As he walked out of the office,Takumi became absent minded,his mind drifting away
"I'll be waiting for you in the lobby, Takumi."
It was the voice of the man who had approached him in the coach's office. A man who had taken interest in him not just as a player, but as a potential student. A man who promised to unlock Takumi's true potential. His name was Ryoichi Kuroda, a former national team legend, now a renowned coach known for transforming raw talent into footballing masterpieces.
The moment Takumi stepped into the quiet locker room, the weight of the world seemed to hit him. His teammates were celebrating, but Takumi felt detached.
Immediately,Daiki noticed him and said
"Well,if it isn't the Boy Wonder,I was wondering where you went off to,you really wonders in today's match,I guess i should have trusted Shinji'judgement ,you're good kid"with a cheerful smile as he put his hand on Takumi's shoulder but his mind wandered back.
Ryoichi Kuroda was offering him more than just training. He was offering him an opportunity to break past his limits, to reach levels of mastery that few ever dreamed of. It wasn't just a chance to be good—it was a chance to become a legend.
As Takumi changed out of his jersey, he could feel the heat from the shower and the clamor of his teammates around him, but all he could focus on was the conversation ahead. Was he ready for this kind of commitment? Was he willing to follow a coach who would demand everything from him, push him to places he had never imagined?
He had dreamed of playing at the highest level, of becoming a midfield maestro, but the path to greatness was never easy. It was full of sacrifices and challenges. And yet, in the back of his mind, Takumi knew that this was the opportunity he had been waiting for. It wasn't just about football anymore—it was about forging a legacy, one play at a time.
He stepped out into the hallway, where Kuroda was waiting, a calm presence in the middle of the bustling crowd. The former player turned coach stood with his arms crossed, observing Takumi with an intensity that seemed to pierce through him. There was no mistaking it: Kuroda saw something in Takumi that few others did, and that made him both nervous and excited.
"Takumi Usui," Kuroda said, his voice smooth but firm. "You're a rare talent. I've seen a lot of players in my career, but there's something different about you. Your understanding of the game—it's beyond your years. But you're not there yet. Not by a long shot."
Takumi nodded, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. He didn't need Kuroda to tell him that. He knew his potential had only begun to surface.
"What do you want from me?" Takumi asked, his voice steady, but his mind racing with the gravity of the question. He had to be sure that this wasn't just another opportunity for someone to use his talent for their own gain.
"I want you to train with me," Kuroda said, his gaze unwavering. "I want you to become something greater than just a player with potential. You've got the vision, Takumi. You've got the ability to see the game like no one else. But you need to understand it at a deeper level. You need to control it. You need to become the pulse of the team—the way the great midfielders do. And I can teach you that."
Takumi swallowed hard. This was it. The door was opening wide, but he wasn't sure what lay on the other side. He had heard stories of Kuroda's grueling training sessions, of players who had broken under the pressure, of careers that had either soared or crumbled in the wake of such intense coaching. But in his gut, Takumi knew one thing: this was the chance he had been waiting for.
"But I live all the way in Kyoto"Takumi said
"That shouldn't be a problem,I can arrange a house close to your dorm in no time,we'll train during your spare time,you're up for that right"Kuroda said
"Yes,I'll do whatever it takes," Takumi said quietly, his voice filled with determination. "I want to be the best. I'll follow your training, no matter how tough it gets."
Kuroda smiled faintly, his sharp eyes softening just slightly. "Good. Then prepare yourself. Because we're going to start with the basics. And we'll build you up from there, step by step, until you can control every inch of the field. But you'll have to fight for it. Every single day."
Takumi nodded, a new fire burning in his chest. This was more than just football now. It was a calling. A path that would demand everything he had—and more. But he was ready. He had to be.
As he walked out of the stadium and into the bus taking him back to Kyoto, Takumi's mind was already working. He had made the decision. The future was no longer something out of reach. It was something he would create with his own hands, one pass, one game, one moment at a time.
And in the distance, the lights of the stadium faded, replaced by a new, brighter horizon.