It was finally time for the gàmeplay to commence and for the first time, his heart pounded harshly within his ribcage.
Even back then when he had played woefully, he hadn't been as scared as this.
'Oh no Aèos, I'm losing it.'
[Relax, one of the best route to success is a steady mind. And when you panic, you disrupt your mind's steady flow.]
Tanaka tried to calm down… it seemed to work for like three seconds however the moment Tanaka saw their opponent, he suddenly faltered.
[O boy…]
On the scoreboard, it showed:
Redbulls - 0
Seagulls - 0
While he was in his train of thoughts, Nishida tapped him.
"Coach Isuryburg is here."
Panicked, Tanaka countered. "Despite being on suspension?"
Nishida stared at Tanaka, realizing something.
"Uh, why would you say it like that? Wait, are you nervous?" He seemed to laugh a little and Tanaka punched him hard on the shoulder.
"Ouch, Tanaks… What have you been eating? Your punch is so strong."
Tanaka sneered at Nishida. "You're laughing at my predicament, when in fact you're supposed to hug and calm me down. Forget it… a hug isn't even my problem."
Before Nishida would say something, Tanaka beat him to it.
"Why does it seem as if I'm playing in the Nationals? In the eyes of so many people?"
Nishida wanted to answer but Tanaka jumped in.
"There are too many cameras today. I mean, it wasn't like this when we played with the Blackvans."
"Tanak—" Nishida tried to call but Tanaka kept talking.
"I mean, isn't it strange? This is supposed to be the day I actually prove myself."
Tanaka turned towards Nishida.
"Finally, let me speak? Well, there had been a bit of turn-up. You weren't around then but Coach Damien told us that Seagull Balling School is struggling in the ranks and as it seems, we are at the bottom after that game with the Blackvans. Yes, it reduced a lot of score points from us. And now, the championship National board wanted us to play in order to secure our position. If we lose one more time, we are done."
Tanaka's face paled drastically.
"And we become laughingstock."
"Exactly Tanaka." Nishida said and continued…
"I don't know how you've improved, but I don't think it's advisable to let you play. If we fail one last time… we'd have to shut down the school."
Tanaka's expression was solemn and then — a strange, yet powerful flood of determination pumped down into Tanaka's body.
"I'll do it."
Nishida's eyes widened.
"You'll-— how will you do it? You don't even know how to play?"
Tanaka smiled darkly.
"Let's make a bet then. If I win, you give me 3000 rads, however if I lose I'll pay back 6000 extra, do we have a deal."
Nishida's eyes flashed.
"You're crazy, you've not even stopped placing bets, how horrid." Nishida refused and left.
Tanaka followed soon after until they met at a corner of the football field as Coach Damien guided them on what to do.
There were seven more boys who listened to what Coach Damien said.
"Listen, I've made a list of what the positions would be like during the game. So once you check it, try to be in your position. I'll send it to everyone's phone."
Coach Damien continued, this time directing his gaze at Tanaka.
"I want to believe that you will lift this school up to greater heights. The practice didn't turn up like we expected and now, we are playing, so that we can be in the championship. Please do not disappoint us."
"Coach Damien, you should remove him." Liam, one of the eleven said out of sheer malice and Tanaka sneered.
"It's fine. I believe that he's capable of making waves."
Tanaka opened his phone, however before he could do that Aèos took action.
[Accessing smart phone's memories…]
[From Coach Damien to Student, Tanaka Yào:
👇
Formation: 4-4-2:
Goalkeeper (1)
1. Ryan
Defenders (4)
1. Isaac (Left back)
2. James (Center back)
3. Liam (Center back)
4. Drake (Right back)
Midfielders (4)
1. Levi (Left midfield/Winger)
2. Andrew (Central midfield)
3. Dave (Central midfield)
4. Alex (Right midfield/Winger)
Forwards (2)
1. Nishida (Left forward/Striker)
2. Tanaka (Right forward/Striker)
This formation provides a balance of defense and offense. The defenders help protect the goalkeeper, while the midfielders support both defense and offense. The forwards focus on scoring goals.]
Tanaka's eyes flashed.
"Very Good Coach Damien, he balanced out everything."
Not only Tanaka was satisfied, even Isaac was glad. In fact, if it had been placed this way maybe they wouldn't have even lost to the Blackvans the way they did. Although Tanaka played terribly, still it wouldn't have affected them.
Coach Damien is more of Concealment while Coach Isuryburg only opens up. If Tanaka had still been a bad player, this method would have hidden him very well.
And then, Coach Damien clapped his hands.
"Alright, let's get to positions. Note, the Redbulls are a terrifying opponent so we should play well. And Tanaka, you should impress me by scoring a goal. Or even if you are not able to score a goal then play well. Goals are hard to come by so if we can get a draw, then it's fine but — we must not fall out. Good luck guys."