Declaration of War 32

Football is so much more than just a sport. It was, has and always will be.

A canvas for self-expression. An instrument of passion.

That is a truth Kohei Hayashida will never relinquish. A fact so irrefutable it burns to even think otherwise.

Kohei was born and raised in the island of Hinami. Since his earliest memories, he’s always been one to chase after a ball, learn tricks and master his craft.

When he played, he wanted to be the number 1. The best of the best. He’d do anything to win, and would always put his team ahead of himself. Winning meant everything.

Football was always on his mind, and he would spend hours with his friends out playing.

One day like any other however, another kid his age that he’d never seen before appeared. He had short black hair, and looked to him as completely ordinary. When he asked to join in, Kohei, like the team leader that he was, naturally agreed.

The newbie didn’t even know the rules to the game, let alone know how to play, but still, Kohei didn’t mind.

All he had to do, was be better than anyone else, so his team would win.

But the match was tough, and going at it alone wasn’t easy. That’s when he noticed…

The newbie was improving at an alarming, almost impossible rate. His touches were refined, and his awareness one a beginner could never even dream to achieve.

What was going on?

Kohei was visibly shaken up, and it was showing. No matter how his team tried though, they still couldn’t win. Their opponents soon started mocking his friends and as usual his sister tried to pick her bone with Shuna. Kohei didn’t know what to do.

He was… frozen. They were losing and everything else was going downhill too. It didn’t matter if it was a game in the playground. It didn’t matter who he was facing. Kohei simply wanted to win.

“Don’t worry. There is no way we won’t win as long as I’m here. Give me the ball and let’s show them, Kohei, Shuna!”

That was when the newbie spoke those words, with a conviction so unmatched, it was simply unbelievable he was a mere beginner to the sport.

How?

Kohei was struck speechless.

He had defended his friend, Shuna, and had helped the team out of their wallow of self-pity.

Kohei felt it then. His sheer charisma. His iron will. His remarkable talent.

Soon, he felt his feet getting lighter. His confidence rising.

His team ended up winning, and Kohei was… elated.

But then the newbie left the island as abruptly as he came, never to return again.

But Kohei never forgot his face, his look, nor did he forget his words.

His willpower.

How could I be like him?

Kohei thought.

How can I rally my teammates so effectively?

I want to be the best!

But he… was better.

With less time to train, fight, sweat and bleed.

I need to be better than him.

Kohei’s dream was to become a professional. To never lose again. To win, win and keep on winning.

That’s why nobody could be better than him.

Even if Kohei never got to see him again, he would still look back at that boy as his first and biggest rival.

❖ ⚽ ❖

Years passed, times and events faded from Kohei’s memory, but that one in particular never dared budge an inch.

He still remembered it vividly, and it gave him the drive he needed to improve every step of the way.

He was Hinami’s number 10 in his first year of high school. He was also the vice-captain, his skill recognized by captain Housen, coach Gonda, and all the people in Hinami.

He was the island’s brightest star. He played for the team, and the team played for him.

But…

That wasn’t good enough. Not nearly enough. He was having fun sure yet… fun wasn’t winning them games.

They had missed their chance to get in the league for the second year running, and they bowed out of the cup early in the group stage as well.

At that rate his talent, his hard work, his sleepless nights would be for naught.

He wanted to win.

He loved Hinami.

But that wasn’t enough.

That’s why when his talent was recognized by Inazuma, the strongest team in all Shinrin…

He pleaded to Gonda, and the school to let him go.

Of course as rules stated nobody could say a thing if all parties were in agreement, but the stares he got after he had packed his things and went to the port…

Haunt him to this day.

Shuna, his childhood friend.

Housen, his best friend.

His family stayed in the island, but his sister transferred with him, saying it was an opportunity.

He left for Mizushima and never looked back.

He left Hinami behind, for a chance at stardom.

His first days there weren’t easy. Unlike Hinami, nobody really listened to him. Unlike the Pirates, where he was the best of the best, in Inazuma he was just another talented individual out of many. Everybody was training hard, eating well, and fighting for winning with all they had.

Kohei was happy his teammates felt the same way he did, yet when he realized what it meant, his heart tightened…

He wasn’t transferred there to be the star. The best.

He was only there to be just another cog in the machine.

Just another player amidst 11.

His exceptional talent landed him a spot in the best, but among the best… he was just a single unit.

Even so, he couldn’t let that dictate his career. If that was the hand he was dealt then he’d fight and train harder than anyone.

He would be the best amongst the best.

Just like that boy would be, had he been there.

Kohei never regretted his choice, nor did he look back. He had left friends and family there, but he never dared visit.

He hadn’t… Until he heard the news.

Hinami got a new number 10. A new star.

A player nicknamed “Yurei”

He was making waves in the Shinrin papers, always scoring, always assisting,

How could that be?

Was it some first year Kohei never met? Or was it someone who trained hard in the summer and came back stronger?

No.

He was a new guy.

A new kid.

That’s when he knew he had to check it out himself.

❖ ⚽ ❖

“Kohei-kun…”

“…”

“Kohei-kun?”

“Ah!”

Amidst the fervor of the crowd, the singing pirates around him, and his friend’s voice by the side Kohei seemed to be daydreaming again. With his hood up to hide his face, Kohei breathed and turned to the one that had been calling him.

“What is it Ryo-san?”

“The match is over.”

“It is?”

The tall young man besides him sporting a hat that hid his illustrious hairdo, looked back at him with bored, tranquil yellow eyes.

“Weren’t you watching?”

“Hey, I was kinda lost there.”

“Let’s skedaddle.”

“Yeah, let’s.”

Kohei and his teammate, had taken the trip to Hinami to check out his old team, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of that famous number 10.

But… he didn’t make an appearance. It was a bore draw of 0-0, and the player Kohei wanted to observe was on the bench for the whole 90.

Heh.

Kohei’s competitive side caused him to smirk. So that’s the famous number 10…

Gonda didn’t even put him on when his team needed the goal? Talk about unreliable.

A star my ass.

Yurei?

Is that because he ghosts the team when they need him?

As the people dispersed back towards home, Kohei made his friend wait a little longer. The kick off was early on a Sunday, and since Inazuma had played their game yesterday, the two still had plenty of time before they had to catch the ferry.

One by one, he saw his former teammates leave the dressing room, heading on home. They weren’t particularly cheery, a testament to the bad draw they had against Hanazaki Sakura, a defensively resilient team, with minimal attacking prowess.

Yet, when a player he only recognized from the papers stepped out, Kohei revealed himself and cut off his path.

Perplexed, the Hinami 10 raised a brow.

“Are you… Yurei?”

“Do you want me to sign something?”

“As if.”

Kohei scoffed.

“I am Kohei Hayashida.” The former Hinami star took off his hood, revealing his short brown hair, and training his yellow, feline-like eyes on the young man before him.

“Kohei Hayashida…” Reo tapped at his chin, “That doesn’t really ring any bells…”

“It should. I play for Inazuma, and we’re facing you next week.”

“Oh, you do?” Reo’s face seemed to take on amused tone, “Well, see you then.”

“You took my place, and you can’t even play against Hanazaki Sakura…”

“What?” While Reo was about to walk away, Kohei pointed a finger at him.

“You are going to lose against us.”

What was that about taking his place? Reo thought, halting for a moment.

“Don’t taunt him, Kohei.” His friend, who was busy looking at the butterfly flying around him, turned to calm his teammate down.

“Ryo, what the hell are you doing?”

“Look at what I found. Sweet, isn’t she?” While Kohei was clearly dumbstruck by his friend’s behavior, Ryo was simply undeterred in showing him the butterfly resting on his finger, a serene smile on his face.

“I don’t understand what is going on…” Reo shook his head at the weird scene. A headstrong provoker, and an apathetic pacifist. What was their deal?

“Look! You may not know me but I know you! I was Hinami’s last number 10 before you!”

Hinami’s last number 10…

“So you are the one who left for Inazuma…” Reo finally connected the dots.

“Finally we are on the same page.”

“And what do you need? Why are you here? Came to mock me or what?”

Kohei’s face was hard, and despite his average height he wasn’t exactly imposing. His body did look like he put some work into it though, although lean.

He seemed like the kind of all-around player, Reo observed.

“I’m here to declare war.” Kohei said resolutely, staring back at Reo’s raised brows, “You’re going down, next week.”

Reo opened his mouth, but before he could spit back a retort, a female voice rushed over from the locker rooms.

“You idiot!” Shuna huffed, as she came speed-walking out the dressing room.

“You forgot these below the bench!” And then she hit him lightly with the cleats of his football boots.

“Oops…” Reo smiled sheepishly, before relaxing, “Thanks, Shuna.”

With a shake, Shuna removed the grass from his hair after hitting him, and giggled, “Sorry, I’ll get it off now. Although it looks good.”

“Yeah, grass on your hair. Charming.”

Throughout the exchange, Kohei looked on, his eyes frozen and mouth slightly ajar. Their expressions, the way they talked to each other.

Kohei could tell in an instant. Not only did that Yurei take his place… but he was dating his childhood friend to boot.

The childhood friend he was in love with for as long as he remembered.

As Shuna turned to the young man before her, her eyes widened in silent surprise. Then a questioning look crossed her face.

“Ko…”

“Kohei?!”

Before Shuna could spell it out, Totori and Toraichi emerged, with the latter calling out almost too loud.

Still unable to speak, Kohei Hayashida merely sighed. Now things were getting complicated. Undeterred however, Totori turned to the one besides Kohei, whose butterfly had already flown away, and was silently observing the situation.

“And you are…”

“Aizawa Ryo.”

Calmly, the young man removed his hat, revealing spiky spiraling blue hair, and a face pointy and sharp.

“AIZAWA RYOOO?!”

While Totori clutched his chest like he was about to have a heart attack, Kohei clicked his tongue.

“Keep it down, idiot!” In contrast to Ryo himself, who merely shrugged.

“What are you doing back here?” Shuna crossed her arms over her chest.

Shaking his head, Kohei tapped his teammate on the shoulder, and simply turned around.

“Our business here is finished. See you all next week.” Without oozing hostility like he did against Reo, Kohei spoke to his former acquaintances with much less scorn. Nevertheless he glared at his counterpart one last time, before he was off, “Let’s go Ryo-san.”

“Right.”

As the two silhouettes were growing thinner in the distance, Shuna sighed angrily, while Toraichi finally spoke up.

“That was weird.”

“Weird?! That was an ultra-rare gacha pull! Aizawa Ryo came to watch Hinami play you know!”

As Totori was blowing steam out of his nose, Reo found his chance to ask.

“Who the hell is Aizawa Ryo?”

“Only the best striker this league has ever seen. He probably is the biggest talent in all of Shinrin for maybe… decades.”

Coming from Toraichi that was huge praise.

“Yeah… but what the hell did Kohei want? Did he tell you anything, Reo?” Shuna tucked at his sleeve, eyes slightly concerned.

“He said he… wanted to declare war to me.”

That was weird, certainly everybody thought so. But something within Reo pushed past the peculiarity and almost made him smile. The former number 10, against the current number 10. A way to show who the best really is. A showdown worth gearing up for.

Hinami against the best team in the league? Bring it on, Reo said.