Captain Tsubasa: My Way

"Captain Shin Orochi has just raised the trophy!" the commentator announced with excitement. "On top of that, he has been named the best player of the tournament, as well as top scorer with a staggering 29 goals."

"Tsubasa Ozora and Kojiro Hyuga came close."

"Meanwhile, Nankatsu SC's Taro Misaki is awarded best playmaker with 15 assists, an incredible performance throughout the competition."

"For those watching on their screens, we're now showing the list of the top 20 players of this tournament. These young stars may very well become the future pillars of Japanese football!"

Later, on the pitch...

I stood on the field, surrounded by flashing cameras and microphones pointed in my direction. Reporters were pressing in with questions.

"Shin Orochi, how do you feel after this amazing victory?" one of them asked.

"I feel good." I replied with a quiet smile.

"What do you aim for next after this title?"

"To keep improving my game. This tournament showed me things I still need to work on." I answered honestly.

They continued to fire off questions, but I kept my cool, responding with short but honest answers.

A bit later, I stood with my grandparents who had joined me on the field, their eyes full of pride.

Just then, a composed and elegant voice called out behind me.

"You were remarkable, Shin Orochi. You've fulfilled all the conditions to join Toho Academy."

I turned around. It was Ms. Kaori, a high-ranking representative of Toho.

She stepped forward, her gaze sharp and confident.

"We've already secured Kojiro Hyuga as our main striker." she continued."and now, we want you. Not just as a scorer, but as a playmaker too. With you and Hyuga on the same team, Toho Academy would be unstoppable on the national stage."

I started thinking deeply about the offer. 'Joining Toho Academy would be beneficial... it would ease the financial burden on my grandparents in the future. But the problem is... she wants me to be more of a playmaker, and to be honest, that bothers me. What I really want is to score goals...' I wrestled with the thought.

That's when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder.

Looking up, I saw my grandfather smiling down at me. Then he spoke, calm but resolute.

"I know what Toho Academy could mean for my grandson... and for us, his grandparents. But we'd rather politely decline this generous offer, with all due respect." he said.

"I understand." replied Ms. Kaori with a slight bow. "Thank you for considering it and for your honesty."

At that same moment, just a few feet away, Tsubasa's mother, Natsuko, came rushing toward him, holding a letter in her hand.

"Tsubasa! Roberto's leaving for Brazil."

Tsubasa's face dropped. "I understand... I failed the challenge we made. I must have disappointed him."

"Tsubasa, don't say that!" said Ishizaki, jumping in. "If he's heading to the airport, you can still go see him!"

"You're right." Tsubasa said.

And just like that, he and his mother ran off, weaving through the crowd, chasing a chance to say goodbye.

In the city of Osaka, a few days after the national tournament.

"Now I just feel kind of... empty." I said, lying on the grass.

'So much is going to change.' I thought. 'Hyuga will be at Toho, Misaki's leaving for France, and Genzo Wakabayashi, he's heading to Germany.'

"What do you mean you feel empty?" Soda asked, lying next to me.

"That feeling of victory... it doesn't last long." I replied.

"If you say so. For me, it still feels great!" he laughed, the rest of the team chuckling along with him.

I drifted back into my thoughts.

'Maybe going to Europe is the answer... a way to improve and reach the international level. The problem is... I don't have the connections.'

I stared at the sky, silent, as a gentle breeze passed over us.

'What should I do ?'

Two years later, I was now 14, in my second and penultimate year at Azumaichi middle school.

We had won the prefectural and national tournaments twice in a row. Those back-to-back victories skyrocketed Azumaichi's reputation, especially its football team. Suddenly, more students than ever applied to our school, hoping to join the team. We even had a school band, team managers, and new infrastructure built.

But today was special for a different reason.

At Kansai International Airport, south of Osaka…

"So this is it. You're leaving today, huh, Shin." said Soda.

"Yeah, Makoto. I'm counting on you to take care of the team." I pulled the captain's armband from my pocket and handed it to him. He took it in silence.

"I'm counting on all of you too." I looked around at the teammates standing around me. "I'll be back in Japan for the Junior International Tournament, with the national youth team. Make sure you guys make the selection too."

They all nodded, eyes burning with determination.

"We're gonna miss you, Shin." said a girl, Kumi Sugimoto, a team manager who had joined after our first championship.

"I'll miss you all too." I replied.

Then came my grandparents. My grandmother hugged me tightly, and my grandfather, now just under my height, placed a firm hand on my shoulder.

"Take good care of yourself, Shin." said Grandma.

"Go and do what you have to do out there, boy." Grandpa added.

After the embrace, it was time.

I picked up my suitcase, gave them all one last look, and made my way toward the gate.

The reason for my departure was simple.

During those two years of middle school, I felt like I'd hit a wall.

Misugi wasn't playing for Musashi anymore due to his heart condition.

Meiwa had lost two of its star players, Kojiro Hyuga and Ken Wakashimazu—who had both transferred to Toho Academy, though Takeshi was still missing from their lineup.

Nankatsu had also suffered, they'd lost both Taro Misaki and Genzo Wakabayashi, and the disbanding of the Nankatsu SC-Otomo alliance had weakened their strength overall.

Yes, new talents were starting to emerge, Shun Nitta from Otomo, or the strong duo Hiroshi Jito and Misturu Sano from Hirado, but the competitive edge just wasn't what it used to be.

"Please show me your ticket, young man." said a flight attendant.

"Of course, here it is." I pulled out my boarding pass.

She scanned it and then smiled. "Have a pleasant flight with us."

"Thank you."