I practiced as a monk alone in Japan.

Chapter 236 The White Dove Will Fly to the Sky

The warm afternoon sun made me drowsy.

Especially on days like this, a midday nap can easily make you sleep until you miss the sunset.

Sakuraba Yuki was still a little groggy, but the thought of that boy's final match that afternoon swept away all her fatigue.

Just as she expected, Fujii-sensei had already appeared in the stands long before she arrived.

Upon seeing Sakuraba Yuki arrive, she immediately seemed impatient, "Sakuraba-sensei, you've finally arrived! I thought you weren't planning on coming."

Sakuraba Yuki rubbed her hair, which was a little messy from the autumn wind, and looked at the other person strangely, "Why didn't you come to see me?"

"After all, this is a match against us, and the odds of winning don't seem very high. A predictable result always makes people less interested. Of course, if Sakuraba-sensei is the kind of person who enjoys the process, I think it's fine too."

Sakuraba Yuki almost burst out laughing.

"If I remember correctly, your Blue Team's medal count has caught up quite a bit today, right? If you can win this game, you might only be one or two events behind. Besides, who said you have a better chance of winning this game? The odds of winning a battle are never certain before it even starts, are they?"

Fujii clearly hadn't expected Sakuraba Yuki to say that. Just as she was about to say something, a figure suddenly approached.

"What are those two teachers talking about? They seem to be having a lively discussion."

"Hmm? Team Leader Takamiya?"

"Why is Team Leader Takamiya here?"

It was none other than the grade leader, Gao Gong, who came to their side.

Because this grade leader has to handle many affairs, it's not as easy as he usually seems, so it's rare to see him leisurely appearing in the audience.

Team Leader Gao Gong crossed his legs and said, "It's nothing. I just saw how lively it was over here, and since I had finished my work, I came over to watch the game. I wanted to see how the kids play football these days."

"Huh? Team Leader Takamiya can play soccer too?"

Sakuraba Yuki was the least senior, so naturally she didn't know much about this grade leader.

Meanwhile, Mr. Fujii, who was standing next to him, explained, "Mr. Takamiya used to play volleyball and had managed most of the physical education students. There shouldn't be any sport that Mr. Takamiya doesn't know."

"That's it"

Team Leader Takamiya chuckled. "It's not that exaggerated. I only have a superficial understanding of volleyball and am just watching for fun. You guys were having such a heated discussion just now... Oh, it's about the Blue Team and the White Team. The Blue Team is managed by Mr. Fujii, right? And I know Tsukino Gen of the White Team, he's Mr. Sakuraba's student. No wonder you guys were discussing it so intensely, it was like you were about to fight."

Both of them felt embarrassed.

"It can't be that exaggerated, can it?"

"It hasn't come to that, it's just a simple discussion. By the way, Team Leader Takamiya, who do you think will win?"

"I asked Fujii-sensei curiously."

Team leader Gao Gong looked at the two teams that had already entered the field, and after thinking for a moment, she spoke.

"The game isn't over yet, so who knows who will win or lose? But if I had to pick a team I'd favor, I'd pick the one with members from our school team."

"What? Both teams have it."

"Yes, so Team Leader Takamiya is a master of impartiality?"

"Hahaha. Because I really don't understand football, wouldn't it hurt feelings if I rashly gave my opinion?"

Will it hurt feelings?

Sakuraba Yuki doesn't think so, because some things are simply a matter of losing or winning.

Various judgment boundaries establish countless standards, and these standards constitute the so-called wins and losses.

The most crucial point is that these wins and losses always determine the success or failure of many people, and even the success or failure of many people's lives.

It looked like a simple football match, just one event in a sports festival.

But who knows if this competition will bring about earth-shattering changes for some of the children?
Winning or losing is always important, even when comparing who can swing the highest on a swing.

"Alright, the match between the white team and the blue team is about to begin. The blue team will kick off first, and the players are already waiting for the referee's whistle near the center circle."

"There are so many spectators today, the seats seem to be full, it seems everyone is very interested in the result of this match."

"After all, one team has excellent teamwork and a clear division of labor. The other team has players with outstanding individual abilities. I'm already looking forward to seeing what it will be like."

"That's right. Look at football, a team sport. Is it the team with more balanced strength and better teamwork that wins, or is it individual heroism that wins the final crown?"

"drop!"

"The referee has blown the whistle, the game has now started, and the blue team kicks off!"

Under the sunlight, figures began to run across the entire green field.

The interlacing figures are like sunlight piercing through a dense, towering tree, with countless people like countless leaves. The light filters through the gaps between them, falling in clusters.

Just as Suzuki had anticipated.

The Blue Team's guarding of Tsukino Gen was more intense and more obvious.

It was almost to the point that Tsukino Gen was prevented from getting the ball. Even if he could receive the ball by retreating, someone would immediately make a move or physically close to him. It wasn't so obvious that it was easy for the referee to make a call, but it had a significant impact on the boy's movements and acceleration.

Although it has an impact, those who are aware of the boy's abilities will clearly notice one thing.

Why does Tsukino-kun seem a bit relaxed?

Jun Asagiri, who was in the stands, went to take care of some business at noon, and then actually went back to school to watch the game.

Kazama Sakura had thought this woman was just being polite, but now it seems she really values ​​this boy.

Before Asagiri Rin could speak, Lady Saionji, who had also appeared on the other side, tilted her head slightly and said with a smile.

"Are you sure it's not because you're tired from participating in too many projects? But it's normal, after all, even if a child at this age has a lot of energy, there are limits. They can't keep running indefinitely."

Mrs. Saionji's opinion is naturally the opinion of a normal person, which is perfectly normal.

However, when Asagiri Rin and Kazama Sakura exchanged a glance, they saw the emotions in each other's eyes. They had underestimated the boy's terrifying physical abilities.

Where is the endless running? It's practically tireless, like an inexhaustible battery.

It seems that as long as one is alive, as long as there is sunshine and rain, one can continue to consume one's energy. As for why this situation has occurred, that's another matter.

The answer is actually quite obvious.

Asagiri Rin chuckled softly, "He just felt that there was no point in winning by putting in so much effort."

"Hmm? What does that mean?"

Lady Saionji was clearly unaware, but Jun Asagiri seemed to have already figured it out, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"As expected of Tsukino-kun, he can still be so funny even at a time like this."

Watching the mother and daughter speaking in cryptic terms, Mrs. Saionji could only focus her gaze on her daughter.

Karen Saionji blinked and said softly, "It means that being a hero is meaningless, you have to be a hero to make things interesting."

Indeed, the situation seemed to be taking a sharp turn for the worse as Tsukino Gen appeared unable to get things moving.

The stronger midfield meant that the white team had almost no time to control the ball, and they were constantly running around under the opponent's pressure.

Gen Tsukino didn't intend to become a target of public criticism from the start, nor was he truly acting out of self-interest or a desire to become a hero and save the entire team. He figured that by taking matters into his own hands from the beginning, he could solve the problem and achieve his own goals.

But ultimately, the game loses its meaning. Most people become mere background figures, their existence rendered meaningless, which is tantamount to trampling on the essence of football. This would also be a heavy blow to what these people uphold.

He had no intention of destroying what these people upheld because of his own abilities.

So he began to become a midfield pivot when the white team's midfield started to lose control, even though there seemed to be no strikers on the field for the time being, and it seemed that there was no one who could threaten the opponent's penalty area.

However, Tsukino Gen repeatedly received the ball in midfield, becoming a pillar, not easily dispossessed, and even able to pass the ball to his teammates.

The entire white team actually came together more like a cohesive unit.

Of course, Gen Tsukino's efforts were not in vain; a wonderful chemistry seemed to be brewing within this team.

"We see that the Blue Team's offense is quite fierce. Number nine on the wing is trying to break through again, to take on the opposing defender one-on-one? No! There is help defense! This time, number nine cannot attack smoothly and can only pass the ball in other ways, but it is intercepted! While the White Team is providing help defense, there are also players waiting for an opportunity to come in to cover!"

"Wow, is this also a wonderful reaction brought about by Tsukino starting! The whole White Team seems to be playing more as a unit than yesterday. Even though their Tsukino seems a bit tired today and can't show such exaggerated offensive style, their defensive line is more solid and reliable!"

"I think this is closely related to Tsukino's starting position. You can clearly see that before Tsukino dropped back to receive the ball, the White team's midfield was quite chaotic, which made their defense very passive, like a disorganized mess. But with Tsukino in midfield, it was as if they had a backbone! This is a completely different style of play. We don't know if it was to ensure Tsukino's physical condition, but it seems like the football we are familiar with has returned!"

"That's right. Football should be a duel between two teams, with the key player delivering the decisive blow. After all, miracles don't happen every day, and spectacular performances aren't the norm."

The saying "There are no famous games in a major tournament" came about for this very reason.

It seems that the initial tension between the two sides has turned into a state of fierce fighting.

The midfielders' dominance over the youngsters became increasingly apparent, to the point that the referee had to repeatedly blow his whistle to stop the game. However, Tsukino Gen had no intention of getting into a conflict with them; instead, he noticed something even more interesting.

"Damn it! Block them! I don't want to see that number nine dare to charge down the flanks or even the byline again. Who gave him the courage?!"

"Be more aggressive in aerial duels, don't be afraid of fouls! Just don't reach out! Charge!"

Suzuki's increasingly frantic roar continued.

The entire team seemed to have broken free from their initial fear and anticipation of Tsukino Gen.

They seem to have forgotten their initial thoughts, and now they just want to play along and place their hopes on this boy.

Now, they are increasingly aware that they have become the key to the outcome of the game, and that everyone can be a part of the decision.

"drop!!"

"The first half has ended. It's a pity that neither side scored in the first half. The score is 0-0, but that doesn't mean the game wasn't exciting."

"Although the Blue Team controlled the game for most of the time, we could see the White Team's perseverance and a completely different spirit compared to the last game. Everyone was giving their all, and everyone was trying to influence the game. This was undoubtedly more exciting."

Let's wait and see who will be the key to victory in the second half!

In the locker room.

Once Suzuki had calmed down a bit, he looked at the boy who wasn't actually that tired.

"Tsukino, who were you just now?"

Gen Tsukino understood what he wanted to say, and he also knew what kind of expectations these people had for him.

However, he himself does not live according to anyone's expectations.

Therefore, he had no burdens of constraint, nor any shackles of moral standards.

He said.

"Isn't this a good way to play football?"

"Hmm? But..."

"I don't think winning or losing is that important. Of course, my attitude might have been different before. But this time, I'm not going to save anyone. After all, I won't be playing football anymore, so I might not have another chance to play against you. I hope you can win this game on your own."

"Without me, are you really inferior to the other side? I don't think so."

In the end, you have to rely on yourself in this world.

"If you yourselves cannot stand up, then who can you expect to stand up for you?"

I saw countless silent faces.

Gen Tsukino shook off the somber atmosphere and flashed a bright, cheerful smile.

"So, I will forget about winning and losing, and I won't play the role of a so-called hero. It's all up to you. Whether winning or losing is important to you is your business, but I hope that whatever choice you make, you can give it your all. As for whether you blame me in the end..."

"Actually, I don't care."

"drop!"

"The second half begins, White Team kicks off!"

"Huh? Isn't that a bit strange? It seems like the White Team has changed their striker. The much-anticipated Tsukino player has returned to midfield to receive the ball, while the striker position has been taken over by the newly substituted number 10 player."

"We can clearly see that the white team's midfield strength has obviously been strengthened due to the positional adjustments."

"The game is no longer a one-sided affair with the blue team controlling the ball. Under Tsukino's direction, the white team seems to have come alive, their positioning is more rational, and they are more like a cohesive unit!"

"We seem to have completely underestimated the overall strength of the White Team! They are not at a disadvantage at all in the midfield battle! Now the Blue Team is the one in trouble."

"Because they can no longer rely on Tsukino as a core element, they seem to be unable to find a suitable target for her. Instead, they're making repeated mistakes!"

"Is this a contest of true strength?"

"Foul! Another foul!"

"What a pity! The ball just grazed the goalposts; luck doesn't seem to be on the white team's side!"

"Oh no! The Blue Team's attack has created a rare one-on-one opportunity!"

"Oh dear! We missed that chance! The white team's goalkeeper made a timely intervention and saved the ball! It's getting more and more intense; the battle of stamina between the two sides has reached its final stage, and the deadlock remains unbroken!"

"There are only five minutes left in the game! Both sides seem to be running out of energy, and it looks like they are fighting purely on willpower! Who will have the last laugh?"

"This pass came from Tsukino! A through ball that couldn't be more precise, finding the only gap between four players, as if God had found the only passage for him!"

"Can the White Team seize this only opportunity, perhaps their last chance?!"

"boom!"

Someone spilled their water bottle on the stands.

Who pressed the pause button on their phone?

The popcorn exploded.

The white doves flew into the azure sky.

Under the sunlight, the cheers were so loud they seemed to burst through the clouds.

"1-0! The White Team has scored!!!"

……

(End of this chapter)