After revealing the news of his promotion to Yuya, Hiro slightly lifted his gaze towards Yuya to see his expression. Hiro was fearful that Yuya may not be happy about hearing about their parting, so soon.
But on the contrary, with a wide smile on his face, Yuya threw himself towards Hiro and hugged him instead. Since Hiro wasn’t expecting such reaction from Yuya, Hiro was startled and hence he wobbled a little while trying to catch Yuya.
Yuya then while tightening his grip around Hiro’s back spoke in a cheerful voice, “I knew it. I knew that you’d make it. I’m so happy for you Hiro. Although we could only play briefly with each other. I’ve learnt a lot from you Hiro. And I’ll soon catch upto you as well.”
While congratulating him, he expressed his inner feelings. And one could tell just by listening to the tone of Yuya’s voice that he was genuinely happy for Hiro.
Listening to such warm words, Hiro’s doubts vanished away. The sides of his lips lifted up as he revealed a smile on his face.
Receiving such warm words from his friend made Hiro really happy.
“Thank you Yuya.” Hiro thanked Yuya with a bright smile on his face.
And after hugging him for a while, Yuya unwrapped his arm and let him go.
“Please tell Shun and Shunta about this news on my behalf.” Hiro spoke while looking at Yuya.
Yuya then nodded his head and spoke with a smile on his face, “I will. And best of luck my friend.”
“Thank you my friend.” Hiro replied.
“I’ll see you after training then.” Saying such Yuya parted with him and headed towards the U-15 pitch.
Hiro too headed inside the U-18 pitch.
**** ****
As he entered the U-18 pitch, he began to roll his eyes all over the pitch.
The pitch was of the same length as that of U-15 pitch. However the players were quite different. Tall, muscular and strong, not even a single one among them looked overweight. The players in the U-18 pitch were simply built different.
Because of the different schedule between the two teams, Hiro hadn’t had much chance to meet the players of U-18 team.
And also since the players of U-18 team minded their own business and didn’t interact much with the players of U-15 team, the players of U-15 and the player of U-18 team were almost like strangers.
Almost all of the players of U-18 had already arrived at the pitch for the morning training.
Unlike the players at the U-15 team who looked like amateurs, he could tell just by looking at those players infront of his eyes that they were all professionals.
Among them there were 3 exceptional players who had already made their debut for the pro team.
Forward Tatsuki Seko who was still only 16 years old had made his debut that year in a match with Sagan Tosu, Defensive midfielder Kazuya Yamamura who was 18 years old had also made his debut briefly the year before against Nigata and Naoto Miyashiro the fourth choice Goalkeeper of Kawasaki Frontale who was only 18 years old had played quite few games for the team already.
Looking at those players, he murmured to himself in awe, “I’m a step closer to my dream.”
Even before the start of the training, Hiro could feel his blood rushing and heart pumping faster. He was very excited about training with those exceptional players.
Just when he was staring blankly at the players infront with a gleam in his eyes, manager Makoto appeared behind him.
Lost in his thoughts, he couldn’t notice the presence of Makoto behind him.
After getting close to Hiro, Makoto then whispered in his ear, “Your blood is pumping fast right?”
“Ahhhhh” Hiro screamed as he wobbled forward after hearing the sudden voice of Makoto behind him. 𝒃𝒆𝙣𝒐𝒗𝙚𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝒎
And as he noticed Makoto, he spoke, “Please don’t scare me like that coach.”
“Hahaha… But I didn’t scare you.” Makoto replied while laughing.
Behind him was another old man of height 6 feet probably in his late fourties. Rectangular shaped face with monolid black eyes and dark lips, he was the positioning coach of the youth team.
“Ahh right!! This guy right behind me is Kensuke Kimura.” Makoto mumbled while pointing at the guy behind him who was dressed in ash grey tracksuit with a notebook in his hand.
“Nice to meet you coach Kensuke.” Hiro bowed his head and greeted the coach.
“Likewise, nice to meet you too.” Kensuke replied.
And as both of them finished exchanging greetings with each other, Makoto cleared his throat.
“Go and change your clothes Hiro. I’ll introduce you to the players.” Saying such, Makoto dismissed him.
He then quickly changed his clothes in the sidelines and rushed towards the side where the players and the coach’s were gathered.
Upon seeing Hiro behind him, Makoto then cleared his throat and spoke, “Everyone pay attention now. I want to introduce you all to your new teammate.”
And as everybody turned their attention towards the coach, Makoto then introduced Hiro, “Everyone!! Let’s welcome your new teammate, Takahashi Hiro.”
And as Hiro stepped forward upon having his name introduced, the players gave him a big round of applause.
“I know this sudden promotion sounds a bit strange. But trust me his addition will definitely improve the team. However he’s only twelve years old right now. So treat him with care. As his senior you all are responsible for fostering him. So look after him well.” Saying such Makoto finished Hiro’s introduction to the team.
“I’ll be under your care.” Hiro added while lowering his head.
Since Hiro didn’t look like twelve, all of those players were assuming that he’d be at least 15 years old. But just as they heard about his real age from the mouth of the coach, all of them were shocked by that revelation.
With their pupils enlarged and mouth agape, they were looking at him with big eyes.
“Damn!! He’s only twelve years old??”
“Is coach joking with us?”
While some players were lamenting about coach’s decision after hearing his real age. There were few players who were amused by him being so young.
“Interesting.” Murmured the centre forward Tatsuki Seko with a wry smile on his face.
“Let’s see what this genius can do.” Murmured the starting goalkeeper Naoto Miyashiro.