I'll be a striker like Noel Noa! First, I'll go to Ichinan High School and play at the Nationals! Then I'll turn pro, get called up to the National team, and score the final goal in the World Cup!
This is the dream he has held in his heart since that day when he was eight years old. On the first day of joining the soccer club at Ichinan High School, he was filled with anticipation for the first step toward this dream. When he stepped into the club room, there were already some students who seemed to be new members. The club is strong and historic, with old certificates and cups adorning the lockers and the club's motto written in brush strokes on the largest wall. Looking at the yellowed club motto, which he does not know how long it has been on the wall, a tiny sense of discomfort sprouts in Isagi's heart.
Something's wrong, isn't it...?
One for all, all for one. It means each one should act for the sake of others, and the others should act for the sake of each one. Sounds good, but isn't the game far more from that ideal? The soccer that made his heart fired up was even more cruel. The striker who single-handedly broke through that cruel world was beautiful.
"You're Isagi Yoichi-kun, right?"
Someone suddenly tapped his shoulder and when he turned around, he saw a tall student who also seemed to be a new club member.
"Huh? Yeah, but..."
"Whoa, that's awesome! I'm Tada Tomonari! I'm a forward too! I've seen you at a competition before, Isagi! You were really good! I'm so lucky to be on the same team with you!"
"No, it's nothing..."
"Ha ha."
When he meets someone for the first time and they come onto him like that, he gets a little startled.
"Hey, everyone! It's Isagi-kun!"
Tada called out everyone.
"It's really him! It's Isagi Yoichi!"
"I've won a regional tournament once!"
The fellow first-year students gathered around. They all seemed to be cheerful and nice. Thanks to Tada, the mood maker, the nervous first-year students quickly became comfortable with each other.
"Isagi-kun's play is completely unlike any junior high student, it was insane~"
Tada talks to him without hesitation, and Isagi starts to relax. ...He's a forward too, so he might understand. Timidly, he points to the club motto on the wall. "Uhm, Tada-kun… don't you think there's something wrong with this?" He spoke up about the sense of discomfort he felt.
"Why?"
He looks at him in amazement.
"Well, in soccer, it feels good because you can beat your opponents and score goals by yourself, right? That's the joy of being a striker. It's not about joining forces, but about the power of each individual striker… I guess." He glances to see how Tada reacts.
"Huh? You can't play soccer by yourself."
He said "What are you talking about?" then laughed.
"Soccer is a sport played by eleven people! My goal is a team play that represents the bond of those eleven people! One for all, all for one!"
Suddenly, they wrap an arm around each other's shoulders.
"Let's all join forces and go to the Nationals!"
"Yeah!"
When Tada said this, their other teammates got excited.
Huh? Am I the only one who thinks that this is ridiculous?
Isagi couldn't say anything more.
__________
Shortly after joining the club, Isagi was convinced. Ichinan High School's soccer philosophy is far from his ideal. The coach was friendly, compassionate, and nice. However, their practice to build up the game by passing the ball around is honestly boring. The coach's emphasis is not on power and speed, but on their combination with their fellow teammates. It was about teamwork, keeping the ball in play with sharp passes while getting close to the goal.
"Nice pass!!"
"Isagi, nice timing on your passes!!"
He responded with a smile, but every time his fellow teammates compliment him, He wonders, "Is this what I should be doing?" No matter how many good passes he made, he never felt like he's getting closer to his dream.
Am I… really sure this is what I want?
Being talented, Isagi who practices eagerly, received a uniform number even though he was only a freshman, and began to participate in practice games. But even in the matches, he is not asked to be a striker. They're winning games, and he doesn't mean to complain, but still…
One day at the end of a practice. Isagi had the courage of a lifetime. On a whim, he decided to tell the coach what he thought. Looking at the back of the coach who was about to leave, he said, "Uhm! Excuse me!"
"Hm? What's wrong, Isagi?"
Seeing the quiet and obedient Isagi talk to the coach, his other teammates who were about to leave also stopped.
"Uhm… I want to go for the next game, as a striker, I'd like to shoot more if possible.…"
This was all Isagi could muster.
"Hahaha! You want to show off?"
The coach laughed out loud, and his teammates laughed out loud as well.
"Up until now, You could have won matches with your individual skills, but high school isn't a piece of cake. First of all, thoroughly practice team play. We win together, and become stronger together! If you do that, then you'll have double the joy! And half the sorrow! That's what Ichinan soccer is!"
The coach went on and on about the importance of the team and strongly hoped that Isagi would contribute to it.
"Ichinan is a team that aims to participate in the Nationals with all eleven! Don't think soccer can be won by one person alone!"
Turning red from embarrassment, He bows his head. Ichinan's soccer is to win through team play. And that may be the Japanese way of playing soccer.
"I'm sure you know what I mean. Isagi, I'm counting on you!"
With a slap on the back, the coach leaves. One for all, all for one.
I have to play for everyone...
When he returned to the clubroom, Tada was waiting for him.
"Isagi, you're late. Let's go home, quick!"
Starting with Tada, all his teammates are good guys. They have a nice atmosphere, they have won matches, and if they work hard, they can aim for the Nationals.
This is fine. Indeed, this is how a team works. Soccer is a sport played by eleven people. I'm sure it's not right for me to disturb the harmony… by myself.
He looked up at the club motto and murmured.
"One for all, all for one…"
Without anyone hearing, he repeated those words again.