CHAPTER 49: THREADS OF TENSION

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At Shizen Academy, the air buzzed with excitement as students hustled about, preparing for the much-anticipated academy festival slated for the following week. In every corner, decorations were being hung, booths assembled, and rehearsals held, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere.

However, in a contrasting scene, the Shizen soccer team's first squad lounged in their team room, each member feeling a mix of anxiety and dread. They awaited their captain, Osamu, knowing full well that he would not be in a forgiving mood after they had defied the mandated recovery training.

Koichi, sitting tensely on the couch next to his twin brother Koshi, voiced the question on everyone's mind. "Do you think Osamu will go easy on us this time? He didn't even mention anything to Arion yesterday."

Koshi gave his brother a reassuring pat on the head, though he looked just as concerned.

Ryuu, ever the calm and collected one, observed his teammates growing increasingly anxious as the minutes ticked by. Deciding to break the tension, he turned to Takuya, the experienced midfielder, who often had a good read on their captain's whereabouts. "Takuya-san, do you know where Osamu-san is right now? What's keeping him?"

Takuya looked up from his spot, offering a calm but knowing smile. "He's at the student council office. He had to drop off the list of our activities for the festival before coming here."

Yutaka couldn't resist adding a playful comment. "He's probably just trying to sneak in some extra time with his girlfriend. It's tough being the student council president's boyfriend and keeping tabs on all the festival prep." He made a show of clutching his chest, pretending to feel abandoned, which drew a few chuckles from the team.

The brief moment of laughter was a welcome relief. They all knew that Osamu's relationship with Reina, the no-nonsense student council president, was often a balancing act. Reina's meticulous and independent nature meant she rarely asked for help, even from Osamu. It was one of the many things he admired about her, but it also meant he had to find creative ways to support her without stepping on her toes.

Takuya sighed, reflecting on the dynamic between Osamu and Reina. "Yeah, Reina's got a lot on her plate. She's serious about everything she does and prefers handling things herself. That's one of the reasons Osamu loves her—she's incredibly strong and capable. But he's just there to give her our list. It's probably quicker for him to handle it directly."

The door to the lounge creaked open, and the room fell silent as Osamu walked in. His usual calm demeanor was shadowed by a stern expression, signaling that their reprieve was over. He paused at the threshold, taking in the sight of his team, who were now sitting up straighter, bracing themselves for what was to come.

Osamu's gaze swept over the room, lingering on each face for a moment longer than usual as if weighing his words carefully. He walked to the front of the room and took a seat, his demeanor calm yet exuding an air of authority. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice steady and commanding. "Tell me everything from the start."

The room fell into a tense silence. The gravity of Osamu's request settled heavily among them. It was clear he was not in the mood for evasions or excuses. Takuya, the second eldest and often the de facto leader in Osamu's absence, stepped forward with a sense of duty and readiness to take responsibility.

"I'll tell you, Osamu," Takuya said, his voice steady. He then began recounting the events that led to their impromptu match with Raimon. He explained how they had been eager to prove themselves, how the opportunity to play against their despised team was too tempting to pass up, and how, despite knowing they were supposed to be resting, they couldn't resist picking on them.

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