The Cutest Missed Shot

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He kicked it wide again. Takashi was getting tired of being able to convert only a fraction of the shots he attempted. He had no more insults to throw into the air, and he was starting to look angrily at Sasaki, who blocked the few shots he could direct towards the goal.

“Damn it. Not again.” The feeling of frustration was attacking him again.

Takashi panted from exertion, pausing briefly to watch the ball stray wide before hastening to retrieve it. He picked it up by hand and, while jogging, played it back with his foot, then sprinted towards the shooting area. While doing so, he cast a concerned glance at the school building.

About fifteen minutes ago, the coach had escorted the girl to the infirmary for aid by Tsuno's team assistants. As he faced her, he couldn't discern if she was hurt, yet she appeared visibly shaken. So much so that she couldn't even respond to Takashi when he asked if she was feeling better.

A loud whistle interrupted his thoughts. Shiraito had returned to the field, this time alone.

"Alright! Training's over. Stretch, shower, lunch in an hour, then to the stadium. Ueda!"

The coach turned to Takashi, who flinched.

"Yes?" he responded, tensing his body.

"Come with me."

While teammates stretched, Takashi swiftly followed Shiraito into the school. The corridors were deserted since summer classes had concluded. The scent of tobacco lingered around Shiraito, who struggled with alcohol and cigarettes. Smoking was banned during training, so he opted for lollipops to ease anxiety.

"That was a terrible shot," he grumbled in a hoarse voice. "I hope you won't repeat the same against Hyuga today. It'll be your best chance to score," he said with his arms behind his back, firm but understanding.

Takashi truly admired his coach's jovial side. Behind that tough armor, which got even worse during matches, there was a great guide and mentor. While humor wasn't the coach's forte, Takashi recognized the comment as a ‘joke.’ Yet, he treated the notion of it being his significant opportunity to score very seriously.

"Alright... How is she?" he couldn't help but ask.

"She's fine. A bit shaken, but not hurt. It's that door," he said, pointing to a blue door with a window. "Treat her with patience, alright?"

Takashi nodded, and Shiraito departed with the team, taking with him the lingering smoke smell. With some hesitation, Takashi stood tall and stepped inside, feeling a touch of nerves.

"Um... Excuse me."

Sitting at the far end of the room on the examination table was the injured girl. She sported a summer-appropriate ensemble, donning a pastel pink shirt paired with white shorts. Positioned there, Takashi observed she stood slightly shorter than him, verified as she raised her head and gazed at him, her stunning copper hair veiling her face. The girl flinched as he entered, but her eyes, matching her hair's hue, held steady as her cheeks tinged pink, accenting the fair skin.

“Maybe she's still dazed,” Takashi thought as various emotions ran through him. "Are you feeling better?"

The girl's eyes, however, moistened as if overwhelmed by a strong emotion. Takashi became alarmed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please forgive me, it was my fault!" Takashi pleaded, clasping his hands together. The girl simply wiped her eyelids and hurried to speak, to Takashi's surprise.

"No, it's okay... I'm fine," she said, looking at him with a gentle smile.

Takashi felt his body heat up.

"Although, yes, that was a really bad shot," the girl let out a giggle.

Her sweet laughter dissolved any irritation in Takashi. Besides, if there was any, then he deserved it.

"Yeah, I know. Are you sure you're not hurt?" Takashi queried, playfully rubbing his neck.

"I'm fine. Thanks for caring," she bowed. "But it was kind of expected. I stopped to watch because you guys were really training hard, Takashi."

The girl radiated a strong positivity, her aura making Takashi feel joyful just near her.

"Thanks... wait, do you know my name?"

"Huh?" Her confusion shifted to realization. "Ah, your coach told me. He also said you're a very kind boy, hardworking and with no bad intentions."

Takashi found comfort in Shiraito’s endorsement. "So he does believe in me," he mused.

"Oh, right. I just miscalculated the shot."

"I know, I know," she soothed with a hand gesture. "Well then, it's only fair that you know my name too. I'm Nao. Yamamoto, Nao. Nice to meet you," she concluded with a warm smile.

“What a beautiful name,” Takashi thought. For some reason, he did not dare to say it.

"I'm Takashi Ueda, nice to meet you."

Once again, Nao smiled beautifully.

"Alright, Takashi. So, you're from Tsuno, right? It shows from the colors."

Indeed, Takashi was wearing the same training outfit as his teammates: a burgundy shirt with yellow shoulders. Although it wasn't the jersey, it was a distinctive enough feature.

"Yes! Do you live here in Takachiho, Nao?"

Nao didn't respond immediately; she took another second in which she didn't look away.

"That's right. I always watch the matches in the summer, but I had never been to one of the training sessions. I really liked how you guys worked so hard. It must be great to be a soccer player."

"Thanks," Takashi said. "Like my teammates, maybe. Surely not like me," he thought.

"Takashi! Are you still there?" a voice asked from the other side of the door.

Before turning to the door, Takashi noticed how Nao tensed up and raised her arms, as if getting into a defensive stance, as soon as she heard Jun's voice.

"Yes!" he replied with a smile, although he could barely see Jun through the glass.

"We're heading back to the hotel to shower. I'll leave your bag here," Jun said as he left the black bag by the door.

"Thank you very much. See you there."

Jun walked away down the hallway, and Takashi turned to see that Nao was still on guard. Slowly, she began to relax.

"Oh, it was just one of my teammates. Don't worry."

"Oh... okay," her voice wasn't as strong as before. "I'm sorry, you can go if you want. I'm feeling better now."

"Are you sure?" Takashi tilted his head. "Hmm, alright then. Anyway, we're staying at the Yamabiko Inn. If you need anything, just come by."

"Um, about that..."

As Takashi turned to leave, Nao interjected. Her cheeks tinted, but her expression turned serious.

"You hit me with your ball. Shouldn't you make it up to me?" She crossed her arms, appearing slightly tense.

"Huh?" Takashi responded, guilt evident. "I'm sorry. What do you want?"

"What I want... this..."

Nao seemed to freeze, and for the first time in their conversation, she looked away towards the floor on her left. She seemed lost in her thoughts, and Takashi thought he noticed something familiar there.

Despite his concerns, Nao's expression softened after a moment. Her cheeks reddened, her voice regained its timbre as she clenched her fists.

"I'll be at the stadium to support you and your team... if you want," Nao looked up, intertwining her index fingers, her voice gentle. Takashi melted at the sight, as if it were a painting brought to life.

"Of course, I'd love that," he replied sincerely.

"Great. Hey, don't you have to go back with your team?"

"Oh! Right. You’re sure you're feeling better?"

Nao's angelic giggle escaped her lips again. Amidst his emotions and the excitement for the game, Takashi didn't notice her eyes welling up again.

"Yes, thank you so much. You can go ahead. See you in a little while," she said, brimming with joy while closing her chestnut-colored eyes.

Takashi seized his bag and dashed down the hallway towards the exit, feeling like he was floating on a cloud after their interaction.

"So, Nao told me that..."

A white animal.

"Huh?"

The girl in the blue yukata.

However, this time, Takashi wouldn't let his thoughts overwhelm him.

"Let's go!" he shouted, encouraging himself as he sprinted back to the hotel.