It was the big day. The Japanese league championship was finally starting.
— Rikuo's House, Morning —
The sunlight slowly passed through the bedroom curtains.
Today was not just any day.
It was the first match of the Japanese league championship.
Rikuo walked down to the kitchen, still a little sleepy, and saw his father already sitting at the table. Two cups of coffee were gently steaming.
"So…" Takeshi said calmly, "it's today, huh?"
Rikuo smiled slightly.
"Yeah. Kick-off is at 5:30 PM."
"And the meeting time?"
"10:30 at the training center. We're staying there all day. Preparation, meetings, rest… the pro routine."
Takeshi nodded while looking at his son.
"That must feel strange."
"A little… but mostly I'm excited."
Takeshi smiled.
"Enjoy every second. Days like this go by fast."
Rikuo grabbed his bag.
"Thanks dad. See you at the stadium."
"I'll be there."
— Training Center —
The atmosphere was different.
Not heavy.
But serious.
Players arrived one by one, greeting the staff. Some joked around, others were already in their own bubble. Every player had his own routine to mentally prepare for a match.
Rikuo watched everything.
"So… this is what a real professional match day looks like." Rikuo thought
He put on the club training gear and joined the common room. Minato was already there, sitting calmly with headphones around his neck.
He waved at Rikuo.
"Yo, little genius."
"Oh, Minato, good morning."
"So, how do you feel? A bit nervous?"
Minato asked with a smile.
"Surprisingly no… well, yes… but in a good way."
"That's normal. If you were too calm, that would be worrying," said the Japanese magician.
Rikuo laughed lightly.
"Your mental condition is the most important thing before a match. I heard you played a lot before you came here."
"Yeah, that's true."
"Good. Then don't change anything. Treat it like it's just another game. The only difference is that now you're a professional… and you represent this badge right here."
Minato pointed at Rikuo's chest with a serious look.
"So relax. Think about how lucky you are to step onto that beautiful pitch. You'll see, little genius."
"Thanks, Minato."
"In truth, I already knew that… I've heard those words before when I played for the French youth national team. I was the captain. Strangely, hearing this again reminds me of my old coach's speeches. It's good nostalgia…" Rikuo thought with a smile.
Later, he talked with a few teammates he hadn't really connected with yet. Simple exchanges. Light jokes. Focused looks.
Coach Sato entered the room.
After everyone sat down, he crossed his arms.
"Alright, everyone is here. Listen carefully. Today is the start of the championship, February 14. We win at home against Kashima and keep the three points here to start the season the right way. Sounds good?"
All the players answered together.
"Yes, coach!"
"Good. Before kick-off, once their official lineup is confirmed, we'll go over their key players and their tactical setup again. For now, until lunch, free time. After lunch, group walk, then we head to the stadium."
"Yes, coach!"
After the meeting, it was time for rest, treatment, and massages. The physios moved around the room. Some players were getting their legs worked on, others lay down with eyes closed.
After lunch, Rivelinho, Raizo, Minato, and Rikuo were talking during the walk when an older man joined them.
"Oh, old Senda, what are you doing walking with us at your age?" Minato joked.
"Old? I see you've lost your respect for me, Minato. After I was the one who brought you into the spotlight here… I'm hurt," Senda replied sarcastically.
"Easy, old Senda, he was joking!" Rikuo added with a laugh.
"Kid, today you'll feel many things. And if you play, I'm sure you won't regret accepting my offer to come here."
"It's true. I'm here because you brought me," Rikuo said sincerely.
After more jokes and conversation, the walk ended. The team boarded the bus and headed to the stadium known as
— The Rising Sun Stadium —
When they arrived in the early afternoon, Rikuo froze for a few seconds.
The pitch was massive.
The stands seemed endless.
40,000 seats…
For now, it was only half full, but in two hours, it would be packed.
"This is it…"
He stepped onto the grass carefully.
"The Rising Sun…" Rikuo thought
His phone vibrated.
Takuma.
"Hey."
"So, idiot, you made it to the stadium?"
"Yeah… it's huge."
"Enjoy it. Even from the stands, you can feel when a player is living his moment. I'll try to be there."
"You better, even if I don't play," Rikuo teased.
"Don't get cocky. I'm watching you."
"See you, bro."
They hung up.
Back in the locker room, Coach Sato spoke again.
"Their lineup is on the screen. Watch carefully. Their strength is their attack."
He pointed the screen.
"The Number 9. Alex. Last season's top scorer. Tall, strong, 1.97 meters. He loves pressing and Kashima cf are good at it. And aerial duels are his specialty."
The defenders nodded.
"Toru, Ren. Stay focused. Our captain isn't here today, but show me we don't depend on one player. Same tactical setup as yesterday. Minato will guide you on the pitch."
The assistants applauded. Minato clapped too.
Rikuo listened carefully.
A player tapped his shoulder.
"First time being on the bench?"
"Is it that obvious?" Rikuo replied.
"A little. But don't worry. We're both good players. We'll be on that pitch soon, don't you think?"
"Oh yeah? Maybe. If you say so." Replied Rikuo
"It's Kenji Sakamoto i've seen him in training. Great passing ability… but why is he so friendly already? We barely talked. He must be super social… and he's shining too much, it hurts my eyes." Rikuo thought with a straight face.
"Relax. Enjoy the atmosphere. Stay warm. We'll go in," Kenji said with a wink.
"We'll warm up together, my friend."
"I'll just say yes so I don't overthink it," Rikuo thought, nodding.
The starters warmed up on one side, substitutes on the other. The stands slowly filled up. The chants grew louder.
"This is unreal…"
Then he saw him.
His father.
Far away.
"He can't see me… but I know he's there."
— In the stands, behind the goal —
"Seat E257… here it is. But I still don't understand why I have two tickets. No one is sitting next to me even though the stadium is full… oh well," Takeshi thought while sitting down.
Back to Rikuo.
His heart was beating fast.
"I'm ready," he whispered.
The players returned to the locker room to change into their match kits. They lined up in the tunnel.
"Alright guys, we win today in front of our fans! It's all in the mind!" Rivelinho shouted.
They walked onto the pitch. The atmosphere was electric.
The commentators were ready.
"Hello everyone, I'm Miyazaki and with me is Heishi-san, former player you all know."
"Good afternoon, dear viewers."
"First matchday of the season! Tokyo CF in red, Kashima CF in blue! Referee, let's get this started!"
"Fiiiiiuuu!"
— Kick-off —
The match began.
Both teams attacked each other. High intensity. Strong duels. Just as the coach predicted.
"It's so fast… way faster than training." Rikuo thought.
15th minute.
Minato got the ball.
One touch.
One dribble.
Another.
The defense backed off.
"He can do it… he's capable of this!"
Shot.
Save!
The stadium almost exploded.
"What a save! We all saw that going in, didn't we Heishi-san?"
"Absolutely. Minato-san never stops surprising us."
"Incredible… Minato…" Rikuo thought.
Watching his teammates move back into position, Rikuo remembered the coach's instructions.
— Flashback —
"We play high block. Suffocate them. When we recover the ball, impose our rhythm. Simulation now. Rivelinho, start the press."
The pressure was organized, intense.
"Wow… I barely touched the ball and Raizo and Rivelinho already blocked my forward options. I can only pass backward… How does a team survive this kind of pressure for long?"
— Back to present —
Tokyo dominated. They recovered the ball quickly. It felt one-sided.
"Over 20 minutes and Tokyo keeps pushing! Kashima can't breathe! How do you explain this, Heishi-san?"
"Simple. High block versus low block. Kashima cf usually presses, but today they're facing a team just as good at it."
28th minute.
Alex lifted his head.
Ren received the ball in defense, thinking he had time.
He didn't.
"Look at that! Kashima pressing high now! Ren was too relaxed! This could be dangerous!"
Recovery.
Alex passed to number 10, Akira.
A body feint pulled Ren out of position.
Cross.
Alex rose.
Higher than everyone.
Header.
"GOAL! What a leap from number 9! Toru had no chance! The Dutch striker scores a brilliant header here at Tokyo's stadium!"
Silence.
The air felt cold.
Rikuo looked at Minato.
"…"
The match had just taken a turn.