DAY 4 — MORNING PRACTICE (revised)
Yuki was already on the field again.
Domon stood beside him, awkwardly trying to copy movements.
Tenma walked along the sideline toward the building.
Domon noticed first.
He tugged Yuki's sleeve a little.
"Yuki… that senpai… the one who helped you last time…"
Yuki turned, spotted him crossing.
"Ah— Senpai! Wait—!"
Tenma kept walking.
"Senpai, please!"
He still didn't stop.
"Senpai— just one thing!"
Tenma finally exhaled and turned slightly.
"…What now?"
Yuki scratched his cheek.
"I wanted to ask… how do you actually take the ball off someone properly? I keep losing the duel at the last second."
Tenma's eyes shifted to Domon.
"…You even play football?"
Domon stiffened.
"N-no… I just… came along to watch. I thought maybe… I could try helping…"
Yuki nodded beside him.
"He just comes with me. But he really wants to try, so we're practicing together."
Tenma stared at them both for a second.
He could have left — but he didn't.
"You're going at the feet," he said. "That's why you lose the ball. You're chasing, not defending."
Yuki tried. Failed.
Tried again. Failed.
Tenma clicked his tongue.
"…Move."
He stepped in, sealed Yuki out using his body alone — no tackle — clean, smooth, natural. Yuki blinked.
"That's body-shielding," Tenma said. "You erase the lane. Not the ball."
Domon tried next.
Got spun around completely.
Tenma looked at him again.
"You're not built for that version. Too big, too slow to turn. Use weight instead of reach."
He nudged Domon's elbow into position.
"Lower center. Let them run into you. Then pivot. You don't chase — you receive."
Domon tried again.
This time — he stayed upright.
Clumsy, slow, but stable.
A small success. It showed on his face.
Tenma gave a tiny nod.
"Keep practicing. If you overdo it, it's a foul."
He turned away again, heading for the building.
"Senpai! Thank you!"
No reply — just a small lift of the hand without looking back.
Domon kept looking at his own feet, then at his stance again — like he'd found something real for the first time.
Day 4 – Evening
Practice had already started when Yuki jogged onto the field. The usual rhythm: light passing, lazy shooting, half-warmups.
Akira noticed first.
"Oi. You're sharper today," he said, squinting like he'd discovered something suspicious.
Jirō leaned over with a grin.
"Yeah, rookie. When did you level up?"
Yuki just scratched his cheek, a little flustered.
"Ah— I've just been… practicing."
"Practicing where?"
Akira stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"You're hiding something."
Jirō crossed his arms.
"Teach us then. If you got some secret drill, share with your seniors."
Yuki panicked for a second.
"Eh? N-No, it's just… it's… uh…"
He forced a small smile.
"…secret."
Both of them froze.
"Haaaaa?!"
"A rookie's already keeping secrets from us!?"
Akira clutched his chest like he'd been betrayed.
"Unbelievable. A rebellion on day four."
Jirō clicked his tongue dramatically.
"Tch. Kids these days."
Sera watched from the side, barely hiding a small amused breath.
Gen just shook his head—more relief than mockery—because at least someone was improving.
Gen clicked his tongue. "That's why you two idiots should practice every day instead of wandering around causing trouble."
Domon sat near the bench, quietly hugging his knees, watching Yuki with a soft look of pride. He didn't say anything, but it showed on his face: "He's really getting stronger."
A voice came from behind them.
"Gen."
Hina jogged over, a clipboard tucked under her arm. "I fixed a match for Sunday."
Gen blinked. "Already? We don't even have enough members."
"It's seven-a-side," Hina said. "I convinced them we'd bring at least seven. They agreed after a lot of begging, so don't ruin this."
Sera let out a quiet sigh. "Even with Yuki, that's six."
"Tobita can play GK," Akira said. "That still leaves one."
"And we're not pulling the PE substitute again," Sera muttered.
Hina nodded. "I know. But this is a chance to show people we're alive. If we don't start appearing, no one will ever join."
Gen looked at Yuki. "You can play, right? Even if you're not officially in?"
Yuki straightened. "Yeah. I'll play."
"Good." Gen looked back at the others. "As for the seventh… we'll figure it out."
Jirō shrugged. "Worst case, we drag someone from another class."
Gen didn't laugh.
The sun dipped a little lower behind the fence. Practice ended quietly, the problem hanging in the air—unfinished, like everything about the club.
Day 5 – Morning (small scene)
The field was still damp with early dew when Tenma crossed as usual.
Yuki was already there, juggling and passing lightly with Domon.
Domon saw him first.
"Yuki… senpai's here."
Yuki turned and waved.
"Ah — senpai! Morning!"
Tenma gave a small nod, not slowing.
Yuki jogged a few steps closer.
"We… we're having a match this weekend," he said, slightly out of breath. "A real one. 7v7. If you're free… maybe come watch?"
Tenma barely paused.
"I've got things to do."
Yuki blinked. "Ah— right…"
Tenma added, plain and flat:
"Practice harder.
Don't get injured."
Then he kept walking.
Yuki watched him go, a little surprised — but smiling anyway.
Domon tugged his sleeve awkwardly.
"He… doesn't talk much, huh?"
"Yeah," Yuki said.