Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 44

──Tuesday, October 24, 2028

Team training day ahead of the Champions League Round 3 match against Liverpool

The autumn wind sways the grass.

After practice, in the corner of the field.

Himmel was alone, looking up at the sky.

Suddenly, my gaze was–

In the center of the pitch, Ren was still kicking the ball.

“…Are you doing it again?”

The murmur was not one of astonishment, but one of respect.

He also knew that some of his teammates were looking at him with cold eyes.

What didn’t change was whether we won or lost.

It was air.

On the pitch, giving instructions,

Draw the line by hand

That sight of him pointing and telling me when it’s time to start running.

Someone who makes you feel like you “should” do it, not “have to”.

That pass against Bochum –

Himmel still couldn’t forget that feeling.

“I’ll run there properly next time.”

Those are the words I said back then.

“…I’m glad I ran.”

Locker room.

After he showered, Himmel was asked by his teammates.

“Hey, people have been saying lately that you’ve been trying to curry favor with Ren.”

Himmel laughed.

“It doesn’t matter. On the pitch,

No matter who I’m paired with or where I’m at, I’ll be the one scoring.”

“…But, with that person,

“If I can run with faith, the ball will come to me.”

Meeting room after practice.

Ren was standing in front of a whiteboard and talking to the director.

“The opponent will probably maintain a high line.

If we can steal the ball in this position, we can get behind them with one shot.

Himmel’s speed, I want to take advantage of that.”

Himmel, who had been listening from behind, couldn’t help but speak up.

“…Seriously? Are you going to use me?”

Ren suddenly turned around and nodded slightly.

“It’s up to the manager if he knows the timing.”

That night.

Himmel was alone, with his notebook open.

What was written were the words Ren had spoken at a previous meeting.

“If the timing is off by one second, it won’t go through.”

“But when they do mesh, that one second changes everything.”

Next to it, Himmel added the following in his handwriting:

“Running is my job. Matching with others is believing in yourself.”

The next day, Ren appeared on the field.

Himmel finished stretching before anyone else.

He laughed and said when he saw Ren roll his eyes.

“Today, I won’t be even a second late.”