Nakahara, The Therapist

Kaga watched Aoi perform appalling dribbling skills, sprinting forward against their defensive attempt.

Furthermore, he found it difficult to believe Aoi's startling speed, seemingly swifter than before.

His dribbling skills were baffling, too, knowing the basics and continuing to stick to it.

Compared to Oka, known for performing complicated dribbling skills, Aoi just performed feint and basic dribbling. There was even a step-over dribbling technique.

However, he dribbled, maneuvering past any defenders, and his speed did not dwindle at all.

Aoi performed like an expert football player who knows about dribbling and utilizing his speed without any problem.

If only someone had told him that Aoi was a natural football player, he would instantly believe what he had just seen, but he did not even recall that Aoi had an interest in sports.

Not even from Oka, who knew a lot about Aoi.

If Aoi was really good at football, knowing Oka, it would have spread by now.

Even so, he could clearly see Oka was just as surprised as he was, causing him to be perplexed.

He watched Aoi celebrating with his teammates, and his face frowned even more.

He disliked it. He should be the one to be the center of attention.

He was supposed to be the only striker who scored a hat trick, but now… out of the blue, he received the shock of his life.

Not once, but twice.

His crush was stolen from him, and now… even the dream of being the main striker in the football club, a dream he always had been carrying since he had taken an interest in football when he was a child, had been taken away from him…

He did not know how to react.

As he was lost in thoughts, staring at Aoi in a daze, he was suddenly distracted when Aoi strenuously tried to leave his teammates' embrace and suddenly ran in the familiar direction.

His heart skipped a beat, an unknown feeling slowly swallowing him whole.

His breathing quickened, and he was frozen in shock…

He saw Aoi hugging Izumi, who was weeping with tears.

The pain struck his heart… becoming unbearable to the point it suddenly vanished.

He felt empty… his emotions suddenly filled with nothingness.

His heart seemed to disappear as he slowly lowered his head while still having that unknown feeling devouring his entire being, causing his breathing to quicken.

He fell into his butt, continuing to lower his head, as his mind wandered to the unknown…

***

Nakahara caught Kaga's depressive state and decided to end the match.

The match was just the beginning of the pre-try-out training to analyze each of the player's football skills.

At this point, his folder was stacked with five papers full of words, causing even his hand to be worn out.

Nevertheless, he felt it was worth it.

After Aoi had shown his performance for his hat trick, he was now convinced to put him in the left-wing position.

He could only be subbed out once he was tired.

Furthermore, it was not only Aoi who had shown a stellar performance – Oka, Kaga, Kuduo, Ogata, Kase, and Jin.

Nakahara could confidently claim that this year's batch was better than the previous year.

He even believed that they could beat the number 1 high school football high school in the Yakumatsunai Prefecture!

"That's not what I'm happy about. It's the fact that they still have improvement!"

Nakahara murmured in satisfaction.

It was especially for Oka, who still had to master the scissors. Furthermore, Nakahara was planning to provide the best training regimen for Oka, too, focusing on his agility at all costs.

If Oka could perform better than before… 

"Hehehehehehe." Nakahara, the Smiling Demon, was giggling like an insane person.

Thankfully, no one paid him any mind, for they had all set their eyes on Aoi hugging Izumi with widened eyes.

"But then again…" Nakahara glanced at Kaga in pity. "This guy… he just has his heartbreak. Let me see how he deals with it. If this event would let it take over his head… he might leave the football club."

Nakahara ruminated for a while, shaking his head, and then sighed.

"No. I must help him overcome it at all costs."

Nakahara was determined to bring the football club to the nationals. If even he has to eat shit, he would do it.

"What are you saying? I would not go that far!"

Nakahara shook his head, wondering who he was talking to, as he sauntered towards Kaga, wanting to help him cope with his depression as possible.

***

"Kaga," Nakahara called softly, but Kaga continued to lower his head.

Nakahara sighed and bent his knees, casting a glance of pity towards Kaga.

He thought for a while about what to say and finally decided how to console him.

"You know… there's still many fish in the sea. I'm sure there are still many prettier girls than Izumi. Why don't you date someone prettier than her and make Aoi jealous about it?"

Kaga finally showed some reaction, tilting his head upward, and did not even hesitate to glare at Nakahara, causing the latter to be taken aback.

When Kaga realized what he had just done, he whispered softly, "Sorry."

Nakahara just smiled as he did not really mind.

He shook his head and replied, "Don't worry about it."

Silence ensued.

Kaga finally said, "Izumi has the best personality; her appearance is just a bonus."

Nakahara's eyes widened, slowly grasping what Kaga meant.

He had just realized he actually tried to invalidate someone's genuine feelings, and he felt bitter about it.

As much as he wanted to keep his mouth shut now, he felt like he still had to say something, at the very least.

"Yes, but then, she's now taken. What can you do about it? You should just move on and focus on playing football. How about this? Why don't you surpass Aoi in football skills and make Izumi regret not choosing you?"

At this point, Nakahara really should have shut his mouth, but he was so determined to bring his team to the nationals.

Dozens of seconds later, Kaga finally replied, "Why are you insisting on making me hurt Izumi? I don't like it. Honestly, Nakahara-Sensei, you are really not good at consoling depressing people. I suggest you try avoiding doing the same thing again."

Kaga looked at Nakahara again, but there was a helpless expression on his face.

"You're just making me depressed even more."

Nakahara was dumbfounded.