We were now in Tokyo, attending the funeral rites of my parents.
Family, friends, and colleagues of my mother and father had gathered. My grandfather gave a heartfelt speech, thanking everyone who had come to pay their respects.
My grandmother didn't attend, she wasn't ready. The loss was still too raw for her. Which is understandable, she lost her son after all.
Later that day...
"Shin." my grandfather said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. "From now on, you'll be living with us in Osaka."
"Yes, Grandfather... I understand." I replied quietly.
We then went to the apartment where I used to live with my parents.
"Take anything you want to keep as a memory." my grandfather said, picking up a photo album.
"I'll just take this photo." I replied, walking into my parents' bedroom and picking up a small wooden frame with a picture of the three of us.
"Alright... let's go." my grandfather said with a sigh.
The next day, my grandfather sold the apartment, and we left for Osaka.
Back in Osaka.
"We're back, Mirei." my grandfather said as we stepped into the house.
"Welcome home." my grandmother replied softly. The sadness in her voice was unmistakable.
"I'll be right back, just going to grab the rest of our things from the car." I told them, heading back toward the door.
I brought my suitcase inside, took it up to my room, and started unpacking my things.
Once I was done, I headed back downstairs to join my grandparents in the living room.
"Alright, we'll need to get you enrolled in a new school." my grandfather said."What do you think about Naniwa?"
"I was actually thinking about going to Azumaichi, Grandpa." I replied.
"Oh? Azumaichi is a good choice too. Very well, it's settled, I'll take care of the paperwork." he said with a nod.
He tried to stay positive in the way he acted—I could see it.
Later, when we sat down for dinner, the meal passed quietly.
Days went by, and little by little, the house began to feel alive again. Until today, the day I started elementary school.
"Did you pack everything in your bag?" my grandmother asked.
"Yes, don't worry, I've got everything. Alright, I'm off, see you later!" I said.
"See you later, Shin."
And with that, I headed toward Azumaichi, ball at my feet, of course—dribbling through the crowd.
Sounds a bit like something Tsubasa would do, I know… but I was or rather in my memories I used to be a big fan of a player named Neymar. So I just went with it.It's good for my technique.
After a few minutes, I arrived at Azumaichi. I headed to the front desk to find out which class I'd been assigned to.
"Let's see... Orochi Shin. You've been placed in Room 2." said the receptionist.
"Alright, thank you. Have a nice day." I replied, then started toward my classroom, only to turn back halfway.
"Uh, can I leave my ball at the front desk?"
"Go on, just for today. Otherwise you'll be late." she said with a small smile.
"Thanks again." I said before heading off once more.
"There he is." I heard a teacher say as I reached the classroom door.I stepped in, suddenly facing a room full of students.
"Introduce yourself." the teacher said.
"Sure. Nice to meet you all, I'm Orochi Shin."
"Alright, take a seat… Tss, Soda Makoto, wake up!"
"I wasn't asleep, teacher, oh hey, it's Orochi!" Soda said, looking surprised.
"Well then, Orochi, take the empty seat next to him." the teacher sighed. "Let's get started."
Surprisingly, Soda had the protagonist's seat, right next to the window. Anyway, I made my way over and sat where I was told.
"How come you're here? Weren't you supposed to be in Tokyo?" Soda whispered.
"A lot's happened… I live here now." I answered quietly.
"I see." he said, not pressing for more.
Classes were over, it was the end of the school day.
"Orochi, come with me. We're signing you up for the football club." Soda said.
"Let's go. I was planning on heading there anyway. But first, let's stop by the front desk, I need to grab my ball." I replied.
We went to pick up my ball, then made our way to the school's football field.
"Coach Ikeda! I've got a new player who wants to join." Soda called out.
"I'm guessing it's the boy next to you." the coach said.
"Yes, my name's Orochi Shin. I'd like to join the football club." I told him.
"I see. We were just about to start training. Go get changed." Coach Ikeda instructed.
We nodded and headed off to the locker room to get changed.
I found a uniform and a pair of cleats that fit me, then stepped out of the locker room.
"I'm ready." I said.
"Good. We're just waiting on the other one." Coach Ikeda replied, arms crossed.
"I'm here." said Soda as he jogged over.
"Alright, let's start warming up." Coach ordered.
We began stretching, ankles, hamstrings, calves, the usual routine.
"Give me some high knees, then lateral shuffles!" the coach called out.
We followed his instructions, picking up the pace as we went. After a while, he clapped his hands together.
"Now that you're warmed up, let's see what you're all made of. There's fourteen of you, we're doing seven versus seven." Coach Ikeda started calling out names and splitting us into teams.
"What position do you play, Orochi?" asked Nakai Toru, a teammate of mine.
"Left winger, Right winger or attacking midfielder." I replied.
"Got it." he nodded. We kept discussing who'd play where until everything was settled.
"Ready?" the coach called out.
"Yes!" we answered and so did the other team.
"Take your positions." he said firmly.
In the end, I was placed as the right winger, more or less, so I took my position on the flank.
Once everyone was in place, Coach Ikeda blew the whistle to kick things off.