This Friday in February was unusually warm in Tokyo.
Rikuo had just finished talking with his father, catching up about their plans for the day. As Rikuo was getting ready to head to the training center somewhere in Tokyo, another man was also preparing to go there.
Minato's house:
"Darling, can you let me know when you come back with the young boy you told me about? I'd like to prepare dinner properly," said Minato's wife, Hana.
"Of course, Hana. I'll first go pick up the kids from school. You know Kaze and Hina love it when I pick them up," Minato replied, teasing her.
"Even more than you, actually, haha."
"Oh really? Fine, do what you want," she said with a smile.
"Have a good day, honey. Do your best again today."
"Thanks, Hana. I'm heading out. See you later," Minato answered, smiling.
As he left the house, he got into his car.
And like always when he drove, he did what he loved most: whistling.
"I wonder if the coach plans to take the Little King, Rikuo, for tomorrow's match… I can't wait to find out," he thought.
At the training center
The two players arrived at the same time.
"Oh, it's rare to see you this early, little genius," Minato said from a distance, noticing Rikuo standing by the club entrance.
"Oh, it's you, Minato. Good morning," Rikuo replied.
"Hey, you're way too polite," Minato laughed.
"Forget the formal stuff. Tell me instead, how are you feeling? Stressed? Excited? Nervous? I'm curious."
He walked up to him and patted his shoulder, smiling.
"Uh… honestly, I don't really know."
"Huh?" Minato stopped.
"What do you mean you don't know? You're no fun, little genius. I thought you'd say something like, 'I'm confident, it's my destiny,' hahaha. I'm disappointed."
"Does he think I'm some kind of narcissist or something?" Rikuo thought.
"Anyway, let's get inside before old Senda starts one of his long speeches," Minato said, speeding up toward the entrance.
"Old Senda? You call him that too?"
"Of course," Minato replied with a grin.
"That old man's been following me since the start of my career. I owe him a lot. But honestly, once he starts talking, he never stops."
"Yeah… now that you say it, I get what you mean," Rikuo answered.
"Hey, Riku! Don't go without me, that's not fair bro !" someone shouted from behind.
It was Takuma, who had just arrived too.
"Oh, look at that, Taku," Rikuo laughed.
"Seems like I arrived before you today."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Takuma replied.
"But wait—why are you with Minato? That's cheating! I wanna talk to the national team's number 10 too!"
Minato rubbed his chin, amused.
"Looks like I'm popular with the youngsters. You, though… I think I know who you are."
He snapped his fingers.
"Oh yeah, now I remember. You were the kid next to that sponsor guy from the club. You asked me for an autograph back then."
"You remember me, Minato?" Takuma said, smiling brightly.
"Yes, that was me. And by the way, that man was my father, just in case."
"I'm still really grateful for that autograph," Takuma added, bowing slightly.
"No, no, relax," Minato said kindly.
"No need to be that polite. I didn't know you were his son. All I knew was that you were a young academy player from Tokyo CF who people were talking about."
"You heard about that too?" Takuma said, excited.
"That makes me so happy!"
"So Taku wasn't lying when he told me about his football past," Rikuo thought.
"He really was someone here."
The three of them headed toward the locker room together.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" a voice said.
"The duo of young gems, Rikuo and Takuma… and the international genius himself, Minato."
"Oh, Hirohito-san," Rikuo said politely.
"It's been a while. I hope your injury is getting better."
"Haha, yes, kid. And you," Hirohito continued, laughing loudly,
"I hear you caused chaos in Group 1. Raizo told me everything. You put the great Minato on the ground, hahaha! I really wish I had seen that."
He turned to Rikuo with a teasing stare.
"Wait, kid, let me ask you something."
"I'm listening, Hirohito-san."
"You don't think you could do the same thing to me, do you?"
"To me, the team captain. The great Hirohito."
Rikuo smiled, confident.
"Honestly? One day… why not?"
"Hahaha! I like that answer," Hirohito said.
"I'm coming back to Group 1 next week. I can't wait to see that."
"Something feels off… why does this kid only use honorifics with Hirohito?" Minato thought.
After chatting and getting changed, the players didn't head to the pitch, but to the video analysis room.
As the name suggests, this room is used to analyze videos either of their own team or their opponents. It was also where tactical and technical discussions took place.
When they arrived, Rikuo looked around, impressed.
"Wow… it's really big. And so well equipped," he thought.
"I've seen rooms like this with the French youth national team before matches, but this one… the pro level really is different."
After greeting everyone, Coach Sato began to speak.
"As you all know, the first league match is tomorrow. And it's at home," he said, his tone serious.
"Even if they are the defending champions, we must win. We need to start the season with three points."
"Kashima CF is a very experienced team," he continued.
"Most of you already know that, but I'll say it again. It's eleven versus eleven. And with substitutes who can come on at any moment."
He paused, scanning the room.
"Anyone can play in my team. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here today."
The room was silent. Everyone was focused.
"I will now display on the screen the list of the 18 players selected for tomorrow."
"This is it," Rikuo thought, jaw tight, eyes determined.
"Even if I'm not selected, I won't regret anything. But this is a huge match. I really want to be among the 18. It could be the first page of my rise to the top."
Rikuo Amada, 20 years old, had the chance to receive his first professional match call-up today after only a few days at the club.
Something that had never happened before in the club's history.