I woke to the morning light streaming through the window. After a glorious night's sleep, I sat up and made my bed before wandering to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face.
Lucas (thinking):
Yesterday was full of surprises. I never imagined Aria carried such pain… but heh, my little scheme with Nadia's sister actually worked.
Flashback to Chapter 9
Nadia's little sister (bouncing up):
"Hi! Are you the coach of this team?"
Lucas:
"Yes, kid."
I stared at her, scheming.
Lucas (with devilish grin):
"Hey, I've got a job for you. Do it, and I'll give you a chocolate."
Nadia's sister (eyes wide):
"What is it, Coach?"
Lucas (laughing quietly):
"Fufufu—"
Nadia's sister (stepping back):
you look like a devil. Should I run to my sister?"
Lucas (raising a finger):
"Wait! Here's the plan: After training, sneak into the locker room, give this flower to Aria, and tell her 'You're my idol—please join our team,' with a sad face. Got it?"
I pressed the chocolate and a single flower into her hand.
Nadia's sister (eyebrows raised):
"You're bribing me with just a chocolate?"
Lucas (laughing again):
"What else do you want? You're just a kid!"
Nadia's sister (arms crossed):
"Money. I want money."
Lucas (sighing):
"Fine, you little negotiator—here's seven dollars."
Nadia's sister (pouting):
"Seven dollars? I'm not cheap. Pay me more if you want me to lie."
Lucas (desperate):
"You drive a hard bargain! Okay, here—thirty-seven fifty!"
Nadia's sister (smiling wickedly):
"Aww, you're so poor… but you're my sister's coach, so I'll do it, old saaannnn!"
I cursed silently, mentally reminding myself: "Calm down, Lucas. It's for Aria… and the team."
Back to Present
I rubbed my temples, still a little ashamed.
Lucas (muttering):
"That was worth emptying my wallet… right?"
Suddenly, Mom's voice came from the doorway.
Marie:
"Lucas? Why are you crying and laughing at the same time?"
I flinched.
Lucas:
"W-What, Mom? I'm not crying—just… thinking."
She placed a hand on my shoulder.
Marie:
"You sure you're okay?"
Lucas (forcing a smile):
"Yeah. I'm fine. Let's go eat—I'm starving."
Over breakfast—toast, eggs, and Mom's surprisingly good tomato jam—I tried not to think about my dwindled funds. After a quick goodbye, I headed off to campus for my morning classes, then on to Queen High for practice.
I met Sir Victor in the hallway. We shared a quick nod, and I followed him out to the pitch.
The whistle blew.
PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Lucas (firmly):
"Alright, girls. I've got some good news… and some bad news.
Good news? You've all been working hard in training.
Bad news? It's not enough—not yet—to win.
So, I've drawn up a brand-new formation and a training schedule. This week? We work like hell. We bleed if we have to—because our upcoming match demands it."
Victor wheeled out a whiteboard.
Victor:
"Here you go, Coach. As requested—whiteboard and marker."
Lucas:
"Thank you, Sir Victor."
He popped the cap off the marker, clicked it once for drama, and began scribbling.
Everyone leaned forward. Curious eyes. Silent focus.
⚽ 4-4-2 Weekly Training Schedule
Theme: "Compact Defending → Direct Attacks"
Monday: Defensive Shape & Crossing
Shadow Play: Back four + midfield banks shift in sync.
Crossing Gauntlet: 20 early crosses; strikers finish, defenders clear.
Small-Sided Game: 6v6, goals only count if they come from crosses.
Conditioning: Shuttle runs—simulate overlaps and track-backs.
Tuesday: Midfield Battles & Counters
2v2 Midfield Wars: Win the ball → pass to striker.
8v8 Counter Drill: Defend deep → trigger fast breaks.
Long Passing: CBs → striker hold-up play.
Recovery: Yoga for mobility and endurance.
Wednesday: Set-Pieces & 1v1 Duels
Set Pieces: 20 corners/free kicks; focus on flick-ons and crashes.
1v1 Defending: Fullbacks vs. wingers.
Aerial Duels: CBs and strikers challenge headers.
Plyometrics: Box jumps—build explosive strength.
Thursday: Tactical Discipline & Pressing
Trigger Rondo: 6v2 + pressing cue.
Zonal Shifts: Back four move as a unit.
11v11 Scenario: Force opponents through center.
Conditioning: Tempo runs—simulate midfield grind.
Friday: Quick Combos & Final Touches
Light match-prep with small tactical games and coordination drills.
Lucas (grinning):
"If we follow this, I guarantee you—we win."
The girls stared at the whiteboard, stunned. But not one complained. No one backed down.
They were ready.
Zara:
"Coach, when do we start?"
Lucas blew the whistle.
PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Lucas:
"Right now! Twenty laps—let's go!"
Groans. Laughs. And then—feet pounding the turf.
After the Laps...
Lucas:
"Today's focus: Locking down our 4-4-2 defensive shape. Then we conquer the Crossing Gauntlet."
Phase 1: Shadow Play
Two tight lines formed—back four near the penalty box, midfield four ahead.
Lucas:
"Defenders—step as one! Left, right, left! Midfielders—mirror them!
No gaps. No passengers. We're one unit."
He barked out commands—"Left!" "Right!"—and they slid together.
Then came the pressing drills.
On the whistle: press forward, then drop.
Lucas:
"Speak up! 'Press!' 'Drop!' 'I got her!'—Talk to each other! That's what wins matches."
Phase 2: Crossing Gauntlet
Wingers grabbed balls near the corner flags.
Lucas:
"Wingers—you've got 20 crosses. Mix them up—near post, far post.
Defenders—nothing easy. Cut it out early, or clear it hard."
Near-Post Blitz
First 10 crosses came fast and low.
CDMs and CBs blocked like their lives depended on it.
Far-Post Finish
Last 10 hung deep in the air.
Opposite-side CBs, CDMs, and even fullbacks scrambled to cover.
Lucas:
"Eyes on the ball! Not the runner! Communicate—who jumps, who stays. Own that box!"
Phase 3: Crossing Under Pressure (8v8 Mini Match)
Wide players raced to the byline. Crosses flew in.
Defenders tried to hold their line. Points flew back and forth.
Lucas watched, arms crossed, silent for a moment—until:
Lucas (shouting):
"Defend that shadow shape! Wingers—get those crosses in earlier!
Let's see how you handle it under pressure!"
PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Finally, the whistle blew. The girls dropped to the ground, gasping.
Zara:
"Ahhhhhh… I'm dying…"
Nadia:
"Water… someone… water…"
Sweat. Tears. Sore legs. But their eyes… they sparkled.
I watched, hands on hips. My chest tightened—not from exhaustion, but from pride.
They were becoming a team.
Victor gave me a nod from the sidelines. The signal.
Lucas (blowing whistle):
"Alright girls—one more thing. You ready for a surprise?"
Everyone looked up.
Nadia:
"What is it, Coach?"
Team (shouting):
"Yeah! Tell us!"
Lucas:
"Well… I'd like you all to meet someone."
Everyone gasped.
Team:
"WHO?! Don't leave us hanging!!"
I smirked.
Lucas:
"Everyone, please welcome—Miss Aria—to Queen High's Football Team!"
BAAM!! 🎉
Victor launched confetti into the air.
Aria stepped out shyly.
The team exploded.
Zara & Nadia:
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! Welcome Aria!"
Everyone:
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
It felt like a celebration. A real one.
Like we were… some kind of family.
[Kuro's Note:]
Yeah… just like me and you—the one reading this. You're part of this family too.
Sofia:
"Hi, girls~ I brought cake!"
Lucas:
"A perfect surprise, Miss Sofia!"
Sofia blushed and looked away. Didn't answer.
Lucas (confused):
"Wait… did I say something wrong?"
He looked at Victor.
Victor:
Gives a look that screamed, "You're hopeless."
Lucas:
"…Huh?! What did I do?!"
Later, as the cake came out...
Sophie:
"Aria—come cut the cake."
Aria stepped forward. A little nervous… then smiling.
Aria:
"I'm not good at speeches, but... thank you.
I didn't think I'd be standing here. I've lost people… dreams.
And for a long time, I didn't think I deserved to chase anything again.
But this team—you all—made me feel like I belong.
So I'll give it everything I have. Not just for me, but… for all of us.
Let's win. Together."
Team:
"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
And just like that—
The music started. Some danced. Others laughed, chatted about football.
And somewhere, in that strange energy between Lucas and Sofia…
the sparks of something quietly unresolved still flickered.
End of Chapter 10