Out Of Sight

The Way Forward

Nothing in this chapter was planned. Yet it's 10K? I don't know how this happened, but I hope y'all enjoy it!

~'0'~

''So, we're decided? We disband the fifth team?''

Head Coach Kudou grunts his agreement, writing something down on the paper in front of him. ''Too many players dropped out to sustain it. Nomoto, you'll be made assistant coach for the fourth team instead.''

''Yes, Kudou-san.''

Yuuichi lets the familiar soccer talk wash over him, occasionally scribbling a note to himself if it's relevant, but mainly just observing. For now, they're still focusing on updates from the lower teams, which don't concern him directly.

Fridays are the usual meeting days for the five - now four - coaches of the Raimon soccer club, aided by assistant coaches and advisors. Despite what one might think, the business of the soccer club is continuous throughout the day. Afternoons, and mornings in case of the first and second teams, are of course blocked off as time slots for physical training, which means that anything regarding the actual running of the club is done during the school day itself.

And running a club as large as the Raimon soccer club is a surprisingly demanding task. Distribution and overseeing of finances, for one; any paperwork regarding matches and tournaments; setting up constantly evolving training schedules; keeping track of individual player's developments; and the amount of time that is wasted on simply keeping track of, and if necessary replacing, equipment is, frankly, ridiculous, but unfortunately teenagers are not nearly as mindful with the supplies as their trainers would like them to be.

And thus, the need for these weekly meetings to manage all the going-ons within the club. Their latest topic of conversation had been the fate of the fifth team; the club, this year, had had an above average admission rate, leading to the necessary addition of both a Raimon IV and a Raimon V. However, administration had already anticipated the eventual disbanding of at least one of those, once the soccer-hopefuls realized that actually making it onto the big stage requires actual hard work. Too many teenagers look at the shining soccer spotlight with arrogant awe, not quite realizing how much it actually takes to play on that level, thinking that with minimal effort and big dreams they'll make it. Very few are talented enough to do so, and thus the first two weeks of the school year always boast the highest dropout rates. It happens every year.

Of course, there are always a few determined beginners who awaken a newfound passion for the field. Those will be moved up to the fourth team, and perhaps, someday, even higher.

But, truth be told, Raimon is competitive. While they are easier regarding club admission than most other schools with teams on national level, it results in more teams and increased competition between said teams. The first team is notoriously hard to get into; not surprising, considering one of Kudou's hard requirements is having been on a starting lineup in at least one national-level or higher competition.

The Head Coach often likes to remind them that this is no longer Jr. High; the first team of a soccer giant such as Raimon High is the groundwork for the professional international stage, and only those determined to reach that level are welcomed. The training is, in one word, gruelling.

Although, Yuuichi has to admit, if only to himself - the main Raimon team is fundamentally closed-off beyond that.

Though many have tried, outsiders rarely even make it onto temporary team formations, let alone into their tight-knit group.

No, Raimon I is not simply closed-off due to Kudou's high expectations. The truth is that they've shut themselves off years ago.

Yuuichi knows well why that is.