Chapter 5

[Opening...]

[Getting a random Assimilation card.]

The package opened, and a blue light can be seen.

'A blue light? Maybe that's an Elite card. If it is, then its my lucky day!' I thought feeling excited about the blue light.

[Congratulations!]

[You get an Elite quality Assimilation card]

[Please check your inventory to get your reward.]

'Nice, it really is an Elite card. Lucky!'

Then I open my inventory to check who the Elite card was. And there I see a card blinking with blue lights. I mentally pick the card in my inventory.

[Elite Assimilation Card: Akira Sendoh]

"WHATTT!!!!?"

To my surprise, I abruptly stand up.

"Ichigo, do you have something to say?" asked the coach after I stood up.

"If you have something to say to everyone, just say it. This may be the last time you're playing together," urged the coach.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. 'You're only urging me to say something because you don't know what to say, you lousy coach!'

*Sigh* I can't just sit down now, can I?

"Um... I don't really know what to say."

"But since the coach let me talk, I just want to tell you all how proud I am of what we have achieved in the years that we played together."

"Especially you, my fellow seniors. We have been together since the start of our middle school until now, at the championship game."

"I know it's hard to see all our hard work amount to nothing in the face of the monsters from Teiko."

"But do you really want to give up now, when we're just minutes away from a championship trophy?"

Hearing my question, all my teammates look up at me.

"Maybe we won't win this game, but we need to at least make them work for the championship trophy."

After finishing my speech, the room becomes silent.

'Did I come off too strong?' I thought to myself, embarrassed by the reaction of my teammates.

"He's right. Do you really just want to give up the championship trophy just like that?" the coach asked his players.

'Now you want to talk?' I thought irritably as the coach said something, moments after I had embarrassed myself with my speech.

"No?" the players weakly replied.

"Then why do you all look so down? We came to this game expecting this outcome, but remember, this is the last chance for you to play together. Seniors, do you want your juniors to see you give up in your final game?"

Upon hearing this speech, all the seniors (except me) get fired up and shout in unison -

"NO!"

"Then play out there like it's the last game of your life. Play as if your life depends on it. Even if we lose, we will go out with dignity, and seniors, show your juniors your youthful spirit," added the coach.

"Yeahh!"

"Youth!" the coach shouted (Bro thought he was Might Guy).

"YOUTH!!!" all the players (again, except me) shouted in excitement, clearly fired up after the coach's speech.

'What a weird coach,' I thought to myself while shaking my head.