—[5 MORE DAYS TILL MATCHDAY]—
_Huff huff_
"Ha... I'm beat!" Ichiro shouted, flopping on the floor.
"M-me too..."
"Hm... that was rather slow. Looks like you guys will have to go once more." The coach said, drinking some beer with his legs crossed.
"Once more?!"
"You've got be kidding me."
"It's just 10 additional laps. You boys are really wimpy. We used to carry a lot more weight to run up the mountain. Oh? The mountain! That might be a good idea!" The coach shouted, turning back to them.
Without waiting for further instructions, they were already running the 11th lap.
After running the extra 10 laps, the coach asked that they take out a set of equipment.
"Akaji-kun!" He called after they took the equipment out.
"Yes, coach!"
The coach threw a stopwatch to him.
"I just sent a set of drills for you guys based on your various stats. Something just came up, so I have to leave."
"Finally!"
"We're saved."
"You're not saved from anything. Misaki-San, you must get a recording of them during training. I'll view it when I'm back."
'Quite the hard nut, eh?' Atsushi thought.
"It's actually something really important." The coach said, waving and walking out.
'Hm? Was he talking specifically to me?'
"Guys! The drills aren't that bad, so we'll start after 30 minutes of rest!" Akaji announced.
"Sweet!"
Training continued immediately after their rest.
"Hm... Ichiro, Haruka and Emi would be defending against Kimishita and Yusuke." Akaji said as they walked over to Post A.
"Yui and Aira would be defending against Ryuto and Shoichi in the other half of the field."
"How?" Shoichi asked.
"While Ichiro's team uses a goalpost, Shoichi and Ryuto have to continue playing passes from the flanks. A box would be drawn, and if the ball leaves the box, or any of the defenders touch it, you lose." Akaji explained.
"Oh... wait, since a box will be drawn, can we spray it ourselves?" Shoichi asked.
"Whoa! That's great."
"And your punishment will be to run an additional 10 laps in the next training."
"Damn. You just ruined my moment."
"And finally, Atsushi and I..." Akaji started.
"A 1v1 sprint to a ball 15 meters away. The first to get to the ball shoots at the post, while the other dribbles and gets the ball back and shoots. We should use the smaller field for this." He said, looking up at Atsushi, who nodded.
"Okay! Let's get to it, Yusuke!" Kimishita shouted, pounding his fists.
"Mn!"
"I hope you guys are ready. The drones are ready so I'll be starting the recording!" Misaki shouted.
"Yeah!"
'The drills for today are based on our stats, so I'm guessing... Ichiro would probably be the GK in our match, Ryuto and Shoichi would be wingers, the girls would stay at defence, and Yusuke and Kimishita would stay midfield then, Akaji and I... he'll probably be the CF, and I'll either stay as a midfielder or SS.'
"Looks like we'll be training together." Akaji said, walking towards Atsushi with a ball.
"Let's do great together." Atsushi smiled.
'Now, let's test you and see if you're worthy of reaching greatness with me, Kudou-san.'
'If it's about speed, I'll be able to win without problems... but we'll have to dribble and shoot, too. Ha... I just have to try my best.'
"Come at me!" Ichiro shouted.
'The girls are hoping on me at the goalpost! I'll try my best to keep it safe!' Ichiro cracked hus knuckles.
And so, the training began.
---
After the days training, they all went in for some rest.
'I think I'm gonna get addicted all over.' Atsushi thought, soaking into the bath.
"Oh, you're already here, Atsushi-kun." Akaji said, taking off his towel as he walked in with the others.
"Haha, nice game out there, guys." Atsu smiled.
"Man, I've gotta go extra laps during the next training." Ryuto complained, soaking in the bath beside Atsushi.
"It's 5 extra laps, dude."
"Haha, you really underestimated Yui-san." Atsushi chuckled.
"Oh, you were watching too?!"
"Haha..."
"I really didn't know she would catch up so fast. It was my fault for teasing her..."
'Hm? He was watching them while also playing against me? He's perfect! The exact kind of person I need!'
"You could have seen how Ichiro stopped most of our shots from going in." Yusuke said.
"Boy, I almost got my legs broken by Emi. That girl's a terror!" Kimishita shouted.
"Ha?!" A voice came from the other side of the door.
"E-eek..." Kimishita winced, looking around.
"Haha, they're currently using the bath by the other side of this wall." Akaji said, pointing at the wall.
"Oh, that explains things..."
"I never knew."
Atsushi stood up from the bath, ready to leave.
"Hm? Going to take a peek?" Ichiro asked, his brows going up and down.
"Hell no." Atsushi chuckled.
"Whoa, that's big." Kimishita started, staring at Atsushi.
"Huh?" He asked, not understanding what he meant.
"For reals Atsushi-kun, what the hell do you take?" Ryuto asked.
'What the hell's up with them?' Atsu thought following Ryuto's eyes.
"Geez!" He shouted, grabbing a towel and covering himself.
"Don't be shy." Ryuto said as Atsu walked out hurriedly.
"You might look a bit thin but… ho-ho, who knew..." Kimishita smirked.
"Ugh... what are those boys even saying?" Yui asked.
"Haha, they're just having fun. Anyway, hehe..." Emi smiled wryly, turning to Haruka.
"E-eek! D-don't tickle me!" She screamed.
"Too late!"
---
Training went smoothly for the next three days, with Akaji taking rein after the coach departed.
They continued with the exact training the coach had earlier given Akaji, all showing remarkable progress.
"Oh! My shot power has gone up by 3 AP!" Kimishita shouted, raising his phone above his head.
"Ah... my passing just went up by 4." Yusuke said, sitting on the floor.
Atsushi slid for the ball just as Akaji took possession of it.
"You're really good, Atsushi-kun. You're getting better quickly." Akaji commended, trying to regain balance.
"You helped a lot with that." Atsu smiled, kicking the ball into the net.
'This guy's really good. My AP has been rocketing like hell since we began training together. Dribble precision, dribble speed, body balance! They've all gone up by 2 AP'S each! He really is worthy of being my partner.' Akaji thought, wiping the sweat away from under his nostrils.
"Guys, let's have some rice balls during our break!" Atsushi shouted, walking towards a basket.
"Rice balls?" Kimishita asked, his previously tired eyes glistening.
"Yeah, we both made some rice balls this morning. Atsushi said he wanted everyone to have some." Aira said, grabbing the second basket.
"That's so thoughtful of you, man." Kimishita said, standing from the floor and walking towards them.
"Haha, I've got soup too." Atsushi smiled awkwardly, placing the stuff in the centre where everyone gathered.
"Delish!!" Kimishita shouted.
They all laughed, each eating and complimenting Atsushi and Aira.
The coach returned 2 days before the match. Even though they got hyped up for the match, the coach dropped some news that threw the team off.