Ichikawa had lost count of the number of times he became entranced by his mentor's movements. She was only demonstrating the most basic of basics, but her stance, figure, and grace as she handled the ball were that of a dance. After scoring a goal, she went to kick the ball towards him.
He jumped to catch it with his chest.
"Nice. Your reflexes are improving." She gave him a kind smile as she gestured her head towards the goal. "As usual, try copying the things I just did. But this time, they don't need to be completely accurate."
"Pardon?" He had never been asked to play freestyle before.
"I can tell from our previous sessions that you have trouble with some of the things I do. Your body is much more balanced and flexible than mine, but you don't have my speed nor agility. It's better for me to see what you can do as yourself and train you accordingly than to force you to do things my way."
So in other words, I should improvise... He could do that... in acting. He had no idea how well he'd do in soccer.
"Hey, no need to get so nervous." She laughed as she took a seat on the edge of the lines. He wondered for a second if his thoughts were showing on his face, only to remember that she had the ability to read them whether or not they were. "Just dribble around the field a few times and then score."
"Understood."
He started by repeating some things he had learnt. Basic dribbling, juggling, and a bit more. Just as he was thinking about shooting, his eyes accidentally met with hers. It was only for a second, but the seriousness in them was clear.
Or rather...
The lack of amusement.
Is she expecting me to do more? But this is all I know how to― An image of her earlier routine flashed through his mind. Her dance-like movements that were just simply... Wait, 'dance-like'? An idea popped into his head. He wasn't sure if it would work, but...
He slowed to a stop in the middle of the field before getting into one of his favorite stances. Then, with the ball steady by his feet, he moved in ways he was far more familiar with. Pretending to be surrounded by a number of stage props, he nimbly, and dramatically, made his way across the field.
He could hear a growl coming from inside his heart. After quickly checking that his mentor was in a safe distance, he let the lion overtake his senses, and before he knew it, the ball was inside the goal.
Afterwards, he heard clapping.
"Looks like you're also getting an idea on how to use your spirit animal in soccer." She grinned wide. "Two birds with one stone. This is exactly the kind of progress we want!"
This is what she had been waiting for me to do? He wondered why she didn't just say so.
"Because there wouldn't be a point."
He really needed to remember she could read his thoughts.
"If I told you, then you would just be following orders again. You need to be able to stand on your own two feet if you're going to play on the world stage. That means finding your own style is the first big step, because no one would know your own strengths and weaknesses better than you do." She playfull winked at him. "My real job as your trainer is to guide you after you find that out, not to babysit you."
His lower jaw went slack for a moment before a smile made its way to his own face. "I think I'm starting to understand this sport. It may not be so different from kabuki acting after all."
"Glad to hear it." Suddenly, her expression changed into something he wasn't quite able to read. "Then the real training will start tomorrow. Rest well for today, Ichikawa-san."
YOU ARE READING
On The Side Of The Pitch With You
Fanfiction"You are my happiness." All she wanted was to keep him safe. All he wanted was for her to be happy. A lot of things happened in the span of a single year. They joined a revolution, time travelled, and even went to space together. "Just how stupid ar...
