Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 21.5

– From Washizaki Shu’s perspective

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An autumn evening in northern Italy.

A cold breeze blew through the gaps in the apartment, rustling the curtains slightly.

The living room with the lights turned off.

A faint blue light glows dimly on the wall.

What was being shown was a scene from the UEFA Champions League.

Center of the screen.

The player with the number 19 on his back was running onto the pitch.

“…As always, you can see well.”

Hiiragi was leaning back on the sofa with the remote control in his hand.

He looked somewhat annoyed, but his eyes didn’t leave the screen.

lotus.

The man who stood on the pitch with him a few years ago.

He is now said to be at the heart of the club in Germany.

In the footage of the Champions League, Ren provided the winning assist in added time.

In the silent room, only cheers reached the room a beat later.

“…It’s the same as it was back then.”

Hiiragi stood up and took out a bottle of mineral water from the fridge.

There is no strength in his hands as he opens the plastic bottle.

There was neither regret nor jealousy in his voice.

It was just pale and a little warm.

–But deep inside his heart, there was a sense of unrest.

“Center, squeeze more!”

“You’re late with the cover, Hiiragi!”

I remember when I first came to Italy.

Words, tactics, even intuition – nothing was working.

There was a lack of coordination between the defensive line.

Positioning discrepancies.

A ruthless scolding after the match.

“…Maybe it’s just not for me.”

There were many nights when I felt that way.

But—I didn’t run away.

The days I spent in Japan.

And then, the words he suddenly uttered would sometimes cross my mind.

“Hiiragi-san, you can see what’s going on around you.”

Those words still resonate deep in my heart.

–Beep.

Hiiragi picked up the remote again and stopped the video.

Inside the screen.

Ren was filled with joy after scoring the goal.

After staring at the still image for a while, Hiiragi muttered quietly.

“…Maybe I’ll contact you next time.”

Naturally, a smile formed on my lips.

It was the first time something had “welled up from within” for me since coming abroad.

It’s not over yet.

There is still something I can do.

The light that burns quietly but surely continues to burn…

It’s right here in my heart.