Chapter 22 : Growth

The next morning, they woke early, preparing for a day of training. Each of them moved through their routines—Wakabayashi practicing his stretches, Aoyama meticulously organizing his gear, and Barou fueling up with a quick meal.

On the way to the training ground, they passed through the town square, where the early morning crowd was bustling. Several locals waved, calling out greetings to the trio,

As they walked, they noticed a group of local kids playing football on a small pitch. The children immediately recognized them, their eyes lighting up with excitement and awe.

"Look, it's Mr Rahmat Secret weapon!" one of the kids shouted, causing all heads to turn.

Wakabayashi grinned, waving at the children. "Hey, mind if we join you for a bit?"

The kids were ecstatic, quickly clearing space and inviting the three stars onto their makeshift field. Some of the parents and other locals in the park noticed and began to gather around, curious to see the famous Luton players interacting with their young fans.

The game began with Barou, Aoyama, and Wakabayashi joining separate teams, spreading themselves among the kids. Barou, true to his fierce nature, immediately started charging forward with the ball, eager to score. His intense focus was evident, though he dialed down his power slightly to avoid overwhelming his young opponents. Aoyama, meanwhile, moved gracefully and cleanly, showing the kids how to position themselves and stay balanced. Wakabayashi, positioned as the goalkeeper, eagerly awaited their shots.

"Alright, give me your best shot!" Wakabayashi shouted with a confident grin as Barou approached the goal.

Barou smirked, launching a powerful shot aimed right for the top corner. But Wakabayashi was ready; he leapt, stretching to his full reach, and managed to save the shot with ease, smirking as he met Barou's surprised gaze.

"Not so easy, huh, Your Majesty?" Wakabayashi taunted playfully.

Barou scoffed, a spark of competitiveness in his eyes. "Just you wait. Next one's going in."

As the game continued, Aoyama took a shot from the edge of the makeshift pitch, aiming precisely. Wakabayashi, quick as ever, dived and caught it mid-air, his reflexes sharp. Aoyama simply smiled, unfazed, while Wakabayashi gave him a nod of respect.

Then came the kids' turn to shoot. They lined up eagerly, each one determined to score against the "Wall of Luton." Wakabayashi purposely let one slip past him, allowing a young boy to score, much to the kid's delight. The child's face lit up, his friends cheering and patting him on the back as if he'd just scored the winning goal in a real match.

"Look, I scored against the famous Wakabayashi!" the boy shouted, beaming with pride.

"Did you see that?" an onlooker whispered to his friend, holding up his phone to record the moment. "The Luton Town players are playing with the kids!"

Other onlookers recorded the impromptu game, laughing and clapping as they watched Wakabayashi intentionally "struggle" against the kids' shots. Each time a child managed to score, he'd throw his arms up dramatically, giving them a sense of accomplishment that made their faces glow with joy.

Barou, while normally intense and focused, also lightened up, occasionally letting the kids steal the ball from him. He grumbled good-naturedly each time they succeeded, though his competitive spirit never fully dimmed. "Alright, you got lucky that time. Let's see if you can do it again," he challenged with a grin.

Aoyama, as always, maintained his graceful and calm demeanor, offering tips to the kids as they moved around him. "Keep your balance here. Focus on your target. You'll be surprised at how much it helps," he advised, showing them how to maintain control and move with purpose.

The crowd around them continued to grow, their admiration for the players deepening as they witnessed the genuine connections being formed. Parents smiled, some visibly moved, while others exchanged glances, nodding approvingly.

"Look at that," one mother murmured to her friend. "They're not just football stars; they're genuinely good people."

Another onlooker, recording the scene, chuckled. "I always thought Barou was frightening fellow, but seeing him out here with the kids… it's heartwarming. And Wakabayashi, letting those kids score against him? They'll remember this forever.".

---

When they finally arrived at the training ground, Steve Rutter was already waiting, arms crossed, a look of stern disapproval on his face. Rutter's discipline was well-known in the club; punctuality and commitment were non-negotiable in his eyes.

"You three," he began, his voice low but firm, "mind explaining why you're strolling in after everyone else?"

The rest of the squad, including Arhan, Hubner, watched the scene with barely contained laughter. The trio's relaxed faces only made it funnier to the other players, who had arrived on time.

Wakabayashi attempted to explain, "Coach, we—"

Rutter held up a hand, silencing him. "I don't want excuses. I expect discipline, especially from players who should be setting an example for others." He pointed to a section of the field. "Ten laps around the pitch. Now."

Barou, Wakabayashi, and Aoyama exchanged a quick glance, then started jogging without argument. The rest of the team couldn't help but chuckle and whisper to each other as they watched the trio begin their laps.

The trio took it in stride, though Barou muttered under his breath as they ran, "They're enjoying this way too much."

Wakabayashi nudged him. "Worth it, though, wasn't it?" He flashed a grin, his earlier worry replaced by satisfaction.

Aoyama simply nodded, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Sometimes, being late is worth the lesson."

As they completed their laps, slightly out of breath but unbothered by the punishment, Rutter watched them, his expression softening ever so slightly. He may have been strict, but he could see their enjoyment from the morning's game had been genuine. As they jogged past him, he added in a quieter tone, "Next time, remember that training comes first. But... nice work with the kids."

The trio exchanged a look, suppressing grins as they returned to the field, joining their teammates for drills. Despite the teasing and the punishment, they didn't regret a thing. The morning with the kids had been a rare, grounding experience, and one they knew would stick with them far longer than a few laps around the pitch.