Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 27

–May 2028, off.

After finishing his fierce battles in the league, Champions League, and national team, Naoe Ren said,

He took a leave of absence and returned home quietly.

Airport arrival lobby.

Beyond the crowd, I see a familiar face.

“Lotus!”

My mother waved, and my father nodded silently.

My sister was standing there looking a little embarrassed.

“I was watching the game.”

“Just don’t get hurt.”

No change.

But, something has changed a little.

Ren laughed quietly.

(…I’m back.)

That night, my mother’s home-cooked meal was served at home.

The family dinner table has been set for the first time in a while.

The tastes, the laughter, everything was nostalgic and warm.

–However, in the back of Ren’s mind, there was already another plan in mind.

A few days later.

Local ground.

While the boys chased the ball,

Naoe Ren continued running in silence.

“Oh… isn’t that Naoe Ren?”

The parents who noticed were in an uproar.

However, Ren didn’t change his expression at all and just continued to kick the ground in silence.

Without anyone seeing.

Without being forced by anyone.

“…Not yet, not at all.”

I wiped the sweat off my face and started running again.

Only the sound of footsteps quietly echoed across the ground.

–Meanwhile, Ren was called up to the Japanese national team.

FIFA 2030 World Cup Asia 2nd Qualifiers Rounds 5 and 6

After the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Ren was continuously called up to the national team.

Although he initially made substitute appearances, in the second round of qualifying that began in November, he established himself as one of the starters as a defensive midfielder from the first match, and by the fourth match, he had recorded three assists, contributing to the team’s undefeated wins up to that point.

Although their advancement is already almost certain, the national team has limited opportunities.

This is the last valuable match before the final qualifying round.

“Next stop, here.”

Quietly clench your fists,

Ren put on his new jersey.

The day of the match.

The atmosphere in the stadium was heavy and hot.

Their opponent is the Vietnamese national team. For them, this is an important match as they are fighting for second place.

Physical speed and individual strength.

Honestly, Japan is superior in every aspect.

But that doesn’t matter, they come at it desperately.

Ren was not even a little careless.

Japan dominated the game from the beginning.

Reading and crushing in the mid-game.

Pass tempo.

And then, a calm through pass.

15 minutes into the first half,

Ren’s through pass led to a breakthrough on the right side, who then crossed the ball to the center, where Onizuka scored a goal.

Although he didn’t record an assist,

It was Ren who set the tempo of the match.

Japan then took a 3-0 lead with Onizuka scoring hat hat-trick in the 23rd and 35th minutes.

It was 43 minutes.

Taking advantage of the slightest opening outside the penalty area, he swung his left foot.

The ball went straight to the left corner of the goal.

A beautiful low shot shook the net.

(I’ve reached it… This step leads to the future.)

This was his first goal for the senior national team.

They continued to control the pulse of the match in the second half.

Nip the counterattack in the bud, pass the ball to advance your teammates,

Japan won the final match 6-0.

──Debut match.

And a majestic presence.

After the match.

Waiting in the aisle was

They were family members who had come to the stadium to cheer on the team.

It was the first time my whole family had seen it.

“…That was amazing, Ren.”

My mother was in tears, and my father was laughing quietly.

My sister said, a little embarrassed, but proud.

“…Big brother, you were a little too cool.”

Ren didn’t say anything.

However, his expression suddenly relaxed.

──Thank you.

I muttered to myself.

In the locker room, Onizuka called out to me.

“…You’ve been completely found, now.”

Ren laughed a little.

“I’m still the one being pursued.”

Onizuka laughed and patted Ren lightly on the back.

“Then run. I won’t wait for you – but it wouldn’t be bad if we fought side by side, would it?”

Ren looked straight ahead.

(─I’ll catch up.)

Beyond the night sky,

Aiming for a world yet to be seen.

—

Immediately after the match.

A soccer-focused YouTube channel gave extensive coverage to Naoe Ren’s beautiful goal.

[Naoe Ren, beautiful first goal]

Japan beats Vietnam 6-0 with ease – new star shines in midfield

A former national team player and commentator said:

“Wow, I was surprised. I couldn’t believe he’s 21 years old.

In particular, his ability to read the game and his passing tempo made him not just an ‘immediate asset’ but a ‘core player.'”

Social media was also abuzz throughout the night.

#Naoe Ren

#First goal for the A national team

#Silent Ruler

“Seriously, Naoe was the calmest.”

“It’s crazy that he’s only 21 and doing this.”

“You’ll be a regular in the final qualifying round!”

“Naoe, not just passing but hitting is also dangerous, is that a foul?”

“This guy is harsh.”

“The Completely Silent Don”

–On the other hand, there were also some calm voices like this.

“Today’s match was good, but we’ll see how it goes in the final round of Asian qualifying.”

“The real battle begins now.”

Anticipation, excitement, and quiet analysis.

Either way──

It was the night when the whole of Japan truly began to “notice” the existence of Naoe Ren.

And there, burning quietly in the middle of it all,

It was a small but definite hope for the future of this country.

──My name is Naoe Ren.

This was only the beginning of his story as a member of the Japanese national team.