The Captain - Riccardo Di Rigo

Chapter 4 : The new Cheerleader ?

The week leading up to the match against Teikoku Academy was filled with anticipation and excitement. The school was buzzing with discussions about the upcoming game, and the team spent every spare moment practicing and refining their strategies.

On the morning of the match, I received a call from Jade.

"Hey, Aiko," she greeted me enthusiastically. "Are you ready for the big day?"

"Absolutely," I replied. "I can't wait to see the game."

"Great! I was thinking you could come to the school and join us on the club bus," Jade suggested. "It'll be more fun going together, and we can cheer for the team all the way."

"That sounds perfect," I said. "I'll be there soon."

When I arrived at the school, I found Jade, Sky, and Rosie already waiting near the club bus. The players were gathering their gear and getting ready to board. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the energy was infectious.

"Hey, Aiko!" Jade called out, waving me over. "Come on, let's see if you can join us on the bus."

We walked over to Coach Evans, who was coordinating the players. Jade didn't hesitate to speak up.

"Coach Evans, do you think Aiko could join us on the bus to the match?" Jade asked with her usual directness.

Coach Evans looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding with a smile. "Of course, Jade. There's plenty of room. The more support, the better."

"Thank you, Coach!" I said, feeling excited to be part of the journey.

"Alright, everyone, let's get on the bus!" Coach Evans called out to the team.

The atmosphere on the bus was electric. The players were buzzing with energy, chatting about their strategies and goals for the game. I sat with Jade, Sky, and Rosie, feeling the infectious excitement of the team around us.

"So, Aiko," Sky said, turning to me. "Is this your first time going to an away match with the team?"

"Yeah, it is," I admitted. "I've never been on a bus with a sports team before. It's really exciting."

Rosie smiled. "You're going to love it. The energy is incredible, especially when we start cheering them on."

As we chatted, Riccardo walked down the aisle of the bus, stopping briefly at our row. "So, Aiko, ready to be our number one supporter today?" he teased with a playful grin.

"I'll do my best," I said, laughing. "Any tips on how to be a great supporter?"

Riccardo shrugged, still grinning. "Just be loud and make sure Teikoku knows who you're cheering for. And no pressure, but we expect you to bring us luck."

"I'll see what I can do," I replied, smiling.

Jade chimed in, "Don't worry, Aiko. We've got this. We'll be the best cheerleaders out there."

As Riccardo moved on, Ryoma approached, stopping at our row as well. "Well, well, if it isn't our resident cheerleader," he teased, looking directly at Jade.

"Don't let it go to your head, Ryoma," Jade shot back, smirking. "Just make sure you don't miss any shots today."

Ryoma laughed. "I'll be sure to give you something to cheer about, Jade. You better keep your voice ready."