On these cold February days, the morning sun lit up Tokyo with a clear, fresh light.
Like every morning, Rikuo went downstairs, greeted Rocky and Yuki, and met his father's gaze.
"Give it everything today, my son," Takeshi said with an encouraging smile.
Rikuo nodded, took a deep breath, and headed out.
Rikuo arrived at the Tokyo CF training center and went to the locker room, where he ran into Takuma, who was getting ready as well.
"Oh, Rikuo, you good? Looks like I arrived before you today. I win, haha!" Takuma said proudly, teasing him.
"I have to admit it, you beat me this time, Takuma," Rikuo replied.
"Hm, yeah, I was thinking about something… actually, there are two things I need to tell you. Well, the second one I just noticed," Takuma said while rubbing his chin.
"Uh… yeah, go ahead, I'm listening," Rikuo said.
"Alright, first thing: call me Taku instead of Takuma, it's too long. And I'll call you Riku, okay? Perfect, it's decided."
"Hey, you didn't even give me a choice," Rikuo replied.
"Hahaha! Anyway, second thing… that board on the wall over there. You didn't notice it?"
"Oh—now that you mention it, I didn't," Rikuo said.
They both walked closer to look at the board.
"There are names on both sides, and at the top it says '1' on the left and '2' on the right. What do you think it means, Taku?"
"Hmm… let me think. You and I are on the right side. Maybe it's to separate young players and old ones?" Takuma said confidently.
"Huh? Then why would Captain Hirohito be with us? He must be like forty," Rikuo replied.
Suddenly, a silhouette appeared behind them, smiling in an annoyed way.
"Ahem. Sorry, so-called youngsters, but I'm not forty. I'm only thirty-six."
It was Hirohito.
"W-What?! You were here, Hirohito-san?! Please forgive my friend Taku—no, Takuma," Rikuo said, bowing deeply and even forcing Takuma to bow too, shocked that Hirohito had overheard them.
"But you were the one who said he was forty… I'll remember that, Riku," Takuma thought silently.
"Hm, I'll let it slide this time. Anyway, enough joking. What you're looking at is the full professional squad of Tokyo CF," Hirohito explained.
"What do you mean, Hirohito-san?" the two asked.
"On the left side, you have the current starters and substitutes that's why it's marked '1'. On the right side, you have the reserve group."
"Huh? I get why Takuma and I are there since we just joined… but why are you there?" Rikuo asked, surprised.
"It's simple. During the last training session, I felt some discomfort in my knee, so I've been kept out of the main group for the first league match. But I'll be back quickly I'm the captain, after all," Hirohito said proudly.
"Ah… so that's what Coach Sato was talking about," Takuma said.
Hirohito nodded and added,
"And by the way, when I signed for the club, I joined the first group right away. No pressure on you guys, of course you're young, you've got time. (I'm still young too…)," he added with a laugh.
"You're right, Hirohito-san. I'm not rushing, but I do have ambition. I'm aiming to get a chance with the substitute group in about a month," Takuma said with a smile.
"Oh, that's ambitious. The coach doesn't usually promote young players that fast, but I hope you make it. I like your style of play."
"Really? Thank you, Hirohito-san!" Takuma said, clearly happy.
"Of course, kid. And you, Rikuo how long do you think it'll take for you?" Hirohito asked with curiosity.
"The club clearly has high hopes for you. I'd say… three weeks?"
"No. I won't need that long. One week is enough. I'll play starting next week, on the second matchday," Rikuo said, cutting him off.
Hirohito froze for a moment, then smiled.
"Oh? Interesting, kid. You're aiming high. Very well. Since I'll be back next week, I hope to see you on the other side of the board with me," he laughed.
"Of course, Hirohito-san. This is just the beginning for me," Rikuo replied, his eyes shining with confidence.
"Riku always ends up impressing me. I feel like his confidence pushes me to be better too," Takuma thought, smiling as he looked at his friend.
"Alright, let's get to training. From today on, things get serious!" Hirohito said.
"Yes, Hirohito-san!" Rikuo and Takuma replied together.
The first league match was approaching as spring began. A new wind was about to blow through Japan. Japanese football fans were about to discover Rikuo and fall in love with his style of play in the coming weeks.
And Rikuo couldn't wait.
"I can't wait to play my first match and feel new sensations on the pitch with my football… Mom, watch me. It's starting,"
Rikuo whispered to himself, filled with confidence and excitement.