"Come on, get it Atsu." He said, running forward while juggling the ball.
"Hey, wait up Akatsuki-San. It's evening." I said running after him as he chuckled, still running further.
"No can't do, let's have some fun." He said.
*He's got some good ball control. I've gotta learn that too.* I thought as he stopped running.
"Come on, come get the ball." Akatsuki said laughing.
"You're really enjoying yourself." I said as he passed the ball to me.
"I'll try getting the ball from you this time."
"Don't wanna."
"Come on, it'll be of some help to us in the future." He said smiling.
"…okay." I said as he walking towards me with his hands spread.
I tapped the ball to my left and immediately kicked it to my side, running towards it immediately.
"Are you being serious now?" He asked.
"I'll just try dribbling while running." I said as he ran past me.
"Ha, I'll get it now." He said smiling.
*Okay!* I thought, smiling at him.
I lunged towards him, then drew the ball backwards with my right leg, tapping it twice with my instep. As it bounced, I turned my back against him, controlled the ball before tapping it under his open legs. I bent a bit before running under his spread hands.
"Huh?" He asked as if in a daze.
"Ha… you got me." He said running towards me.
"Haha, just something I learnt a while ago." I said, still running with the ball.
*Ha… it really worked. I was scared for a moment there since I've been trying and failing all this time.* I thought, smiling while still running forward.
"You clearly know how to play, why hold back during the practice match?" He asked as I shot the ball into a net.
"Huh?"
"Why did you hold back when we did the practice match?" He asked again.
"What do you mean hold back? You really don't believe I can play now just cause I was lucky to dribble past you?" I asked, grabbing the ball.
"Lucky? That's not right. You call that being lucky?" He asked, walking towards me.
"For real! That was just me trying my luck. It's not like you were serious while playing now, where you?" I asked as he chuckled.
"Wow, you actually knew. Kinda figured you'd read me." He said.
"Right?"
*It seems like I'm still not good enough to have alot of fun. It won't be fun if I keep playing out of luck. I'll just end up making everyone mad at me. But for today, it was fun... even for just a few minutes.*
"Well, see ya." He said waving at me.
"Yeah." I said waving back at him.
*Soccer... I really want to give you my all, but...*
~~~
Well, since we didn't have any practice, the others kept going around trying to find different things they wanted to do, like going to the movies, the park, the pool and the other many places they tried out. And I just kept wondering why they had such places here.
Most of the days just became boring and Akatsuki didn't feel like playing again. I spent most of the time improving my physique without the others finding out.
The weeks went by and everyone kept doing whatever they felt like doing.
*Ha… training alone isn't good. We won't be better if I train alone.* I thought.
"Oshiba-kun." The coach called walking into the Exercise room.
"Yes coach." I answered.
"Looks like you are working hard as usual." He said sitting on a bench.
*What did he come here for?*
"Oh, don't mind me, I just came to have a nice and normal chat." He said.
*Huh? Did he read my mind?*
"How's it been going for you?" He asked looking at me.
"Not bad, I guess."
"That's nice to hear."
"Coach, why'd you give us such a long time for break?"
"Well, nothing too serious for you to worry yourself about. It's not just me, other coaches took the long break too." He said, picking up a dumbell.
"I see… I bet you'd train us like hell later." I said as he laughed.
"Of course! We made a bet after all." He said, smiling at me.
"Yeah…"
"Ah! I just remembered."
"Hm?"
"I kinda need help with something." He said.
*What the hell does he want from me?* I thought as we walked out of the building.
"Well, the others are out and I need this thing inside before noon." He said pointing at a really big tree.
"A Christmas tree? And Why's it so big?!"
"It's for you guys okay. Make sure it doesn't touch the floor. Place it on your back." He said.
"Okay, help me put it on…"
"Hell no."
"Hey, we can atleast do it together."
"Not happening, I have to inspect some stuff."
"Tch, okay." I said, trying to put it on my back.
*Damn, this shit is really heavy.* I thought, walking forward, step by step.
"Oh, and there's this really big bag here too, help me take it in."
"Huh?!"
"Faster kid."
*It feels like someone's dragging me back, I might fall.* I thought.
*Is this a Christmas tree or some other kind of tree?*
"You can do it kid, thanks a lot." He said before leaving.
At the end, I kept it in the sitting room safely while sweating profusely before going back for the bag which was by far, heavier than the tree.
"Whew, done." I said sitting on the floor.
"Good job kid." The coach said looking happy.
"Mmn." I said.
"Hey, we're back." Watabe said as they all walked in.
"Whoa, it's a Christmas tree." Akatsuki said.
"For reals."
*Christmas is a few days from today. Doesn't really excite me.*
"Come on Atsu-kun, let's go have a bath." Akatsuki said putting his arm around my neck.
"You go, I'll be there soon." I said.
My back still hurt and I wanted to rest for a little bit.
"Come on, get up Atsushi." Saitō said dragging me up.
"Argh, what the hell?"
"Let's go to the bathroom guys." Akaji said as they dragged me with them.
*Argh, my back still hurts.* I thought, trying my best not to groan.