started to build up inside the room. It wasn’t like they looked down on Shimizu Higashi. Well... Yeah, maybe a little. However, that was only because, compared to the other teams here, the Shizuoka team was the one they were most familiar with. At least, they had already had an expectation of what they were going to face there.
However, Kumiko poured a cold basin instantly onto their head with one question. "Did you guys selectively forget that we lost in our last meeting?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
A dead silence followed, and everyone’s face fell comically. "Well, that’s different, Senpai!" Kenji tried to defend the team here.
"Yeah, yeah! A few months ago, we were not this strong yet!" Someone chimed in.
"Also, at that time, their only goal came from a penalty rebound! That doesn’t count!"
Kumiko raised one hand, stopping the commotion instantly. She stared at all of her players one by one, the kind that made them squirm instantly. "So, you think just because of that, you are already at the same level as Shimizu Higashi High?" She asked flatly.
The boys stared at each other for a moment, unsure of what to say here.
"Well, that’s good!" A smile suddenly formed on Kumiko’s face, a sardonic one that would make them all embarrassed on the spot. "Coincidentally enough, Shimizu Higashi High has also made several changes since that tournament, so I can assure you that they are stronger than they were a few months ago. So, do you still dare to say confidently that you are on the same level here?"
